Fishers, together with other Philippine-based environmental organizations, vowed to continuously defend and protect the Philippine marine and aquatic resources.
Fishers’ group Pambansang Lakas ng Kilusang Mamamalakaya ng Pilipinas (Pamalakaya) on Sunday, Sept. 11 aired its goal to further protect the country’s aquatic and marine resources against possible destructive projects, specifying their clear opposition against reclamation.
The goal was publicly aired anew when People’s Network for Integrity of Coastal Habitats and Ecosystems (People’s Niche), an alliance of local organizations pushing for coastal restoration, was recognized as one of the “coral champions” for working hard to protect oceans.
Among the organizations behind People’s Niche were Pamalakaya, Center for Environmental Concerns- Philippines, Institute of Environmental Science and Meteorology – University of the Philippines Diliman, Advocates of Science and Technology for the People, Kalikasan People’s Network for the Environment, Kalikasan Partylist, Alliance for Stewardship and Authentic Progress, Philippine Earth Justice Center, as well as Central Visayas Fisherfolk Development Center Inc.
For Pamalakaya National Chairperson Fernando Hicap, the recognition affirmed the “validity” of their struggles in protecting fishing communities as well as the country’s waters.