SUBIC, Zambales (PIA) — About 80 fisherfolk in Barangay Calapandayan, Subic joined the Maritime Awareness Campaign and Fisherfolk Community Consultation and Dialogue Session to strengthen their role in protecting traditional fishing grounds.
The activity, spearheaded by the National Intelligence Coordinating Agency (NICA) in partnership with various government agencies, aimed to raise awareness on maritime rights and provide access to livelihood and welfare programs.
NICA Regional Director Ulysses Untalan said the campaign was designed not only to safeguard fisherfolk’s rights but also to build long-term resilience.
“The Maritime Awareness program aims to educate our communities, especially our fisherfolk, about their rights, particularly in defending our sovereignty in the West Philippine Sea, so they can freely fish in our waters,” he said.
He added that the initiative also promotes alternative livelihoods, since fishing is not always regular due to off-seasons, bad weather, or rising tensions in the West Philippine Sea.
Untalan further noted that the program enhances coordination between fisherfolk and law enforcement agencies such as the Philippine Coast Guard, BFAR, and the Philippine Navy to ensure safety at sea.
For its part, Provincial Fisheries Office Aquacultural Technologist Rewil E. Murciano underscored its continuing support to local communities.
“The mandate of our agency is to protect and properly manage our waters, especially our municipal waters where our fisherfolk have the priority rights. In line with this, we provide various programs such as scholarship opportunities, livelihood assistance, and distribution of fishing gear like nets, boats, and engines. We also support associations that want to diversify their income through fish processing by giving training on making smoked fish or sardines,” he said.
Murciano also urged fisherfolk to maximize the support extended by government agencies so that their livelihoods will be more sustainable.
Moreover, Paulo Pomicpic Jr., fisherfolk expressed gratitude for the government’s assistance and called for continued support.
“I am thankful to the government agencies for their continued support to us. Our call is for them to keep helping us in our fishing activities in the West Philippine Sea, so that we won’t suffer as much. Right now, we are getting buried in debt because of China’s harassment that prevents us from fishing, especially near Scarborough Shoal. That’s why we are grateful for the government’s assistance, such as the provision of fuel subsidy, and we hope these programs continue,” he said.
Agencies such as the Philippine Coast Guard, Philippine Navy, Department of Trade and Industry, Department of Labor and Employment, Technical Education and Skills Development Authority, and Department of Social Welfare and Development also presented services including livelihood training, skills development, and social protection.
Aside from the government services, fisherfolk beneficiaries also received relief packs.
The campaign underscored the importance of empowering fisherfolk to sustain their presence in the West Philippine Sea while securing their means of livelihood, in view of the celebration of the Maritime and Archipelagic Nation Awareness Month or MANA MO for September 2025. (CLJD/RGP, PIA Region 3-Zambales)
