Fisherfolk, groups stage protest vs Navotas Coastal Bay Reclamation Project
Fisherfolk and some organizations staged a protest rally against the Navotas Coastal Bay Reclamation Project in Navotas City on Monday, Sept. 5.
The Navotas City Police Station (NCPS) said a total of 125 protesters from the Kabataan Partylist, Gabriela Women's Party, Bayan Muna, Samahan ng Mangingisda, Magtatahong ng Navotas, and Pamalakaya gathered at around 9:30 a.m. They marched from Barangay San Jose to Barangay Sipac-Almacen, expressing their disappointment and objection to the project.
According to the police report, the group said the reclamation project might affect the livelihood of around 1,000 fisherfolk and mussel farm operators in the city.
"Malinaw na hindi kayang harapin ni Mayor John Rey Tiangco ang mga mangingisda't magtatahong para sa isang diyalogo dahil wala itong pakialam kahit pa libo-libo ang mawawalan ng kabuhayan at kabahayan (It is clear that Mayor John Rey Tiangco cannot face the fishermen because he does not care even if thousands lose their livelihood and homes)," the Kabataan Partylist Navotas said in a Facebook post.
Operatives from the NCPS, District Mobile Force Batallion (DMFB), and Northern Police District (NPD) initiated a dialogue for the peaceful dispersal of the protesters.
The rallyists peacefully and voluntarily dispersed at about 10:25 a.m., police said.
The Navotas Coastal Bay Reclamation Project aims to reclaim a portion of the sea fronting Navotas City, particularly in Brgy. Tanza, according to the Environmental Impact Statement of the city government in 2020.
The project envisions transforming the city into a major seaport city supported by a mix of commercial and industrial development to generate high-paying jobs and higher income-generating establishments.