Pamalakaya slams demolition of Bacoor fishermen’s floating houses

MANILA, Philippines—The fishermen’s group Pambansang Lakas ng Kilusang Mamamalakaya ng Pilipinas (Pamalakaya) on Monday condemned the recent demolition the of more than 100 floating houses along the coast of Bacoor City, Cavite, saying the clearing would displace fishing families to make way for reclamation projects in Manila Bay.

In a statement, Pamalakaya said the Bacoor local government demolished the structures from Oct. 27 to 29.

The group said affected residents believed the clearing was intended to pave the way for a 420-hectare reclamation project involving the city government and Frabelle Fishing Corp.

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The group said many of the affected fisherfolk had previously lost their homes in successive fires that hit coastal communities or had been relocated to other towns.

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Some eventually returned to Bacoor because their livelihood depended on fishing in Manila Bay, according to the group.

Ricardo Bagonggong, a member of Pamalakaya-Bacoor, said relocating fishing families away from the coast had deprived them of their means of livelihood.

“Walang buhay at kabuhayan sa mga relokasyon. Kaya marami sa mga mangingisdang inilipat ng lugar ang sadyang nagbabalikan dito sa Bacoor dahil narito ang aming pinagkukunan ng kabuhayan,” Bagonggong said.

(There is no life or livelihood in relocation sites. That is why many of the fishers who were relocated elsewhere have deliberately returned to Bacoor because this is where they earn their living.)

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He also criticized the local government’s decision to remove the families to accommodate reclamation projects, which he claimed would cause lasting damage to Manila Bay.

“Nakakagalit na basta na lamang kami paaalisin ng lokal na pamahalaan at ipagpapalit sa proyektong reklamasyon na permanenteng makakasira sa Manila Bay,” he added.

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(It is infuriating that the local government would simply drive us away and favor a reclamation project that will permanently damage Manila Bay.)

Pamalakaya also held the Bacoor local government, led by the Revilla clan, and Agriculture Secretary Francisco Tiu Laurel Jr. accountable for the displacement of fishing families and coastal residents.

“[T]he Bacoor local government under the Revilla clan and Agriculture Secretary Tiu-Laurel Jr., whose family owns the Frabelle Fishing Corp., are both accountable for displacing fisherfolk and coastal residents from their communities,” the group said. 

READ: Pamalakaya to DENR: Uphold suspension order on Manila Bay reclamat

The fisherfolk group also called on the  Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) to uphold its cumulative impact assessment of Manila Bay reclamation projects, saying its findings showed the potential damage to marine ecosystems, the environment and the livelihoods of coastal communities.

“Mayroon nang mga pag-aaral na nagpapatunay na mapaminsala ang reklamasyon. Kabilang na rito ang cumulative impact assessment na isinagawa mismo ng DENR. Sapat na batayan ito para ipasuspinde ang mga naturang proyekto at panatilihin ang mga mangingisda sa kanilang komunidad,” Bagonggong said.

(There are already studies showing the harmful effects of reclamation. These include the cumulative impact assessment conducted by the DENR itself. This is sufficient basis to suspend the projects and keep fishers in their communities.)

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Pamalakaya said the DENR assessment should serve as a basis for suspending reclamation projects and protecting fishing communities from displacement. /gsg