Aside from the impact of reclamation, groups also decried the damages the recent oil spill inflicted on the environment and the lives of the coastal communities, saying that both Marcos Jr. and tycoon Ramon Ang should be held accountable.
It is projected that almost 46,000 fisherfolk will be affected by the oil spill if left uncontrolled, particularly in the National Capital Region (NCR), Central Luzon, and Region 4-A. Currently, Pambansang Lakas ng Mamamalakaya (PAMALAKAYA) reported that 29,000 fisherfolk from Cavite alone, were at risk, while 9,000 fisherfolk in Bataan.
Companies evade responsibility for the affected communities while the government pays for initial aid and then leaves them to fend for themselves during the recovery process.
“On top of environmental issues, residents are having to deal with little to no income these past few weeks, causing trickle-down effects on their health and education. The impacts of the oil spill and fishing ban are also long-term, so it is not enough to just give one-time assistance.”
By RAYMUND B. VILLANUEVA