QUEZON CITY — Small-scale fisherfolk from various fishing federations marched to the Department of Agriculture (DA) on Monday to present their own “State of the Fisherfolk Address” (SOFA), highlighting what they described as the sector’s most pressing concerns ahead of President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.’s fifth State of the Nation Address (SONA).

The protest was led by the Pambansang Lakas ng Kilusang Mamamalakaya ng Pilipinas (PAMALAKAYA) and the Katipunan ng mga Kilusan ng Artisanong Mangingisda sa Pilipinas (KKAMPI).

The groups cited issues including the alleged intrusion of commercial fishing vessels into the country’s 15-kilometer municipal waters, the destruction of fishing grounds and displacement of coastal communities due to reclamation projects, and what they described as foreign military intervention in Philippine territory.

“Small fishers from different provinces traveled to Manila to present the actual situation of the fishing sector based on their day-to-day experiences and struggles for survival. This is contrary to the president’s State of the Nation Address, which is always far from reality,” PAMALAKAYA Vice Chairperson Ronnel Arambulo said in a statement.

The groups also raised concerns over what they called “foreign interventions under the guise of economic and security zones.”

Fisherfolk from Cavite and Zambales opposed the planned establishment of U.S. economic security zones in their provinces under the Luzon Economic Corridor initiative.

Richard Catenza of PAMALAKAYA-Cavite criticized what he described as the planned transformation of Sangley Point, a civilian airport at the mouth of Manila Bay, into a U.S. military “forward base.”

“Dismayado kami kay Pangulong Marcos sa pagpayag nito na panghimasukan ng U.S. ang paliparang nakatayo sa Manila Bay kung saan kami nangingisda. Nababahala kami sa kung anong kagamitang pang-giyera ang ilalagak dito ng Amerika na magsasapeligro ng aming seguridad,” Catenza said.

Fisherfolk from Zambales also criticized the Marcos administration for allowing U.S. troops to conduct military exercises in waters they use for fishing. They said at least three military exercises involving the United States, the Philippines and allied countries were held off Zambales this year and were accompanied by temporary no-sail zones that affected the livelihood of local fishers and coastal residents.

After the protest at the Department of Agriculture, the groups held a caravan along Commonwealth Avenue to join a multisectoral demonstration timed with Marcos’ SONA. (Ang Pahayagan Reportorial Team)

📸 Pamalakaya