GROUPS LAUNCH DONATION DRIVE FOR WPS FISHERFOLK AND FRONTLINERS, CHRISTMAS CONVOY TO AYUNGIN SHOAL
ATIN ITO! PRESS CONFERENCE
A Christmas donation drive, an all-civilian supply mission to Ayungin Shoal, and a musical event are among the activities being planned by a gathering of social movements, non-governmental organizations (NGOs), fisherfolk groups, concerned artists, Church leaders, and entrepreneurs to honor and support West Philippine Sea (WPS) frontliners.
In a news conference today in Quezon City, ATIN ITO!, a coalition of advocates, said that it wants to raise awareness and garner support around the cause and situation of WPS fisherfolk communities. Senator Risa Hontiveros, Senate Deputy Minority Leader, spoke at the ceremony, expressing her full support for the campaign.
“To donate is patriotic”
According to Philippine Rural Reconstruction Movement (PRRM) President Edicio Dela Torre, they will organize a "Christmas donation drive" in schools, churches, communities, and workplaces to collect needed resources such as food, water, medical supplies, and other necessities for WPS fisherfolks. Donations will be provided to fisherfolk communities in Zambales, Palawan, Mindoro, and Batangas. He stated that while the country asserts its sovereignty and territorial rights in the area, the welfare of fishing communities who rely on the WPS for their livelihoods must not be neglected.
“To donate to improve the living and working conditions of WPS fisherfolks is a patriotic act,” Pambansang Katipunan ng mga Samahan sa Kanayunan (PKSK) Chairperson Ruperto Aleroza said.
“Many fisherfolk families that mainly depend on fishing for food and revenue have lost their livelihoods as a result of China's escalating harassment and mistreatment of Filipino fisherfolks. Their livelihoods and food security are in danger. The economic losses brought on by decreased catch and damaged boats and other fishing equipment feed an already vicious cycle of poverty in related coastal communities,” Aleroza said.
“Christmas convoy” to Ayungin Shoal
ATIN ITO! also said that it will organize a "Christmas convoy and civilian supply mission" to the WPS, specifically to the Ayungin Shoal, where the grounded BRP Sierra Made is located. It said that it will make an effort to deliver some of the donated items to the stationed frontliners in order to improve their living conditions and operational capabilities.
"BRP Sierra Madre symbolizes the Filipino people's peaceful but steadfast opposition to foreign encroachment." It also serves as a stark reminder of the precarious situation our Filipino fishing communities and frontliners face as they valiantly defend our sovereign right to fish and explore the area's waters for resources in the face of ongoing harassment by a foreign trespasser and invader," said Agee Liñan, Program Officer at the Center for Agrarian Reform for Empowerment and Transformation (CARET).
“Paskong Handog” Concert
The campaigners are also planning a "Paskong Handog" musical event for WPS fisherfolk communities and frontliners. They stated that there will be no entrance fee and that they will merely accept non-monetary donations in exchange for admission.
"Wala pong entrance fee. Para po ito sa lahat ng Pilipino. In exchange for admission, we will just ask for modest non-monetary donations for the benefit of our WPS fishermen and frontliners. Through the power of music and other arts, we will help build a strong and broad WPS constituency that will demonstrate the Philippines' unwavering commitment to uphold its rights through peaceful, rules-based but resolute means,” said Jun Sabayton, Filipino actor, comedian and director.
West Philippine Sea apparel
Team Manila Lifestyle, a popular modern Philippine clothing brand focused on urban lifestyle, also threw its full support to the campaign. It said that it will be producing WPS-inspired clothing and apparel on top of its popular “West Philippine Sea shirt” to help raise awareness on the plight of fisherfolk and frontliners in the area.
“We are happy to be part of this broad campaign. As a brand that continues to promote graphic design in the Philippines and represent the country’s culture and identity in the street fashion world, we are extremely inspired by our fisherfolks’ bravery and patriotism in the face of foreign aggression. We honor their patriotism by being part of this initiative,” Team Manila Co-founder Jowee Alviar said.
“Safeguard Filipinos’ right to freedom of movement”
Akbayan Party, for its part, encouraged the Philippine government to fully support the civilian supply mission to the WPS, claiming that the state must fully protect the Filipino people's right to free movement.
"We strongly urge the administration of President Ferdinand "Bongbong" Marcos Jr. to fully support the Christmas convoy and civilian supply mission to the WPS. Atin ito! As Filipinos, we have the right to move freely within our country, and this right is protected by our constitution, the universal declaration of human rights, and the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR). China has no standing in the WPS. It has no right to place floating barriers and deny our fisherfolk access to the area. Hindi private resort ng China ang West Philippine Sea,” Akbayan Party President Rafaela David said.
DROPOFF POINTS:
DROPOFF POINTS:
DROPOFF POINTS:
PHILIPPINE RURAL RECONSTRUCTION MOVEMENT (PRRM)
CENTER FOR AGRARIAN REFORM EMPOWERMENT (CARET)
TEAM MANILA LIFESTYLE
AKBAYAN PARTY