Ang Pahayagan

Fisherfolk members of Pambansang Lakas ng Kilusang Mamamalakaya ng Pilipinas (PAMALAKAYA) staged a coastal protest in Manila Bay to denounce the seventh consecutive week of fuel price increases, warning of its severe impact on small-scale fishers and coastal communities.

In a statement, PAMALAKAYA National Chairperson Fernando Hicap said the continued surge in oil prices has forced many fisherfolk to cut back on fishing hours due to the high cost of diesel and gasoline.

“Sadyang hindi na maawat ang pagsirit ng presyo ng langis. Malaki na ang epekto nito sa mga mangingisda na napipilitan nang magbawas ng oras sa laot dahil sa mahal ng krudo at gasolina. Samantala, walang sapat na subsidyong ipinamamahagi ang pamahalaan para maibsan ang epekto ng taas-presyo sa aming kabuhayan,” Hicap said.

The group criticized the administration of President Ferdinand Marcos Jr., saying it has failed to implement substantial measures to cushion the impact of cumulative oil price hikes on vulnerable sectors. PAMALAKAYA also raised concerns over alleged profiteering and price manipulation by oil companies amid continued deregulation.

According to the group, urgent and “doable measures” are needed to stabilize fuel prices and protect affected sectors. These include the suspension of excise taxes on fuel products, the reversal of oil industry deregulation through the repeal of the Oil Deregulation Law, and the immediate distribution of adequate production subsidies to fisherfolk, farmers, and other affected sectors.

PAMALAKAYA emphasized that without decisive government intervention, small-scale fishers will continue to bear the brunt of rising fuel costs, further threatening food security and local livelihoods. (APNT)

📸 PAMALAKAYA Pilipinas