Coastal communities in Zambales province are looking to President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.’s upcoming State of the Nation Address (SoNA) for a clear, concrete strategy to guarantee their safety and protect their livelihoods in the West Philippine Sea (WPS).

Local fishermen say that while the Marcos administration has actively defended national sovereignty, urgent action is needed on the water where crews face persistent intimidation, shrinking catches and soaring operational expenses.

Totoy Rosendo, a local fisherman from Subic, said the President’s speech should outline a defined security and diplomatic framework so fishers can safely return to traditional fishing grounds like Panatag Shoal, also known as Scarborough Shoal.

Harassment by Chinese maritime militia vessels has forced many local crews to venture farther out into the open sea, pushing trip costs up to P100,000 and forcing some to abandon the trade entirely or incur steep debt.

“The government’s efforts to defend sovereignty are welcome, but we need more,” Rosendo said, adding that clear subsidies and alternative livelihood programs are essential to help families offset their losses.

The stakes extend well beyond the province. The West Philippine Sea accounts for roughly 20 percent of the country’s total marine catch.

According to the Department of Agriculture (DA), securing the region’s more than 450,000 registered fishers is vital to national food security and economic stability.

In response to the economic strain, government programs have stepped in with targeted relief.

The Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR) launched the LAYAG-WPS program, providing fuel subsidies, direct-to-vessel catch collection and financial support to reduce overhead expenses.

Local government leaders and defense officials have also pledged broader structural interventions.

During events marking the 10th anniversary of the 2016 Arbitral Ruling, officials promised continued maritime security and announced plans to construct cold-storage facilities in Masinloc to reduce post-harvest losses.

Meantime, Zambales Maritime Development Council is leading additional initiatives focused on modernizing the fleet and diversifying livelihoods.

Key projects include the distribution of more than P10 million worth of payaos — fish-aggregating devices — along with plans to acquire modern steel-hulled harvester vessels and offer technical training at the Philippine Merchant Marine Academy.

Concurrently, the National Intelligence Coordinating Agency and local government units maintain continuous dialogues with coastal communities to educate fishers on sovereign rights while coordinating civic-military supply runs, including those organized by the Atin Ito Coalition.