MILITANT fishermen on Monday slammed an offshore dredging project in Ilocos Sur because of its alleged adverse environmental and economic impact on coastal communities.
The Pambansang Lakas ng Kilusang Mamamalakaya (Pamalakaya) said the dredging project of Isla Verde Mining and Development Company (IVMDC) has affected 9,538 fisherfolk from the coastal towns of Santa and Caoayan, Ilocos Sur.
Before the dredging started in 2024, small fishermen used to harvest at least 100 cans, equivalent to 17 liters each, of ipon, a species of gobies found in freshwater streams. But nowadays, they are only able to gather around 30 cans, the group said.
Another report said that fishermen can catch at least 10 kilograms of kapiged or spotted scad on a good day before the operation, and sell it at P160 per kilogram, earning at least P1600 per fishing trip. Today, they catch almost nothing while the dredging barges are operating within the mouth of the Abra River.
‘Because of the noise and pollution and the disturbance created by the dredging operation, these dredging vessels are driving the fish away from the mouth of the Abra River. This results in the steep drop in the income of small fishers,’ Pamalakaya said in a statement.
‘Nagresulta ito ng malubhang pagbagsak ng kinikita ng mga maliliit na mangingisda.
‘Mahigit isang taon na ang perwisyong dala ng dredging operation sa mga residente sa tabing-dagat, subalit wala pa ring tugon ang mga kinauukulang ahensya ng pamahalaan na nauna nang nilapitan ng mga apektadong mangingisda,’ Fernando Hicap, P amalakaya national chairperson said in a statement.
Pamalakaya urged Environment Secretary Raphael Lotilla to look into the ongoing dredging in Ilocos Sur, and order its provincial environment office to inspect the operational site for a ‘cumulative impact assessment.’
‘Kailangang siyasatin ng DENR ang nagaganap na dredging sa Ilocos Sur, para mabigyan ng karampatang aksyon tulad ng agarang kanselasyon ng environment permit ng naturang proyekto,’ Hicap also said.