TACLOBAN CITY – Fisherfolk in Tacloban City are calling for the immediate release of financial assistance after fishing activities in parts of San Pedro Bay were disrupted by the ongoing preparations and operations for the 2026 Balikatan Exercises.
Tacloban has been identified as one of the official venues for the annual Philippine-United States military exercises, with preparations starting as early as March.
Military logistics, troop movements, and security coordination have been conducted across the city ahead of the large-scale joint drills scheduled in April.
The exercises are taking place in strategic locations, including areas near Daniel Z. Romualdez Airport and the coastal waters of San Pedro Bay.
Personnel from the Armed Forces of the Philippines and the United States are participating in activities such as maritime drills, tactical combat casualty care training, and interoperability exercises in different parts of Eastern Visayas.
Due to naval and maritime operations, temporary restrictions have been imposed in portions of San Pedro Bay, limiting access to traditional fishing grounds. As a result, many local fisherfolk have experienced disruptions in their daily livelihood and income.
Tacloban Fisherfolks Urban Association president Losanto Castillo expressed concern over the delayed release of financial assistance intended for affected families.
Castillo said the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) had reportedly allocated funds for cash assistance before the start of the military exercises. However, although the agency has already conducted profiling and validation of affected fisherfolk families, no cash aid has been distributed so far.
Balikatan, which means “shoulder-to-shoulder,” is the annual joint military exercise between the Philippines and the United States. In recent years, the exercises have expanded to include humanitarian assistance, disaster response, maritime security, and interoperability training among allied forces.
(LANCE GABRIEL ENTERESO, LNU STUDENT INTERN)
