The Department of Agriculture says fisherfolk operating in the West Philippine Sea require stronger protection against Chinese harassment to ensure national food security. The agency warns that unchecked interference threatens the livelihoods of thousands and the stability of the country’s seafood supply.
During the commemoration of the 10th anniversary of the 2016 South China Sea arbitral award, the Agriculture undersecretary for Fisheries highlighted that securing fishing communities’ livelihoods is essential for economic resilience. Strengthening these sectors is seen as a cornerstone of broader national stability.
The undersecretary noted that fisherfolk also face increasingly severe typhoons, rising fuel costs, and deteriorating marine habitats. These factors compound the challenges of maintaining productive and safe fishing operations.
More than 450,000 registered fisherfolk depend on uninterrupted, sustainable access to the West Philippine Sea’s abundant resources. Their well‑being directly influences the food security of millions of citizens.
The Department of Agriculture and the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources have launched livelihood assistance programs, including the F/B Pagbabago initiative. The program supplies fiberglass‑reinforced boats, modern fishing equipment, repair training, and promotes seaweed farming as an alternative income source.
In 2024, the bureau provided a fuel subsidy of 3,000 pesos to 18,539 qualified fisherfolk across ten provinces bordering the West Philippine Sea. The assistance aims to offset rising operational costs and keep vessels active.
Coordinated actions with the Coast Guard, Navy, and Maritime Police target illegal fishing and improve maritime monitoring. The agencies also invest in science‑based fisheries management through resource assessments conducted with the National Fisheries Research and Development Institute.
Data indicate that the West Philippine Sea contributed 16.7% of the nation’s marine capture fishery production between 2006 and 2025. Although overall output has declined, the region’s catch value rose by nearly 28% from 2022 to 2025, reaching 40.05 billion pesos—an 80% increase from 2006.
As of June 30, the registered fishing population in the area totals 453,246, with Palawan hosting the largest share, followed by Pangasinan, Batangas, and Cavite. These provinces remain pivotal to the country’s maritime food supply.
