Fisherfolk leaders and government representatives gathered in Palawan on Sunday, October 25, to discuss measures to protect the livelihoods, rights, and safety of Filipino fishers amid tensions in the West Philippine Sea (WPS).
The forum, organized by the Atin Ito Coalition in partnership with the Center for Information Resilience and Integrity Studies (CIRIS), brought together local fisherfolk organizations and representatives from government agencies to identify assistance and strengthen support for fishing communities.
Representatives from the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR), Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD), Department of Trade and Industry (DTI), Philippine Coast Guard (PCG), and Philippine Navy attended the forum to discuss their respective roles in assisting fishers and protecting Philippine waters.
Atin Ito co-convenor and Akbayan President Rafaela David called for concrete government assistance and protection for fishers affected by Chinese activities in the WPS.
“Dapat may konkretong tulong at proteksyon para sa mga mangingisdang araw-araw na humaharap sa panganib para itaguyod ang kanilang kabuhayan. Habang ipinaglalaban natin ang ating karapatan sa karagatan, tiyakin din nating hindi napapabayaan ang ating mga mangingisda na umaasa rito,” David said.
Meanwhile, Kalayaan, Palawan Mayor Beltzasar “Billy” Alindogan delivered the keynote address, highlighting the role of local governments in protecting fishers’ rights and upholding the country’s interests.
Philippine Rural Reconstruction Movement president and Atin Ito co-convenor Edicio Dela Torre emphasized that efforts to defend the WPS must go hand in hand with protecting the people who depend on its resources for their livelihood.
The coalition said sustained coordination among fisherfolk, local governments, and national agencies is needed to translate the forum’s discussions into concrete measures that safeguard fishing communities.
