Progressive fishers’ group Pambansang Lakas ng Kilusang Mamamalakaya ng Pilipinas (Pamalakaya) on Monday, Sept. 8, met with Mamamayang Liberal (ML) party-list Representative Leila de Lima to present case studies and testimonies on the “socio-economic and environmental” impacts of dredging in coastal communities.

The meeting focused on the situation in Cagayan and Zambales, where large-scale dredging operations have allegedly displaced small fishers and damaged marine habitats.

“We have turned over to ML Party-list Rep. Leila de Lima a set of video testimonies from small fishers in Cagayan, detailing the negative impacts of Chinese-led dredging and black sand mining activities along the Cagayan River and Zambales,” Fernando Hicap, the chairperson of Pamalakaya, said in a statement.

“The said testimonies show how large-scale dredging operations, facilitated by Chinese firms, have displaced fishers from their traditional fishing grounds, caused massive siltation, and worsened the destruction of aquatic habitats,” he added.

Hicap stressed that the voices of affected communities must be heard in Congress.

“Matagal nang nananawagan ang mga mangingisda ng pagpapatigil sa malakihang operasyong dredging sa mga pook-pangisdaan. Bukod sa pagpapatigil ay dapat panagutin ang mga kumpanya at matataas na opisyal ng pamahalaan na nag-apruba sa mga mapanirang aktibidad (For a long time, fishers have been calling for a halt to large-scale dredging operations in fishing areas. Beyond stopping these activities, companies and high-ranking government officials who approved the destructive projects must be held accountable),” he said.

The fishers’ group also expressed its support for House Bill No. 1843, or the proposed Anti-Black Sand Mining Act, which seeks to prohibit destructive extractive activities in rivers and coastal zones.

De Lima, who earlier filed a bill seeking a total ban on foreign-led dredging and black sand mining, accepted the testimonies and vowed to advance the measure in Congress.

The proposed legislation seeks to protect fisherfolk communities, preserve aquatic resources, and assert national sovereignty against destructive foreign extractive projects.