Abalos: Remedies needed for issues due to SC commercial fishing ruling
FILE PHOTO: Department of the Interior and Local Government Sec. Benjamin Abalos Jr. answers questions from the media in a Palace briefing on Wednesday, June 5, 2024. INQUIRER.net/Ryan Leagogo
MANILA, Philippines — The government needs to place remedial measures that would address issues brought about by the Supreme Court (SC) ruling allowing commercial fishing on municipal waters, former Interior secretary and senatorial candidate Benhur Abalos said on Tuesday.
Abalos in a statement said that he is alarmed with this SC ruling, adding that Congress must amend The Philippine Fisheries Code of 1998 to fix gaps brought by the SC ruling.
The SC last August 2024 upheld the Malabon Regional Trial Court’s decision in a case involving the Mercidar Fishing Corp. In doing so, the High Tribunal allowed commercial fishing vessels to operate within the 15-kilometer municipal water zone.
“The Fisheries Code can be amended to address the specific issues raised by the Supreme Court,” Abalos, a lawyer by profession, 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 from the SC’s First Division, the definition of municipal waters as contained in Republic Act No. 8550 which created the Fisheries Code, was declared unconstitutional.
However, Abalos fears that the livelihood of small-scale fishers may be affected, along with the long-term sustainability of marine biodiversity.
“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 also assured fisherfolk from Pola, Oriental Mindoro, which he recently visited, that he will fight with the people if he is elected to the Senate.
“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 said.
(I don’t agree with the Supreme Court decision. Remember this: I will be with you, fisherfolk from Pola, and those across the country. I will fight for you.)
“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.
(To all of you, remember this: we won in the case regarding the oil spill because we were united. And now, our unity is more important than ever because we will fight for our rights.)
Abalos is not the first to raise concerns about the SC order. Last January 2, fisherfolk and activists from civil society groups like Oceana Philippines and the Philippine Movement for Climate Justice submitted a petition contesting the SC decision as it supposedly has a detrimental impact on the environment too.
READ: Petition filed vs SC ruling on big-scale fishing in town waters
Bicol Saro party-list Rep. Brian Raymund Yamsuan also stressed that any changes to the fishing industry must both prioritize the welfare of fisherfolk and national food security.
Last January 3, Yamsuan said that he met with key officials of the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR), to discuss possible bills that would ensure the protection of small fisherfolk.
READ: Yamsuan: Changes in fishing rules must prioritize small fisherfolk too
BFAR also came out with a statement of their own, saying that they are pushing for the reversal of the SC decision that allowed commercial fishing in municipal waters, as it has impacted the livelihood of small fisherfolk, and the amount of marine resources available.
READ: BFAR appeals SC ruling allowing commercial fishing in municipal waters https://business.inquirer.net/500156/bfar-appeals-sc-ruling-allowing-commercial-fishing-in-municipal-waters
Abalos warned that the SC order may result in overfishing and marine resource depletion, “threatening the food security and economic stability of coastal communities.”
“You know that many of our fishermen rely on daily subsistence. We’re talking about nearly two million fisherfolk. This isn’t just about their income—if fish stocks run out, our food security will also be at risk,” he said.
“We need to clearly define these protections. 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 added.
