A progressive fisherfolk group warned Friday, Feb. 10, that the planned establishment of “fisherfolk settlement areas” could lead to “massive” displacement of local fisherfolk and their families.

In a press statement, the fishers’ group Pambansang Lakas ng Kilusang Mamamalakaya ng Pilipinas (Pamalakaya) said that coastal communities should be left as it is – exclusive for small fisherfolk families.

“We warn that the proposed establishment of fisherfolk settlement areas would result in massive and forced displacement of fisherfolk and coastal families from their communities,” Pamalakaya Spokesperson Ronnel Arambulo said.

According to the group, the House of Representatives has already approved House Bill 6716 on its third and final reading, which requires the establishment of fisherfolk resettlement areas with adequate access to fishing grounds. It is an amendment to Section 108 of Republic Act No. 8550, also known as the Philippine Fisheries Code.

Arambulo also questioned the motivation behind the legislation given that Navotas City Congressman Toby Tiangco was one of its writers. It noted that in Navotas City last year, a 650-hectare reclamation project put forth by the local administration under the Tiangcos itself resulted in the loss of more than 1,000 fishermen, owners of mussel farms (tahungan), and fish employees.

“It is alarming that one of the proponents of the bill is a congressman whose family is pushing for the displacement of coastal communities and demolition of fishing structures in Manila Bay. This attests the bill’s sinister agenda to privatize coastal communities, specifically in Navotas City,” he said.

According to the Pamalakaya spokesperson, coastal communities should be preserved and allocated solely to small fishers.

“The Congress should instead fast-track the bill declaring Manila Bay as reclamation-free zone to protect its coastal communities and marine resources against destructive projects,” he said.

Arambulo was referring to House Bill 2026, which prohibits all types of reclamation activities in Manila Bay. The bill is also in response to the Supreme Court's continuing mandamus issued in 2008 to rehabilitate, clean up, and restore Manila Bay for recreational use and fishery resource development.

The Pamalakaya said it has documented around 30 reclamation projects in Manila Bay; 21 of these projects, including the Navotas City reclamation, have already received environmental compliance certificates (ECC) from the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR).

Meanwhile, Tiangco has yet to respond to Pamalakaya's warning although he previously stated that HB 6716 "seeks to provide small fishers with an area near their fishing ground where they can settle and build a community."