Pamalakaya to DILG chief Remulla: Reject Cavite reclamation projects

MANILA, Philippines — Progressive fisherfolk group Pambansang Lakas ng Kilusang Mamamalakaya ng Pilipinas (Pamalakaya) on Thursday called on former Cavite governor and now Interior Secretary Jonvic Remulla to not only push for the shutdown of Pogos in Cavite but to also oppose ongoing reclamation projects along the province’s coastal areas.

In a statement on Thursday, Pamalakaya said that Remulla should stand against destructive reclamation efforts and enforce the responsibility of local government units (LGUs) on projects covered by the Philippine Environmental Impact Statement System (PEISS).

“We challenge the new DILG Secretary to take a stand against destructive reclamation, particularly in the province where Secretary Remulla himself hails from. It’s not only the Pogos that need to be stopped but also the reclamation projects that are destroying the environment and the livelihoods of nearly 30,000 fishermen in the province of Cavite,” the group said in Filipino.

READ: New DILG chief Remulla vows crackdown on Pogo hubs in Cavite

The fisherfolk group added they have been calling for the permit revocation of at least 22 reclamation projects in Manila Bay since 2019.

“Some of these projects include the 407-hectare City of Pearl in Manila, the 650-hectare Navotas City reclamation, and the 420-hectare reclamation in Bacoor City, Cavite,” Pamalakaya said.

The group added that the production of several fish species in Cavite has already declined since reclamation activities began in 2019.

These species include blue crab (alimasag), acetes (alamang), siganid (samaral), slipmouth (sapsap), and anchovies (dilis).

Pamalakaya vice chairperson and senatorial candidate Ronnel Arambulo emphasized that Remulla should strengthen the Interior Department’s mandate to ensure that LGUs safeguard natural resources and protect local communities from destructive reclamation projects.

“The agency has a clear mandate to ensure that LGUs promote the protection of the environment and the community from destructive projects. This should be reinforced under Remulla’s leadership,” Arambulo said in a statement in Filipino.

READ: Fisherfolk lament DENR order to dismantle fishing structures in Cavite