Camille Naredo

Fishing boats are berthed in Barangay Tanza, Navotas City, on October 8, 2025. Maria Tan, ABS-CBN News/File

Fishing boats are berthed in Barangay Tanza, Navotas City, on October 8, 2025.
MMDA Chairman Don Artes and Navotas City Mayor John Rey Tiangco also inspected the Navotas Navigational Gate in Barangay Tanza to assess repairs and ensure protection against tidal flooding after the floodgate was damaged by a cargo ship.
Maria Tan, ABS-CBN News cargo ship to assess repairs and ensure protection against tidal flooding.
Maria Tan, ABS-CBN News

Article (news)

NAVOTAS- CLEAN UP

Francis Orcio

ABS-CBN News

<div><img src="https://od2-image-api.abs-cbn.com/prod/editorImage/177417595886720251009-navotas-clean-up-mmda-MT4.jpg" style="width:960px" class="fr-fic fr-dib" alt="Fishing boats are berthed in Barangay Tanza, Navotas City, on October 8, 2025. Maria Tan, ABS-CBN News/File" width="960"/>Fishing boats are berthed in Barangay Tanza, Navotas City, on October 8, 2025. Maria Tan, ABS-CBN News/File</div>MANILA -- Small-scale fisherfolk in the National Capital Region are grappling with mounting losses as surging fuel prices drive up the cost of going to sea, forcing many to cut trips short, fish closer to shore, and accept shrinking incomes that now struggle to sustain their families. Rodolfo Rondon, a veteran fisherman and chairperson of the Navotas Fisheries and Aquatic Resources Management Council (FARMC), said the spike in diesel prices, now exceeding P100 per liter, has more than doubled daily fuel expenses, turning what was once a manageable cost into a daily burden. “Para sa aming mga mangingisda, isang dagdag pahirap at pasanin sa aming mga mangingisda iyong ganyang pagtaas ng presyo ng aming ginagamit na krudo, gasolina,” Rondon said.<div><a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/news/business/2026/3/21/fuel-price-surge-forces-mc-tnvs-drivers-to-work-longer-hours-1929">Fuel price surge forces MC, TNVS drivers to work longer hours</a></div>“Hindi na namin marating iyong dapat na pupuntahan. Kung dati kumukonsumo lang kami ng P300, P500, ngayon po mahigit P1,000 na. Sa fuel pa lang iyon. Isang araw lang iyon,” he added. The rising cost has limited how far they can travel, reducing their chances of hauling in larger volumes of fish. The impact on income has been immediate and severe. Rondon said a fisher’s earnings from a day’s catch has dropped significantly, compounded by rising costs of other essentials such as ice, food, and transportation. “Kung dati mga P500, nagiging P350 na lang ang partehan (earnings) namin. Kasi hindi lang naman iyong gasolina ang tumaas at saka iyong krudo, kung hindi pati iyong ibang bilihin na baon namin, tumaas din,” he said. A typical small fishing boat supports four crew members and even those who make fishing nets, amplifying the impact of reduced earnings across households. To cope, fisherfolk have been adjusting their routines, leaving earlier in the day and running engines at lower speeds to conserve fuel, while choosing to fish in nearer waters even if yields are lower. “Ang ginagawa namin para makatipid, kung talagang walang mahuli doon sa malayo, hindi na kami tumatakbo doon. Diyan na lang kami sa kung saan may nakahuli,” Rondon explained. “At saka para makamenos kami sa fuel, aagahan namin ng lakad para iyong andar ng makina ay alalay lang. Nag-a-adjust kami ng oras sa paglaot para makatipid,” he added. <div><a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/news/business/2026/3/22/-ubos-na-agad-fuel-basic-needs-eat-up-subsidy-to-tricycle-drivers-0816">&#x27;Ubos na agad&#x27;: Fuel, basic needs eat up subsidy to tricycle drivers</a> </div>The Department of Agriculture’s Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (DA-BFAR) has rolled out a P3,000 fuel subsidy per qualified beneficiary to cushion the impact of rising oil prices. The agency said the program is part of a broader effort to protect livelihoods and ensure food security, with additional funding being processed to expand assistance nationwide. But for fisherfolk like Rondon, the amount offers only limited relief. “Iyong P3,000 na ‘yan, kahit papaano makatutulong, pero maliit iyon kung i-compare natin sa halaga ng ating kinokonsumo ngayon,” he said. He also raised concerns over the program’s limited coverage, noting that subsidies are granted only to registered boat owners, excluding many workers who depend on fishing for their livelihood. “Kung ang bibigyan lang iyong mga may bangka, paano naman iyong mga kasama natin sa laot? Wala silang matatanggap na parang suporta rin sa kanila,” Rondon said. “Iyong taga gawa natin ng lambat, sana kahit papaano matingnan din ng DA ‘yan. Kahit papaano, bigyan din ng kahit na bigas man lang o kaya grocery,” he added. Even among boat owners, only one subsidy is given per registered name, regardless of how many boats they operate, further limiting the reach of the program. Rondon pointed out a significant gap between the number of registered fisherfolk in the NCR and those eligible for assistance.

Small-scale fisherfolk in the National Capital Region are grappling with mounting losses as surging fuel prices drive up the cost of going to sea, forcing many to cut trips short, fish closer to shore, and accept shrinking incomes that now struggle to sustain their families.

Small-scale fisherfolk in the National Capital Region are grappling with mounting losses as surging fuel prices drive up the cost of going to sea, forcing many to cut trips short, fish closer to shore, and accept shrinking incomes that now struggle to sustain their families.

Soaring diesel costs cut fisherfolk earnings by nearly half, prompts call for wider subsidy coverage

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Soaring diesel costs cut fisherfolk earnings by nearly half, prompts call for wider subsidy coverage

Francis Orcio,

ABS-CBN News

Published Mar 22, 2026 06:42 PM PHT

Read More:

Agriculture

Fisherfolk

Oil Price Hike

Oil Supply

Department of Agriculture

BFAR

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