CEBU, Philippines — For Victor Lapaz, the sea represents more than a source of livelihood. It is at the center of a lifelong struggle over the survival, dignity, and future of small-scale fishing communities in Cebu.
At 79, Lapaz is featured in Cebu Daily News’ “Faces of Cebu” series, which highlights people whose lives reflect the experiences and challenges of their communities.
His story offers a window into a longstanding issue in the province: how can traditional fishing communities survive as coastal development, competition for marine resources, and rising livelihood costs put pressure on their way of life?
A lifetime connected to the sea
Lapaz has long been associated with the advocacy of small-scale fisherfolk through Panaghugpong sa mga Gagmay’ng Mananagat sa Sugbo, or PAMANA-Sugbo, a federation representing fishing communities in Cebu.
His advocacy is not new. Reports published by Philstar.com and The Freeman in previous years documented Lapaz’s concerns about fishing communities being displaced by coastal development and losing access to traditional fishing grounds.
In February 2010, Philstar.com reported on fisherfolk protests against projects they believed threatened their homes, livelihoods, and access to coastal resources. Lapaz, then identified as PAMANA-Sugbo chairperson, argued that Cebu’s economic development should not come at the expense of poor fishing communities.
The reports provide historical context for the challenges that have shaped his public advocacy over the years.
Development versus the survival of small-scale fishers
Cebu’s expanding coastal developments have repeatedly raised questions about the future of communities that depend on the sea.
Reclamation projects, changes in coastal land use, and competition from commercial fishing operations have been among the concerns raised by fisherfolk organizations in the province.
In October 2021, Cebu Daily News reported that around 50 fishermen from Barangay Tayud in Consolacion staged a protest at sea against a proposed reclamation project. Their demonstration reflected fears that changes to the shoreline could threaten their fishing grounds and livelihoods.
For small-scale fishers, access to the sea is directly tied to their ability to earn a daily income. When fishing areas become harder to reach or competition increases, families may face greater uncertainty over their earnings and food supply.
These concerns go beyond individual fishermen. They also raise questions about how coastal development can balance economic ambitions with environmental protection and the needs of established fishing communities.
The continuing struggle for fishing communities
Lapaz’s advocacy remains relevant amid continuing calls for stronger support for small-scale fishers.
In an October 16, 2026, report, SunStar Cebu covered a gathering of farmers, fisherfolk, and transport workers at the University of the Philippines Cebu during World Food Day.
Lapaz, identified in the report as a PAMANA-Sugbo spokesperson, raised concerns about the displacement of small-scale fishers because of reclamation projects and the entry of commercial fishing vessels into municipal waters. He also warned that El Niño-related conditions could add pressure to already vulnerable livelihoods.
The groups called for greater government support, protection of local food producers, and measures addressing the structural causes of poverty and food insecurity.
The report illustrates how the challenges confronting fishing communities remain connected to broader concerns about food production, environmental pressures, and the cost of sustaining a livelihood.
More than one fisherman’s story
The significance of Lapaz’s story extends beyond his age or the number of years he has spent connected to the sea.
It reflects a wider question facing coastal communities in Cebu: what happens when the people who depend on marine resources struggle to retain access to them?
For small-scale fishers, the sea provides income, food, and continuity between generations. Protecting their livelihoods therefore involves more than helping individual workers. It also requires attention to marine resources, responsible coastal planning, fair access to fishing grounds, and meaningful consultation with affected communities.
Lapaz’s decades of public advocacy provide a reminder that the consequences of development are not experienced equally by everyone.
As Cebu continues to change, the future of its fishing communities will depend in part on whether their concerns are considered in decisions that reshape the province’s coastlines.
For Victor Lapaz and the communities he represents, the question is not simply what the sea can provide today—but whether future generations of small-scale fishers will still have a place in it.
