Bacolod City—The fisherfolk group Pambansang Lakas ng Kilusang Mamamalakaya ng Pilipinas (PAMALAKAYA-Negros) has expressed support for a proposed provincial ordinance that seeks to ban commercial fishing within the 15-kilometer municipal waters of Negros Occidental.

On July 7, the Committee on Environment and Natural Resources of the Sanggunian Panlalawigan conducted a public hearing on the ordinance, attended by representatives of small fisherfolk, local government officials, and environmental advocates.

“Granting exclusive rights to small fishers will ensure food on the table for their families and safeguard marine resources for future generations,” said Vincent Fernandez, spokesperson of PAMALAKAYA-Negros.

Data from the Philippine Statistics Authority (2021) show that more than 30 percent of fisherfolk live in poverty—roughly 353,000 families—with nearly 100,000 considered food-poor. Fernandez warned that “allowing commercial fishers within the 15-kilometer zone would further push small fishers deeper into poverty and accelerate the depletion of fish stocks and other marine resources.”

In 2023, the Supreme Court ruled that commercial fishing could be allowed within the 15-kilometer municipal waters if the depth exceeded seven fathoms (12 meters). The decision drew strong opposition from small fishers, environmental groups, and local government units (LGUs). If enforced, the ruling would open more than 90 percent of municipal waters nationwide to commercial fishing, affecting 553 of the country’s 884 coastal municipalities.

Fernandez also urged provincial officials to support House Bill 5606, which seeks to amend the Fisheries Code of the Philippines by granting small fishers exclusive rights to the 15-kilometer municipal waters.