Iloilo board backs bill to protect small-scale fishers

By Juliane Judilla

The Aton Ang Kinse (AAK) Alliance, a coalition of fisherfolk associations, environmental organizations, and cause-oriented groups, has welcomed the unanimous approval by the 15th Sangguniang Panlalawigan of Iloilo of a resolution urging Congress to immediately pass House Bill 5606, or the Atin Ang Kinse Kilometro Bill.

The bill, principally authored by the ACT Teachers Partylist, Gabriela Women’s Party, and Kabataan Partylist, seeks to strengthen legal protection for the 15-kilometer municipal waters reserved for small-scale fishers.

The provincial board adopted Resolution 2026-642 during its 49th Regular Session on June 24, expressing support for HB 5606 and calling on Congress to act swiftly.

The alliance described the provincial board’s action as a significant step toward securing the rights and livelihoods of municipal fisherfolk amid legal uncertainty surrounding the Supreme Court’s ruling in the Mercidar Fishing Corp. case.

That case stems from a 2023 petition by Navotas-based Mercidar Fishing Corp. challenging Fisheries Code of 1998 provisions that reserved municipal waters for small-scale fishers.

The Malabon Regional Trial Court sided with the company that December, and the Supreme Court’s First Division upheld the ruling in an August 2024 resolution after government lawyers missed the deadline to appeal.

Motions for reconsideration from fisherfolk groups and legal advocates remain pending before the high court.

“The alliance views the decision of the Iloilo Provincial Board as a critical step forward in firmly protecting the rights and livelihood of our small-scale fisherfolk through legislative means,” AAK Alliance Convenor Nathaniel Baga-ut said in a statement.

The alliance noted that Iloilo Provincial Resolution 2025-062 authorized Gov. Arthur Defensor Jr. to represent the province before the Supreme Court in the petitions against the ruling.

The group said HB 5606 offers a direct legislative solution to provide permanent legal protection for municipal fishers and safeguard the country’s food security while the high court’s motions remain unresolved.

The alliance echoed concerns raised by Iloilo Second District Board Member Rolito Cajilig during his privilege speech before the provincial board.

“If we fail to act, the advanced technology and high-capacity operations of commercial fishing vessels will continue to reduce fish stocks and directly affect the livelihood of Ilonggo fisherfolk and the food security of our coastal communities,” Cajilig said.

The group urged local government units to consistently enforce the prohibition against illegal commercial fishing within the 15-kilometer municipal waters through both policy and on-the-ground implementation.

It also renewed its appeal to both houses of Congress to prioritize HB 5606 and expedite its passage into law.

“The true path towards genuine aquatic sustainability lies in siding with the interests of more than 2 million small-scale fisherfolk in the country,” the alliance said.