“When it comes to hard work and perseverance, fishermen are incomparable. They are already out at sea before the sun rises and even brave bad weather just to provide for their families.”
In celebration of World Fisheries Day, fisherfolk from the national fishers’ group Pambansang Lakas ng Kilusang Mamamalakaya ng Pilipinas (PAMALAKAYA) from different provinces across the Philippines marched along Recto Avenue to call for the upholding of their rights to fisheries, livelihood, and sovereignty on Thursday, November 21.
Ronnel Arambulo, Vice Chairperson of PAMALAKAYA and senatorial candidate of the Makabayan Bloc, emphasized that the fisheries sector is the most hardworking yet remains the poorest sector in society.
In 2023, the Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA) reported that the fisherfolk sector had the highest poverty incidence in 2021 at 30.6%, followed by farmers at 30%, children at 26.4%, and individuals residing in rural areas at 25.7%.
On anti-fishermen laws
“One of the major reasons why fishermen are deprived of their rights is because of anti-fishermen laws, such as the Fisheries Code of 1998, which was further intensified by the amendments in RA 10654,” Arambulo pointed out.
The Republic Act (RA) 8550 or the Philippine Fisheries Code of 1998 was originally introduced to promote the development, management, and conservation of fisheries and aquatic resources. However, its amendment in 2015 into RA 10654 or “An Act to Prevent, Deter, and Eliminate Illegal, Unreported, and Unregulated Fishing,” has drawn criticism from fisherfolk nationwide.
The law has been heavily criticized for disproportionately affecting small-scale fisherfolk, who are fined and penalized under stricter regulations while large-scale commercial fishing vessels are allowed to exploit marine resources with relative impunity.
According to PAMALAKAYA, many fishers in La Union and other coastal areas have faced fines and legal challenges for alleged violations, further aggravating their already precarious livelihoods.
In addition to these laws, reclamation projects have added another layer of hardship for small fishers. Arambulo highlighted that reclamation efforts, especially in critical areas like Manila Bay, have displaced fisherfolk and disrupted local ecosystems.
Of the 187 reclamation projects approved nationwide, 22 are in Manila Bay alone, covering thousands of hectares. These projects have received environmental compliance certificates from the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR), which has drawn ire from environmental and community groups.
“This is infuriating because this department (DENR), which is meant to protect the environment, is the one giving permission to destroy it,” Arambulo said.
Arambulo reiterated that reclamation projects not only displace coastal communities but also threaten the biodiversity of Manila Bay, which serves as a vital source of livelihood and food for many Filipino families.
Surveillance
Aside from the demolition of livelihoods, leaders and organizers of PAMALAKAYA chapters have been experiencing surveillance from unknown police and military personnel.
In a recent Manila Today report, Rommel Escarial of PAMALAKAYA-Navotas has faced surveillance and red-tagging from unidentified individuals, which has also affected other members of the organization.
Similarly, George Cacayuran of TIMEK-PAMALAKAYA reported being searched by military personnel, leaving him fearful not just for himself but for his family and the people around him.
“While I was on my way to the DSWD in Region 1, my family informed me that three soldiers came to our house asking for my whereabouts but did not say why. Vehicles carrying ten soldiers from the Philippine Army’s 50th Infantry Division also went to the Barangay Hall, searching for me without revealing their purpose or intention,” Cacayuran said.
“The actions of these soldiers clearly reflect their brutal nature. What they are doing makes it possible for me to be abducted or just disappear,” he added.
Joey Marabe of PAMALAKAYA-Zambales also shared that they were being followed before the mobilization in an attempt to stop them from amplifying the calls of Zambaleños.
Sovereignty
While military forces are deployed across urban and rural areas, many rights groups have highlighted President Marcos Jr.’s pronouncements to shift the military’s focus from internal security operations to external threats, especially maritime issues in the West Philippine Sea (WPS).
“Instead of pursuing a peaceful resolution, President Marcos allowed foreign military intervention,” Marabe of PAMALAKAYA-Zambales said.
According to Marabe, the conflict in the WPS continues to pose challenges to Filipino fishers, particularly amid harassment by foreign vessels. He noted that Chinese incursions have led to resource depletion and disrupted traditional fishing grounds, exacerbating the anxiety among local fishermen who rely on these waters for their livelihood.
PAMALAKAYA condemned various military activities between the US and the Philippines such as the Balikatan exercises, which reportedly caused environmental damage and disrupted fishing activities in Zambales coastal areas.
The group also called for the complete demilitarization of the WPS, emphasizing that these waters should be preserved for sustainable fishing and economic activities, free from foreign military aggression. They have urged the government to uphold sovereignty and ensure the safety of Filipino fishers by addressing both Chinese harassment and U.S. interventions that harm marine ecosystem
Hold San Miguel Corporation accountable
“[SMC] pretends to be helping by offering scholarships to families, but they are the reason why many youths are unable to study, affected by the lack of livelihood,” Escarial said.
San Miguel Corporation (SMC), led by Ramon Ang, is the primary funder of significant reclamation projects in Bulacan and Navotas. These projects, including the Navotas Coastal Bay Reclamation Project (NCBRP) and the Bulacan Aerotropolis, have collectively displaced thousands of fisherfolk and mussel farmers.
According to PAMALAKAYA, over 20 kilometers of fishing structures in Navotas have been dismantled, impacting approximately 20,000 residents. Despite claims of development, fisherfolk have reported severe livelihood losses, forcing some families to withdraw their children from school due to financial strain.
The NCBRP, which covers 650 hectares, is touted as the “Southern Gateway” to the Bulacan Aerotropolis but has faced widespread criticism. PAMALAKAYA has pointed out that these reclamation projects contradict the Supreme Court’s 2008 Mandamus to rehabilitate Manila Bay. They further argue that such initiatives harm marine biodiversity and violate the rights of coastal communities.
Additionally, PAMALAKAYA criticized Agriculture Secretary Francisco Tiu Laurel’s involvement in reclamation efforts in Cavite, particularly the 420-hectare Diamond Reclamation Projects owned by the Revilla family. These projects also continue to displace fisherfolk while allegedly violating environmental laws.
The affected communities and environmental groups call for greater accountability from SMC and government agencies to ensure the protection of livelihoods, biodiversity, and compliance with legal mandates to preserve Manila Bay.
