50 c. Strengthen awareness-raising and information dissemination regarding government programs and efforts to promote the livelihood of artisanal fisherfolk. Education efforts should also include building the capacity of government officials and institutions to fulfill their obligations and mandates. 7. Urge the LGUs to coordinate with the FARMCs, relevant agencies, and/or the private sector on creation of post-harvest facilities for municipalities. Infrastructures like fish ports and fish landing sites will help artisanal fisherfolks secure an equitable income and prevent commercial fishing operations from controlling the prices of catch in the market. a. In relation to the creation of post-harvest facilities, the CHR appeals to the State to take note of guideline 7.3 of the VGSSF which provides “States should foster, provide and enable investments in appropriate infrastructures, organizational structures, and capacity development to support the small-scale fisheries post-harvest subsector in producing good quality and safe fish and fishery products, for both export and domestic markets, in a responsible and sustainable manner.” 8. Address the food security issues of coastal communities through effective management of fishery resources in municipalities. Limitations on the volume that can be brought out from municipal waters should be enforced, protection and conservation of fish habitats such as mangroves and coral reefs strengthened. There should be awareness-raising and education in the government on environmental degradation of important biodiversity, including socioeconomic impacts. a. The consumer demand for marine resources require the equitable management of marine products and in consideration of the food security of coastal communities. RA No. 8550 acknowledges explicitly that the protection and conservation of fishery resources is critical in achieving food security for the nation. Specific interventions recommended include that 10% of all catch in municipal waters be left for the benefit of municipal communities. 367 9. Relevant social security institutions of the government should look into improving the access of artisanal fisherfolks to social security programs. The enactment of the Universal Health Care Law and the institutionalization of the 4Ps, where farmers and fisherfolks are now automatically included, are seen as a step in the right direction. a. The VGSSF explicitly provides several guidelines on how the State can promote social security protection for workers in small-scale fisheries.368 Guideline 6.3 provides that the “State take into account the characteristics of small-scale fisheries” and apply appropriate schemes to the entire value chain. 369 Considering the precarious situation that artisanal fisherfolks are in, it is recommended that non-contributory social security schemes be developed for them, in particular, to protect them against the sudden loss of earnings during natural calamities such as typhoons and storms as well as sickness. b. Improve access to credit and financing programs of the government by minimizing documentary requirements from prospective clients. Accessibility includes making sure that social security programs are easily attainable, understandable, and affordable. c. Due to the distance of the physical offices from the communities, relevant agencies should facilitate availability by going to the communities instead, particularly for GIDAs. 10. Ensure the strict implementation of Section 25 on the Rights and Privileges of Fishworkers of RA No. 8550. The relevant government agencies should provide adequate information for all parties, and intervention should be done in case of violations. 367 Consultations with Fisherfolks, supra note 148 368 Chapter 6, The SSF guidelines, supra note 24 369 Ibid.