WHAT: Rehabilitasyon at Reklamasyon sa Manila Bay: Isang Forum para sa Makataong Rehabilitasyon ng Manila Bay
WHEN: April 4, 2019 (1:30 PM – 6 PM)
WHERE: UP Center for Integrative and Development Studies (CIDS), LG/F, Ang Bahay ng Alumni, Magsaysay Avenue, UP Diliman
WHO: The Manila Bay Para sa Tao Movement (Kilusan para sa Makataong Rehabilitasyon ng Manila Bay) is a Metro Manila-wide movement comprised of a network of fisherfolk groups, non-governmental organizations (NGOs), Civil Society Organizations (CSOs), students and environmental advocates who came together to campaign for a pro-people rehabilitation of the Manila Bay, and oppose the aggressive reclamation projects in the area.
WHY: The campaign staunchly condemns the massive reclamation of the Manila Bay that will cover at least 24,000 hectares and displace over 200,000 fisher families, which is among the poorest sector of the country. The forum aims to provide a space for learning, solidarity, and empowerment of people, organizations and movements that are advancing a people-centered rehabilitation.
Pagkamkam ng Dagat, ‘Wag Payagan!
Dagat para sa Lahat, Lalo sa Mahirap!
Yes to Pro-people rehabilitation, No to Anti-poor Reclamation!
Quezon City – Group composed of fisherfolks, non-government organizations, students and other civil society groups will hold a multi-sector forum on the disputed reclamation of the Manila Bay at the UP Diliman Center for Integrative and Development Studies (CIDS), Ang Bahay ng Alumni on April 4, 2019.
The forum aims to provide a space for learning, solidarity, and empowerment of people, organizations and movements that are advancing a people-centered rehabilitation. Groups from various sectors such as the Commission on Human Rights, PANGISDA, Oceana Philippines and Tambuyog Development Center will discuss the impacts of the looming reclamation that is said to displace over 200,000 fisher families.
PANGISDA, an organization advocating for the interests of small-scale fishers, maintained that the Manila Bay Reclamation Project is undoubtedly an attack against the poorest sector of the country – the fisherfolks. The conversion of the fishing grounds to industrial and commercial use is tantamount to various forms of displacement and uprooting of small fishers from their very source of livelihood, identity and life.
“Ang karagatan ay aming buhay. Doon kami kumukuha ng aming pangkabuhayan. At ang mga nahuhuli namin ay inihahatid namin bilang pagkain sa sambayanang Pilipino (The ocean is our life. It is where we get our livelihood. And our daily catch is the food we bring to every Filipino.),” shared Gilbert Reyes, one of the fisherfolks in Manila Bay, Paraňaque area.
“Sana po ang karagatan ay ating alagaan, ingatan, sagipin at huwag nating gawing kalupaan (I hope that we nurture, care for and save the seas, and not convert it into land,” lamented Reyes.
The Manila Bay Para sa Tao movement asserts that the solution to the Manila Bay problem remains the same. The group calls for a ‘pro-people’ rehabilitation of the Manila Bay that is said to genuinely benefit and promote not only the wellbeing of coastal communities but also the future generations, including food security and protection from calamities.
Ciara Borja, one of the student representatives of the campaign, said that the forum will provide an avenue wherein the sectors affected by the project will not only become well-informed about the impact of reclamation but will also have a voice about the issue.
“Through this collaboration, we will be able to provide a platform for more students, development workers, and advocates to work together and come up with viable solutions,” said Borja.
Towards the end of the forum, groups will draft a unity statement signifying solidarity towards a people-centric and pro-poor rehabilitation of the Manila Bay.
This event is led by the movement Manila Bay Para sa Tao: Kilusan Para Sa Makataong Rehabilitasyon at Pangingisda.
