Uplifting Coastal Communities in the Philippines: Harnessing Underwater Technology and Innovations
Ms Joan Andrea Toledo
Board Director, Indo-Pacific Alliance, Philippines
Key Highlights
- The Bajau Laut community will be able to reduce food insecurity through the provision of Indian indigenous technology and expertise through the technical assistance of the Indo-Pacific Alliance and the Maritime Research Center of India.
- In the Philippines, the integration of Artificial Intelligence (AI) into the fisheries sector offers transformative opportunities for enhancing the livelihoods of ordinary fisherfolk.
- Fishermen can be trained to utilize these localized AI models, which can help them achieve higher, more stable incomes by adapting to fluctuating market conditions.
The Bajau people have been crisscrossing the waters of the Sulu Sea for centuries. To the Bajau, a “border” is merely the farthest distance they can reach by boat. They are exceptional divers; they can stay underwater for up to 10 minutes at depths of 200 feet. Their diet consists of seafood (The Guardian, August 10, 2023).
The Bajau Laut communities in the Davao Region and Northern Mindanao comprise a large section of undocumented Filipinos. They do not see the necessity of obtaining a Philippine national identification document, as they frequently cross borders. Due to their lack of national documents, they are unable to get social security benefits, health and education benefits, as well as financial and food aid assistance during typhoons.
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Ms Joan Andrea Toledo
Board Director, Indo-Pacific Alliance, Philippines
Ms Joan Andrea Toledo is the Board Director at the Indo-Pacific Alliance, an Ocean-based Think Tank based in the Philippines. Ms. Toledo is also a guest professor at the National Police College, Philippines, and a book author with Palgrave Macmillan on security issues.