San Antonio Mayor Arvin “Dok” Antipolo joins fisherfolk from the municipality during a forum on livelihood concerns, maritime safety and government assistance amid tensions in the West Philippine Sea, held on October 11, 2026, at Camayan Beach Resort in the Subic Bay Freeport Zone.
SUBIC BAY FREEPORT — More than 50 fisherfolk leaders from Zambales and Bataan called for stronger government support for fishing communities affected by maritime tensions in the West Philippine Sea (WPS), citing concerns over livelihood, safety and access to traditional fishing grounds.
The fisherfolk leaders met with government agencies on Oct. 11 at Camayan Beach Resort in the Subic Bay Freeport Zone during a forum organized by the Atin Ito Coalition in partnership with the Center for Information Resilience and Integrity Studies (CIRIS).
The meeting sought to identify concrete measures to protect fishing communities as they contend with continuing Chinese incursions in the WPS.
San Antonio Mayor Arvin “Dok” Antipolo, the keynote speaker, said protecting the country’s maritime rights is closely linked to the economic welfare of coastal communities that depend on fishing, tourism and related businesses.
With about 62 kilometers of coastline facing the WPS, Antipolo said San Antonio relies on its coastal resources to sustain livelihoods and generate economic activity.
Tourism, he added, creates income opportunities for boat operators, resort owners, market vendors, transport workers and small businesses, making the protection of coastal resources critical to the municipality’s economic prospects.
“For us, WPS means ‘Welfare and Protection for the Fisherfolk of San Antonio,’” Antipolo said.
He also expressed support for the Philippine Navy and other government personnel operating in the WPS, citing their perseverance and restraint amid reported provocations. He said asserting the country’s sovereign rights should not be equated with hostility toward other nations but with upholding Filipinos’ rights under international law.
Atin Ito co-convenor and Akbayan President Rafaela David urged the government to sustain efforts to defend Philippine maritime rights while ensuring that Filipino fishers can safely earn a living.
“Hindi dapat maging dayuhan ang ating mga mangingisda sa sarili nating karagatan. Their right to fish in our waters must be protected,” David said.
Philippine Rural Reconstruction Movement president Edicio Dela Torre said protecting the WPS should go beyond territorial claims and include measures addressing the needs of communities whose livelihoods depend on its waters.
Representatives from the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources, Department of Social Welfare and Development, Department of Trade and Industry, Philippine Coast Guard and Philippine Navy attended the forum to discuss available assistance and services for fishing communities.
Fisherfolk leaders Leonardo “Ka Nards” Cuaresma of the New Masinloc Fishermen Association, Fausto Alpay of the Subic Commercial Fishers Association, Hilda Reyes of the San Miguel Pundaquit Fisherfolk Association, Rosielyn L. Regalado of the Samahan ng Cabangaan-3 Fishermen’s Unity, and Maureen Ignacio Mabayo of the Agri-Aqua Association also presented concerns affecting their respective communities.
The discussions highlighted the need for closer coordination among fisherfolk groups, local governments and national agencies to translate maritime protection efforts into livelihood assistance, improved safety and sustained access to fishing grounds.
For coastal communities in Zambales and Bataan, participants emphasized, protecting the WPS also means safeguarding the fishing industry and the economic activities that depend on it.