By Dolly Yasa
BACOLOD CITY – Negros Occidental Governor Eugenio Jose Lacson said efforts are underway to ask the Supreme Court to reconsider its decision allowing commercial fishing vessels within the 15-kilometer municipal waters.
“We will join hands with other LGUs in asking the Supreme Court to reverse its decision,” Lacson told reporters in a press briefing Monday.
He warned that the ruling would disadvantage small fisherfolk while benefiting large commercial fishing operators.
“It will put our fisherfolk at a disadvantage and only benefit big players in commercial fishing, to the detriment of small-scale fishers,” Lacson said.
He added that he has asked the Sangguniang Panlalawigan to pass a resolution opposing the decision.
Lacson lamented that the Supreme Court ruling was made on a technicality, saying, “It’s unfortunate. It would be interesting to know who was remiss in their job because they responded beyond the 15-day period.”
The governor expressed hope that an appeal would be filed soon.
“I think an appeal will come soon, and I hope the Supreme Court will listen to the merits,” he said.
At least 45,000 fisherfolk in Negros Occidental, including those in the blue crab industry, a billion-peso sector, face serious threats from the ruling, Lacson said.
“This is a serious concern for our local government, fisherfolk, and coastal communities,” he said in an earlier statement.
“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,” he added.
“Let us work together to uphold policies that protect our fisheries and secure the future of our coastal communities,” Lacson further said.
BACKLASH
On Dec. 19, 2024, the Supreme Court of the Philippines issued a ruling removing the 15-kilometer municipal water demarcation, which previously prioritized municipal fisherfolk and regulated commercial fishing operations within these waters.
“We reaffirm our commitment to protecting the rights of our municipal fisherfolk by advocating for their continued preferential access to the 15-kilometer municipal waters,” Lacson said.
These waters are vital for the livelihoods of more than 45,000 small-scale fishers across 25 coastal cities and municipalities in Negros Occidental, covering 187 barangays and 472 fisherfolk associations.
They also play a crucial role in food security, biodiversity conservation, and sustainable fisheries management, he added.
“The Provincial Government of Negros Occidental, together with our coastal local government units and partner organizations, stands in solidarity with the more than 2 million small-scale fishers nationwide. We recognize their invaluable role in marine conservation and local economies and strongly oppose any measures that threaten their access to these critical fishing grounds,” Lacson said.
