Thousands of fisherfolk led by KKAMPI and PAMALAKAYA marched from Quezon Memorial Circle to the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources and the Department of Agriculture to mark National Fisherfolk Day, protesting what they called government neglect of small-scale fishers.
KKAMPI chairperson Roberto “Ka Dodoy” Ballon said there was nothing to celebrate under the Marcos administration, while PANGISDA president Pablo Rosales criticized a Supreme Court ruling that he said allowed commercial vessels into the 15-kilometer municipal fishing zone.
Leaders also blamed reclamation, offshore mining and energy projects for displacing coastal communities, with HAYUMADORA’s Miriam Petaclorin calling government aid slow and insufficient.
The program ended with chants of “Kinse kilometro, amin ito” and dispersed peacefully after solidarity messages from several civil society groups.
Photos: Jimmy Domingo/Mata: Asia Press Photo
