Diocese Calls for Review of Supreme Court Ruling on Commercial Fishing Vessels
BACOLOD CITY – The Diocese of Bacolod has urged lawmakers, local officials, and the Judiciary to reconsider the Supreme Court ruling that permits commercial fishing vessels to operate within municipal waters. This development has raised alarm among marginalized coastal communities in Negros Occidental, where the livelihoods of over 45,000 small-scale fishermen across 25 coastal towns depend heavily on access to these waters.
According to sources familiar with the matter, the decision to allow commercial fishing vessels within the 15-kilometer municipal water zone threatens the economic stability of these communities. Bishop Patricio Buzon emphasized the urgency of reviewing this policy, recommending that the government engage directly with the fisherfolk most affected by the change.
Impact on Small-Scale Fisherfolk and Coastal Communities
For many small-scale fishers, fishing is not just a job but a vital source of survival. As the bishop explained, “Thus, to endanger their access to the seas is to endanger their lives and future.” The ruling could enable large commercial vessels to encroach upon waters legally reserved for municipal fishers under Philippine law. This encroachment risks destroying local livelihoods and causing irreversible damage to marine ecosystems.
The threat extends beyond economics; it challenges environmental sustainability and social justice. Local experts point out that small-scale fishers contribute over 90 percent of the global fish catch yet remain excluded from key decisions impacting their survival and well-being.
Church’s Advocacy for Social Justice and Environmental Protection
The Church’s social teachings emphasize a preferential option for the poor, urging the protection of vulnerable groups. Community leaders said the small-scale fisherfolk play an essential role in ensuring food security and sustainable development. However, they often lack a voice in policymaking processes that directly affect their future.
In response, the Diocese has called on coastal parishes and chaplaincies to launch campaigns and information drives. These initiatives aim to raise awareness about the ruling’s consequences on both fisherfolk and marine environments.
Local Government and Community Solidarity
The provincial government of Negros Occidental has expressed its concern regarding the ruling, standing with over two million small-scale fishers nationwide. Authorities advocate for the protection of municipal waters exclusively for small-scale fishers and urge national leaders and stakeholders to back efforts that strengthen fisheries management.
They also stress the importance of promoting equitable and sustainable growth for coastal communities, ensuring that economic development does not come at the expense of those who depend on the sea for their livelihood.
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