Zambales Fisherfolk Urge DENR Action Against Resort Proliferation

Small-scale fishermen in Zambales urged the Department of Environment and Natural Resources to take action against beach resorts that block their access to the sea, which they state is their only source of livelihood. The Zambales Provincial Fisherfolks Association asserted that structures built on the shoreline are illegal and restrict access to the public domain. The group also noted that illegal structures effectively curtail their livelihood even when municipal waters yield adequate harvest.

The conflict centers on the tension between private resort development and the traditional livelihoods of marginalized fishers. The issue raises concerns about how illegal structures may restrict access to coastal areas, impacting the economic viability of small-scale fishing operations.

The Department of Environment and Natural Resources enforces laws in Zambales and is currently leading the expansion of marine protected areas in the province.