4 weeks ago
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The crab industry in Negros Occidental had always proven to be a strong one, worth billions of pesos and known to export crab abroad.
According to a report on "Kapuso Mo Jessica Soho," the town of EB Magalona in Negros Occidental also has a blue crab meat production of five tons daily. It is a P2 billion industry.
A threat, however, looms over small-time fisherfolk in the form of commercial fishing companies. A good 30.6 percent of them, the Philippine Statistics Authority reported in 2021, do not earn enough income.
In 2024, the Supreme Court allowed commercial fishing vessels to fish in municipal waters, 15 kilometers from the shore.
This affected 19 towns in Panay, five in Guimaras, and 24 more towns in Negros Occidental, as well as 30,000 fisherfolk and 5,000 crab harvesters.
To investigate the current situation, Jessica Soho traveled all the way to Negros Occidental.
Fisherfolk's challenges
Fisherfolk from E.B. Magalona expresses worries that their already small income will decrease as large companies start fishing in their waters. One kilo of alimasag is priced at P160. Workers say that they do not break even, and are lacking in funds to support their families.
Mary Jane from Barangay Tomongton in E.B. Magalona said on "KMJS" that she started working in the field for her husband to save funds on an employee, and to also earn more funds for their family.
Her eldest son Ramy is a senior high school graduate, but was unable to go to college due to lack of funds. The rest of the couple's income goes into the tuition of their two younger kids who are in junior high school.
Mary Jane is one of the three female fisherfolk in her area. She also shared what it is like to catch blue crab, and said that it is best if there are no strong waves.
Mary Jane leaves her cloth net in the sea overnight, then returns the next morning or two days later to get it. She added that it's a gamble, as she is unsure whether she would be able to catch any crab.
She also said that the peak season of fishing for crab would be from May to August, during which she would earn 15 to 18 kilos. But other times, Mary Jane would only catch one to two kilos of crab even after leaving her net for two days, earning her only P160.
Already faced with these challenges, Mary Jane turned emotional as she thought about her future income.
"Maging kawawa kami, Ma'am. Kung hindi sila papasok dito, sa amin pa 'yan, mahuli pa 'yan namin. Pero 'pag pumasok sila dito wala kami magagawa," she said.
["We will be in a difficult situation. This was supposed to be our livelihood. But if they come in, there's nothing we can do."]
"Tanggapin na lang kahit masakit sa dibdib. Kasi may mga estudyante pinag-aaral. Tapos kung papayagan sila pumasok dito, 'di na namin silang kaya mapag-aral. Kahit 'yung kita namin ngayon hindi na nagkasya sa gabi," she added.
["We just have to accept it, even though it's painful. Our children are still in school, and if they're allowed to fish here, we won't be able to afford their education. Even now, what we earn isn't enough for our daily expenses."]
Meanwhile, other fisherfolk in the town sell their catch at factories or other buyers. They chop the blue crab meat to make it easier to eat, then steam for 15 minutes to ensure the best quality.
Entrepreneur Analyn said they produce export-quality crab meat which they supply to Cebu, which is then processed for export to the United States. There are 22 crab meat pickers in her factory, majority of whom are women. To ensure that the crab has good quality, it has to be freshly caught and goes through a strict process.
Because of the approval of commercial fishing vessels in their seas, Analyn is also concerned about how this will affect her business and 60 employees.
"Siguro kami, katulad namin na ganito lang ang hanapbuhay, siguro hindi kami papayag kasi labis kaming maapektuhan, wala nang matitira sa'min," she said.
["People like us, who depend on this livelihood, can't agree with what's happening because it will have a huge impact on us– there will be nothing left for us."]
While going around the village, "KMJS" also discovered some "trolls," or alleged illegal fishing in the area. Locals say that their large equipment is able to get even the smallest of fish, and leave close to nothing on the seabed.
Domino effect
The fisherfolk say that their current predicament is unfair, as they stand to lose their livelihood and income, and would also get arrested. Meanwhile, the trolls who do illegal work and those who are already rich would get added benefits.
Glenda from the Women's Association of E.B. Magalona said that this challenge will cause a domino effect.
"KMJS" reached out to the local town government about the issue but they declined to comment.
Going against the court ruling
Another town that will be affected is the nearby Manapla, the second-largest producer of blue crab meat in the province. Here, they are both experiencing the threats of both commercial and illegal fishing.
The fisherfolk there formed a group called Bantay Kasag.
"Ang sinasabi na Bantay Kasag, binabantayan namin 'yung mga alimasag dito. Example, 'yung pagkuha ng mga buried crabs at saka juvenile crab kasi 'yun 'yung juvenile crab hindi na puwede ibenta," member Jerry said.
["Our group, Bantay Kasag, monitors the crabs that are caught and sold. For example, we ensure that juvenile crabs are not harvested, as they cannot be sold."]
Another group called Punta Salong has the slogan, "Isalba ang industriya ng Alimasag." [Save the crab industry.]
The fisherfolk say they lack equipment and have smaller boats. Jerry said that when the larger vessels come to their area, they would request for them to leave.
He added that compressors in fishing is illegal, and that the trolls crush corals. He also revealed that even before the Supreme Court came to a decision, there were already fishing vessels in the area.
They were also not informed that there was an ongoing discussion, and only learned about the case when the court approved it. The fisherfolk said that the Supreme Court did not get their side.
Although the fisherfolk do not get harassed, they do get threatened.
The local government of Manapla strongly went against the Supreme Court ruling, and said that the issue affects the whole country. Once implemented, the small-time and marginal fisherfolk would be affected.
The Department of Agriculture and the Fisheries and Aquatic Resource Management Councils likewise said they are on the fisherfolks' side.
With these developments, the Panay-Negros-Guimaras Crab Fishers Alliance plan on doing a signature campaign to oppose the court ruling. They previously held protest movements.
"Pumapasok na 'yung commercial at illegal fisher sa mga coastal areas, including sa sinasabi natin municipal waters na 15 km from the seashore, seaward. So, may problema na sa illegal fishing. So, ang ganitong desisyon ng Supreme Court, mag-worsen talaga 'yung situation ng mga fisherfolks given na sila 'yung ngayon ang pinakahirap, pinakamahirap na social sector o grouping sa ating society," Edwin said.
["Commercial and illegal fishers are already encroaching on coastal areas, including municipal waters that extend 15 km from the shore. Illegal fishing is already a problem, and this Supreme Court decision will only worsen the situation for fisherfolk, who are among the most vulnerable sectors of our society."]
He also said their government panel, solicitor general, and the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR) did not file their case on time, and so it was denounced. Edwin said they felt abandoned.
"KMJS" reached out to the solicitor general's office, the BFAR, and the Mercidar Fishing Corporation but they declined to comment while the investigation is ongoing.
Edwin said that it is sad that fisherfolk across the Philippines always struggle with their livelihood due to big businesses interfering.
He then shared a message for those in power: "We are urging all the FARMCs, the Fishery and Aquatic Resource Management Council sa buong coastal municipalities and cities na magpalabas, na mag-issue ng resolusyon opposing the Supreme Court decision."
["We are urging all the FARMCs– the Fishery and Aquatic Resource Management Councils in all coastal municipalities and cities– to issue a resolution opposing the Supreme Court's decision."]
Meanwhile, in Congress, a resolution was passed to immediately investigate the effect of commercial fishing in municipal waters. Kabataan Party-list Representative Raoul Manuel filed an act to discuss the Supreme Court ruling and to listen to the sides of the fisherfolk. —JCB, GMA Integrated News
