Ping Lacson eyes ways to protect small fishers from commercial vessels
SHOULD he earn a seat in the Senate this May, former Senator and 2025 senatorial candidate Panfilo “Ping” M. Lacson will study ways to protect the welfare of small fishermen in the wake of a Supreme Court ruling allowing commercial vessels to operate in municipal waters.
Lacson, a champion of the rights of farmers and fisherfolk as well as local government units, said Thursday that at least one LGU has joined calls asking the Supreme Court 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 Philippines on Thursday.
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 Supreme Court ruling allowing commercial fishing vessels to operate in municipal waters.
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.
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 may damage marine biodiversity – and may 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,” he said.
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.
