A NATIONAL federation of fishermen has expressed support for the investigation of the ‘unauthorized’ reclamation activities disguised as flood control projects in the Taguig City side of Laguna de Bay, citing its violation of the ‘socio-economic and environmental rights’ of fisherfolk and urban poor families.
In a statement, the Pambansang Lakas ng Kilusang Mamamalakaya ng Pilipinas (Pamalakaya) said that the reclamation is part of the 37-kilometer Laguna Lakeshore Road Network (LLRN) that has already displaced urban poor families and fishermen in Muntinlupa and Taguig City.
The LLRN Phase 1 orginates in Calamba, Laguna, and ends at Lower Bicutan in Taguig City.
‘Whether it be unauthorized or compliant with the proper procedures, reclamation is never beneficial to the coastal residents and aquatic resources. The said activity has been proven to be disadvantageous to the socio-economic rights of the people and the environment. Indeed, the Cayetano political clan in Taguig City must be held accountable for pushing for the destructive reclamation projects in Laguna de Bay, under the guise of flood control projects,’ Ronnel Arambulo, Pamalakaya vice chairperson said.
Pamalakaya also refuted Senate Minority Leader Alan Peter Cayetano’s defense of the reclamation projects, which he claimed are meant for flood control and lake’s protection.
‘May we remind Senator Cayetano that the reclamation project can never be a flood control, nor a protectionary measure to the lake’s ecosystem. Scientific records and our actual experiences already point to a different reality from what Senator Cayetano is saying.
‘Reclamation projects carried out across the lake have further weakened the coastal communities’ defense against flooding because such activities obstruct the natural waterways,’ Pamalakya noted.
The said government activities are also to blame for the gradual degradation of Laguna de Bay’s aquatic and fishery resources. Aside from displacement, Laguna de Bay fishermen experience first-hand environmental degradation through depleted fish catch and the loss of the lake’s traditional and endemic fish species.
‘We support any investigation that will hold accountable the officials who pushed for the destructive reclamation projects in Laguna de Bay,’ Arambulo said.