‘Atin Ito’ launching ‘Adopt a Payao’ drive for West Philippine Sea fishermen

Photo taken on Dec. 11, 2023, and released by Atin Ito coalition shows Philippine Coast Guard personnel on a pontoon with goods collected from one of the civilian vessels that took part in the group’s first mission in the West Philippine Sea. (AFP)

MANILA, Philippines — The Atin Ito coalition is set to launch an adopt a “payao” campaign to assist Filipino fisherfolk affected by Chinese aggression in the West Philippine Sea (WPS).

According to the coalition in a statement, a payao is a traditional fishing device from the Philippines designed to aggregate or lure fish.

It typically consists of an anchored floating or submerged structure made of materials such as bamboo or steel, and is attached with coconut leaves, twigs, branches, plastic strips, netting which act as sinkers.

Akbayan president and Atin Ito co-convenor Rafaela David called on the business community and other sectors to support fishers through the “Adopt-a-Payao” campaign by sponsoring the manufacturing and deployment of payaos.

“By contributing to this initiative, individuals and organizations can directly impact the lives of fishing communities, enabling them to continue their essential work despite the challenges they face,” David said in a recent statement. 

“Each payao deployed is not just a means of supporting our fishers but also an act of patriotism, a symbol of solidarity for our fellow Filipinos, and a firm stance against China’s unlawful actions in the West Philippine Sea,” she added.

 Meanwhile, Philippine Rural Reconstruction Movement president and fellow Atin Ito co-convenor Edicio Dela Torres said it is time for the public to support the livelihood of Filipino fishers who have been severely affected by Chinese encroachment of the WPS.

“These fishers have fought bravely for our sovereign rights in the West Philippine Sea. Now, it is our turn to stand by them and provide the support they urgently need,” he said. 

Dela Torres told INQUIRER.net that there is no final date for the launch of the campaign, yet.

Atin Ito announced its new campaign two weeks after leading a civilian convoy to the Scarborough Shoal in the WPS, where it installed symbolic markers within the Philippine Exclusive Economic Zone and distributed food packs and fuel to Filipino fishers in the area.