ORANI, Bataan—While they said they are bound to heed the Supreme Court (SC) ruling ordering the dismantling of all aqua structures in Manila Bay, a group of baklad (fishnet) operators here lamented that the government does not seem to have any alternative livelihood for them and tahong (mussel) operators here.

Susan Capuli, secretary and organizer of Binuklod ng Alab ng Kapatiran Lulan Angking Sipag at Dangal (Baklad), said most of their members solely rely on baklad operations for subsistence and now face a future of uncertainty.

Nevertheless, she said, given the utmost difficulty of the situation, their group is constantly in talks with the Department of the Environment and Natural Resources here for the implementation of the SC’s order.

She said their organization is hard put in explaining to their members that they are bound to follow the SC’s order as law-abiding citizens.

Baklad and tahong operators are found in the Bataan towns of Orani, Samal, Abucay, Orion and Pilar, all fronting the Manila Bay.

Capuli said Lambat is the federation of all baklad operators in the province.