Posted on January 28, 2026
SAN ANTONIO, Zambales — As the provincial government rolls out its multi-million peso fishing modernization program, Pamalakaya on Monday has cautioned that the initiative could be used to divert attention from ongoing dredging activities that they say are destroying municipal waters and coastal livelihoods.
Pamalakaya vice chair Ronnel Arambulo said that while they recognize the need to modernize fishing technology, stopping dredging and quarrying operations in the province would provide more immediate and lasting benefits to local fishermen.
“While we recognize the urgent need for modernization to make the most of our territorial waters, the government must, foremost, preserve the municipal waters and coastal resources,” Arambulo told the Inquirer.
“We urge the local fisherfolk in Zambales to be cautious of the provincial government’s attempt to use the donated fishing boats as a cover-up of its accountability over the continued destructive dredging project in the province,” he added.
The group reiterated its call for the revocation of Department Administrative Order (DAO) 13, which it said enabled seabed quarrying and dredging activities that have damaged fishing grounds and displaced coastal communities in several towns in the province.
Last week, during his State of the Province Address (SOPA), Gov. Hermogenes Ebdane Jr. said that dredging and quarrying remain the province’s main sources of income, noting that revenues from these activities continue to fund priority programs and the province’s General Fund.
Ebdane said the provincial government is also working to strengthen other economic sectors, particularly agriculture and fisheries, to move toward a more self-sustaining economy.
The dredging and quarrying operations have faced opposition from some residents and environmental groups, who have raised concerns about their potential impact on coastal communities, marine ecosystems, and farmlands.
Following the SOPA, the provincial government turned over two 45-foot fiberglass-hulled fishing boats under the Zambales Maritime Development Council’s livelihood program.
The vessels, worth P5 million each, are two of the five with a total cost of P86 million, to be delivered to this province to support the local fishermen.
No diversion acts, just boats to help fisherfolks
An official of the provincial government in Zambales described the latest tirades of a progressive organization as baseless and unproductive.
“They are again trying to destroy the good efforts of the local government of the province by spreading baseless and unproductive stories that merely hope to gain attention and the trust of the local fishermen of Zambales,” said Zambales Provincial Consultant on Development and Infrastructure, Engr. Domingo Mariano.
“Instead of spreading lies that benefit only a handful of self-interested resort owners, critics should think of how to help the fishermen who are severely affected by the bullying activities of Chinese coast guards and the ongoing tension in the West Philippine Sea,” the official added.
This statement was in reaction to a published report in a national daily alleging that the multi-million peso fishing modernization program of Zambales Governor Hermogenes Ebdane Jr. may have been meant to divert the attention of fisherfolk from ongoing dredging activities.
The newspaper quoted Pamalakaya vice chair Ronnel Arambulo as saying that the donated boats might be used to “cover up accountability over the continued destructive dredging project in the province.”
Mariano said there was no need for any cover-ups, as the program’s intention was solely to help the Zambaleños by providing them with modern equipment to improve their harvest of fish.
According to Mariano, “the real score is that fishermen in the 13 towns of the province are supporting the efforts of the provincial government with regards to rehabilitating the major river channels of Zambales.”
“The fisherfolk are supporting the government, especially Governor Ebdane and his programs for the province. Is that hard for PAMALAKAYA and the leaders of the Zambales Environment Network to accept?” asked Mariano.
He added that in a recent meeting of the Zambales Provincial Foreshore Lease Management Council, resort owners whose establishments were built on accretion areas expressed support for the DENR and the Office of the Zambales Governor regarding the mapping of the area.
Accordingly, more than 4,000 resorts, including those owned by ZEN members, were found in the accretion areas or danger zones. They had been warned before but chose to remain despite several notices from the DENR—until a strong typhoon came and “reclaimed” large parts of the area, destroying some structures.
Meanwhile, a local community group in the province urged Zambaleños to extend full support and unity to the local government and contribute their best initiatives to achieve genuine progress and development.
The call for unity came from Pagkakaisa ng Bayang Zambaleño (PABAZA), whose members include farmers, fisherfolk, small-scale miners, drivers, and others.
PABAZA President Basilio Damaso Jr. said that everyone has an obligation to contribute, and instead of fault-finding, the community should focus on sharing something positive for the benefit of all.
