The fisherfolk group Pambansang Lakas ng Kilusang Mamamalakaya ng Pilipinas (Pamalakaya) is seeking “clear and comprehensive fishing guidelines” in Manila Bay while the government is enforcing a community quarantine in Metro Manila. Pamalakaya said yesterday the government’s quarantine policy does not indicate how fisherfolk from Cavite and some provinces in Central Luzon would be affected since sea travel in and out of Metro Manila will be prohibited as a measure to curb the spread of COVID-19. “Our members, most especially in Cavite, are worried that the lockdown includes the prohibition of any fishing activity within Manila Bay. It spells disaster for small fisherfolk in Cavite and Central Luzon as fishing within their respective municipal waters is not enough due to deterioration of marine resources. They have to venture farther to catch more and earn enough,” Pamalakaya chairman Fernando Hicap said in a statement.

Villanueva, R., & Cervantes, D. (2020, March 15). Fisherfolk seek guidelines on quarantine. The Philippine Star, p. 10.