For generations, the fishing communities of Bataan, Philippines, have relied on the sea for their livelihoods. But today, their way of life is under threat. Massive industrial projects—coal-fired power plants, shipyards, and infrastructure developments—are taking over the coastline, displacing fisherfolk and cutting them off from the waters they have depended on for generations. Entire communities have recently been evicted from their homes, and thousands more remain at risk.
Despite these challenges, fisherfolk are not giving up. With the support of LEF grantee partner Nuclear and Coal Free Bataan Movement (NCFBM), these communities are organizing, filing legal complaints, and mobilizing collectively to protect their waters, their homes, and their future. NCFBM is equipping them with the tools to know, use, and shape the law—helping them understand their rights, navigate legal channels, and challenge corporate impunity.
Legal empowerment is not just about legal cases—it’s about shifting power. Fisherfolk in Bataan are coming together to demand accountability, challenging unjust evictions and pushing for policies that protect their communities and the environment.
The struggle for justice is far from over. But these communities are charting their own path forward. They are not just fighting to fish—they are fighting for their future.
Watch Fishing for Justice below to hear more from them.
To learn more about NCFBM’s work with communities in Bataan, read:
Coal versus Communities: Voices From the Nuclear And Coal-Free Bataan Movement
