“Hindi tayo dapat maging dayuhan sa sarili nating bayan.”

This is what AGRI Party-list Rep. Wilbert T. Lee stressed amid the unilateral four-month fishing ban imposed by China in the West Philippine Sea (WPS) saying that Filipino fisherfolk have the rights and freedom to fish in the area.

The solon from Bicol urged the government to provide assistance to fisherfolk who will be affected by the fishing ban, as he expects China to be more aggressive in driving away those attempting to fish in disputed waters that have since been ruled by the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS) that China had no legal basis to claim historic rights to.

“Karapatan natin na malayang makapangisda sa West Philippine Sea, lalo na sa mga tubig na nasa loob ng ating Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) dahil teritoryo natin ito. Atin ito!” Lee said.

“Pero dahil matagal nang may pattern ng pambubully at harassment ang China sa ating mga mangingisda sa WPS, kailangang ihanda at siguruhin ang mabilis na paghahatid ng tulong at ayuda sa mga hindi makapangingisda dulot ng fishing ban,” he added.

The fishing moratorium imposed by China started in May and will end on September 16.

The Bicolano lawmaker said that while he commends the government for promptly filing a formal protest over China’s fishing ban, it must make more tangible actions to protect the livelihood of fisherfolk.

“Kung agresibo ang Tsina, kailangang maging agresibo din tayo sa pagsuporta at pagprotekta sa karapatan ng ating mga mangingisda na makapaghanapbuhay nang ligtas at matiwasay,” he said.

“Habang tumatagal ang problemang ito, lalong nadedehado dito ang ating mga mangingisda na kaunti na nga lang ang kinikita, napagkakaitan pa lalo sa kabuhayan nila. Talo rin ang buong bansa rito—mula sa pagbaba ng supply ng isda na nakakaapekto sa ating food security hanggang sa pagtaas ng presyo sa merkado, na dagdag pasanin sa mga consumers,” he added.

On the June 2 episode of GMA 7’s “Si Manoy ang Ninong Ko” where Lee is one of the hosts, the plight of fishermen in Escoda Shoal, Palawan was tackled, as the tension in the area brought about by the territorial dispute also affected their livelihood.

Aside from assistance to the fishermen beneficiaries of the program who were given Fishing Aggregating Devices (FADs) or payao, the GMA TV host reiterated his call for the government to exhaust all means to provide long-term solutions to their perennial problems.

Lee then renewed his call for the urgent passage of his proposed House Bill No. 9011 or the “Fishing Shelters and Ports Act” where the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR), in coordination with the Department of National Defense (DND) and other relevant government agencies, shall establish fishing shelters and ports in nine occupied maritime features in the WPS and Philippine Rise.

The fishing shelters and ports to be established in the islands of Lawak, Kota, Likas, Pag-asa, Parola, Panata, Patag, Rizal Reef, and Ayungin Shoal will serve as safe spots for fishermen to take refuge from foreign militia or unforeseen circumstances, a place where they can rest, store gears and supplies, as well as access communication devices.

“Our fishermen deserve better services so we should demand better for them. Karapatan nila ang ligtas at mas masaganang kabuhayan, ang dagdag na kita, sapat at murang pagkain, at mabawasan ang pangamba na wala silang perang pantustos sa mga pangangailangan, lalo na sa panahon ng pagkakasakit, sa takot na lalong malubog sa utang at kahirapan,” the solon said. 

  “Winner Tayo Lahat sa pagprotekta sa buhay at kabuhayan ng ating mga mangingisda at sa pagtatanggol sa ating teritoryo. Pakikinabangan ito hindi lang ng sektor ng pangingisda, hindi lang ng henerasyon ngayon, kundi maging ng buong bansa at ng susunod pang henerasyon ng mga Pilipino,” he added.