In the sun-drenched heart of the tropics, where the land meets the sea in a harmony of mangroves and rivers, the coastal town of Sasmuan, Pampanga in the Philippines tells a story of strength, sustainability, and the quiet revolution led by women.
Each morning, women gather by the riverbanks to untangle fishing nets, sort their daily catch of blue swimming crabs, and prepare nature’s bounty for market. Among them is Christina Guevarra, who, with grace and patience, frees a crab from her net and reflects, “From February to May, we are grateful. But after that, especially during the rainy season, we adapt and find new ways to support our families.”
Her words capture the resilient spirit of her community.
🌊 Coastal Life Rooted in Nature
For generations, the people of Sasmuan have lived in harmony with the Sasmuan Pampanga Coastal Wetlands, part of a vital watershed flowing into Manila Bay. This ecosystem has long provided food, jobs, and cultural identity.
However, shifting environmental patterns and increasing urban waste present growing challenges. Even so, Sasmuan’s women are not just coping—they’re crafting innovative responses to protect their land and their way of life.
“We depend on the river, and when nature changes, so must we,” says Christina. “Life is simple, and we embrace its challenges with determination.”
♻️ Women Leading Environmental Solutions
Recognizing the importance of sustainable development, the Integrated River Basin Management (IRBM) Project, funded by the Global Environment Facility and implemented by the UN Development Programme (UNDP), has partnered with the Provincial Government of Pampanga and local groups to promote eco-friendly and community-led practices.
A key element? Women’s empowerment.
At a Materials Recovery Facility in Sasmuan, women like Edna Bilacog and Rose Ann Tungol are at the forefront of waste segregation—playing a critical role in preventing pollution from reaching the wetlands. Though their wages remain modest, their contributions are invaluable.
“Our work helps clean the environment and support our families,” they say with pride. “We are part of the solution.”
🧶 Weaving Livelihood from Tradition
In a quiet riverside home, Maricar Guevarra, a skilled net weaver for over 20 years, breathes new life into torn fishing nets. For every repaired net, she earns approximately $4, and for larger traditional nets (panti), she earns $13, each requiring four days of meticulous handwork.
“This skill helped sustain my family, especially when my husband fell ill,” Maricar shares. She complements her income with laundry work and home-cooked meals—a testament to her resourcefulness.
These traditional crafts, passed down through generations, are not just economic lifelines—they are cultural heritage.
🦀 Leading the Blue Crab Economy
The blue swimming crab, abundant in Sasmuan’s wetlands, has become central to the local economy, and women are at the helm. From detangling crabs from nets to cleaning and selling them, they are leaders in every stage of the crab trade.
While environmental challenges persist, many women are responding proactively by diversifying their skills. During the off-season, they take up jobs in nearby towns—as store employees, helpers, or casual laborers—always finding a way to contribute to their households and communities.
🌿 Turning Wild Greens into Gold
Innovation thrives in unexpected places. In Batang 2nd village, a women’s group is turning sea purslane, a riverbank wild herb, into atchara, a local pickled delicacy. What was once seen as a weed is now a symbol of sustainable entrepreneurship.
Elsewhere, Patricia Culala has built a business producing crab paste, made from the flavorful fat of blue crabs. “The fat is the tastiest part,” she says. “Through this small business, I’ve been able to send my children to school.”
These women are redefining what it means to thrive in a coastal economy—using creativity, knowledge, and hard work to turn natural resources into opportunity.
🌱 A Blueprint for the Tropics
Sasmuan’s story is one of hope and possibility—a model for other tropical communities facing similar environmental and economic pressures. The town’s women are not waiting for change—they are the change.
Through partnerships like UNDP’s IRBM Project, investments in fair wages, access to resources, and capacity-building are unlocking their potential. More than just stewards of the wetlands, they are innovators, educators, and community leaders.
Their resilience illustrates a global truth: sustainable development is most powerful when it empowers local voices—especially women’s.
🗺️ Celebrating the Tropics
On this International Day of the Tropics, the world turns its eyes to regions rich in biodiversity, culture, and climate sensitivity. Sasmuan stands as a beacon of what can be achieved when communities—and especially women—are empowered to lead.
Whether it’s turning discarded materials into income, crafting nets to preserve traditional fishing, or transforming riverbank plants into thriving businesses, the women of Sasmuan show us that sustainability is not just about saving nature. It’s about sustaining lives.
Their journey is a reminder: when women lead, communities thrive—and the planet heals.
