Development for whom? KMJS features plight of mussel farmers amid reclamation project in Navotas City

CHEERS TO GMA Public Affairs’ Kapuso Mo, Jessica Soho (KMJS) for reporting the devastating impact of the reclamation project in Navotas City, its effect on the communities on the ground, the loss of livelihood and the lack of compensation to make up for the disruption of their lives.

In a KMJS episode aired on May 5, the veteran journalist featured the plight of residents of Barangay Sipac-Almacen in the fishing capital of the Philippines, Navotas City. The community has rallied against the demolition of their tahungan (mussel farms) caused by the Navotas Coastal Bay Reclamation Project (NCBRP).

Soho recalled the Philippine Reclamation Authority’s approval of the NCBRP in 2018 and its plan to build 3,000 socialized housing, parks, commercial establishments, tricycle and pedicab terminals, and organized vendor areas on reclaimed land. But the project has caused the loss of livelihood for many of residents who been engaged in mussel farming for decades. The report also said that there has been no compensation given to the community.

Development for whom?

Soho opened her spiel by featuring the thriving mussel industry now jeopardized by the development project, echoing the question of the fishing community: “Pag-unlad para kanino?” (Development for whom?)

Soho included background on Navotas City, an established major supplier of fish products for Metro Manila and nearby provinces due to its location on Manila Bay, sixteen barangays in the city have depended primarily on farming and selling mussels since the seventies.

Soho interviewed several members of the community who attested to the extent of damage to the communities, with one of the residents putting the number at 5,000 lost farms. Cheryl Delos Reyes said the city government assured them in 2022 that their area would not be affected by the reclamation project but in February this year, they received a notice about the removal of all mussel farms in the area. Soho then showed a document saying that the project would affect only the village of Tanza. But it had actually gone beyond this area.

Lack of compensation

Residents said they did not receive any offer of monetary compensation, in contrast to those who were notified in 2022 and received PHP3 million.

Interviewed on the show, Jennifer Zamora described as insufficient the job opportunity provided to make up for the loss of livelihood, consisting of ten days of street sweeping, which would earn PHP6 thousand total, “Hindi po kami sampung araw lang kumakain.” (We don’t eat only for ten days.) The ten-day job, however, is available only every two years.

Insufficient or insulting?

Reclamation projects seem focused on developing real estate that benefits those who have the means. These grand plans, however, marginalize the lives of communities, disrupt the sources of livelihood, even way of life of long-settled communities.

Media must continue to examine these grand plans of development that provide benefits only for some, taking away from those who already have so little, pointing out the harm it causes overall. Such development heightens the already stark inequalities that weaken our country.