VICE President Maria Leonor “Leni” Robredo urged fisher folk in Negros Occidental to continue fighting for their rights amid pressing challenges hounding the country's fishery sector.
Robredo was the guest of honor at the fifth Provincial Congress of the Negros Occidental Small Fishers Alliance (Nosfa) held at Business Inn Hotel in Bacolod City Wednesday, October 10.
In her speech, the vice president said she favors the creation of a separate department for fisheries, which is currently under the Department of Agriculture (DA), for the government to give focus on the need of the fisher folk.
Robredo pointed out that under the current setup, fishermen are like “second class citizens” as only rice farmers are given much attention.
“With a separate department, government services to the fishery sector will be more efficient,” she said, adding that “small fishermen are seemingly given just what is left.”
As she congratulated the organization for sustaining its membership for five years already, Robredo told the members that it is a blessing for them to be part of Nosfa.
The vice president said it enabled them to have a voice, stressing that it is hard for small individuals to be given the chance to be heard.
Robredo assured local fishers that despite the “small” resources, her office is helping the fishery sector especially the small ones.
“We hope that you will not get tired. Continue to fight the rights of every member-fisher folk,” she told the organization, adding that “we know the hardships you are going through. We hope that in every hardship, you will always remember that many are also relying on us.”
Nosfa is currently composed of about 5,000 fisher folk from various associations in 15 local government units (LGUs) in Negros Occidental.
Its chairman, Antonio Castillo Jr., said the congress is aimed at further strengthening the organization as well as underscoring issues affecting them and the entire fishery sector in the province.
Antonio said they continue to call on the government to intensify its campaign against illegal fishing as it continues to hurt small fishermen.
This is on top of the efficient delivery of support services to the fisher folk including livelihood assistance which they can use as an alternative source of income during calamities and disasters.
“Through this gathering, we also hope to gather stronger forces in protecting our coastal resources,” he said, adding that unity among the members is also vital in pushing for the interest of fisher folk.