Alyansa Tigil Mina (ATM) and Partido Lakas ng Masa (PLM) staged a protest in front of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) on Monday urging a stop to the destructive seabed quarrying related to reclamation projects in Manila Bay. The groups demanded that the DENR conduct an investigation into the harmful seabed quarrying activities and issue an order to halt the operations in the area.

The protest was led by Jaybee Garganera, ATM National Coordinator, who expressed concern for the environment and the livelihood of the fisherfolk. He shared the findings of a study by the National Fisheries Research and Development Institute, which revealed that parts of Manila Bay, such as Bulacan, Metro Manila, and Cavite, have high biomass of fish eggs and larvae. Scientists have warned that continued dredging and reclamation activities would adversely affect the coastal and mangrove ecosystems that serve as nursery grounds for fish.

Romeo Miranda, PLM-Naic Coordinator, echoed Garganera's sentiments and called on the government to halt seabed quarrying, emphasizing that the activity only benefits big corporations at the expense of ordinary citizens and the environment. Miranda stressed that projects that protect and develop the fishing industry while preserving the environment should be prioritized over the profits of big corporations.

The groups also urged the DENR to retain and strictly enforce the existing moratorium on new seabed quarrying applications, as well as conduct a cost-benefit analysis to eventually ban seabed quarrying. The protesters believe that allowing seabed quarrying and reclamation projects to continue despite their damage to the environment and communities is unjust.

The protest action also aimed to put pressure on the DENR to defend the environment, as calls against mining mount, particularly in the anti-mining barricades in Sibuyan, Romblon, and Brooke's Point, Palawan, and the recent anti-Kaliwa dam Walk from Quezon province to Malacanang.