MUST WATCH
AN AUDIO VIDEO PRESENTATION
DILG Secretary Mar Roxas visited the fisher folks of Zambales on July 14, 2015 at the Covered Court, Masinloc Baywalk, South Poblacion, Masinloc, Zambales during the conduct of the Stakeholders' Convergence Dialogue on Bajo de Masinloc despite inclement weather. This is to personally witness and convey outcomes in an open forum which aimed at addressing the issues on security and livelihood experienced by Zambales fisher folks who were among the worst affected by China's claims over the Scarborough Shoal (Bajo de Masinloc).
The activity is a follow through to the convergence dialogue conducted on July 8, 2015 and was attended by less than a thousand individuals comprising of fisher folks, barangay, municipal, provincial and congressional leaders and line agencies including DILG, DTI, TESDA, BFAR, DSWD, DOLE, AFP, PNP, BFP and PNP Maritime.
A leader of the fisher folk organization shared their experiences where they were driven away by Chinese coast guard by firing water cannon.
Sec. Roxas assured everyone that the government is currently pursuing all possible means to protect the rights of the country over Bajo de Masinloc. However, he highlighted the government's desire to seek peaceful resolution by adhering to international laws despite the harsh treatment experienced by our fisher folks.
Further, Sec. Roxas has called for the unity of Zambaleños. He vowed to provide continued assistance to affected Zambaleños thru our local and national governments while still waiting for the result of the on-going hearings at the Hague, Netherlands. He also underscored best practices of provinces like General Santos City with abundant variety of fishes like the well-known "tuna fish" which the province of Zambales can replicate through exportation to other countries such as Japan.
A compilation of proposals/position papers was handed-over to Sec. Roxas by another fisher folk leader with the hope that these will be considered in creating a mechanism to address the issue. It was witnessed by Gov. Hermogenes E. Ebdane Jr., Cong. Cheryl Deloso-Montalla and DILG RD Florida M. Dijan. In response, Sec. Roxas assured the fisher folk leader that it will be carefully studied and conveyed to concerned agencies for immediate action.
