Nearly half a million Filipino fisherfolk depend on the West Philippine Sea for their livelihoods, giving the country’s maritime dispute with China an economic dimension that stretches far beyond territorial claims.
As fish stocks become more valuable and threats at sea intensify, the Marcos administration is ramping up efforts to protect both the nation’s fishing grounds and the communities that rely on them.
Speaking during the national commemoration of the 10th anniversary of the 2016 South China Sea Arbitral Award, Agriculture Undersecretary for Fisheries Drusila Esther E. Bayate said securing the livelihoods of fishing communities is essential to strengthening food security, economic resilience and the country’s sovereign rights.
As of June 30, there were 453,246 registered fisherfolk living in provinces and cities along the West Philippine Sea, with Palawan accounting for the largest fishing population, followed by Pangasinan, Batangas and Cavite.
“The well-being of more than 450,000 registered fisherfolk and the food security of millions of Filipinos depend on ensuring continued, safe and sustainable access to these rich fishing grounds,” Bayate said.
The figures highlight why the West Philippine Sea remains an economic asset as much as a strategic one. Data from the Philippine Statistics Authority show the area supplied an average of 16.68 percent of the country’s marine capture fisheries production from 2006 to 2025.
Its importance has only grown in recent years. While national fisheries output continued to decline, production from the West Philippine Sea rebounded by nearly 28 percent between 2022 and 2025, pushing its share of the country’s total marine catch to almost 20 percent last year.
In effect, the strategically important sea lane is carrying a bigger share of the nation’s seafood supply even as overall production weakens.
The economics tell an equally compelling story. Although fish landings have generally declined over the past two decades, the value of the catch soared to P40.05 billion in 2025, nearly 80 percent higher than in 2006. Higher fish prices, driven by tighter supply, sustained demand and inflation, have made every catch increasingly valuable.
But Bayate said fisherfolk continue to face mounting challenges, from stronger typhoons and rising fuel costs to illegal fishing, damaged marine habitats and harassment from Chinese militia that restricts access to traditional fishing grounds.
The Department of Agriculture and the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources are addressing these risks by expanding programs that combine livelihood assistance with long-term sustainability.
The government is organizing fisherfolk into cooperatives, providing enterprise development and technical skills training, and conducting information campaigns on fisheries laws and coastal resource management.
BFAR has also expanded the F/B PAGBABAGO Program, which provides fiberglass-reinforced plastic fishing boats, fishing gear and boat repair training, while promoting seaweed farming through the distribution of seedlings, farming materials, nurseries and post-harvest facilities.
Women in fishing communities are receiving training in fish processing, food safety and value-added products, backed by investments in cold storage, smokehouses, solar fish dryers and other shared facilities that reduce post-harvest losses and boost incomes.
BFAR provided P3,000 in fuel assistance to cushion the impact of higher prices on 18,539 qualified fisherfolk across 10 West Philippine Sea provinces in 2024.
The agency is also investing in science-based fisheries management through resource assessments with the National Fisheries Research and Development Institute, while working with the Philippine Coast Guard, Philippine Navy and Philippine National Police Maritime Group to curb illegal fishing and strengthen maritime monitoring.
Taken together, the initiatives reflect a broader strategy. Protecting the West Philippine Sea is no longer just about defending territory. It is also about securing jobs, stabilizing food supplies and preserving one of the country’s most valuable economic resources.
