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Fishermen do their regular routine of catching fish along the beach in Lingayen, Pangasinan on January 8, 2024.
STAR / Cesar Ramirez
MANILA, Philippines — Speaker Martin Romualdez assured fisherfolk in Iloilo of his full support in their efforts to protect their primary livelihood, which is at risk due to the encroachment of commercial fishing operations.
Romualdez met with fisherfolk leaders and representatives from Sicogon Island in Carles town, Iloilo and surrounding areas after attending the groundbreaking ceremony for the P388-million Submarine Cable Interconnection project, aimed at providing reliable electricity to over 13,000 households.
The fishermen, through Iloilo 5th District Rep. Boboy Tupas, raised their concerns about the August 2024 Supreme Court (SC) ruling that allowed commercial fishing vessels to operate within the 15-kilometer municipal waters, an area traditionally reserved for small-scale fishers.
“We understand the situation of our fisherfolk. Your position is correct; I see nothing wrong with it. That’s why I’m confident that we will be granted what we are asking for. I will use all my capabilities (to help you) in your case, you can count on me,” Romualdez told the community.
He also committed to endorsing their concerns to the Office of the Solicitor General (OSG) to explore all possible legal options to reverse the SC decision.
“We will talk to our lawyer, the OSG, so we’re sure this will reach the proper authorities. The case is meritorious, and we just need to bring it to the attention of the justices that this is the real concern of the fishermen,” he said in Filipino.
In response to the issue, several bills have been filed in the House of Representatives, including HB 6381, which proposes the establishment of a 10-kilometer buffer zone beyond the 15-kilometer municipal waters to prevent commercial fishing vessels from entering areas exclusively reserved for small fishermen.
During the dialogue, Iloilo fishermen expressed concern that allowing commercial fishing in municipal waters would threaten their livelihoods, potentially leaving them without income to support their families and send their children to school.
They also warned that the presence of large commercial fishing fleets would cause irreparable damage to ecosystems and deplete the marine resources on which they depend.
Highlighting their commitment to sustainability, the fisherfolk pointed out their compliance with the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources’ closed fishing season regulations.
In January of this year, the Department of Agriculture filed a motion for reconsideration before the Supreme Court, seeking to overturn the controversial decision.
