Small crab fishers in Western Visayas, which recently formed a regional alliance called the Panay-Negros-Guimaras Crab Fishers Alliance (PANEG-CA), will hold a founding Regional Congress on Dec. 18 and 19 at the Negros Residences in Bacolod City.
In a statement, the Philippine Rural Reconstruction Movement (PRRM)-Negros Occidental Chapter said about 200 small fisher leaders and delegates from more than 100 people’s organizations from 18 coastal towns and cities in Panay, Negros and Guimaras are expected to participate.
More than 20 guests, including national and local government officials, civil society leaders and private sector/crab industry representatives, have been invited.
Gerry Bedoya, acting PANEG-CA chair and leader of the Manapla Federation of Small Fishers Associations, said the founding congress and launch is a big victory for the small fishers and fish workers in Western Visayas as it will give them a greater voice and influence in fisheries governance.
“The congress is an opportunity and venue to present to the government the major issues and concerns affecting the crabbers and small fishers like continuing illegal fishing, threats of mining in coastal areas, climate changes, lack of fishers participation in local governance, and worsening economic conditions,” Bedoya said.
Invited to give their inspirational messages are Sen. Risa Hontiveros, Negros Occidental Governor Jose Eugenio Lacson, Vice Governor Jeffrey Ferrer, Second District Rep. Alfredo Marañon III, Third District Rep. Jose Francisco Benitez, and Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR)-Western Visayas Regional Director Remia Aparri.
Bacolod City Mayor Alfredo Abelardo Benitez, who chairs the Regional Development Council-Western Visayas, has been invited to give the welcome remarks.
Edwin Balajadia, area manager of PRRM-Negros/Iloilo, the assisting non-government organization for PANEG-CA, said that aside from the speeches from government and civil society, among the highlights of the first day is the presentations by PRRM national president Ed Dela Torre on the Maritime and Archipelagic Nation and that of BFAR and Office of Provincial Agriculturist of their respective programs for small fishers and coastal communities.
The second day will focus on the internal organizational matters, plans and elections of the PANEG-CA leadership council and officers. ||
