34 As most participants said they do not have access to social security services, the number of responses to verify if the programs were adequate 245 was insufficient. Some of them said that they experienced discrimination from some government programs like SAP or the Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program (4Ps).246 Some experiences encountered were families not being eligible for 4Ps because they lived in a concrete house when they were only caretakers.247 Some communities had to rely on themselves and/or community organizations to facilitate programs without social security measures. A participant from Mindanao shared they created a program called “Kadamay” in their community, wherein each member would chip in 100 PHP and that would be used to help other members in need.248 Another shared that they have a memorandum of agreement (MOA) with hospitals in their municipality, where they can bring indigent families and an allowable amount that can be utilized for their needs. 249 Participants also conveyed that physical offices or facilities of the social security agencies are very far from their communities. 250 Since they live in coastal communities, commuting to the inland offices is very expensive and physically taxing. A participant from the Visayas shared that she has to travel at least 3 hours from Eastern Samar to Tacloban to reach the nearest office. 251 As internet connection is also a challenge in coastal communities, they have difficulty accessing government services online. A participant mentioned that she went to the SSS office last year due to difficulties in the online process but was not accommodated since the office did not accept walk-ins. But it is worth noting that some LGUs have efforts to ensure that their constituents receive the appropriate interventions to address the physical distance of coastal communities. One example is the Province of Lucena: they created the “Bahay Panuluyan” which offers board and lodging paid for by the LGU for patients from farther municipalities who have to receive medical treatment in the provincial hospital. 252 There have also been varying experiences on information dissemination by coastal communities. Some participants reported that they could only get information regarding these programs through word of mouth or during meetings with their organizations. 253 Others shared that they get information from the municipal agricultural office, their barangay officials, or government agents. 254 Still, most of them agree that the information dissemination mechanism needs to be improved. We also asked the participants if they had experience working for commercial fishing operations. Very few of them had first-hand experience. One participant conveyed that they know some people who work for small-scale commercial fishing operations in Lamon Bay.255 According to them, their wages are percentage-based,depending on the volume of catch. Likewise, they are not aware of the mandatory benefits such as SSS or PhilHealth, but they do have identification cards from BFAR. 256 A participant from Mindanao shared that he had prior experience working for commercial operations. He shared that in 1998, he worked for a commercial boat that had purse seine and hand line operations, and their engagement was not covered by written contracts, they did not receive any benefits, and their wages were based on the 245 Adequacy is considered as one of the key elements of the right to social security, Available from www.ohchr.org/en/issues/rightsocialsecurity/pages/socialsecurity.aspx 246 Consultations with Fisherfolks, supra note 148. The Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program is the flagship conditional cash transfer program of the DSWD. 247 Ibid. 248 Ibid. 249 Ibid. 250 Ibid. 251 Ibid. 252 Ibid. 253 Ibid. 254 Ibid. 255 Ibid. 256 Ibid.