46 Also, since the government agencies have leveraged on digital platforms to continue delivering their services during the pandemic, this also posed a challenge for the fishing communities. Weak internet connection in coastal communities as well as availability of internet service have contributed to the issues on the access to the digital platforms. c. Without access to social security measures, communities had to rely on themselves and/or community organizations to support their needs in the event of loss of income. A participant shared that they created a program called “Kadamay” in their community, wherein each member would chip in 100 PHP that would be used to help other members in need. d. Programs like 4Ps and RSBA were also reported to have specific issues in their implementation but are recognized as programs supporting the government’s efforts to uplift marginalized sectors, including farmers and fisherfolks, from poverty. The participants also laud the insurance program from DA-BFAR and PCIC. The free insurance protects their boats, fish pens, and other fishing and aquaculture implements, provided that they are registered with BFAR’s fisherfolk database and the RSBA. 9. Fish workers from commercial vessels were likewise found to have no access to social security programs. Furthermore, their engagement was not covered by a formal contract, and their wages were based on the amount of catch, which would then be divided among the crew. 357 Workers for aquaculture operations had delayed access to social security services as they could only avail them during their fourth year in the company. Their salaries were below the minimum wage, 358 they had no sick leave or off days, and were not afforded a grievance mechanism if they had complaints. 10. The drastic increase of coastal development projects in the country has adverse impacts on the environment and the people making their livelihood in coastal areas. The effects documented from the projects that were enumerated include displacement of coastal communities, loss of fishing areas, loss of income, depleting marine resources due to destruction of fish habitats, and loss of livelihood. a. Displaced communities are often not consulted and are forced to relocate in areas with no access to marine resources and their livelihood. And because their resettlement areas have no access to their source of livelihood and other basic services (e.g electricity, water, transportation, etc.) they end up returning to their place of origin. b. Ordinances in municipalities are seemingly more concerned with allowing coastal development projects rather than protecting the preferential rights of artisanal fisherfolk to municipal waters. Fisherfolks lament that the IRR of RA No. 8550 lacks provisions on the establishment of fisherfolk settlements, especially their prioritization in municipal coastal areas. Nevertheless, there is a pending bill in Congress which would mandate the DA, the Department of Human Settlements and Urban Development (DHSUD), and the LGUs to establish fisherfolk settlement areas.359 11. The ongoing COVID-19 Pandemic has exacerbated the already precarious situation artisanal fisherfolks are in. One of their primary concerns, predominantly for fishers in the NCR region, during the imposition of community quarantine restrictions was that they were not allowed to fish during Enhanced Community Quarantine (ECQ) from March to around May 2020. Participants from other regions reported a difference in experience. This highlights that the request fisherfolk groups for “clear and comprehensive guidelines” in Manila Bay prior to the imposition of lockdowns was not groundless. a. Granted that they were allowed to go fishing when the quarantine restriction was downgraded to GCQ, the requirements that they needed to fulfill in order to be able to fish also meant they 357 Consultations with Fisherfolks, supra note 148 358 Daily Minimum Wages, National Wages and Productivity Commission (DOLE), available at nwpc.dole.gov.ph/ (last viewed 11/30/2021) 359 HB 6876 available from www.congress.gov.ph/legisdocs/?v=bills (last viewed 11/30/2021)