Announcements

7 Municipalities, 1 Shared Vision for Our Coasts! Our marine resources don't recognize borders, which is why coordinated action is key! Organized by Guiuan Development Foundation, Inc. and Rare Philippines, the A7 for ICZM, composed of the municipalities of Lawaan, Balangiga, Giporlos, Quinapondan, Salcedo, Mercedes, and Guiuan, is holding its First Executive Committee Meeting (EXECOM) for 2026 to strengthen inter-municipal collaboration and protect our coastal ecosystems. From reviewing mangrove stewardship and seagrass reserves to tackling IUU fishing, our local government units are working hard to protect the livelihoods of our coastal communities. A major milestone of this EXECOM includes formalizing key partnerships through a Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) signing with: Provincial Government of Eastern Samar DENR-VIII Provincial PNP University of the Philippines Tacloban College By harmonizing our policies and uniting our efforts, we're building a stronger, more climate-resilient Eastern Samar.

Today, as we celebrate Philippine Independence Day, we look beyond our history books and focus on the future of our nation. For us at GDFI, true freedom and self-reliance flow from a healthy, thriving environment. A country cannot be fully secure if its coastal communities struggle with declining fish catches, or if its islands are left vulnerable to climate change without the natural protection of healthy mangrove belts and watersheds. True independence is realized when local communities are empowered with the knowledge, legal frameworks, and tools to guard their own ecosystems—from the ridge to the reef. By protecting our marine sanctuaries, restoring our forests, and managing our resources sustainably, we are practicing active patriotism. We are ensuring that the wealth of our land and seas remains healthy and bountiful for generations of Filipinos to come. Let us honor our freedom by protecting the nature that sustains us. Maligayang Araw ng Kasarinlan mula sa Guiuan Development Foundation, Inc.

Guiuan Development Foundation, Inc.commits to empowering coastal communities and fostering climate-smart marine governance through our community-led Assessment and Management Training, ensuring that local ocean action is truly inclusive and accessible to everyone, including persons with disabilities. This World Oceans Day, we are proud to be part of the COAST Facility, a UK-funded programme supporting more resilient coastal ecosystems and stronger, more sustainable blue economies. The programme is helping to drive practical solutions across key areas of ocean resilience, from strengthening marine protected and locally managed areas, to advancing blue carbon and nature-based solutions, to supporting sustainable fisheries, aquaculture, and coastal livelihoods. Central to this work is partnership. COAST brings together communities, local organisations, governments, researchers, and private sector actors to co-create solutions that link ocean health with economic opportunity. We look forward to continuing this journey and to sharing more of our work and impact.

GDFI Welcomes Tech Talents from University of the Philippines Tacloban! The times are changing, and everything is going digital! For an NGO like the Guiuan Development Foundation, Inc. (GDFI), keeping up with this shift is crucial. Spreading environmental awareness, showcasing community impact, and sharing our conservation stories now rely heavily on a strong digital presence. That is why—more than ever—the world of conservation needs the power of Computer Science! We are thrilled to officially welcome our student-trainees from the University of the Philippines Tacloban, pursuing their BS in Computer Science! These brilliant interns are taking on a massive role during their time with us: building GDFI’s official digital home. By bridging tech and environmental advocacy, these tech-for-good pioneers are equipping us with the modern tools we need to scale our operations, elevate our publicity, and amplify our awareness campaigns globally. This is a huge contribution to our mission. We are incredibly excited to see how their technical skills, codes, and algorithms will translate into stronger waves of coastal conservation and community resilience across Eastern Samar! Welcome to the team, UP Tacloban Interns! Let’s build a more digitally empowered and climate-resilient future together.

Happy World Environment Day from GDFI! For nearly four decades, Guiuan Development Foundation, Inc. has been working hand-in-hand with local communities, LGUs, and partners to restore what has been degraded, protect our wild marine stocks, and build a climate-resilient Eastern Visayas. But conservation isn't a job for just one organization—it takes an entire community. Today, let’s renew our commitment to protecting our shared home. Whether it's practicing proper waste management, planting a mangrove, or supporting sustainable fishing, every small action ripples into a wave of change. Together, let's protect our coasts, secure our livelihoods, and nurture our future!

Honoring history through action this #WorldOceansDay! Did you know that Bagonbanwa Island Marine Reserve and Fish Sanctuary in Guiuan, Eastern Samar, is the very first Marine Protected Area (MPA) established in Eastern Visayas? Covering 28 hectares, this unique island is home to a "triple alliance" of coastal ecosystems: mangroves, seagrass beds, and coral reefs. When the Guiuan Development Foundation, Inc. (GDFI) established the MPA back in 1990, the marine life here was heavily degraded by blast, dynamite, and cyanide fishing. Where others saw destruction, GDFI saw an opportunity for rehabilitation. True enough, in just five years, a sanctuary once described by renowned marine scientist Dr. Angel Alcala as “sterile” was completely teaming with life—proving that when we give nature a chance, it bounces back. For years, Bagonbanwa served as a bustling hub for coastal resource trainings, scientific research, eco-tourism, and student internships, accommodating up to 50 people. Tragically, in 2013, Super Typhoon Haiyan utterly destroyed the island’s field station, buildings, water systems, and wharf. This World Oceans Day, we returned to Bagonbanwa Island. To honor its legacy and protect its future, our team conducted a coastal clean-up activity. Keeping our sanctuaries free from marine debris is a vital step in maintaining the ocean resilience we’ve fought so hard to build over the last three decades. But we can't do it alone. To fully restore our Bagonbanwa Field Station so it can continue inspiring the younger generation about sustainable fishing and environmental protection, we need your help. Be part of the restoration. Partner with us, support our initiatives, or coordinate your next learning visit by messaging GDFI directly. Together, let's bring back a better field station for the future of our seas!