Small fishers air concerns ahead of Marcos’ 5th Sona

Small-scale fishers from several provinces bring their grievances to the Department of Agriculture (DA) on Monday, hours before President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.’s fifth State of the Nation Address (Sona). — Photo courtesy of Pamalakaya MANILA, Philippines — Small-scale fishers from several provinces brought their grievances to the Department of Agriculture (DA) on Monday, hours before President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.’s fifth State of the Nation Address (Sona), raising concerns over commercial fishing in municipal waters, reclamation projects and increased US military activity in fishing grounds. Calling their protest the State of the Fisherfolk Address (Sofa), members of fishing federations led by Pambansang Lakas ng Kilusang Mamamalakaya ng Pilipinas (Pamalakaya) and Katipunan ng mga Kilusan ng Artisanong Mangingisda sa Pilipinas (KKAMPI) marched to the DA on July 27 to present what they described as the conditions confronting small fishers. Among the issues raised was the intrusion of commercial fishing operations into the 15-kilometer municipal waters reserved under fisheries laws for municipal fisherfolk, as well as the destruction of fishing grounds and displacement of coastal communities that the groups linked to reclamation. Article continues after this advertisement “Small fishers from across different provinces traveled to Manila to present the actual situation of the fishing sector which is based on the day-to-day experiences and struggles for daily survival. This is contrary to President Marcos’ State of the Nation Address, which is always far from reality,” Pamalakaya vice chairperson Ronnel Arambulo said in a statement. READ: Governance gaps deepen decline of Philippine fisheries The groups also opposed what Pamalakaya described as “foreign interventions under the guise of economic and security zone,” with fishers from Cavite and Zambales raising concerns over planned US economic security zones in their provinces as part of the Luzon Economic Corridor. In Cavite, Pamalakaya provincial leader Richard Catenza criticized plans involving Sangley Point, a civilian airport at the mouth of Manila Bay, which the group claimed could be transformed into a US military “forward base.” “We are disappointed with President Marcos for allowing the U.S. to interfere with the airport located in Manila Bay, where we fish. We are concerned about what military equipment the United States will station here, which could put our security at risk,” Catenza said. Article continues after this advertisement READ: Fishers protest US-backed Luzon economic security zone Fishers from Zambales likewise criticized the administration over US-Philippine military exercises conducted in waters off the province. Article continues after this advertisement According to Pamalakaya, at least three military exercises involving the Philippines, the United States and other allied countries were held off Zambales this year. The group said the exercises were accompanied by no-sail zone restrictions that affected the livelihoods of local fishers and other coastal residents. The group said the exercises were accompanied by no-sail zone restrictions that affected the livelihoods of local fishers and other coastal residents. READ: In Zambales, ‘Balikatan’ drills cut short; ‘no sail’ policy lifted The Sofa protest was held ahead of Marcos’ Sona as the groups sought to contrast the administration’s assessment of the country with what they said were the everyday conditions faced by fishing communities. After their protest at the DA, the fisherfolk groups traveled in a caravan along Commonwealth Avenue to join a multisectoral demonstration timed with Marcos’ fifth Sona. /das Your subscription could not be saved. Please try again. Your subscription has been successful.