Nabua, Camarines Sur— During the night, Rosana Elmiñe and her fellow fisherfolk go to the sea to catch fish as their lifeline at Gubat, Sorsogon.
With nets in hand and a simple fishing boat as their vessel, they navigate the waters as the sky is covered with darkness. They only rely on the hope of a fruitful catch.
On some nights, Elmiñe and her companions use only flashlights as guides as they wade the bay searching for “semilya” or crab larvae—a significant part of their catch.
Each small find is a step toward sustaining their families and preserving the livelihood they depend on.
Aside from the crab larvae, most of their catch were law-law, tamban, galunggong, and other typical varieties of fish offering a chance to sustain their families. They sell them at the market in the morning to make a modest living.
Elmeñie earns P150 to P300 a day from selling fish. Back then, the only problem they encountered was the unstable catch due to the season, but now their haul seems much smaller compared to what they caught in past years.
More than 150 families in Brgy. Cogon, Gubat, Sorsogon rely on the sea for their livelihood, drawing sustenance and income from its resources. However, their way of life is said to be threatened by improvements, particularly the construction of a coastal road spanning a three-kilometer section of Kalayukay Beach, spanning the villages of Balud del Norte, Cota na Daco, and Cogon.
Fortunately, the project at Kaluyukay Beach prevented a scenic coastline from being paved over, protecting a chunk of the ecosystem and the livelihoods of families who depend on it.
“Napakalaki ng epekto ng coastal road natin diyan, ‘yong mga semilya ng alimango (crab larvae)—senggul, kasag (crab)—dito ka lang bumaba, meron na, pero ngayon ‘yong mga semilya ng alimango, wala na. Dahil ang putik at mga bato rin na nakatambak,” Elmine said.
Infrastructure in Sorsogon
Allan Espallardo, 42, a lifelong resident of Gubat, Sorsogon, leads the Save Gubat Bay Movement (SGBM), a 12-year-old non-profit organization dedicated to protecting the environment and livelihoods tied to Gubat Bay.
“Walang naitulong sa Gubat, Sorsogon ang mga coastal road. Ang kwento ay pinuntahan tayo ng ating mga banyaga dahil sa kalikasan, tingnan ang gandang taglay ng kalikasan, ng ating dagat, ng ating katubigan; this will definitely affect the beauty of Buenavista Rizal Area, kung hahayaan nilang sementuhin ang kanilang yamang dagat,” Espallardo said.
Through the efforts of the fisherfolks and environmental advocates in Gubat, they successfully halted the coastal road project in 2022, making the coastal road project impossible to specific places.
The Sorsogon Coastal Road is a project of the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) under the Build, Build, Build (BBB) program of the previous Duterte administration.
Last 2023, the threat on coastal roads was one of the big battles that the movement had to face. As the Kaluyukay beach became a prospect for the coastal road project.
Beyond the risk of damaging the bay, the project may harm the environment and local fisheries due to infrastructure. Coastal land is being filled in, threatening the primary livelihood of fisherfolk, particularly those who rely on crab fishing.
Espallardo criticized the construction of a coastal road in the Gumang Coastal area, questioning its sustainability, budget, and environmental impact. SGBM actively engaged government agencies.
The back-to-back follow-up to agencies like DPWH, the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR), and the local government unit of Gubat becomes the everyday routine of the movement. SGBM even reached out to the former Vice President Leni Robredo to help them stop the project on the coast.
With the power of the Philippine Environmental Policy Presidential Decree 1151, agencies that proposed coastal roads have failed to provide the necessary permits and documents, meaning they are in violation; the project was halted.
The Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR) violated regulations by issuing a certificate of compliance for the construction of a coastal road without identifying the affected bodies of water or species in the area.
According to Espallardo, when they asked BFAR, they could not provide any information on the species.
“Ayaw namin na dalhin ng susunod na henerasyon na kami ay inapi-api lamang. Sa susunod na henerasyon, ang mga mangingisda, na kaming mga nasa sektor ng mahihirap, mahirap pa rin kami dahil bakit? Kasi wala kami sa politika, wala kami sa gobyerno,” Espallardo added.
Grey and Green Infra
Gubat, Sorsogon, a town facing the Pacific, climate change-driven storm surges and rising sea levels are prompting engineers to rethink coastal development. Coastal roads and seawalls offer protection but raise concerns about environmental and social impacts.
For instance, during a storm surge, a sudden rise in sea level during storms is caused by strong winds pushing seawater onto the shore. This was felt during the typhoon “Pepito” in some parts of the coastal area in Bicol.
Engr. Warren Gumabao, Engineer III from the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) Region V, emphasized that coastal infrastructure is designed with dual purposes: protection and development.
“Our mandate is not just tourism but also safeguarding communities from storm surges,” he stated.
According to Gumabao, integrating mangroves and sea walls offers an ideal blend of green and gray infrastructure. Mangroves help absorb wave energy, while sea walls provide a strong second line of defense.
However, the planning process is not without challenges. “We consider the height of waves and the sea level rise, especially with the effects of climate change,” Gumabao explained.
Communities that have never experienced such extreme conditions may struggle to understand these issues.
Still, the DPWH integrates disaster mitigation strategies, aiming to protect vulnerable areas like Gubat, which directly faces the Pacific Ocean, unlike the relatively sheltered Albay Gulf.
The balance between infrastructure and nature becomes even more delicate when coastal developments affect local communities.
Gumabao acknowledged that some homes are located dangerously close to the shoreline.
“In these cases, we design infrastructure that prioritizes both safety and environmental preservation, but it requires weighing the immediate needs of people against long-term sustainability.”
As sea levels continue to rise and storms grow more frequent and intense, these efforts aim to mitigate the effects of climate change while fostering awareness in the community.
“It’s not just about protecting the present but also preparing for the future,” Gumabao concluded.
When asked about the halted coastal projects, the engineer emphasized the need for dialogue with the opposition.
Regarding the coastal road in Gubat, its continuation remains uncertain due to opposition. The engineer noted that the unfinished project may already impact residents and the environment.
On the regulatory side, environmental compliance plays an important role.
Ralph Chavez, Environmental Specialist II from the Environmental Management Bureau (EMB), highlighted the importance of the Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) process.
“Project developers must conduct EIAs and secure Environmental Compliance Certificates (ECCs). Without community consultation and proper documentation, projects cannot proceed,” Chavez stressed.
He added that surveying, community mobilization, and addressing opposition are prerequisites for any ECC approval.
Waves to Human Rights
Aside from the threats of coastal road projects, locals face threats from people who want to claim the land where they are currently residing.
Ronaldo Macedonio, 62, speaks of the relentless threats and harassment they face from the alleged landowners—outsiders claiming ownership of land his family has occupied for nearly 70 years.
“Di kami makatulog nang maayos dito,” he said.
A hint of frustration and fatigue crept into his voice, recounting how their movements are constantly monitored.
“Kahit saan kami magpunta, binabantayan nila ako,” Macedonio added.
He and others are often backed into the costly pursuit of hiring attorneys for legal battles, though resources are sparse. The community pools funds when possible, taking turns paying for gas and other fees.
Despite winning three consecutive hearings at the regional trial court, perpetrators still bother people near the coast.
Starting in 2018 until present, residents at Barangay Cogon experience harassment and persuasion to accept relocation away from the sea, where they get their lifeline.
The coastal road project and other private personnel ambitions threaten the coastal mangroves and crab hatchlings—an ecosystem these fisherfolk have nurtured for years.
If completed, this road could alter water temperatures, impacting the once-thriving mangrove nurseries where they raise crab larvae.
“Kung maninit ang tubig diyan dahil sa coastal road, wala nang lalapit dito na mga alimango,” Ronaldo explained.
The coastal environment hangs in the balance, with fishermen and locals alike fearing the irreversible ecological damage such infrastructure could bring.
Rosana Elmine, 54, shared how the proposal to relocate them inland, with a steep mortgage on a supposed “free” house, is an unsustainable alternative.
She reflects, “Di masampot iyong 15 thousand, kasi wara man kami pang-sustain.”
They are fishermen, not farmers; the mountainous inland areas would force them to find work far from what they know.
Beyond the environmental and economic concerns is the emotional toll. The community has experienced ongoing harassment, intimidation, and even threats to their lives.
Allegedly, the LKY Corporation, owned by Rep. Wilbert Lee of the Agri Partylist—who is currently running for senator—has been identified as a possible reason behind this issue.
Lee also serves in Congress as the representative of the AGRI Partylist, advocating for the rights and welfare of farmers and fisherfolk, while promoting agriculture and supporting other vulnerable sectors.
Bicoldotph reached out to Lee for a statement, but he has yet to respond as of this writing.
Residents of Barangay Cogon, along with environmental groups, are calling on the local government and authorities to conduct a thorough investigation into the connection between LKY Corporation,
While they won a recent victory in regional court, many fear the legal battles and intimidation won’t cease.
Elmine sums up the community’s sentiment: “Sana hayaan na lang nila kami, hayaan na mamuhay nang tahimik… may dignidad din naman kami.”
Supported by the local government of Gubat, DENR, and their church, the fisherfolk have formed community alliances.
The SGBM and residents stay determined to protect their waters, environment, and way of life. They hope their efforts raise awareness and stop those putting personal interests above what’s good for the community, as they keep fighting for nature and people’s rights. I Alliah Jane Babila
This story was produced with support of the Internews Earth Journalism Network.