The escalating territorial dispute between the Philippines and China in the West Philippine Sea will eventually have an impact on food security, Undersecretary Jonas Leones of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources-Environmental and Management Bureau (DENR-EMB) and William G. Padolina, president of the Department of Science and Technology-National Academy of Science and Technology (DOST-NAST) warned. “Can you imagine, our fishermen are being water-hosed in Panatag Shoal, so can you imagine, our fishermen will not be allowed to do fishing in our own fishing grounds,” he said. Leones and Padolina voiced concern not only on the damage to marine resources but also to the reclamation’s effect on the source of livelihood of Filipino fishermen, who are being prevented to fish in the disputed territories by Chinese authorities.

Usman, E. (2015, April 28). Sea dispute threatens food security. Manila Bulletin, p. 4.