Mata: Asia Press Photo

08/08/2026

What happens when communities where families have lived and fished for generations begins to disappear? Through 20 powerful images, this photo essay follows the people of Bacoor Bay from 2021 to 2026 as roads, walls, and developments change their way of life.

by Joel Mataro This 20-frame visual sequence documents the systematic displacement and spatial transformation of coastal fishing communities along Bacoor Bay, Cavite, spanning 2021 to 2026. Moving …

04/08/2026

The fire that used to transform sugarcane juice into sangkaka is now burning low. As the traditional craft slowly disappears, and so does the chance to preserve this sweet cultural delicacy.

They don’t make “sangkaka” anymore in Iriga City. It’s laborious, less profitable, and this generation is no longer interested in continuing the traditional process. At the …

27/07/2026

300 small fishers led by KKAMPI (Katipunan ng mga Kilusan ng Artisanong Mangingisda sa Pilipinas) and PAMALAKAYA (Pambansang Lakas ng Kilusang Mamamalakaya ng Pilipinas) held a joint march and action in-front of the Department of Agriculture (DA) in Quezon City on June 27, 2026.

The KKAMPI and PAMALAKAYA opted to have a joint march and program in-front of the

Department of Agriculture to vehemently belie recent announcement of DA-BFAR that the fishery and aquaculture sector has recovered and growth have been achieved this 2026.

The action also exacted accountability for both President Marcos Jr. and Vice President Sara Duterte for the dire state of the sector amidst massive and systemic corruption and continued neglect of the plight of small and artisanal fishers as it defends corporate interest in dislocating small fishers and their fishing communities.

After the short protest program the group held a caravan along Commonwealth to join other
progressive organizations in their march and SONA ng SAMBAYANAN Program.

27/07/2026

300 small fishers led by KKAMPI (Katipunan ng mga Kilusan ng Artisanong Mangingisda sa Pilipinas) and PAMALAKAYA (Pambansang Lakas ng Kilusang Mamamalakaya ng Pilipinas) helda joint march and actio…

25/07/2026

Filipino workers and civil society groups trooped to the Department of Finance (DOF) on Tuesday, July 21, 2026, urging Finance Secretary Frederick Go to champion wealth taxation and the taxation of…

22/07/2026

WORKERS, CIVIL SOCIETY GROUPS URGE FINANCE CHIEF TO PUSH WEALTH TAX, EXTRACTIVES TAX IN UN TAX TALKS

Filipino workers and civil society groups trooped to the Department of Finance (DOF) on Tuesday, July 21, 2026, urging Finance Secretary Frederick Go to champion wealth taxation and the taxation of extractive industries in the upcoming United Nations Tax Convention.

The mobilization was organized by Bukluran ng Manggagawang Pilipino (BMP) and Sanlakas, in collaboration with the Asian Peoples’ Movement on Debt and Development (APMDD).
The groups said global tax policy is currently dominated by the OECD, G7 and G20, which disproportionately favor the wealthiest nations and multinational corporations.

To counter this, the Philippines voted with the majority of UN member states in November 2023 to create a UN Framework Convention on International Tax Cooperation.

The country also supported terms of reference that seek to establish an inclusive, fair, transparent, efficient, equitable and effective international tax system for sustainable development, according to the groups.

During the protest action, organizers presented proposals that focus on tax justice, particularly the implementation of wealth taxation and ensuring the equitable taxation of multinational enterprises in the highly profitable extractive industry.

They urged the DOF to uphold the mandate of the UN Tax Convention’s Terms of Reference in upcoming negotiations. I Photos by MATA: Asia Press Photo

21/07/2026

Once hailed as the country’s salt capital, Bulacan now produces only a fraction of the salt it once supplied to the nation. In Pamarawan, Malolos, one of the last remaining salt-farming communities, Antonio Cabigao Jr. continues the age-old practice despite the backbreaking work, declining income, and uncertain future.

Through the lens of Vhin Diezell C. Benitez, this photo essay captures the struggles of a fading industry and the resilience of the people fighting to keep Bulacan’s salt-making tradition alive.

Text and photos by Vhin Diezell C. Benitez Bulacan was once recognized as the country’s leading salt supplier in the 1980s, producing approximately 162,000 metric tons of salt every year. This acco…

14/07/2026

Anti-dam residents say the agency bypassed a required stakeholder hearing.

Residents opposing the construction of Ahunan Dam in Pakil, Laguna, through their legal counsel, has appealed to the National Historical Commission of the Philippines (NHCP) to reverse its decision…

14/07/2026

Libu-libong Aeta nagmartsa patungong CERAB sa Capas, Tarlac

CAPAS, Tarlac—Nagmartsa ang libu-libong Aeta ng Capas, Tarlac mula sa Barangay O'Donnell Covered Court patungong Colonel Ernesto Ravina Air Base (CERAB) sa Barangay Sta. Juliana ngayong araw, Hulyo 14, 2026, kasabay ng pagdiriwang ng 79th Founding Anniversary ng Philippine Air Force (PAF).

Sinalubong ng mga Aeta ang mga opisyal ng PAF sa pamamagitan ng panawagang igalang ng militar at iba pang ahensya ng gobyerno ang kanilang karapatan sa lupang ninuno at karapatan sa sariling pagpapasya.

Dala ng mga nagpoprotesta ang mga plakard na may panawagang "Barangay na kami bago pa man ang RA 7227 at PP 163," "Mga traktor na pangsaka, huwag po sanang pagbawalang pumasok," at "Proyektong imprastraktura, huwag itayo mula sa pangangamkam."

Ayon sa mga nagpoprotesta, nagpapatuloy ang panggigipit, pananakot, at pagtatangkang paalisin diumano sila sa kanilang mga komunidad upang bigyang-daan ang iba't ibang proyektong, anila, ay ipinatutupad nang walang makabuluhang konsultasyon at nang hindi kinukuha ang kanilang malaya, nauna, at may kabatirang pahintulot (Free, Prior and Informed Consent o FPIC).

Kabilang sa kanilang mga panawagan ang pagtutol sa pagpapalit-gamit ng mga lupang sakahan at iba pang produktibong lupain para sa pagpapalawak ng reserbasyong militar at ng New Clark City.

Dagdag pa nila, nadatnan na ng mga Kastila ang kanilang mga ninuno sa Capas. Anila, nananatili ang bakas ng kanilang kasaysayan sa ilang pangalan ng mga lugar sa bayan. Noong 1992 at 1993 lamang, anila, ipinasa ang RA 7227 at inilabas ang PP 163.

Ayon pa sa mga organizer, bahagi ng 9,450 ektaryang New Clark City ang humigit-kumulang 1,600 ektaryang, anila, ay nakalaan para sa pagtatayo ng mga data center sa ilalim ng proyektong Pax Silica.

Patuloy pang dumarating ang mga ulat at larawan mula sa lugar. Hinihintay pa ang opisyal na pahayag ng mga lider ng protesta at ng mga kinauukulang ahensya.
Patuloy naming babantayan ang mga pangyayari.



(Developing Story)

06/07/2026

Anti-dam group says the NHCP's decision raises more questions than answers.

Read more:

by Elmer Valenzuela The National Historical Commission of the Philippines (NHCP) has formally lifted the cease and desist order (CDO) it issued in May 2026 against the Ahunan Pakil Pumped Storage H…