Eight lawmakers, including one senator and seven members of the House of Representatives, held a dialogue with fisherfolk leaders on Monday to address the twin crises of rising fuel costs and continued Chinese harassment in the West Philippine Sea (WPS).
Organized by the civil society coalition Atin Ito, the fisherfolk dialogue formed part of the group’s “West Philippine Sea Pulong Bayan, ”held at ACM BM Beach Resort. The event gathered more than a hundred fishers, civil society groups, and local officials in a unified call for urgent government action to protect livelihoods and national sovereignty.
Among those present were Senator Erwin Tulfo, Chair of the Senate Committee on Foreign Relations; Malabon Representative Antolin “Lenlen” Aquino Oreta, Chair of the House Committee on the West Philippine Sea; Puerto Princesa 3rd District Representative Gil Acosta; Bukidnon First District Representative Jose Manuel Alba; Akbayan Representatives Chel Diokno, Perci Cendaña, and Dadah Kiram Ismula; and Pinoy Workers Representative Franz Legaspi.
During the dialogue, the lawmakers committed to push for expanded fuel and food subsidies to cushion the impact of the ongoing oil crisis on fishing communities. They also pledged to advocate for stronger protection mechanisms against harassment and reported espionage activities by Chinese forces in the West Philippine Sea, as well as to lobby for increased government funding for the construction and distribution of fishing boats to strengthen the sector’s resilience and civilian presence in the area.
Atin Ito co-convenor Rafaela David, who is also the President of Akbayan Party, underscored the central role of fisherfolk as the country’s frontliners in asserting its rights in the West Philippine Sea.
“Hindi lang ito usapin ng teritoryo, ito ay usapin ng kabuhayan, dangal, at kinabukasan ng ating mga komunidad,” David said. “Sa gitna ng tumitinding krisis sa langis at patuloy na pangha-harass ng dayuhan, malinaw na kailangan ng agarang suporta at konkretong aksyon para sa ating mga mangingisda. Hindi sila dapat iwanan.”
Atin Ito co-convenor Edicio Dela Torre emphasized the importance of civilian presence and solidarity in defending the country’s waters. “Ang ating mga mangingisda ang tunay na mukha ng ating presensya sa West Philippine Sea. Ang pagpapalakas sa kanila, sa pamamagitan ng proteksyon, sapat na ayuda, at suporta sa kanilang kabuhayan, ay mahalagang hakbang sa pagtatanggol ng ating soberanya,” said Dela Torre, who is also the President of the Philippine Rural Reconstruction Movement (PRRM).
Lawmakers present stressed that the dialogue would directly inform legislative priorities, particularly in addressing rising fuel costs and ensuring that government interventions reach the most affected communities.
The activity forms part of Atin Ito’s broader campaign to build civilian-led efforts in defending the West Philippine Sea, and sets the stage for its fourth civilian mission to Pag-asa Island this April.
A student assembly in afternoon, also organized by Atin Ito, is expected to be attended by the lawmakers and more than a thousand students from various schools.