“𝘿𝙖𝙥𝙖𝙩 𝙜𝙮𝙪𝙙 𝙣𝙖𝙖 𝙩𝙖𝙮 𝙠𝙖𝙨𝙞𝙣𝙜-𝙠𝙖𝙨𝙞𝙣𝙜 𝙨𝙖 𝙥𝙖𝙜𝙥𝙖𝙣𝙚𝙧𝙗𝙞𝙨𝙮𝙤 𝙥𝙖𝙧𝙖 𝙨𝙖 𝙩𝙖𝙣𝙖𝙣.”

29 desperate and hopeless fishermen from Mati City’s Islamic Center Association stormed the Provincial Capitol, hoping to meet the Governor and have their plea for help heard, on the morning of November 14, 2022.

And, true to her word of providing unreserved service to the people, Governor Corazon N. Malanyaon did not disappoint them by making time to speak with them in person despite her demanding schedule.

Talking to the Governor, an emotional Marcos Hadjali, Vice—President and Spokesperson of the Fishermen’s Association, voiced worries about their livelihood after the maritime authorities of Pujada Bay impounded their fishing boats. “Wala mi lain panginabuhian kundi ang pagpangisda. Wala mi ikasuporta sa among mga pamilya, sa among pagkaon og pagpaskwela sa among mga anak,” Hadjali expressed while trying to hold his tears.

Pujada Bay has been a traditional fishing ground for these small-scale fishermen, who rely on the treasures of the sea for a living. Following the declaration of the bay as a protected area under the National Integrated Protected Areas System (NIPAS) through Presidential Proclamation No. 431 in 1994, several rules and restrictions were set, including fishing activities on the declared Marine Protected Area and in the strict protection zone of the bay. This was reinforced by Republic Act 11038 or the Expanded National Integrated Protected Areas System Act of 2018 (E-Nipas) approved by President Rodrigo Duterte.

Governor Malanyaon, with her motherly demeanor, emphasized the importance of hearing and responding to people’s concerns like this saying “Ang akong opisina andam og abri pirmi para kaninyo. Wala’y gipili kay dapat naa gyud tay kasing-kasing sa pagpanerbisyo para sa tanan”.

To address the matter, she offered to arrange a discussion with the Pujada Bay governing authorities to explore options and possible solutions to the impoverished fishermen’s plight. While the issue is being handled, the Governor’s Office has also given financial support to the affected fishermen.

“Nagpasalamat mi sa paspas nga pagtagad og paghatag og aksyon sa atong Governor. Wala mi nagdahom nga iya ming atubangon og tagaan og panahon bisan in-ani lang mi, ang uban nakapambalay lang,” Marcos Hadjali said.

The fishermen also expressed their appreciation for the Governor’s Office’s kind gestures of offering them lunch. They said they hadn’t even had breakfast before going immediately to the Governor’s office to seek assistance with their problem. “Namasin lang mi nga matabangan mao nianhi mi. Hulog ng langit gyud si Governor sa amoa,” the group’s spokesperson uttered. By Francis Moyoko Butulan | Photos by Mark Oliver Alvite