Fisherfolk and environmental groups marked World Oceans Day on June 8 by warning that continued threats to marine ecosystems are also threatening food security and livelihoods for millions of Filipinos who depend on the country’s coastal resources.
Led by Protect Verde Island Passage (Protect VIP), the groups marched from the Department of Agriculture to the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources, calling for stronger protections for marine ecosystems and greater support for coastal communities.
“Ang karagatan ang pinagmumulan ng ating pagkain at kabuhayan. Kapag nasisira ang mga yamang-dagat, ang mga mangingisda ang unang tinatamaan. Hindi maaaring paghiwalayin ang pagprotekta sa karagatan at pagprotekta sa mga komunidad na umaasa rito,” said Maximo Bayubay, external vice president of Bukluran ng Mangingisda ng Batangas.
The coalition said coastal communities continue to face growing pressures from pollution, climate change, and the expansion of fossil fuel projects in ecologically important areas such as the Verde Island Passage.
It also urged the government to uphold protections for municipal waters, saying small-scale fisherfolk need secure access to marine resources and long-term livelihood support.
“As we celebrate World Oceans Day, we are reminded that protecting the ocean means protecting biodiversity, livelihoods, and food security,” said Fr. Edwin Gariguez, lead convenor of Protect VIP.
The groups called on the government to strengthen protections for marine ecosystems while pursuing solutions that address both environmental and social challenges.
