Former senator and senatorial candidate Kiko Pangilinan expressed his full support for reinstating the 15-kilometer municipal water zone that gives preferential access to small-scale fishermen.
Noting a current petition asking to reverse the Supreme Court’s (SC) decision to declare as unconstitutional the 15-kilometer municipal water zone, the former senator said it is unfair for commercial fishing vessels to enter municipal waters.
The Philippines, Pangilinan stressed, should also be focusing on its diverse marine resources because its territory is composed of 80% water and only 20% land.
“Sinusuportahan ko ‘yung petisyon dahil hindi tama na ‘yung ating mga commercial fisher pwede na manghimasok sa loob ng 15 kilometers ng fishing waters na para sa municipal waters,” he stated during a press conference in Camarines Norte on Sunday, March 30.
“Dapat may municipal waters restriction dahil yung mga malalaking barko kaya nila lumuwas. Eh bakit sila magpipilitang pumasok sa pangpang? Doon sila sa malayo. ‘Yung maliliit nating mangingisda na wala naman ganun malalaking barko, ‘yun ang bigyang priority doon sa municipal waters,” he added.
Pangilinan was responding to a question about the high court’s decision that prohibits local government units (LGUs) and agencies from enforcing the 15-kilometer limit on large commercial fishing boats in commercial waters.
The former senator further lamented that the health of a locality’s aquamarine ecosystem is reliant on small-scale fishermen and the local government.
“Kapag inaalagaan ‘yan ay lalong nagiging recipient at gumaganda ang huli pero hindi kaya ng isang national agency na alagaan lahat itong municipal waters na ito,” he said, adding that the preferential access previously given to small fishermen has both “economic and environmental” benefits.
If he gets elected in the Senate this coming May 2025 polls, Pangilinan will continue his previous push to convert the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR) into a government department rather than an attached agency of the Department of Agriculture (DA), so it can have its own budget.
The former senator further lamented that the health of a locality’s aquamarine ecosystem is reliant on small-scale fishermen and the local government.
The Philippines, he stressed, should also be focusing on its diverse marine resources because its territory is composed of 80% water and only 20% land.
“Tayo actually pwede maging fisheries powerhouse sa buong mundo. Bakit? Ang Pilipinas ang sentro ng most diverse marine ecosystem in the planet. Yung pinakamaraming yamang dagat, ang sentro sa buong mundo ay ang Pilipinas,” the former senator said.
“Ibig sabihin, kapag ginamit natin nang maayos, mayaman ang ating aqua resources. Napakayaman. Kapag inalagaan natin, kaya natin ma-export ang mga produkto,” he added.
To further support small-scale fisherfolk, Pangilinan also underscored the importance of providing them cold storage and flash freezing facilities and ensuring adequate power supply in their localities.
The principal author of the Sagip Saka Act, which supports local farmers and fisherfolk by allowing the government to directly purchase agricultural products without public bidding, the former senator and food security secretary is confident that he can deliver on his promises.
“Madaming kailangan gawin. Doon sa gustong may mangyari, maraming paraan. Doon sa mga hindi nakakaintindi at ayaw gawin, maraming dahilan,” he added.
