Photo from Pamalakaya
MANILA, Philippines — Fisherfolk and environmentalists held a fluvial protest action in Muntinlupa City on Saturday to urge the government to protect Laguna de Bay.
The protest, which was conducted on the National Fisherfolks Day on May 31, was led by fishers’ group Pambansang Lakas ng Kilusang Mamamalakaya ng Pilipinas (Pamalakaya) and environmental network Save Laguna Lake Movement (SLLM).
The groups’ primary call is to scrap the Laguna Lake Roadshore Network (LLRN) and the 2,000-hectare floating solar power project in the Laguna de Bay.
READ: New DENR chief urged to reject Laguna floating solar project
The LLRN is a project primarily of the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH).
Photo from Pamalakaya
DPWH previously said that LLRN will “provide a seamless linkage between the cities and municipalities along the western and eastern areas of the Laguna Lake [and] will also serve as an alternative route to motorists bound north and south, aiding in the traffic decongestion of Mega Manila.”
Photo from Pamalakaya
The floating solar power project, on the other hand, is being developed by the Solar Philippines Power Project Holdings, which reportedly aims to “address scarcity of available land for this renewable energy platform.
READ: Floating solar power system eyed in Laguna de Bay
Pamalakaya and SLLM, meanwhile, asserted that the projects “threaten to displace thousands of fisherfolk and coastal residents in Munti lupa City, Taguig, and southern part of the lake.”
“We see no good in this for the fishermen, but only harm and violation of the right to livelihood,” SLLM Convener Chris Baisa said in Filipino in an issued statement.
“What we are advocating is the complete rehabilitation of the lake that will restore its former vitality as a fishing ground,” he added.