Robredo: Gov’t should provide bigger vessels to Pinoy fisherfolk in West Philippine Sea

SAN NARCISO, Zambales — Vice President and presidential candidate Leni Robredo said Tuesday the government should provide bigger vessels, among other livelihood support, to Filipino fisherfolk to counter Chinese "aggression" in the West Philippine Sea.

Robredo made the pitch during a townhall meeting with farming and fishing communities here which included beneficiaries of her office's Sustainable Livelihood Program under the Angat Buhay initiative.

"Iyong mga fishermen, dapat may sapat na gamit para makapunta sa malayo. [Sa ngayon] kakaunti lang sila [na nakakapunta] kaya pag pinaligiran sila ng Chinese vessels, wala na silang magawa," Robredo said.

"Dapat iyong pamahalaan nag-iinvest para magpagawa ng maayos na fishing vessel para kahit papaano ay nakakatapat tayo. Kung may sapat na gamit, kasama na rin ang Coast guard [nag nagpapatrol], kampante ang inyong loob na hindi kayo mabu-bully," she added.

In July 2016, the Hague-based Permanent Court of Arbitration released its decision junking China’s nine-dash line claim of the entire South China Sea.

The rich fishing area Panatag Shoal, on the other hand, is part of the municipality of Masinloc in Zambales and is located 124 nautical miles west of Zambales or within the 200-nautical-mile Philippine Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) in the West Philippine Sea. The Philippines calls a portion of the South China Sea as West Philippine Sea.

The same Hague decision also states that Panatag Shoal is a common fishing ground.

In addition to bigger vessels, Robredo said fisherfolks should be provided additional source of livelihood to make up for lost income during months marred by typhoons, while homemakers should be enabled to earn income while taking care of the family at home by being hog raisers, dressmakers, among others.

"Sa ganito pong paraan, kumikita po sila habang nag-aalaga ng kanilang pamilya," Robredo said.

Meanwhile, farmer Virgilio Mendoza of Sta. Cruz and Lolita Jimenez Uacon of Candelaria Zambales also appealed to Robredo and running mate Senator Kiko Pangilinan to stop open pit mining in their areas.

"Sana po matigil na ito. Apektado na po ang mga magsasaka dahil sa pagwasak ng mga watershed na pinagkukunan namin ng patubig," Mendoza said.

"Sa Candelaria po, paano po ba permanente na mapatigil ang pagmimina roon kasi kahit nag o-oppose ang taumbayan, pinapayagan po ng mga LGUs na magbungkal ng bundok," Uacon added.

Robredo's running mate, Senator Francis Pangilinan, assured them that the Robredo administration will ensure that such disregard of the communities' voice won't happen.

"Kung ihalal niyo si VP Leni sa May 9, ipapatupad niya ang batas na kapag di nakuha ang inyong consent at may pagtutol kayo don, dapat ayusin muna. Kung walang go signal ng komunidad, hindi puede iyon kasi iyon ang nasa batas," Pangilinan said. — RSJ, GMA News