PAMALAKAYA to showcase fishers’ issues and struggle at UP FAIR 2020
Quezon City, Philippines – The national fishers group Pambansang Lakas ng Kilusang Mamamalakaya ng Pilipinsa (PAMALAKAYA) will showcase the fishersfolk’s issues and struggle in this year’s University of the Philippines Fair (UP-Fair), that will start from February 10 – 15.
The annual music festival held at the U.P. Sunken Garden aims to raise various social issues including human rights, academic and press freedom, national sovereignty, among others. Each night, there would be particular issue to be highlighted wherein people’s organizations primarily concerned would be provided a venue on stage to thoroughly discuss the issue.
PAMALAKAYA together with the alliance Koalisyon Kontra-Kumbersyon at Reklamasyon (KKKR) will have a joint booth that will serve as a platform to promote their campaign for the protection of Manila Bay against reclamation and other forms of destructive projects and activities. The groups will organize day-to-day small group discussions depending on the day’s corresponding topic. They will also set-up photo booths, photo exhibit, and petition signing desk for their advocacy.
“We laud the U.P. Student Council and organizers for providing people’s organizations a platform to promote their issues and campaigns. It would pave the way for the university students to integrate with the basic sectors and eventually stand with their struggles,” Fernando Hicap, PAMALAKAYA National Charperson said in a statement.
PAMALAKAYA would be provided a venue on stage to speak about the National Sovereignty and Climate Change on Monday and Thursday, respectively.
“Amid the continuing occupation of China in the West Philippine Sea and massive displacement of fisherfolk due to reclamation, we need the youth and students to actively participate in asserting our sovereign and fishing rights. We will use this avenue to garner support from younger generations on our sectoral campaigns,” ended Hicap. ###
