Fisherman and senatorial aspirant Roberto “Ka Dodoy” Ballon stressed the need for increased dialogue and consultations to address the issues marginalized sectors face, which are “often disregarded” by the government and current lawmakers.
During the “60-day Jubilee March” launch in Quezon City on March 10, Ballon said that the government’s neglect, especially regarding issues confronting the fisherfolk sector, has worsened their situation.
“Ito ‘yung hindi ginagawa ng ating gobyerno [at] ng ating mga mambabatas—’pag may mga isyung ganito—dapat nagpapatawag ng mga konsultasyon o pulong upang pag-usapan at pagtulungan natin resolbahin ang mga isyung ‘to,” Ballon said.
“Kung si Ka Dodoy ay papalarin [na manalo sa Senado] dahil sa inyong tulong, lahat ng isyung panlipunan, pag-uusapan nating lahat,” he added.
Ballon explained that many fishers in the country are grappling with extreme poverty due to the destruction of their livelihoods caused by land and water grabbing by big commercial firms.
He also pointed to the ongoing fight to control municipal waters for over fifty years, questioning the Supreme Court’s August 2024 ruling that permits commercial fishing vessels to encroach within a 15-kilometer municipal waters zone.
“Dapat kung may ganitong mga pangyayari, may mga batas na ganito, ganitong mga injustices, dapat po mag-usap ang ating gobyerno para ito masolusyunan…anong ginagawa nila nag-aaway-away sila,” Ballon said.
He further recounted the ongoing struggles of small-scale fishers in the West Philippine Sea, where they continue to stand their ground despite China’s continued aggression in Philippine waters.
Towards good governance
Ballon, also the chairperson of Pambansang Kilusan ng mga Magsasaka (Pakisama), called on the public to support the 60-day Jubilee March protest, which seeks to raise awareness and advocate for action against “hunger, poverty, and social injustice for good governance.”
The march, which began on March 13 and will end on May 12, covers a distance of 4,330 kilometers from Zamboanga Sibugay to Metro Manila. Fifteen core marchers or representatives from the Sambilog-Balik Bugsuk Movement, Stop Kaliwa Dam Network, Coalition of Municipal Waters Fisherfolk Association (COMFAS), Symbiotic Farmers Marketing Cooperative, Sabang Poocan Farmers and Fisherfolk Association Inc. and (Sapoffa) and Pakisama lead the march.
The protest aims to address issues such as agrarian reform, fisheries rights, and the protection of Indigenous peoples’ (IP) rights.
“Habang naglalakad kami, at habang binabagtas namin ang daan, sinasabi namin ‘yung mga isyu sa daan, dapat ipinupukol niyo rin [ito] sa inyong kasamahan,” Ballon told the public.
Ballon emphasized that the issue prompting the protest is not limited to specific sectors but is a nationwide concern.
“Hindi lang ito problema ni Senador Ka Dodoy, hindi lang ito problema ng mga magsasaka, ng mga mangingisda; problema ito ng buong sambayanang Pilipinas,” he said.
Balon added: “Dahil problema natin, lahat, so dapat mag-initiate ang mga mambabatas o lider na pag-[usapan] at resolbahin [ang mga problemang] ito.”
In 2021, Ballon received the Ramon Magsaysay award for his efforts to plant 500 mangroves in his hometown of Zamboanga Sibugay.
Inquirer Volunteers is still welcoming volunteers to cover the midterm elections. Kindly sign up and submit a copy of your résumé and portfolio here.
READ: UP student councils urged to increase awareness, participation in 2025 polls
