Iba, Zambales — The Provincial Government of Zambales has allocated ₱1.8 million for a payao project aimed at supporting fisherfolk affected by ongoing geopolitical tensions in the West Philippine Sea (WPS).

According to Governor Hermogenes Ebdane Jr., the ₱1.8 million payao project is part of a larger ₱4.5-million fund earmarked to boost local fish harvests and support affected fishermen.

"We need tangible steps to help our people, even as we seek diplomatic remedies to solve the situation at the West Philippine Sea. For us, the welfare of local fishermen is a priority, as food security should likewise be a priority," said Ebdane.

The governor, who served as Secretary of National Defense in 2007, said the payao project is also a strategic measure to help Zambales fishermen continue their livelihood within the country’s exclusive economic zone (EEZ) while asserting ownership over Philippine waters.

Local fishermen previously enjoyed abundant catches at the contested Scarborough Shoal (Bajo de Masinloc), located just 241 nautical kilometers west of Zambales. However, this traditional fishing ground has been under de facto Chinese control since 2012, severely limiting their access.

Ebdane said that under the program, the Zambales provincial government will provide 20 payao units to qualified fisherfolk organizations, aiming to guarantee a steady fish catch, boost local incomes, and ensure a stable fish supply in the province.

The payaos will be deployed within the 15-kilometer municipal waters boundary, with placements no closer than 10 kilometers from the shoreline.

"If the P4.5-million fund would be used completely for payaos, then we can come up with about 45 units of these fish aggregating devices," Ebdane said. He noted that the anchor line—the ropes securing the payao to the seabed—is the most expensive component, with some stretching up to a kilometer long.

According to Edwin Domingo, head of the Fisheries Development Unit of the Provincial Agriculture Office (PAgO-FDU) that supervises the program, each payao unit—including fabrication, hauling, and installation costs—would total nearly ₱90,000.

He said the payaos will be constructed and installed by the fisherfolk beneficiaries under direct supervision from his office. The PAgO-FDU will also conduct monthly monitoring of the project.

So far, 20 fisherfolk groups have been identified for the payao program, including:

• One group in Subic

• Two groups each in San Antonio, San Narciso, Cabangan, Botolan, Palauig, and Candelaria

• Three groups in Iba

• Four groups in San Felipe

The payao project was initiated following the creation of the Zambales Maritime Development Council (ZMDC) in July last year. This provincial council, led by Ebdane, was formed to address fisherfolk concerns amid the escalating tensions in the West Philippine Sea.

Ebdane also encouraged small-scale fishermen in Zambales to organize cooperatives to qualify for government assistance in the form of financial aid and fishing equipment.

The ZMDC had so far been instrumental in coordinating local projects for fisherfolk, including seminar-trainings conducted by the PAgO with the Philippine Merchant Marine Academy (PMMA) on safety and survival at sea, as well as combatting marine pollution.

These programs, conducted by the PAgO in partnership with the Philippine Merchant Marine Academy (PMMA), aim to enhance fisherfolk knowledge and promote the sustainability of the local fishing industry, Ebdane noted.