Several fisherfolk associations in Negros Occidental’s Cadiz City have expressed concern over the Supreme Court (SC) ruling that removes the 15-kilometer municipal water demarcation, prompting them to bring the issue to the city government.
In a radio interview, Cadiz City Mayor Salvador Escalante said nearly half of the city’s barangays are located along the coast, where around 4,500 residents depend on fishing for their livelihood.
According to Escalante, local fisherfolk associations have already passed a resolution urging the Cadiz Sangguniang Panlungsod and the Negros Occidental Sangguniang Panlalawigan to file an appeal before the SC.
He also noted that commercial fishing vessels are aware of the potential impact on small-scale fishermen if they enter the 15-kilometer municipal waters, which have been traditionally reserved for local fishers.
About 45,000 fishermen in Negros Occidental could be affected if commercial fishing vessels begin operating within the municipal waters.
Large-scale operations can yield up to 100,000 tons of fish in a single trip, further threatening the livelihood of small-scale fishers.
Local fishermen hope that commercial fishing vessels will respect municipal waters and allow small-scale fishers to continue their trade.
The 15-kilometer municipal waters are crucial for the livelihood of fisherfolk, comprising 472 associations across 187 barangays in 25 local government units (LGUs) in the province.
Earlier, Negros Occidental Governor Eugenio Jose Lacson stated that he had left the decision to appeal the SC ruling to the national government.
Lacson was optimistic that the recent SC decision would be overturned.
He said the decision will threaten the livelihood of more than 45,000 marginalized fishing communities in Negros Occidental.
The governor said that allowing commercial fishing vessels within municipal waters will disrupt marine biodiversity and undermine decades-long efforts to maintain responsible fisheries management.
The local government stated that the ruling “presents a serious challenge for LGUs, fisherfolk and coastal communities.”
It further underscored that safeguarding these waters ensures food security, biodiversity conservation and sustainable fisheries management.
“We must uphold their preferential rights to municipal waters, allowing them to sustain their livelihoods while contributing to the nation’s food security,” the statement said.
Meanwhile, the Negros Occidental Sangguniang Panlalawigan, in a resolution passed during their regular session this week, expressed “grave concern” over the recent SC decision.
The SP called on all coastal LGUs in Negros Occidental and Inter-LGU Alliances to adopt similar resolutions asserting their authority over municipal waters and protecting small fisherfolk from the threats posed by large-scale commercial fishing operations./WDJ