(MANILA BULLETIN)

Bicol Saro Party-list Rep. Brian Raymund Yamsuan is questioning the Supreme Court's (SC) decision to allow commercial fishing in municipal waters, as he warns of its consequences amid the Philippines’ declining fisheries production.

“We need to make sure that the impact of every decision made would not imperil efforts to boost our food security and endanger the sustainability of our marine resources,” Yamsuan said in a statement on Monday, Jan. 13.

“Our primary concerns here are the livelihood and welfare of our 2.5 million small-scale fisherfolk, and our food security,” he added.

Citing data from the Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA), the lawmaker noted that the Philippines produced 1.02 million metric tons (MT) of fish in the second quarter of 2024. This was a noticeable decrease of 6.2 percent from the 1.07 million MT output recorded in the same period in 2023.  

This drop in fish catch continued in the third quarter of 2024, after the total volume of fisheries production was registered at 0.97 million MT. He said this was a 5.1 percent drop from the 1.02 million MT output in the same quarter of the previous year.

“Filipinos rely heavily on fish and other seafood as their primary source of protein, which is why we should remain vigilant in safeguarding and conserving our fisheries and aquatic resources,” explained Yamsuan.  

The SC recently upheld a 2023 ruling of the Malabon Regional Trial Court (RTC) that declared certain provisions of the Fisheries Code as unconstitutional.

Specifically, this decision invalidated the provision restricting commercial fishing within the 15-kilometer boundary of municipal waters. Under the Fisheries Code, this water zone is limited to the use of small fisherfolk.

“Kailangan din natin mapangalagaan ang kapakanan ng ating mga maliliit na mangingisda na nanatiling pinakamahirap na sektor sa ating bansa,” said Yamsuan.

(We also need to take care of the welfare of our small fisherfolk who remain the poorest sector in our country.)

“Our actions should improve their welfare, not drive them deeper into poverty,” he continued.

Yamsuan, chairman of the House Committee on Aquaculture and Fisheries Resources, has met with key officials of the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR) to discuss possible new legislation and other measures to protect the welfare of Filipino fisherfolk.

The lawmaker said he called for such a meeting after several  fishers’ organizations, local government units (LGUs) and civil society groups appealed to the SC First Division to reconsider its ruling.

The BFAR itself has appealed the high court to reverse its decision. The agency has so far filed a motion for reconsideration, noting that it is committed to exhaust all legal remedies.

Yamsuan said he was informed by BFAF OIC-Director Isidro Velayo Jr. that they have been closely coordinating with the Office of the Solicitor General (OSG) to seek the reversal of the SC ruling.

According to the BFAR, the SC decision is not yet final.