đź“·CBCP President Cardinal Pablo Virgilio David of Kalookan | CBCP News
Several Catholic bishops have expressed their apprehension regarding a recent Supreme Court ruling that permits commercial fishing within the 15-kilometer municipal fishing zone.
The High Court’s decision, which affirms a ruling by the Malabon Regional Trial Court, has raised alarms about the potential unfair competition against small-scale, artisanal fishers who traditionally have preferential access to these waters.
In their statement, the bishops contend that if the court’s ruling is finalized, it will have a detrimental impact on approximately 2.3 million municipal fishers who depend on these waters for their sustenance.
“If the courts’ decisions become final and executory, our municipal fishers who have preferential access to municipal water will face unfair and unjust competition with commercial fishers,” the bishops said.
They further assert that this decision contradicts significant national legislation, including the 1987 Constitution, the Local Government Code, and the Fisheries Code, all of which recognize the preferential rights of small-scale fishers.
“When commercial interests take precedence, the vulnerable are left to bear the cost—facing hunger, poverty, and displacement,” they said.
The statement garnered the signatures of at least 50 bishops nationwide, including Cardinal Pablo Virgilio David of Kalookan.
The bishops have called upon policymakers to ensure the enforcement of laws that promote sustainability and local governance.
Additionally, they pledged to persist in their advocacy for the protection of municipal waters and the rights of small-scale fishers, encouraging all Filipinos to participate in efforts to defend the livelihoods of those most vulnerable.
“We will not stand idly by while the sanctity of creation and the dignity of our fisherfolk are undermined,” the bishops said. (ZIA LUNA)
