The group Pambansang Lakas ng Kilusang Mamamalakaya ng Pilipinas (National Strength of the Philippine Fisherfolk Movement or Pamalakaya) called anew on the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) to uphold the order to suspend all reclamation projects in Manila Bay.

This comes after more than 100 fisherfolk families received a notice from the local government of Bacoor City last week ordering them to remove their houses in the said city. This is to make way for the 420-hectare reclamation project of Frabelle Fishing Corporation.

Frabelle Fishing Corp. is owned by the family of Tiu Laurel Jr, the current Department of Agriculture secretary. This project is among the reclamation projects that have already been suspended in accordance with the Marcos regime’s order in August 2023.

The project significantly decreased fisherfolk’s income since it was implemented in 2020 and displaced more than 700 families from the area.

“It was against our will to be removed from the coastal areas and relocated to a distant place, so many of us were forced to return here to Bacoor and build temporary shelters on the beach where our livelihood is,” project affected resident and Pamalakaya member Danilo Falce said.

“Many are also victims of successive fires who were not allowed to build houses on their lots after the tragedy,” he said. Community fires facilitate local government eviction without proper relocation near the sea.

Recall that the local government’s relocation plan for families affected by the project in Naic, Cavite began in 2020.

Some fisherfolk agreed to relocate after the successive community fires in 2020 and 2023. They were promised ₱30,000 each but they actually received only ₱10,000. Harsh conditions in Naic forced some families to return to Bacoor.

The residents’ strong protest temporarily stopped the demolition in February 2024.

On June 3, at least 70 fisherfolk families lost their homes to a community fire in Barangay Talaba 2, Bacoor, Cavite, destroying an estimated 60 homes. According to Pamalakaya, this was the 17th fire since February 2024. The planned reclamation covers Barangay Talaba 2.

Fisherfolk also held repeated protest actions at the Department of Agriculture to stop the project.

Pamalakaya also sent a letter to the DENR on June 9 requesting a dialogue to urge the department to uphold and implement the ongoing suspension of reclamation projects in Manila Bay.

The DENR is yet to respond to the group’s letter.