Fisherfolk and climate justice advocates stage an anti-reclamation protest outside the SMC head office on Earth Day. (Photo by Sofia Abrogar)
MANILA, Philippines — Cavite fisherfolk and multi-sectoral climate justice advocates staged two rallies on Saturday, commemorating Earth Day by protesting land reclamation projects ongoing throughout the country.
The first protest was held at 9:30AM outside the San Miguel Corporation (SMC) head office in Mandaluyong.
Protesters shovel dirt over a replica of the SMC logo outside the company’s head office on Saturday, in condemnation of its land reclamation projects, particularly those affecting coastal communities in Cavite. (Photo by Sofia Abrogar)
Among the rallyists was national fisherfolk federation Pambansang Lakas ng Kilusang Mamamalakaya ng Pilipinas (PAMALAKAYA) who asserted that SMC projects in Manila Bay and Navotas have caused “irreparable damage” to surrounding marine ecosystems.
“Marami nang nasira at marami pang masisira sa kalikasan at kabuhayan ng mga maliliit na mangingisda kapag nagpatuloy pa ang mga mapanirang proyektong ito ng mga malalaking korporasyon katulad ng San Miguel,” said PAMALAKAYA national spokesperson Ronnel Arambulo in a press release.
(Much of our natural resources and fisherfolk’s livelihoods have been and will be destroyed if these destructive projects under big corporations like SMC continue.)
INQUIRER.net has reached out to SMC for their responses and further comments, but has not received a reply as of posting.
Mang Nic Miane, a fisherman from Cavite and PAMALAKAYA member, holds a placard that reads ‘Tunay na Reporma sa Pangisdaan, ipaglaban!’ at a rally in front of the SMC head office on Saturday. He and his grandchildren came to Mandaluyong on Earth Day to protest the SMC reclamation projects. (Photo by Sofia Abrogar)
The groups then continued their Earth Day commemoration in Mendiola, Manila at 1:00 p.m.
Joined by progressive organizations such as Advocates of Science and Technology for the People (AGHAM) and Youth Advocates for Climate Action Philippines (YACAP), rallyists called upon the national government to halt its reclamation efforts and prioritize climate-forward policies.
Rallyists line Mendiola on Saturday, asking the national government to halt its reclamation efforts and prioritize climate-forward policies. (Photo by Sofia Abrogar)
“As we celebrate Earth Day today, we continue to remind the Marcos administration and the DENR, that protecting the environment is first and foremost about protecting the people and securing their future,” said Jerwin Baure, AGHAM public information officer and marine scientist, in the organization’s Earth Day statement.
Three law enforcement officers stand behind four protesters raising their calls along Mendiola on Earth Day. (Photo by Sofia Abrogar)