FISHERFOLK IN CAVITE, NAVOTAS HALT FISHING OPERATIONS OVER FUEL COSTS
CAVITE, Philippines — Fishermen in Cavite and Navotas launched simultaneous fishing boycotts this week, citing a sharp rise in fuel prices that has made daily fishing operations economically unviable.
The militant fisherfolk group PAMALAKAYA said an estimated 50% of municipal fisherfolk in the affected areas have stopped going out to sea for more than a month, as soaring diesel costs have outpaced earnings from their catch.
Before the oil price shock, a single fishing trip cost roughly 560 pesos in diesel. That figure has since climbed to 1,240 pesos per 10 liters of fuel — a jump of approximately 121%, according to the group.
“We are no longer earning anything. It’s all expenses now,” fishermen said, as they also slammed what they described as fuel subsidies from the government that were “insufficient, delayed, and selective.”
PAMALAKAYA added that many fisherfolk have yet to receive any government assistance, and those who did said the aid fell far short of offsetting their rising operational costs.
The sector is calling for a broad rollback of petroleum product prices to restore the livelihoods of fisherfolk operating along Manila Bay and surrounding areas.
Photo: PAMALAKAYA
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