Alarmed by a recent Supreme Court ruling allowing commercial fishing vessels to operate within municipal waters, senatorial candidate Benjamin “Benhur” Abalos Jr. vowed to push for legislative measures to protect the livelihoods of small-scale fisherfolk.
Abalos said allowing commercial and large-scale fishing in municipal waters endangers not only the livelihoods of small-scale fisherfolk but also the preservation and long-term sustainability of marine biodiversity.
“The Fisheries Code can be amended to address the specific issues raised by the Supreme Court,” Abalos, a lawyer and former DILG secretary, said.
“This would involve revising the definitions and regulations on municipal waters and clarifying the rights and access of different fishing sectors,” he added.
In a resolution dated August 19, 2024, the Supreme Court’s First Division upheld a Malabon City court decision, striking down the definition of municipal waters in the Fisheries Code (Republic Act 8550), which was enacted in 1998, as unconstitutional. This ruling effectively allows commercial fishing operators with large vessels and advanced mechanical equipment to operate in these waters.
“If large vessels are allowed to operate here, fish stocks might be depleted, leaving our fishermen with less catch,” Abalos stressed. “What’s even worse is that even the small fish, which are not yet ready to be harvested, will also be taken. This will have a significant impact on our livelihood and our marine biodiversity.”
Abalos recently visited Pola, Oriental Mindoro to check on residents and assess their recovery two years after the oil spill. During his visit, he warned the fishing community about the looming crisis brought about by the ruling of the Supreme Court.
"Hindi ako sumasang-ayon sa desisyon ng Korte Suprema. Tandaan ninyo ito — kasama ninyo ako, mga mangingisda ng Pola at sa buong bansa. Ipaglalaban ko kayo," he firmly declared.
"Sa inyong lahat, tandaan ninyo ito: Nanalo tayo laban sa oil spill dahil nagkaisa tayo. At ngayon, mas mahalaga ang pagkakaisa natin para ipaglaban ang ating karapatan," he added.
The former Interior secretary also underscored the broader economic implications of the ruling.
"You know that many of our fishermen rely on daily subsistence. We’re talking about nearly two million fisherfolk,” he said. “This isn’t just about their income—if fish stocks run out, our food security will also be at risk.”
He also called on fishing communities and local government units across the country to unite in defending their right to their traditional fishing grounds.
“We need to clearly define these protections,” he said. “If I am elected, I will push for a law that explicitly safeguards the rights of our fishermen—not just for them, but also to protect the sustainability of our natural resources,” he ended. PR
