2020 Annual Report on the Human Rights Situation in the Philippines 27 fisherfolks within the National Capital Region, particularly in Navotas, Las Piñas, and Malabon, have reported a variety of issues – from inconsistency between local government units in allowing them to fish, to regulations which they deem as an additional economic burden to them during this pandemic.118 69 CHR CAR conducted FGDs and Key Informant Interviews (KIIs) with government service providers and women fisherfolks in the municipality of Bokod, Benguet on October 13 and 21, 2020. Bokod is a home to the Ambuklao Dam, by reason of which the people in the area learned the art of fishing in order to sustain their families. Here are the issues and challenges they raised: a Utilization of the water reservoir of the Ambuklao Dam Water management is currently under SN Aboitiz Power Group and they were able to build fish cages within the facility because the company agreed to. The fisherfolks are always in a dilemma that the current agreement might be altered and one day, their source of livelihood would just stop. b Residents surrounding the Ambuklao Dam are considered informal settlers. The sad and tragic story about this was that these residents were displaced when the Ambuklao Dam was built. They were not welcomed to the place and the government told them to relocate so they had to come back and find themselves as illegal settlers in their very own land. In the earlier years, the local government of Bokod raised a list of issues such as uncompensated properties submerged by the dam, the ambiguity on relocation of those displaced and the non-compliance to provisions on employing locals in the power plant. The latter issue urged the SN Aboitiz Power Group to prioritize the employment of the locals suspended by the building of the dam and provide subsidy to the LGU enabling it to implement projects benefiting the indigenous community. c Travel [and mobility] restrictions and other [social distancing] protocols brought challenges and loss of income to the fisherfolks since it is difficult to market and sell the tilapia to the nearby municipalities. d A lot of changes in the set up among families and communities; apart from social distancing and wearing of masks. e The method of education: modular learning has startled most families. f Participants from the FGDs and KIIS recommend to explore arrangements with the government where they can buy their tilapia harvests, shrimp and crab production; look into increasing the market for Ambuklao tilapia; alternative livelihood seminars, trainings and continuing capability to market their products; and lend capital-soft loans. 70 State authorities have also provided help to those belonging to the agricultural and fisheries sector. Small-time farmers and fisherfolks became recipients of government subsidies. As of 13 June 2020, a total of 18,527, or 46.31% out of the targeted 40,000 marginalized and small farmers and fisherfolk (MSFF), were given PHP997.818 million cash assistance transferred to partner lending conduits and a total of PHP463.095 million worth of loans disbursed. 118 See http://chr.gov.ph/statement-of-chr-spokesperson-atty-jacqueline-ann-de-guia-on-the-plight-of-farmers-andfisherfolk-during-the-COVID-19-pandemic/