Amid WPS tension, Zambales fishers seek livelihood plan
SAN ANTONIO, ZAMBALES—Some fishermen here were dismayed after President Marcos, during his third State of the Nation Address (Sona), failed to mention his plans for fishermen whose lives were affected by the presence of the Chinese Coast Guard in the West Philippine Sea (WPS).
In a telephone interview on Monday, Leonardo Cuaresma, president of the New Masinloc Fishermen Association, acknowledged the President’s efforts to pay tribute to Filipino fishermen and soldiers guarding the WPS.
But Cuaresma said Mr. Marcos did not indicate his plans for fishermen amid the tension in their traditional fishing ground that included areas within the Panatag (Scarborough) Shoal.
“He did not mention any concrete programs for fishermen, such as alternative livelihoods that can be provided despite what they continue to experience,” Cuaresma said.Before the Sona, Cuaresma was hopeful that he would hear the government’s plan for the fisheries sector since they had seen that this administration was fighting for the country’s sovereignty. He watched the live broadcast of Sona together with other members of the group, who were also disappointed.
During his speech, Mr. Marcos said the country’s ownership of the West Philippine Sea was “not a figment of the imagination” but a reality. He then thanked the Armed Forces of the Philippines, the Philippine Coast Guard and the Filipino fishers for their sacrifices in guarding the country’s territory.His remarks drew applause and a standing ovation from lawmakers and guests at the Batasang Pambansa.‘Unclear response’
But Joey Marabe, Pamalakaya-Zambales coordinator who joined those who traveled to Metro Manila for the multisectoral protest, said he could not applaud Mr. Marcos because there was “no clear response to their plea for a peaceful return to WPS.”
“Aside from briefly mentioning it, there is also no concrete program for the fishermen of Zambales whose livelihoods are greatly affected by the extensive presence of Chinese ships in our fisheries,” Marabe said.According to Marabe, what is important to fishermen now is how they could be able to fish in the WPS “uncontested.”
He assailed the Marcos administration for relying on military intervention by the United States, which only exacerbates the tension in the area.For Ronnel Arambulo, Pamalakaya vice chair, the hardship suffered by Filipino fishers in the rising tension in the WPS “is especially not an imagination.”
“This is a daily struggle of the fishermen that cannot be solved in the simple flowery words of President Marcos during his Sona,” Arambulo said in a statement.
He said they were disappointed that Mr. Marcos did not even mention how to “concretely and peacefully assert the country’s national sovereignty and fishing rights.”
Pamalakaya earlier reported that the income per vessel of Filipino fishermen fell by 60 percent due to the fishing ban imposed by China, but until now, they have not felt the government’s assistance for Filipino fishermen.
“What is the use of Marcos’ gratitude to our fishermen if it doesn’t have a clear response to what we are facing in the WPS?” Arambulo lamented. INQ
