Lacson to take up cudgels for municipal fishermen after amid controversial SC ruling
At A Glance
- Alyansa para sa Bagong Pilipinas senatorial candidate Panfilo "Ping" Lacson has vowed to come up with ways up to protect the welfare of small fishermen in the country in the wake of a Supreme Court (SC) decision allowing commercial vessels to operate in municipal waters.
Lacson to take up cudgels for municipal fishermen after amid controversial SC ruling
Alyansa para sa Bagong Pilipinas senatorial candidate Panfilo "Ping" Lacson has vowed to come up with ways up to protect the welfare of small fishermen in the country in the wake of a Supreme Court (SC) decision allowing commercial vessels to operate in municipal waters.
Lacson said Thursday, April 30 that at least one local government unit (LGU) has joined calls to ask the Supreme Court (SC) to reconsider its ruling.
"Legislation may be needed, including possible amendments to existing laws, to firm up the protection of our municipal waters," Lacson said in Filipino in an interview on Bombo Radyo.
Earlier reports indicated the Iloilo provincial government has filed with the high court a motion for leave of court to intervene in relation to the controversial SC ruling.
The Iloilo provincial government formally requested the high court's permission to intervene and support the motion for reconsideration filed by the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR).
Provincial administrator Raul Banias, a former mayor of the coastal town of Concepcion, was quoted as saying the ruling threatens the livelihoods of small-scale fisherfolk and could damage marine biodiversity. It could also undermine the LGUs' efforts for sustainable fisheries management.
Lacson said that while the local government may issue ordinances to protect the fisherfolk, it may not be enough as an ordinance is not permanent.
"It may not be enough. It may offer a reprieve, but it is not permanent," said the former senator.
Also, Lacson reiterated his call for a bigger role for LGUs in the management of natural resources, including Laguna Lake. Last Monday, Lacson called for a bigger role for LGUs around Laguna Lake to have a bigger say in its maintenance and development.
He proposed that the Laguna Lake Development Authority (LLDA) allow more participation for LGUs in managing Laguna Lake through a board- or council-type setup.
"We have a Local Government Code that gives LGUs authority, yet the LLDA's current setup gives them virtually no say even if their constituents are affected. There are issues in Laguna Lake including flooding and silting that affect the fishermen there," Lacson said.