12 communities. The Cebu-Cordova Reclamation Project, one of the largest reclamation projects undertaken in the country,68 was estimated to have environmental impact costs totaling to $59 million USD69 based on a study done in the University of San Carlos in 2005. This cost represents the total estimated value from four (4) major environmental impacts, 70 which included the loss of on-site fisheries for small-scale fisherfolk. The study likewise estimates that approximately 290 million PHP or $5 million USD could be lost over 30 years from on-site fishing activities71 if the project were to push through. This, notwithstanding, the Provincial Board of Cebu approved to undertake the project through a public-private partnership agreement.72 Not only will reclamation and other coastal projects limit the access of small-scale fisherfolks to marine resources but also displaces surrounding communities. While Section 108 of the Fisheries Code provides that the DA shall establish and create fisherfolk settlements in areas of the public domain near fishing grounds, for municipal fisherfolk,73 due to these coastal projects, fisherfolk communities are often uprooted from their coastal communities and are involuntarily relocated to areas where they cannot fish.74 Various fisherfolk organizations are objecting to this because the sector will not be able to pursue their livelihood. In fact, the affected communities of the ongoing Manila Bay Rehabilitation Program 75 protested and slammed the program as going against the 2008 Supreme Court Mandamus,76 directing concerned National Government Agencies (NGAs) to rehabilitate Manila Bay. The Mandamus, they asserted, made no mention of reclamation to preserve and rehabilitate Manila Bay. Besides land reclamation, increasing mining and quarrying activities in coastal areas have worried fisherfolk and civil society groups. 77 As several government-approved projects have begun extracting minerals from the coasts, advocacy groups have called for a Senate investigation into what they view as a threat to coastal and marine habitats. According to Oceana and PANGISDA, 78 quarrying projects are destroying both marine life and the livelihood of small-scale fisherfolks. If left to continue, such projects threaten to alter the biological landscape of the country and will further exacerbate the already precarious situation of artisanal fisherfolks in the country. The COVID-19 Pandemic The onslaught of the COVID-19 pandemic created a new set of challenges to artisanal fisherfolks in the country. Although the Inter-Agency Task Force (IATF) Resolution No. 15 recognized the recommendations 68 “Philippines’ Biggest Reclamation Project in Cordova Approved” published 08 Apr 2015, available from www.cebu-properties.net/philippinesbiggest-reclamation-project-in-cordova-approved/ (last viewed 11/08/2021) 69 “The Environmental Costs of Coastal Reclamation in Metro Cebu, Philippines” by L. Montenegro, A. Diola, and E. Remedio, University of San Carlos co-published by International Development Research Centre 2005, ISBN: 1-55250-166-3, Chapter 6: Conclusions, Policy Implications, Recommendations 70 Ibid. Besides losses of on-site fisheries, other impacts included the loss of reef gleaning, the loss of potential recreational benefits from the affected coral reef, and the environmental damage from landfill quarrying. 71 L. Montenegro, supra note 69. According to the study, almost all of the fishing activities in the area can be characterized as Artisanal Fishing. 25% of the respondents said that they are not using any vessels for fishing, while 72% mentions that they have boats below 3 gross tons, which is the size that is describe as ‘small-scale’ according to the Fisheries Code. 72 “Philippines’ Biggest Reclamation Project in Cordova Approved” supra note 68 73 Sec. 108 RA No. 8550 supra note 8 74 Lumibao, supra note 14 75 “PAMALAKAYA fisherfolk storm Bacoor public hearing on reclamation” published 9 January 2020, available from angpamalakaya.org/2020/01/09/pamalakaya-fisherfolk-storm-bacoor-public-hearing-on-reclamation/ (last viewed 11/08/2021) 76 G.R. 17194-48 MMDA v. Residents of Manila Bay, et. Al. www.lawphil.net/judjuris/juri2008/dec2008/gr_171947_2008.html 77 “Filipino fishermen alarmed by seabed quarrying” from Esquire Philippines, published 07 November 2021, available from www.msn.com/enph/news/national/filipino-fishermen-alarmed-by-seabed-quarrying/ar-AAQpzeY?ocid=msedgdhp&pc=U531 (last viewed 11/08/2021) 78 Ibid