Panagat Sa Bay

Panunton sa Baybay: A Participant Observation on the Life of the Gitagum
Fisherfolks in Gitagum, Misamis Oriental
By
Jay Q. Arancon
Submitted to
Frederick U. Ybanez, M.A
Society and Culture Professor
Introduction:
Marine fishing or “Panagat” in the Philippines, particularly in Mindanao is more
than an industry−it is a way of life. Over a million Filipinos are engaged in marine
fishing. Based on research, an estimated 800,000 are small-scale fishermen using
tradition, low-cost techniques, notably net fishing from small boats or ”Bangka”
Traditionally, these techniques have provided small-scale fishermen and their
families with a means of subsistence.
In view of this, the fishermen from Gitagum, Misamis Oriental in Northern
Mindanao face an uncertain future as their daily catch his subsistence needs. In
order to meet their production levels, fishermen have to venture farther out to sea.
"Going after the fish" entails motorized vessels and substantially higher costs
than traditional methods. In addition to longer hours spent at sea, fishermen must
absorb the costs of engines, fuel, machinery and repairs.
Unlike other fishermen worked as wage-laborers for transnational fishing
corporations, the fishermen in Gitagum are supported by the Local Government,
which makes them independent from the capital-intensive fishing technologies of the
urban-based businessmen
Barangay Poblacion, Gitagum
The major product that produces Gitagum is what they call "sinegwelas",
which is the one most abundant fruit in their place. Gitagum can produce this kind of
fruit during summer season. Actually, one of these days the municipality of gitagum
is planning to have “sinegwelas festival” to promote more their major product and
also to promote their municipality. They are hoping that this 2011 summer season
they can produce may fruits because last summer season 2009-2010 they noticed
that there were only few fruits produce that’s why they did not continue to have a
“Gitagum Sinegwelas Festival”.
Other products that produce in Gitagum with all the barangays are the
tobacco plant. Her are lots of tobacco plant in Gitagum especially in the high land
area. They also have corn plant, water melon or what they call cantolop.
Another product of Gitagum with all the barangays are fishes. There are lots of kinds
of fishes in Gitagum that catch by the fisherman.
Many of the people in Gitagum are dependent on there product to live life
especially in the remote areas in Gitagum.
Profile: Gitagum Fisherfolk
The Gitagum fisherfolk is composed of fisherfolk participants from the
Poblacion, Gitagum, Misamis Oriental who had undergone a Deputy Fish Warden
(DFW) course which is conducted by the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources
10 (BFAR 10).
Through the DFW course the Gitagum fisherfolk acquired adequate
knowledge of fishery law enforcement, rules and regulations. They were also taught
how to identify fish caught through explosives, steps in the apprehension of fishery
law violators and basic procedures in filing illegal fishing cases, among others.
According to one fisherman, they were required to conduct Information and
Education campaign against illegal fishing practices, as well as going on foot patrols,
seaborne patrols, market denial and inspections. More so, the fisherfolk were also
bestowed with authority to implement fishery laws in the locality after the said
training. Notably, after the said training, the catch of their fisherfolk has improved due
to decrease of illegal fishing activities which is prevalent in the area a decade ago.
‘Pangisda sa Pinas’
The Philippines has a lot to offer in terms of fishing. There are numerous
fishing styles and techniques used in the Philippines: The ancient type, Spear
Fishing is done by using spears in both freshwater and saltwater; Bottom fishing is
done by fisherman in waters between 5 to 50 meters deep using small hooks and
baits around reef and coral walls; Fishing using Rentex: This is a hair-like synthetic
fibre about 10 inches in diameter, and is attached to the main line and dragged on
the water. Needlefish and other types of fish get caught in the fibres and can be
collected easily by the fishermen; Payaos: This is a fish-collecting device that is used
in the Philippines. Traditional payaos is a bamboo raft with either a superstructure or
a collection device below the water level. The floating object attracts fish such as
tuna, and they are easily caught by hand-line fishing.
Moreover, in bisaya speaking areas, the common fishing technique Panuntun
(from the word tunton, or ‘drop to the bottom’) is used by local fisherfolk. The
technique involves bottom fishing generally in depths of 5 – 50 meters. The
fishermen use multiple tiny hooks on a relatively small main line with a lead or stone
tied to the end to weight the line. Small hooks are used and generally small fish are
caught with the occasional larger fish taking the tiny bait.
‘Panunton sa Gitagum’: An Observation
The Gitagum fishermen wakes up as early as 3:00 in the morning and goes
on their way ‘pala’ot’ at 4:00 a.m. As they spread the fishnet with a nylon tied on a
stone weighing five (5) kilos and drops it to the bottom of the seabed down to 1.5
kilometers deep. The distance between the nylon and stone is used by the fishermen
as an indicator that they already reached the fishing area. The ‘panunton’ technique
is used to determine that they already reached their fishing line where they usually
catch for ‘anduhaw’. Thereafter, the fisherfolk waited for one (1) hour and 30 minutes
before they pull and haul the net slowly aboard in the ‘bangka’.With the given time,
they were able to catch around five (5) to eight (8) kilos of fish.
When the clock strikes at 7:00 a.m, the Gitagum fishermen goes to the
‘labasera’, or the fish vendors and sells the fish 110 per kilo, which makes them earn
500 pesos to 800 pesos per day. They usually get a share of three (3) kilos from
their daily catch and will solve their meal for the whole day. Aside from that, they also
give a portion to those who helped them carry the ‘banyera’ full of fish. They employ
this sharing technique as a means of payment for their labor.
‘Panunton’: Present Fishing Practice
Based on the observer’s assessment, the daily fishing of the Gitagum
fisherfolk is not enough to cover the basic necessities of a fisherman's household.

References:
Cultural Survival Quarterly Magazine. Marine Fishing in the Philippines.

https://www.culturalsurvival.org/publications/cultural-survival-quarterly/marine-
fishing-philippines. Accessed on 12 March 2019.
A Day in the Life of Filipino Fishermen: Their Battle Begins Even Before We Open
Our Eyes. https://www.choosephilippines.com/awesome-filipinos/inspiring-
pinoys/4138/lambaklad-fishing-fishermen-antique\ .Accessed on 12 March
2019.
Presidential Communications Operations Office. Philippine Information Agency.

24 Gitagum fisherfolk deputized as fish wardens.
http://archives.pia.gov.ph/?m=12&fi=p070306.htm&no=16. Accessed 12
March 2019.
Anglingcentre.net. Fishing in the Philippines. Fishing in the Philippines.

http://anglingcentre.net/2016/12/26/fishing-in-the-philippines/. Accessed 13
March 2019

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Panunton sa Baybay: A Participant Observation on the Life of the Gitagum

Fisherfolks in Gitagum, Misamis Oriental

Marine fishing or “Panagat” in the Philippines, particularly in Mindanao is more

fishing. Based on research, an estimated 800,000 are small-scale fishermen using

Traditionally, these techniques have provided small-scale fishermen and their

families with a means of subsistence.

In view of this, the fishermen from Gitagum, Misamis Oriental in Northern

absorb the costs of engines, fuel, machinery and repairs.

Unlike other fishermen worked as wage-laborers for transnational fishing

corporations, the fishermen in Gitagum are supported by the Local Government,

“Gitagum Sinegwelas Festival”.

of fishes in Gitagum that catch by the fisherman.

especially in the remote areas in Gitagum.

Profile: Gitagum Fisherfolk

The Gitagum fisherfolk is composed of fisherfolk participants from the

Through the DFW course the Gitagum fisherfolk acquired adequate

According to one fisherman, they were required to conduct Information and

in the Philippines. Traditional payaos is a bamboo raft with either a superstructure or

tuna, and they are easily caught by hand-line fishing.

Moreover, in bisaya speaking areas, the common fishing technique Panuntun

technique involves bottom fishing generally in depths of 5 – 50 meters. The

‘Panunton sa Gitagum’: An Observation

this sharing technique as a means of payment for their labor.

‘Panunton’: Present Fishing Practice

Based on the observer’s assessment, the daily fishing of the Gitagum

fisherfolk is not enough to cover the basic necessities of a fisherman's household.

Cultural Survival Quarterly Magazine. Marine Fishing in the Philippines.

Presidential Communications Operations Office. Philippine Information Agency.

Anglingcentre.net. Fishing in the Philippines. Fishing in the Philippines.

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