A group of fisherfolk under Pamalakaya-Navotas staged a protest in front of the Navotas City Hall on Wednesday, July 23, blaming the ongoing Navotas coastal bay reclamation project for worsening floods that continue to affect the city.

The group was chanting slogans and holding placards that read “Reklamasyon, perwisyo sa mamamayan” (Reclamation, a burden on the people) and “Reklamasyon at Kumbersyon, tutulan, labanan!” (Reclamation and land conversion—resist and oppose!), the demonstrators demanded an immediate halt to the 650-hectare reclamation project being implemented by the city government in partnership with a private firm.

According to the group, the massive project has not only displaced thousands of fishing-dependent families but has also contributed to prolonged and more frequent flooding in Navotas and neighboring parts of Metro Manila.

“Ramdam na ramdam ng mga mangingisda at mamamayan ng Navotas ang epekto ng pagtatambak sa dagat. Bukod sa pagtanggal sa kabuhayan ng libu-libong mangingisda, ang reklamasyon ang isa sa mga nakikita naming dahilan kung bakit mabilis at matagal ang pagbaha sa lungsod at sa ibang bahagi ng Metro Manila, gaya ng una nang napatunayan sa cumulative impact assessment ng DENR. Wala nang dahilan para ipagpatuloy pa ang mga proyektong ito (The fishermen and residents of Navotas deeply feel the impact of land reclamation. Aside from taking away the livelihood of thousands of fishermen, reclamation is seen as one of the reasons for the rapid and prolonged flooding in the city and other parts of Metro Manila, as previously confirmed by the DENR’s cumulative impact assessment. There is no longer any reason to continue these projects),” Pamalakaya- Navotas President Romel Escarial said. 

Escarial also warned that the environmental and social impacts of reclamation would worsen over time, especially with the growing threats of climate change, sea level rise, and intensified storm surges in low-lying areas like Navotas.

The group further criticized the Marcos administration for what it described as inadequate disaster preparedness and response, especially in light of recent calamities. 

It estimated that more than 3,000 fisherfolk in Navotas have been severely affected by Tropical Storm Crising and the southwest monsoon or Habagat, which triggered days of heavy flooding.

The demonstration adds to the mounting opposition to reclamation projects nationwide, with environmental groups and experts warning of irreversible ecological damage and heightened disaster risks.

As of this writing, Navotas City officials have yet to issue a statement regarding the protest and the allegations raised by the group.