Habagat leaves 104,000 fisherfolk unable to fish

MANILA, Philippines — More than 100,000 small fisherfolk in Batangas, Cavite and Zambales have been affected by fishing disruptions caused by the southwest monsoon, according to initial monitoring by the fisherfolk group Pambansang Lakas ng Kilusang Mamamalakaya ng Pilipinas (Pamalakaya).

The group said rough seas and strong waves associated with Habagat have forced many small-scale fishers to temporarily suspend fishing, disrupting a livelihood that largely depends on daily catches.

Pamalakaya said its initial monitoring recorded 47,000 affected fisherfolk in Batangas, 30,000 in Cavite and 27,000 in Zambales, for a total of 104,000.

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The figures come as the country enters its rainy season, with the southwest monsoon expected to bring more frequent rains and rougher sea conditions in parts of the country.

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The southwest monsoon, locally known as Habagat, refers to warm, moist winds originating from the southwest that typically bring rain to western sections of the Philippines. Earlier this month, the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (Pagasa) announced the start of the Habagat season and said it could signal the onset of the rainy season.

READ: Habagat season begins, Pagasa announces

For small-scale fishers who rely on smaller boats and daily earnings, periods of rough seas can also mean days without income.

Fishing boats remain ashore

Fernando Hicap, Pamalakaya national chairperson, said many small fishing boats have remained docked for nearly two weeks because of dangerous sea conditions.

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“Magdadalawang linggo nang nakadaong ang maliliit na bangka ng mga mangingisda dahil sa malalakas na alon. Mapanganib para sa maliliit na bangka sa tuwing may Habagat kaya mas pinipili naming pansamantalang huminto sa pagpalaot kahit na nangangahulugan ito ng kawalan ng kikitain sa araw-araw,” Hicap said in a statement.

(Our small fishing boats have been forced to stay ashore for nearly two weeks due to strong waves. It is dangerous for small boats whenever the southwest monsoon sets in, so we choose to temporarily stop fishing even if it means losing our daily source of income.)

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Unlike larger fishing vessels, municipal fishers often use smaller boats that are more susceptible to strong waves and rough seas. The suspension of fishing trips, even for a few days, can immediately affect households that depend on daily catches for income.

Pamalakaya said Habagat conditions have already persisted for several weeks in some areas.

Preparing for months of disruptions

In Batangas, the group’s provincial chapter said fisherfolk in Balayan Bay have started securing their boats against stronger waves as they prepare for the months ahead.

“Mahigit apat na buwan na naman naming bubunuin ang epekto ng Habagat at ang kaakibat nitong kawalan ng pagkakakitaan. Mailap ang suporta ng mga lokal na pamahalaan kahit pa taon-taon nang inaasahan ang ganitong kalamidad,” said Jean Viana, a member of Haligi ng Batanguenong Anakdagat (HABAGAT), Pamalakaya’s Batangas chapter.

(We will once again have to endure more than four months of the effects of the southwest monsoon and the resulting loss of income. Support from local governments remains limited even though this is a recurring disaster that communities have come to expect every year.)

The southwest monsoon is a recurring weather pattern in the country, and Pagasa earlier said the Philippines was transitioning toward the rainy season, which may bring more frequent rains and thunderstorms in the coming weeks.

The state weather bureau has also said rainfall associated with the southwest monsoon may become more widespread as weather systems enhance prevailing winds over parts of the country.

READ: Pagasa: PH now transitioning toward rainy season

Boat capsizes in Zambales

In Zambales, Pamalakaya cited an incident in San Antonio town involving a small fishing boat carrying two fishermen that reportedly capsized after being battered by successive waves.

The incident forced the fishermen to suspend their fishing trip and resulted in some fishing equipment being washed away, according to the group.

“May tumaob nang bangka dito nito lamang nakaraang araw dahil sa lakas ng hampas ng alon. Papalaot sana ang nasabing mangingisda nang tumaob ang kanyang bangka at anurin ang ilang kagamitan sa pangingisda,” said Hilda Reyes, president of San Miguel Fish Vendors Inc. in San Antonio, Zambales.

(A fishing boat capsized here just a few days ago because of strong waves. The fisherman was about to head out to sea when his boat capsized, and some of his fishing gear was washed away.)

“Ganito ang konkretong epekto ng Habagat sa mga maliliit na mangingisda, epektibong naaantala ang pagpalaot,” Reyes added.

(This is the concrete impact of the southwest monsoon on small fisherfolk — it effectively disrupts their ability to go out to sea.)

Pamalakaya said the incident reflects how rough sea conditions can interrupt fishing activities among small-scale fishers.

RELATED STORY: Why hazard exposure alone doesn’t determine disaster risk

Call for economic relief

In response to the situation, Pamalakaya urged the Department of Agriculture to immediately mobilize available calamity assistance funds to provide economic relief to affected fisherfolk.

The group said government intervention is necessary to help vulnerable sectors cope with recurring weather-related disruptions.

“Ang kapabayaan ng pamahalaan ang kadalasang nagpapalala ng pinsala ng natural na kalamidad sa mga bulnerableng sektor tulad ng mangingisda. Nararapat kalampagin ang mga ahensya ng pamahalaan na agarang gamitin ang nakalaan nitong pondo para tugunan ang malalang epekto ng kalamidad,” Hicap said.

(Government neglect often worsens the impact of natural disasters on vulnerable sectors such as fisherfolk. Government agencies must be pressed to immediately use the funds allocated to address the severe effects of these disasters.)

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The appeal comes as Pagasa has shifted its weather advisories to prioritize rainy season conditions following the official onset of the rainy season in western Luzon and the Visayas earlier this month. The weather bureau said more frequent rains associated with Habagat are expected during this period. /dm