Protest meets World Fish Day

Militant fishermen yesterday staged a protest rally in front of the Malacañang sa Sugbu to commemorate World Fish Day.

Calling the event as "World Fishless Day," fisherfolks said it was their launching of a series of protest rallies that they would be conducting in the future against the holding of the 12th ASEAN Summit in Cebu.

At least 30 members of the different fisherfolk groups held protest outside the President's residence here where they offered rotten fish to symbolize how they view the administration's policy.

Victor Lapaz, chairman of the Panaghugpong sa Gagmay'ng Mananagat sa Sugbu said the Philippine Fishery Law is inutile in terms of protecting the country's sea from overfishing, illegal fishing and destruction that resulted to decline in fish catch in the archipelago.

"The Philippine Fishery Law is the very reason why foreign commercial fishing vessel is wrecking havoc on our marine resources, it is also the reason why there is growing trend of transforming protected seascape into toxic playground of monopoly oil corporations," he added. He cited the recent oil explorations conducted in Tañon strait and Bohol strait where there are reported oil deposits. The Department of Environment and Natural Resources declared these areas protected seascapes.

He said that the "government has spent billions of pesos for the effort to declare them protected seascapes, but right now, it is also rabid to destroy them."

He added that there is no reason to celebrate the World Fish Day because "it seems there is not enough reason to celebrate due to the declining fish stock in the country."

"On the other hand, our ranks, aside from being killed with impunity by the Arroyo administration, are also experiencing the effects of government's failure to develop fishing technology. Money intended for the fisherfolks are diverted to foreign debt payment and all-out war," Lapaz explained.

Next week, marine conservationist and progressive fisherfolk groups will hold a cross-channel swim against the intervention of the United States in the ASEAN.

Lapaz said that although the US is not part of the ASEAN, it can still influence through the Free Trade Agreement and globalization. - Wenna A. Berondo