SUBIC BAY FREEPORT — The Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR) formally launched a pioneering national initiative tapping Filipino fisherfolk as champions of truthful, fact-based information and responsible public discourse on the West Philippine Sea (WPS).

In a ceremony here on Friday, July 24, BFAR brought together more than 80 fisherfolk leaders from all regions nationwide to form the Alliance of Fisherfolk for Truthful Information and Narratives on the West Philippine Sea (ATIN WPS) and strengthen the role of coastal communities in promoting truth, maritime awareness, and responsible information sharing.

The launching was attended by BFAR officials and information officers, representatives from the local government of Zambales, the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG), the National Security Council (NSC), and other partner institutions.

The formation of ATIN-WPS involved technical training on the legal and historical foundations of the WPS, the 2016 Arbitral Award, maritime entitlements, responsible conduct at sea, and practical approaches to identifying and addressing misinformation and disinformation.

Through the initiative, BFAR equipped fisherfolk with factual, evidence-based, and legally grounded knowledge on the West Philippine Sea, enabling them to counter misinformation and disinformation while serving as trusted sources of information within their respective communities.

The training also highlighted the important role fisherfolk can play in ensuring that accurate and verified information reaches coastal communities across the country.

BFAR said ATIN WPS recognizes that Filipino fisherfolk are among those most directly connected to—and affected by—the developments in the WPS.

The launch of ATIN WPS, BFAR added, reaffirms its commitment to building an informed and engaged fisheries sector where fisherfolk are recognized not only as stewards of the nation’s marine resources but also as credible partners of government and trusted amplifiers of truth on the West Philippine Sea.

“Fisherfolk are more than providers of food for the nation,” BFAR National Director Elizer S. Salilig said. “They are vital partners in sustaining coastal communities and maintaining a Filipino presence in areas such as Pag-asa Island.”

National Security Council Director Romeo Racadio, meanwhile, highlighted the importance of protecting the information space alongside the country’s maritime domain.

He emphasized that misinformation and disinformation pose significant challenges to the nation’s interests and that truthful, fact-based narratives are essential in fostering public understanding of the WPS.

“Initiatives such as ATIN WPS strengthen the whole-of-nation approach by empowering fisherfolk to become responsible communicators and credible voices in ensuring that accurate information reaches communities across the country,” Racadio concluded.

Beyond increasing awareness, ATIN WPS seeks to cultivate critical thinking, responsible communication, and greater appreciation of the rights and responsibilities of Filipino fishers under Philippine law and the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS).

BFAR said the U.S. Embassy Manila’s Fish Right Project supports ATIN WPS, affirming a shared commitment with BFAR to strengthen community engagement, promote knowledge sharing, and encourage the responsible use of accurate information about the West Philippine Sea. ▲