Celebrating the Uncelebrated. Uniting as One.
FisherFolks Day:
A platform where all parties connected to our sea can come together to share knowledge, concerns and explore ways to work towards a sustainably-bountiful future.
“Adlaw sa mga Mananagat” – (En:) Fisherfolks Day
The Bantayan Group of Islands is located between the Visayan Sea and the Tanon Straight in the center of the Philippines. This archipelago is divided into three separate municipalities. The islanders mainly depend on the sea for their livelihood, thus these islands consist of many coastal fishing communities. There are more than 700 compressor divers in the municipality of Bantayan alone. Compressor diving is a dangerous and desperate form of fishing and is a result of overfishing, illegal fishing and lack of proper law enforcement.
Men dive up to 40 meters deep using make shift gear and spend an average of 8 hours under water. Diving at night, they dispose up to 3 dry cell batteries per dive directly into the ocean.
We highlight the Fisherfolk’s important role for Bantayan Island in as much as food security, culture, history, marine conservation and protection. This is a platform for everyone involved with our sea to get together and share their projects, pains, reflections and visions for the future.
This has proven to successfully function as a means for the Local Government Units (LGUs), NGO’s and the small Fisherfolk to work with one another for these crucial purposes: the preservation, the protection and the eventual augmentation of our marine-given food sources, working with the existing local/national fishery policies. In addition, this day serves as a means to educate fisherfolk on their rights based on fishery ordinances and laws, ensuring a harmonious relationship between fishing communities, non government agencies and their local government units.
Why fisherfolks day?
In the Visayas region of central Philippines, Bantayan Islands’ fishing communities have for decades bore the brunt of detrimental government-endorsed commercial enterprise. Under the guise of promised economic prosperity, the group of islands of Bantayan has in recent years been increasingly subject to the interests of the private sector. Whether it’s a bill removing Bantayan’s Wilderness area, making available the privatization of land, the North Cebu Economic Zone, or the push to allow foreigners to have 100% ownership of assets, a neoliberal agenda imposes coercive ways of dispossession.
The island of Mambacayao Dako is one of a handful of islets of Bantayan. Home to fisherfolk for generations who are forcibly relocated to public and private housing projects, alongside over 9000 fisherfolk on the main island of Bantayan, away from valuable real estate – their coastal homes. While tourism is pushed as an alternative livelihood, it sustains inequality and further marginalizes fisherfolk who already are indigent communities.
This process of dispossession turns the fisherfolk into workers who eventually will be left with hardly any choice other than to work for resort owners.
Arial photo of Mambacayao Dako. Courtesy of Roberth Fuentes
Adlaw Sa Mananagat, June 27 2022:
Here's What Happened:
The day consisted of a parade on the ocean, educational presentations and an open forum. The parade on the ocean served to share and reignite interest in the Bantayanon’s cultural heritage and traditions stemming from the sea. After, an on-foot caravan from the Wharf to the Municipality Hall of Bantayan Proper took place to share the celebration with everyone living inland too.
All registered fisherfolk People’s Organisations joined with their decorated boats using recycled and organic materials to add colour to our parade. The Parade on Water started at the tip of the Wharf until the Marine Sanctuary of Guiwanon – and back!
1st prize for the best decorated boat won Php 5,000, 2nd Prize Php 2,500 and 3rd prize being Php 1,500. The remaining participants received consolation prizes of Php 500 to supplement the cost of the gasoline used during the parade.
11°14’46.4”N 123°44’08.7”E Municipality of Bantayan Central Visayas Tañon Strait, Visayan Sea Cebu, The Philippines
Here’s who participated:
37 COASTAL PEOPLE’S ORGANISATIONS LEADERS AND SAVINGS CLUB LEADERS
OF THE MUNICIPALITY OF BANTAYAN
Doong Fishermen Association Inc. (DOFA)
Doong Seewead Planters Association
Lipayran Fisherfolks Farmers Association (LIFFA)
Lipayran People Organization (LIPO) Inc.
Lipayran Island Women Workers Association (LIWWA)
Sulangan , Suba , Sungko , Seaweed Association (SUBANGKOSA) Inc;.
Botigues People’s Organization Inc.
Obo-ob Mangrove Garden Integrated Ecotourism Conservation Association (OMAGIECA)
Obo-ob Small Fishing Association (OSFA) Inc.
Botigues Fishermen Association (BFA)
Kahugpungan sa Gagmayng Mananagat sa Panangatan (KAGAMASPA)
Lipayran Fishermen Association Inc. (LFA)
Fishermen Association of Mambacayao Dako (FAMD)
Lipayran Seaweeds Farmers & Fisherfolks Association (LISFFA)
Sitio Bia-as Seaweed Farmers Association Inc.(BSFA)
Kahugpungan sa Mananagat ug Tigamag Organikong Tubong sa Bantigue
Guiwanon Farmers & Fisherfolks Association (GUFFA)
Baod Fisherfolks Association (BAFA) Inc.
Sillon Environment Fishers & Farmers Livelihood Association
Baigad Environmental & Fisherfolks Association
Kapunungan sa Gagmayng Mananagat sa Binaobao (KAGAMABI)
Luyong Baybay Fisherfolks & Farmers Association
Kabac Fishwardens
Guiwanon Binuswagan Workers Association & Development
Brgy. Patao Livelihood Association Inc.
Sillon Group Livelihood Association Inc.
Sillon Fisherfolks & Seaweed Farming Association (SFSFA)
Tamiao Seaweed Farming Association (TASFA) Inc.
Nagkahiusang Mananagat sa Brgy. Atop-Atop Association Inc.
Mananagat sang Circulo,Cumbado,Punong,Paraiso,Tangke Association
Brgy. Sungko Fisherfolks Association
Mambacayao Diot Fisherfolks Association
Mambacayao Dako GOODLand Branch
The Local Government Unit
The Mayor’s Office, the Municipal Fisheries and Aquatic Resources Management Council, Restoration & Resource Management Unit, The Coastal Resource Management Office, Marine Clustering Fish Warden Representatives, Department of Agriculture, Bantay Dagat, Municipal Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office, Marine Police and Coastguard
Mayor Arthur E. Despi
Municipal Mayor of Bantayan
Non-Government Organizations
Tambuyog , AFOS Foundation for Entrepreneurial Development Cooperation, Oceana, RARE, Cebu Chamber of Commerce Bantayan Chapter, Philippine Association of Crab Processors Inc.
GOODLand
Bihiya Warriors Youth
Mambacayao Dako Branch
Mambacayao Dako Youth
Objectives of FisherFolks Day:
- Emphasize the crucial role of our Fisherfolk on Bantayan Island, particularly in ensuring our food security, marine conservation, and protection.
- Establish a platform that facilitates dialogue among all stakeholders involved in marine activities, enabling them to exchange knowledge, address concerns, and collaborate more effectively for a sustainable and cooperative future. This initiative aims to foster stronger connections and networks to enhance relationships among the Local Government Units (LGUs), Non-Governmental Organizations (NGOs), and Fisherfolk.
- Address Fisherfolks’ rights in accordance with fishery ordinances and laws, ensuring equitable treatment and fair representation.
- Celebrate our fishing culture as an integral part of our heritage and tradition, acknowledging its significance in shaping our identity.
- Successfully advocate for the establishment of an annual ‘Fisherfolks’ Day’ as a formal resolution, ensuring its commemoration as a recurring event dedicated to honoring and recognizing the invaluable contributions of Fisherfolk to our community and environment.
Parada sa Kadagatan (Parade on the Water)
Over 40 fishing boats from Bantayan Island proper and surrounding islets, including Mambacayao Dako, 37 coastal People’s Organizations, Municipal Fisheries and Aquatic Resources Management Council, Marine Protected Area Clustering Fishwarden representatives, Savings Club Leaders, Department of Agriculture, Bantay Dagat, Municipal Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office, Marine Police and Coastguard were decorated by the participants.
After the Parade on the water the event continued in the multipurpose hall of the municipality of Bantayan. Taking the microphone were fisherfolk’s representatives, Bantayan’s Mayor and various members of GOODLand.
Open Presentations for NGO's, Local Government Unit and Small Fisherfolks to share and exchange programs:
Special Thank you to the following people and organizations.
Without you this day would not have been possible.
Madamo nga salamat!
Without you this day would not have been possible.
Madamo nga salamat!
Special Thank you to the following people and organizations.
Without you this day would not have been possible.
Madamo nga salamat!
Shane Akeroyd, Han Nefkens Foundation and Mondriaan Fund.
Commissioned by the 17th Istanbul Biennial (2022)
Mayor Arthur E. Despi
Municipal Mayor of Bantayan
GOODLand team
John Ortega
Ramon Alontaga
Jessica Carano-o
Mishelle Martus
To all the fisherfolks leaders
Doong Fishermen Association Inc. (DOFA)
Doong Seewead Planters Association
Lipayran Fisherfolks Farmers Association (LIFFA)
Lipayran People Organization (LIPO) Inc.
Lipayran Island Women Workers Association (LIWWA)
Sulangan , Suba , Sungko , Seaweed Association (SUBANGKOSA) Inc;.
Botigues People’s Organization Inc.
Obo-ob Mangrove Garden Integrated Ecotourism Conservation Association (OMAGIECA)
Obo-ob Small Fishing Association (OSFA) Inc.
Botigues Fishermen Association (BFA)
Kahugpungan sa Gagmayng Mananagat sa Panangatan (KAGAMASPA)
Lipayran Fishermen Association Inc. (LFA)
Fishermen Association of Mambacayao Dako (FAMD)
Lipayran Seaweeds Farmers & Fisherfolks Association (LISFFA)
Sitio Bia-as Seaweed Farmers Association Inc.(BSFA)
Kahugpungan sa Mananagat ug Tigamag Organikong Tubong sa Bantigue
Guiwanon Farmers & Fisherfolks Association (GUFFA)
Baod Fisherfolks Association (BAFA) Inc.
Sillon Environment Fishers & Farmers Livelihood Association
Baigad Environmental & Fisherfolks Association
Kapunungan sa Gagmayng Mananagat sa Binaobao (KAGAMABI)
Luyong Baybay Fisherfolks & Farmers Association
Kabac Fishwardens
Guiwanon Binuswagan Workers Association & Development
Brgy. Patao Livelihood Association Inc.
Sillon Group Livelihood Association Inc.
Sillon Fisherfolks & Seaweed Farming Association (SFSFA)
Tamiao Seaweed Farming Association (TASFA) Inc.
Nagkahiusang Mananagat sa Brgy. Atop-Atop Association Inc.
Mananagat sang Circulo,Cumbado,Punong,Paraiso,Tangke Association
Brgy. Sungko Fisherfolks Association
Mambacayao Diot Fisherfolks Association
Mambacayao Dako GOODLand Branch
GOODLand Bihiya Warriors
Roxanne Carano-o
Rocel Carano-o
Chona Carano-o
Nelia Carano-o
Generose Desucatan
Marian Carano-o
Ana Rose Ilusorio
GOODLand Mambacayao Youth Dako Branch
Rosebelle Dacumos Ypil
Deejean Jamili
Nikki Jamili
Peter John Jamili
Antonio Dacomos Turib
Joegie Layaog Dacumos
Julieto Baja Yonson Dacomos
Rena-jean Espinosa
Jasmin Lopez
Aliana Rose Jamili
AR Jean Dacomos
Jansent Jamili
Joswen Castillote
Ronnie Dacomos
Welfredo Dacomos
Melchor Dacumos
Geraldine Dacumos
Kinneth Jamili
R-jay Dolodobe
Pedjin Basilan
Joseph Castillote
Piolo Jamili
Jake Dolodobe
Junwel Dolodobe
Jander Jamili
Ritchel Jamili
Betoy Jamili
Aura Jean Jamili
Marilou Moneba
Sherlyn Paglinawan
Cassie Dacumos
Jelly Dolodobe
Orly Golisao
Angel Kayla Ypil
Archie Manzanares
Eros Dacomos
Adong Jamili
Claire Jamili
Mayumi Jamili
Angel May Jamili
Genevieve Jamili
Yverly Dacumos
Christine Yonzon
Nataniel Condeman
Judge Ortega
Lester Mancao
Junwel Saludar
Jorey Saludar
Nathaniel Condiman
Maldo Golisao
Antonio Jamili.
Vicky Jamili
Jhon Caeser Jamili
Froilan Cañete
Anjanet Cañete
Shayla Cañete
AJ Cañete
Pj Basilan
Elpidio Basilan
Rosalinda Dolodobe
Jufell Dolodobe
Queencebel Dolodobe
Jasmen Basilan
Arneil Lopez
Jasfer Basilan
Jonathan Capillian
Dacomos Brothers
Film Crew
Roberth Fuentes
Rey Bayon-on Pacio
Fred Cervantes
Martha Atienza
Post Production
Ieusef Santillan
Martha Atienza
Roberth Fuentes
Media Team
Isaac Wick
Anne Geline Etcuban
Ieusef Santillan
Roberth Fuentes
Coast Guard Bantayan
Renato Hubahib
Philippine National Police Department Head Bantayan
Julius T. Garcia
Northern Cebu Maritime Team Head Bantayan
Rommel A. Martinez
Fishwardens and Municipal Fisheries and Aquatic Resource Management Council of the municipality of Bantayan.
Resource Management Unit – Coastal Resource Management of the Municipality of Bantayan.
Gal Castro Meñoria, Eugene Abria, Jing Pacifico and Voltaire Cerna.
Councillor Markham Mansueto taking on the lead of proposing a resolution making Fisherfolks Day a yearly event here on Bantayan Island.