Bill filed at Senate seeks incentives, benefits for Bantay Dagat volunteers

Bantay Dagat volunteers or "sea wardens" in the country may soon get some perks for their sacrifices if the measure filed at the Philippine Senate gets passed into law.

Senator Risa Hontiveros has field Senate Bill 1919, or the proposed "Bantay Dagat Welfare and Incentives Act" that aims to recognize accredited sea wardens, who are mostly town fisherfolk working with local and national agencies to conserve, protect, and manage marine resources.

“Our fisherfolk communities are at the frontlines of climate change. Sila ang unang-unang naapektuhan ng pagbabago sa klima, pati na ng mga negatibong epekto nito sa ating kalikasan," Hontiveros said in a statement on Sunday.

"This gives all the more reason, to not only recognize their noble work, but also to provide tangible support. Bigyan natin ng dignidad ang kanilang ginagawa para sa ating bayan,” she added.

Under the measure, Bantay Dagat volunteers will be entitled to insurance and PhilHealth coverage, hazard allowance, subsistence allowance, training and career enrichment programs, and access to loans.

At the same time, the bill also grants sea wardens security of tenure, meaning they should not be removed or terminated except for just and valid causes as determined by the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources.

SB 1919 also mandates local governments to allocate regular funding for Bantay Dagat volunteers and their operational requirements.

“The bill is an important step towards encouraging and giving recognition to the importance of community participation in the protection of our fisheries," Hontiveros said.

"But government must further arm itself through modernizing and upping our defense capability towards the protection of Philippine waters. Nakahanda ang mga komunidad na magbantay, palakasin din ang pagbabantay ng gobyerno,” she added. —LBG, GMA News