A wave of protest is building amongst the fishing communities of San Felipe, Zambales, as a temporary ban on fishing threatens their livelihoods. The restrictions, imposed to allow for submarine cable maintenance, have sparked outrage and questions about prioritizing foreign interests over the needs of local fisherfolk.
The heart of the dispute lies with the arrival of the Feng Hua 21, a supply vessel flying the Chinese flag and operated by FH Offshore Engineering. This vessel began work on February 5th, tasked with repairing and maintaining the Luzon Festoon Cable, but its presence came at a steep cost to those who depend on the sea for survival.
“To halt fishing for the sake of a foreign vessel’s operations is simply unacceptable,” declared a spokesperson for the protesting group. The ban isn’t just an inconvenience; it’s a direct assault on the income and food security of small-scale fishers and their families.
This isn’t an isolated incident. Concerns are mounting over a pattern of offshore activities conducted by Chinese firms in the region, consistently disrupting traditional fishing grounds and inflicting damage on fragile marine ecosystems.
Adding fuel to the fire is the lack of clear legal justification for the fishing ban. Fishers are demanding to know under what authority this restriction was imposed, pointing to the absence of any supporting provincial ordinance or official declaration from the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources.
The ban is being described as arbitrary and lacking a solid legal foundation, leaving communities feeling powerless and ignored. Without proper authorization, the restrictions appear to be a unilateral decision with devastating consequences for those who rely on the sea.
The impact of this cable work isn’t limited to San Felipe. The restrictions are projected to extend through March, casting a shadow over other coastal towns including Dasol in Pangasinan, Luna in La Union, and Nasugbu in Batangas, further amplifying the scale of the crisis.
