14/03/2026
๐๐๐๐๐๐๐๐๐๐ | Solidarity Walk 2026: โDe Aton El Kinseโ ๐๐
Before sunrise, students, faculty, government agencies, NGOs, and fisheries stakeholders united for Solidarity Walk 2026: โDe Aton El Kinse,โ a strong call to protect municipal waters and the rights of small-scale fishers.
Participants from the College of Fisheries and Allied Sciences (CFAS)โBS Fisheries, BS Aquaculture, BS Marine Fisheries Technology, BS Environmental Science, and NSTPโjoined partners from Too Big To Ignore (TBTI) Philippines, Oceana Philippines, BFAR Region IX, LGUโOffice of the City Agriculturist (OCA), CMFARC, Action Against Hunger, and other stakeholders in a symbolic walk across Zamboanga City starting 3:30 AM from ZSCMST Grounds โ Site A, along Veterans Avenue, Gov. Camins Avenue, and R.T. Lim Boulevard.
The program formally opened with a welcome message delivered by Dr. Maila V. Pan, representing the ZSCMST President, followed by โSolidarity Messages: Voices of the Sea.โ Key leaders and advocates delivered powerful messages during the event. Starting with Dr. Clement Camposano, Chancellor of the UP Visayas, honored fishers โwho wake early to brave the sea and feed the nation,โ highlighting the need to strengthen coastal livelihoods and environmental stewardship. DIR. Al-Zath Kunting, RD of BFAR Region IX, reaffirmed government support for the advocacy โDe Aton El Kinse.โ Mr. Arben Macdugo, OCA -represented by Ms. Hizel Herminado-Sioko, reiterated the LGUโs commitment to safeguarding municipal fishers. Dr. Alice Joan Ferrer, Executive Director of Too Big To Ignore Philippines, emphasized that small-scale fisheries are truly โToo Big To Ignoreโ for their vital role in food security and coastal livelihoods. Meanwhile, Dr. Maila V. Pan, VPRIE of ZSCMST, underscored that small-scale fishers, though often unseen, are โlike plankton in the seaโminute yet essential,โ sustaining coastal communities and the national fisheries economy.
The event also featured keynote discussions on the legal and scientific implications of the Supreme Court ruling allowing commercial fishing closer to municipal waters. Mr. Danny Ocampo, Senior Campaign Manager of Oceana Philippines, emphasized the need to uphold the 15-kilometer municipal waters provision under the Philippine Fisheries Code to protect the rights and livelihoods of small-scale fishers, while Dr. Wilfredo Campos, retired professor from the UP Visayas, highlighted the potential ecological consequences of allowing commercial fishing closer to municipal waters, including fish stock depletion, increased fishing pressure, habitat impacts, and intensified competition between municipal and commercial fisheries.
One of the major highlight was the launch of Small-Scale Fisheries (SSF) information materials led by Dr. Maila V. Pan, translated into Chavacano, Yakan, Sinama, and Tausug to expand awareness among local fishing communities. These materials were distributed to stakeholders to strengthen grassroots advocacy. Following this initiative, participants also signed the Declaration of Unity pledge wall, affirming a shared commitment to protect municipal waters and uphold the rights of small-scale fishers.
As the event concluded, Dr. Rocelyn Alabata, Vice-President for Student Affairs and Services of ZSCMST, called on participants to embody the WAVE advocacyโbecoming Watchers for the Sea, Advocates of sustainable fisheries, Voices of coastal communities, and champions for the Empowerment of small-scale fishers.
Solidarity Walk 2026: De Aton El Kinse!! Huntu huntu kita continua pati man ayudahan para protekta el diaton mga peskador pati el diaton mga mar.
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