PMCJ, other groups, to protest against profit-driven policies on National Fisherfolk’s Day 2025

Media Communications
May 27
2 min read

Updated: 5 days ago

Quezon City, Philippines — The Philippine Movement for Climate Justice (PMCJ), along with fisherfolk and allied groups, held a press conference on May 28, 2025, calling for a national mass action on the upcoming National Fisherfolk’s Day.

PMCJ National Coordinator Ian Rivera said the continuing injustice experienced by the artisanal fisherfolk is structural due to the decades-old economic policies embraced by the Philippine government. The neoliberal capitalist economy, which was conditioned by the IMF-World Bank during the Marcos Regime in the 1980s, and continued by the succeeding governments.

“The struggle of all marginalized sectors is rooted in enactment of neoliberal laws, and the impact on the artisanal fisherfolks is not an isolated case. The Amended Fisheries Code granted the commercial fishing industry the right to operate in coastal areas up to 10.1 kilometers from the shore, while the Water Code (Presidential Decree No. 167) enables the over-extraction of water up to 300% in the case of the Metro Cebu aquifer.” Rivera said.

“These policies are implemented in full swing, and also cause the acceleration of the climate crisis. If these are not halted, it will lead to the collapse of marine biodiversity and degrade the ocean as a shared commons. As the National Fisherfolk Day approaches, what could be the worst decision was the Supreme Court (SC) ruling that favored big businesses over the welfare of fisherfolk and the environment. The SC decision has made the Philippine government complicit in the commodification of nature,” Rivera added.

Aside from the threat of commercial fishing vessels encroaching on small fisherfolk’s municipal waters, the latter’s lives and livelihoods are already negatively affected by other dirty schemes by businesses and corporations. Mining in various areas, such as Zambales, and fossil-fueled power projects across the country, among many others, all boil down to the same framework, further undermining the marginalized.

PMCJ is one of the organizations that filed a petition against the SC ruling. During the press conference, PMCJ Food, Land, Water, and Climate Campaign Head Laica Rayel condemned concerned government agencies for failing to protect the fisherfolk’s rights.

“Since December 2024, several organizations have filed petitions regarding the issue, as the SC ruling’s negative repercussions are taking a toll on lives and livelihoods. However, the lack of urgent response from concerned government agencies proves their failure to uphold the rights and welfare of the marginalized. Their inaction is an action away from accountability, showing support toward profit-oriented interests,“ Rayel lamented.

Pambansang Lakas ng Kilusang Mamamalakaya ng Pilipinas (PAMALAKAYA-Pilipinas), Samahan ng mga Maliliit na Mangingisda Aniban ng Manggagawa sa Agrikultura (SAMAMA - AMA), and Pagkakaisa ng mga Samahan ng Mangingisda (PANGISDA-Pilipinas), were among the groups present during the press conference.

Jointly organized by various groups advocating for fishermen's rights, the PMCJ and fisherfolk groups are set to conduct a protest on May 30, 2025 at Mendiola, Manila. ###

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