BACOLOD City – The province of Negros Occidental strongly upholds the rights of the small-scale fisherfolk and the protection of the marine resources in the province.
“The recent Supreme Court (SC) ruling allowing commercial fishing vessels within the 15-kilometer municipal waters is a serious concern for our local government, fisherfolk, and coastal communities,” read part of the provincial government’s statement posted in Pemo Negros Occidental Facebook page.
On December 19, 2024, the SC issued a decision that removed the 15-kilometer municipal water demarcation, which had prioritized municipal fisherfolk and regulated commercial fishing operations within those waters.
This decision threatens livelihoods, marine biodiversity, and decades of efforts in sustainable fisheries management.
“We call on all stakeholders — government agencies, academe, civil society, and the public — to stand with us in safeguarding the welfare of our artisanal fishers and ensuring the sustainability of our coastal and marine ecosystems,” the provincial government added.
Earlier, Gov. Eugenio Jose Lacson said that Negros Occidental reaffirmed its commitment to protecting the rights of municipal fisherfolk by advocating for the continued preferential access of small-scale fishers to the 15-kilometer municipal waters.
These waters, he said, are vital for the livelihoods of more than 45,000 marginalized fishing communities with 472 fisherfolk associations in the 25 coastal cities and municipalities of the province, covering 187 barangays, ensuring food security, biodiversity conservation, and sustainable fisheries management.
“The provincial government, together with the coastal local government units and partner organizations, stands in solidarity with the more than two million small-scale fishers in the Philippines in ensuring that municipal waters remain dedicated to their needs,” Gov. Lacson said.
He added that since the establishment of the Integrated Coastal Resource Management Programs, the provincial government witnessed firsthand the resilience of the fisherfolk in the face of environmental and socio-economic challenges.
“As these challenges persist, we must uphold their preferential rights to municipal waters, allowing them to sustain their livelihoods while contributing to the nation’s food security,” he said.
He further called on the national leaders, policymakers, and stakeholders to support this advocacy for “safeguarding municipal waters for small-scale fishers”, hoping for an inclusive and sustainable policy that prioritizes those who need it the most./PN
