Filipino fishermen raised concern over 187 reclamation projects recorded across the country.

Reclamation pertains to the act of creating new land form in oceans, seas, and riverbeds. A project like this, according to fisherfolk groups, does not only harm the environment, but also leads to the mass eviction of small fishermen, gradually leading to insufficient local fish supply.

Based on the acquired masterlist of projects of the Philippine Reclamation Authority (PRA), there are 187 reclamation activities in the archipelago. At least 30 of these were recorded in Manila Bay, 19 in Negros Occidental, 15 in Panay Island, 19 in Cebu and Bohol, while 25 were in Eastern Visayas.

Not all of the 187 reclamation projects are currently ongoing. The acquired document showed that some are “approved” while others are “pending.”

Included in the “for implementation” status were Manila Solar City Project, Manila Waterfront City Reclamation Project, Navotas City Coastal Bay Reclamation and Development Project, Pasay 360-hectare Reclamation Project, Pasay Harbor City Reclamation Project, Bacoor Reclamation and Development Project, and Batangas Port Reclamation Project.

“This isn’t just figures; these are actual productive marine and aquatic ecosystems to be destroyed and a significant numbers of coastal population to be forcibly displaced to pave way for these profit-driven and environmentally-destructive projects,” said Pambansang Lakas ng Kilusang Mamamalakaya ng Pilipinas (Pamalakaya) National Spokesperson Ronnel Arambulo on Monday, Oct. 3.

Members of the fishers’ group Pamalakaya previously protested in front of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) Central Office to assert their science-based opposition against reclamation.

Now, this science-backed resistance was once again used to defy projects that destroy the environment and displace fishers.

“It has been long proven by many scientists, experts, and fisherfolk that reclamation is catastrophic to marine and aquatic ecosystems. On top of its environmental impacts, reclamation entails massive displacement of fisherfolk and a consequent threat to local fish supply,” Arambulo added.

With a shared voice, Filipino fishermen then called on President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. to take a stand on this issue, urging him to certify the house bill that seeks to ban all reclamation projects in Manila Bay as urgent.