The bishop of Boac has expressed solidarity with fisherfolk and coastal communities in the Verde Island Passage (VIP), backing calls for stronger marine protection, justice and the defense of municipal waters.
In a pastoral solidarity message, Bishop Edwin O. Panergo of the Diocese of Boac supported Caritas Philippines’ appeal to protect the biodiverse marine corridor, which sustains fishing communities and coastal livelihoods.
Panergo said threats to marine ecosystems were not merely environmental or economic concerns but also matters of human dignity, particularly for families who depend on the sea for their daily needs.
‘As an island-diocese intimately connected to the rhythm of the tides and the welfare of coastal stewards, we recognize that caring for our marine ecosystems is an inseparable part of our fidelity to the Creator,’ the bishop said.
He urged the faithful, Basic Ecclesial Communities, parish ministries and public authorities to listen to communities most affected by ecological threats and take decisive action for the common good.
Panergo also called for collective efforts to protect what he described as the country’s ‘common home,’ emphasizing the need to stand with small-scale fishers whose livelihoods depend on healthy coastal and marine ecosystems.
He concluded his message by urging communities to unite in safeguarding the waters that sustain life and preserve marine resources for future generations.