Batangas fisherfolk urge for stronger protection of VIP marine corridor to defend their livelihoods

The Bukluran ng Mangingisda sa Batangas (BMB) marked its fourth anniversary by reaffirming its call to protect the Verde Island Passage (VIP), one of the world’s most biodiverse marine corridors. The General Assembly brought together fisherfolk communities from across Batangas, along with civil society supporters and local and national government representatives, highlighting the shared responsibility of safeguarding the province’s fisheries and coastal livelihoods.

Despite its location in the ‘center of the center of marine shorefish biodiversity in the world’, Batangas is confronting grave ecological threats after becoming the epicenter of fossil gas expansion in the Philippines, which they expressed has worsened air and water quality and contributed to declining fish catch. Fisherfolk and coastal communities have mounted strong resistance – a momentum that contributed to the recent cancellation of the Ayala-owned Batangas Clean Energy project, a proposed 1,100 MW fossil gas facility. 

BMB also raised alarm over the increasing encroachment of commercial fishing vessels, especially following the recent court ruling declaring the 15-km municipal fishing zone unconstitutional. They warned that this is accelerating the depletion of fish stocks and making the recovery of breeding grounds nearly impossible. These pressures, they noted, are intensified by the worsening climate crisis, whose effects are already lived realities for fishing families, yet are met with very little government support for adaptation.

“Sa mahabang panahon, ang aming mga komunidad ay inalalayan at binuhay ng VIP. Dito kami kumukuha ng lakas, kabuhayan, at pag-asa“ (For a long time, our communities have been supported and sustained by the VIP. It is where we draw our strength, our livelihood, and our hope), said Rodrigo De Jesus, outgoing president of BMB. 

“Kahit pa magpalit ng liderato, mananatili ang aming layunin na protektahan ang karagatan, ipaglaban ang aming kabuhayan, at tiyaking sinasalamin ng batas ang mga panawagan naming mga mangingisda.” (Even as our leadership changes, we remain steadfast in our mission to protect our seas, defend our livelihoods, and ensure that laws reflect the demands of fisherfolk.)

The group also elected a new slate of officers to continue its advocacies, with the push to designate the VIP as a protected seascape remaining a top priority in the coming year. 

Local officials expressed support for strengthening marine conservation and improving coordination between agencies and coastal communities, particularly in passing the VIP Bill, which seeks to include the marine corridor in the country’s protected areas under the Expanded National Integrated Protected Areas System (ENIPAS) Act.

Long-time supporter of the fisherfolk movement and labor leader Atty. Luke Espiritu likewise echoed the call. “The struggles of fishing families across the VIP are deeply interconnected. Protecting this marine corridor calls for national attention and action. It also demands an end to governance that allows the destruction of our seas and exploitation of basic sectors – from destructive projects to oil spills – and hampers genuine ecological justice and action, as we are seeing with systemic corruption in the government today.” Espiritu currently serves as legal counsel for VIP fisherfolk in Mindoro affected by the 2023 oil spill.

“Habang tayo ay nagpapatuloy sa pagsulong ng proteksiyon ng VIP at karapatan ng mga mangingisda, umaasa kami na mas maraming mga mambabatas ang tunay na makikinig sa mga komunidad na nasa unahan ng epekto ng gas expansion at pagbabago ng klima. Handa ang mga mangingisda na ipagtanggol ang VIP, kailangan lang namin na tumindig ang aming mga pinuno kasama namin”, De Jesus added.

(As we continue to advance the protection of the VIP and the rights of fisherfolk, we hope more decision-makers truly listen to the communities living at the frontline of gas expansion and climate impacts. Fisherfolk are ready to defend the VIP. We just need our leaders to stand with us.)

Representatives from civil society, academe, and religious institutions within and beyond Batangas also attended the gathering, including Quezon for Environment, Batangas Youth for VIP, Bukluran ng Manggagawang Pilipino, the Center for Energy, Ecology, and Development, the Liberal Party, Lyceum International Maritime Academy Academic Operations, Saint Bridget College, University of Batangas, De La Salle - Lipa, and fisherfolk groups from other provinces across the VIP. ###