PAMALAKAYA to lead World Fisheries Day activities; street conference, ‘concert by the bay’
Manila, Philippines – The national fisherfolk group Pambansang Lakas ng Kilusang Mamamalakaya ng Pilipinas (PAMALAKAYA) announced its day-long activities for the marking of the World Fisheries Day on November 21, as country counterpart to the global marking of fisherfolk movements and communities. The day is recognized to highlight the significance of the fishing sector in society and uphold the rights of fisherfolk in the world.
PAMALAKAYA, which has more than 40 provincial chapters nationwide, as leading organization is supported by various environment and climate justice groups, particularly on the campaign to “Save Manila Bay” from destructive reclamation projects.
Fernando Hicap, PAMALAKAYA National Chairperson, said his group will hold a street conference in front of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) central office in Quezon City wherein leaders from various fishing communities around Manila Bay, along with scientists and environmental experts, will provide input and testimonies on the socio-economic and environmental impacts of reclamation projects.
PAMALAKAYA earlier filed a formal complaint before the DENR against the three ongoing reclamation projects in the south Manila Bay in Cavite province, namely, the reclamation of a fishpond adjacent to Manila Bay in a coastal barangay in Bacoor, Cavite, the reclamation in Kawit, Cavite intended for a Chinese complex, and the expansion of the Sangley Point for international airport in Cavite, City. Moreover, it furnished the House Committee on Ecology a copy of the complaint.
“We will once again troop the DENR office, this time via street conference, to follow up the status of our complaint. Because until now, the agency has yet to act on our urgent appeal that concerns the ecosystem of Manila Bay,” said Hicap.
PAMALAKAYA, along with international ocean conservation group Oceana Philippines, will cap the World Fisheries Day with a “Concert by the Bay” and a sunset viewing in the afternoon, at the Rajah Sulayman Plaza in Manila City.
“The whole day street conference and cultural activity will serve as a protest against reclamation in Manila Bay. We are calling for a genuine rehabilitation, not the façade bannered by the Duterte government for reclamation projects. We are also encouraging sectors from all walks of life to unite in solidarity with the fisherfolk and coastal settlers in opposing the reclamation projects in Manila Bay in the name of our socio-economic rights, and the public access to the beautiful sunset,” ended Hicap. ###
