Fishers to mark World Fish Day with protest

Fisherfolks will commemorate World Fish Day today with protests at the Malacañang sa Sugbu where they will offer rotten fish to President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo to condemn the government for its alleged "rotten" policies that destroyed the livelihood of poor fishermen.

At least 30 members of the Panaghugpong sa Gagmay'ng Mananagat sa Sugbo and Defend our Seas Coalition are expected to participate in the protest that would start at 10:00 a.m.

Vince Cinches, executive director of Fishermen's Development Center, one of the convenors of the Defend our Seas Coalition said that during the recent Association of Southeast Asian Nations Environment Ministers Summit in Cebu, environmentalists across the region had recognized Philippines as the center of biodiversity in the world.

With this, Cinches explained that the government should implement policies to protect the marine environment. However, he added that what the Philippine government is doing was contrary.

He added that the best example of the rotten policy was when it allowed the oil explorations in Tañon Strait, which is a protected seascape. "Oil exploration does not affect the fishes and marine life alone but also the health and livelihood of the people."

Armand Perez, secretary general of Bayan Muna, said all affiliate organizations of Bayan would support the protest action of the militant fishermen today. Perez, however, admitted that they would be expecting a lesser attendance because they have not planned the protest ahead.

Nevertheless, Perez said the protest would send a strong message to the Arroyo administration that fisherfolks have been adversely affected by its rotten policies.

According to him, their activity today is just a prelude to a bigger protest that they will stage on November 28, a few days prior to the ASEAN Summit.

Cinches said on November 28, fisherfolks would swim in Mactan Channel to show their opposition to the holding of the summit, which he claimed would bring no benefits to the fisherfolks aside from endangering their livelihood.

Gerry Albert Corpuz, information officer of the Pambansang Lakas ng Kilusang Mamalakaya ng Pilipinas, said at least 20 fishermen would brave the strong current of the Mactan Channel.

Corpuz said the fishermen would swim from Ouano Wharf to the foot of the old Mactan Bridge in Lapu-Lapu City side. Corpuz said the activity is aimed not to create a Guinness world record but to simply send a message of protest to the administration. - By Wenna A. Berondo and Fred P. Languido