Tacloban Fisherfolk’s Livelihood Project Delayed by Demolition Concerns

Posted on August 7, 2026 at 7:19 am

Tacloban City — For many families in Barangay 88, San Jose, Tacloban City, the sea has been their source of income for years.

Before sunrise, fisherfolk head out to gather crabs, shells, and other marine products that help put food on their tables and pay for their children’s needs. But with possible demolition and relocation being discussed in their area, many residents worry about how they will continue to provide for their families if they are moved away from the coast.

Members of the Tacloban Fisherfolk Urban Association are now asking for a barangay resolution that would allow them to access a P300,000 livelihood grant from the Department of Social Welfare and Development.

The association said the grant would help them start a fish vending project that could provide an additional source of income for their 33 members, especially if they are eventually relocated.

The group, which has been registered with the Department of Labor and Employment since 2014, said the barangay resolution is the remaining requirement needed before they can begin the project. The DSWD approved and downloaded the grant in July 2026 after the proposal was prepared in October 2025.

Association president Losanto Castillo said they have already completed the needed documents but are still waiting for the barangay’s approval.

“Our organization has been registered since 2014, so we are truly legitimate,” Castillo said. “We have complied with the legal requirements, but we are facing administrative challenges that are delaying the project.”

The P300,000 grant will be used to set up a small fish vending business. The plan includes building a vending structure using materials such as bamboo and coco lumber, buying equipment like weighing scales and fish storage materials, and purchasing the first supply of fish to sell.

Castillo said the project could help members earn around P200 a day, which would be a big help to families who depend mainly on fishing and other small jobs.

For Anita Vertulfo, a longtime resident of Barangay 88 and member of the Tacloban Fisherfolk Urban Association, the sea has supported their families for more than 25 years.

She said their daily catch of crabs (masag) and shells helps pay for household expenses and their children’s education.

“If we are removed, there must be a livelihood,” Vertulfo said. “A house alone is not enough if we are taken away from our source of income.”

Vertulfo said some residents may find temporary work such as carpentry, but fishing remains their most reliable source of income because they can depend on the sea for their daily needs.

She also raised concerns about the relocation of families to a Northern barangay farther from the city. According to residents, moving away from the coastline could make it more difficult for students who travel to schools and colleges in Tacloban due to transportation costs and long travel times.

The fisherfolk group said they are not against development but want their livelihood to be considered in any decision affecting their community.

Castillo said the association has received warning notices regarding the area, but he believes consultations and discussions about relocation should happen first.

“There is a process to follow when it comes to demolition,” Castillo said. “There should be proper consultation and negotiation regarding relocation. We are only asking for the resolution so we can start the project because we simply want to earn a living.”

The association said no formal consultation or relocation agreement has been completed, leaving members unsure about what will happen to their homes and livelihood.

Meanwhile, Castillo also questioned the creation of another group called the Barangay 88 Fisherfolks Association, which he said was formed about three weeks ago by barangay officials during community immersion activities involving personnel from the Philippine Army, Philippine Coast Guard, and Philippine Navy.

According to Castillo, barangay officials have suggested merging the new group with the Tacloban Fisherfolk Urban Association, a proposal that has raised concerns among their members.

As of posting, city and barangay officials have not yet issued a statement regarding the fisherfolk group’s request for the barangay resolution, the reported demolition plans, or Castillo’s claims regarding the newly formed organization.

For the fisherfolk families of Barangay 88, the issue is not only about a livelihood grant; it is about protecting the only source of income they have known for years.

Photo by: Jazmin Bonifacio