filipino fishermen

Sen. Bam to gov’t: Put welfare, livelihood Filipino fishermen first

Re-electionist Sen. Bam Aquino prodded the administration to defend Filipino fishermen following reports that some of them were prevented by Chinese vessels from fishing or landing on the sandbars around Pag-asa Island in the West Philippine Sea.

In a media interview in Pangasinan, Sen. Bam emphasized that the government should have acted earlier on the issue of harassment of Filipino fishermen in the West Philippine Sea.

“Matagal na pong isyu iyan at matagal na dapat itong inaksiyunan ng gobyerno,” said Sen. Bam, who is eyeing a second term under the Otso Diretso slate.

“Ang hinahanap ng mga Pilipino ay isang gobyerno na sila yung kakampi, palagay ko mahalaga na i-raise na ito formally ng ating gobyerno at huwag nang daanin pa sa pakiusapan,” the senator added.

If Sen. Bam will have his way, he said a formal complaint regarding the harassment of Filipino fishermen by Chinese vessels in Philippine waters should be lodged before multilateral organizations so the issue could be threshed out.

“Kailangang makita naman ng ating mga kababayan na kinakampihan ng gobyerno ang kapwa Pilipino. Hindi po iyong parang mas pinapaboran pa iyong ibang mga bansa,” Sen. Bam emphasized.

On September 19, 2016, Sen. Bam filed Resolution No. 158 seeking to clarify the country’s foreign policy direction and determine the administration’s position on several issues, including the West Philippine Sea, Benham Rise and other dealings with China.

Sen. Bam: Tulungan, ‘wag pahirapan ang mga mangingisda

Sen. Bam Aquino stressed that the government should first help fishermen increase their catch and reduce their expenses instead of just importing “galunggong” to lower the prices of fish in the market.

“Sana tulungan din ng pamahalaan ang mga mangingisda na madagdagan ang kanilang huli at babaan ang kanilang gastos sa petrolyo,” said Sen. Bam, referring to the Department of Agriculture’s intention to import galunggong.

The senator said fishermen are overwhelmed with the high operational costs, with half of it going to fuel, based on a study by the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP).

“Nalulunod ang mga kababayan nating mangingisda sa taas ng operational cost kaya bumababa ang kita nila,” said Sen. Bam, who is pushing for a subsidy or support program for fisherfolk, similar to the Pantawid Pasada Program for jeepney drivers, to help them cover the cost of fuel and inputs.

Sen. Bam insisted that the government should find other means to lower prices of goods and services that will not be detrimental to other sectors.

Instead of importation and lowering tariffs, Sen. Bam said the government should support his Senate Bill No. 1798 or the Bawas Presyo Bill, which seeks to suspend the excise tax on fuel under the TRAIN Law when the average inflation rate surpasses the annual inflation target over a three-month period.

Sen. Bam said the urgent passage of his measure is necessary since there is a scheduled second round of increase in excise tax on fuel under the TRAIN Law in January 2019.

“Kapag hindi naawat, panibagong bigat na naman ito para sa mga jeepney driver, tricycle driver at pati na rin sa mangingisda,” said Sen. Bam, one of four senators who voted against the ratification of the TRAIN Law.

Kahit sorry man lang, wala – Sen. Bam Aquino on the harassment of Filipino fishermen

If the government won’t issue a diplomatic protest against China for taking away the catch of Filipino fishermen, the least it could do is to demand an apology from its perceived ally, according to Sen. Bam Aquino. 

“Dapat maghain ng pormal na protesta ang pamahalaan laban sa ginawa ng Chinese coast guard sa ating mga mangingisda. Pero kahit sorry, hindi man lang hiningi,” said Sen. Bam. 

Earlier, a television station aired a video where Chinese coast guard personnel were shown taking the catch from Filipino fishermen. 

“Nanakawan, inaapi pa ang ating mga mangingisda. Kampihan naman natin ang ating mga kababayan,” the senator said. 

“Napaka-strikto ng administrasyon pagdating sa ating mamamayan. Ngunit kapag isyu na ng China, napakaluwag sa mga patakaran,” Sen. Bam added. 

If the government will not do anything to address this incident, Sen. Bam said the Chinese coast guard will be emboldened to commit more abuses against the Filipino people. 

“Hindi natin kailangang humingi ng permiso mula sa China dahil teritoryo natin ang kanilang inangkin,” added Sen. Bam. 

Sen. Bam also reiterated his call to the government to assert the country’s victory in the Permanent Court of Arbitration (PCA), which declared that Filipino fishermen have traditional fishing rights to the waters of Scarborough Shoal. 

“Makinig tayo sa panawagan ni Acting Chief Justice Carpio. Sayang lang ang panalo ng Pilipinas sa PCA kung hindi gagamitin para ipaglaban ang atin mga mangingisda,” Sen. Bam said. 

Earlier, Sen. Bam urged the Senate to take the lead in defending the country amid China’s militarization of our seas. 

The senator said that a strong and independent Senate can and should investigate all our dealings with China, especially when the rights and livelihood of our countrymen are at risk.

Sen. Bam asserts independence from China

As the nation celebrates Independence Day, families are drowning from rising prices and Filipino fishermen are bullied out of Philippine waters, said Sen. Bam Aquino.

“Ipinagdiriwang natin ang Araw ng Kalayaan ngunit marami sa mga kapatid nating mangingisda ay hindi malayang mangisda sa sarili nating karagatan,” said Sen. Bam Aquino.

“Ninanakawan na at inaapi ang ating mga kapatid na mangingisda ngunit tila walang ginagawa ang pamahalaan para protektahan ang kanilang kapakanan,” added Sen. Bam.

Sen. Bam was referring to claims by several fishermen during a press conference in Malacanang that China is dictating the movement of vessels over the Panatag shoal through its coast guard ships in the area.

One of the fishermen claimed that the Chinese coast guard is blocking access of bigger Filipino fishing vessels to the shoal’s lagoon.

“We shouldn’t need China’s permission to fish in our own waters,” said Sen. Bam.

Earlier, Sen. Bam urged the Senate to take the lead in defending the country amid China’s militarization of our seas.

“If Malacañang will not side with the Filipino people on this issue, then the Senate can take the lead in defending our country,” said Sen. Bam, adding that a strong and independent Senate can and should investigate all our dealings with China, especially when the rights and livelihood of our countrymen are at risk.

Sen. Bam added that if the government continues its defeatist mentality, China will be more emboldened to commit more abuses to our territory and against the Filpino people.

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