PUERTO PRINCESA CITY, Palawan (PIA)–The Sangguniang Panlalawigan (SP) of Palawan is considering the passing of a resolution for the intervention of the provincial government to reverse the decision of the Supreme Court (SC) ruling that opens municipal waters to commercial fishing vessels.
Board Member Nieves Rosento said that aside from fishing livelihood, the commercial operations will also put at risk the sanctuaries protected within the municipal waters.
“Kapag maipasa namin ito, ang ating governor, malaking bagay na maitutulong. Tayo kasing Palawan ay mostly maaapektuhan, malaki ang magagawa ng executive once na mapirmahan niya itong resolution na mag-appeal,” she said.
The ruling was rooted in the SC first division decision in December to allow the Mercidar Fishing Corporation to fish within municipal waters, an area usually designated for small fisherfolk.
Once the decision takes effect, the lobster industry in the eastern and western seaboards of Palawan may also be affected inside the 15-kilometer municipal water zone, Board Member Ryan Maminta added.
Large operations may deplete fish resources at an alarming rate and will result in a challenge in the implementation of regulations.
“These large-scale operations equipped with advanced technology can deplete fish resources at an alarming rate, leaving local fishermen with empty nets and empty stomachs,” he said.
Rosento, on the other hand, believes that the intervention of mayors in Palawan and President Ferdinand Marcos, Jr. has a significant contribution to reversing the decision. The conduct of signature campaigns and collective efforts of all Palawenos for a petition may also help.
The 15-kilometer municipal water zone is close to sanctuaries protected in El Nido, Coron, and San Vicente, a board member added. The decision may also deplete the purpose of RA 8550 or the Philippine Fisheries Code of 1998.
“Dapat mapabilis ang proseso, meron pa naman time tayo na mag-file kasi malaki ang epekto sa pagpasok ng commercial fishing sa ating lugar. Ang tagal natin nitong pinangalagaan ang Palawan— malaki ang epekto nito sa ating sanctuaries,” said Rosento.
The Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR) also filed a motion for reconsideration in response to the decision, recognizing the impact of the case on sustainable resource management, environmental protection, and the welfare of affected communities.
“The agency remains hopeful that the judicial process will yield a resolution that protects both the environment and the people who depend on its resources,” BFAR stated.
The province of Palawan has 90,000 fishermen sailing in municipal water, out of the 123,543 total population recorded by the bureau in the MIMAROPA region.
‘Atin ang Kinse’
The Palawan fishermen, through the Fisheries and Aquatic Resource Management Councils (FARMC), also appeal for the revision of the decision as it will not be in favor of marginal fisherfolk in the country.
Jilson De Real, chairperson of the FARMC in Aborlan town, appeals to revisit the basis of the ruling and hear their side through a dialogue. All FAMCs in the province stand with BFAR through the campaign dubbed “Atin ang Kinse.”
“Tila panggigipit lalo sa katulad kong marginal fisherfolk kasi maliliit ang bangka namin at paborable para sa amin ang 15-kilometer. Kung kaagaw na namin now itong malalaking pangisda sa kinse lalong magutom ang aming pamilya,” he said.
Unlike large commercial vessels, small-scale fishermen have no capacity to venture into national waters when resources are depleted in municipal fishing grounds, he added.
“Kami maaaring uuwi na lang kasi medyo risky na para sa amin ang lumaot pa sa malayo,” said De Real. (RG/ PIA MIMAROPA-Palawan)
