Manila, Philippines – The activist fisherfolk group Pambansang Lakas ng Kilusang Mamamalakaya ng Pilipinas (PAMALAKAYA) on Monday welcomed the call of the ASEAN Parliamentarians for Human Rights (APHR) to halt reclamation projects, as these projects have “direct impacts to the fundamental rights of citizens in at-risk communities”.
On Saturday, October 26, PAMALAKAYA members in Manila Bay submitted testimony at the international parliamentary inquiry (IPI) led by the ASEAN body in Quezon City.
During the IPI, PAMALAKAYA reported that big-ticket reclamation projects in Manila Bay have violated the socio-economic rights of small fisherfolk and other coastal residents through forcible displacement and degradation of fishing resources.
Fernando Hicap, PAMALAKAYA National Chairperson said that at the height of reclamation and seabed quarrying projects, fisherfolk lost 80%-90% of their daily income.
“Ikinalulugod namin ang posisyon ng APHR laban sa reklamasyon na lumalabag sa pundamental na karapatan ng mga batayang sektor tulad ng mangingisda.
Napapanahon ang imbestigasyong isinagawa ng ASEAN body lalo sa gitna ng nararanasang epekto ng reklamasyon at dredging tulad ng pagbaba ng nahuhuling isda, unti-unting paglubog ng mga komunidad dahil sa pag-apaw ng dagat, at pinalalang epekto ng mga bagyo,” Hicap said.
The fishers’ group added that the APHR visit “marks a critical moment” in bringing the struggle of the fisherfolk and environmentalists against reclamation to the international level.
Hicap challenged the Marcos Jr. administration to heed and accept the recommendations of the ASEAN body.
“Obligado si Pangulong Marcos Jr. na pakinggan ang panawagan ng ilang mambabatas sa ASEAN na ipatigil ang mapaminsalang reklamasyon,” Hicap added.
The inquiry was attended by members of APHR’s IPI Committee — Arlene D. Brosas; former Malaysian member of parliament Charles Santiago; Thai member of parliament Nitipon Piwmow; and Malaysian member of parliament Lee Chean Chung — as well as representatives from PAMALAKAYA, Kalikasan People’s Network for the Environment, and AGHAM. ###