MANILA — Fisherfolk leaders from KKAMPI and NGOs for Fisheries Reform lobbied at the House of Representatives for three fisheries bills that seek urgent protections for small-scale and artisanal fishers, their communities and the country’s 15-kilometer municipal waters.
About 300 KKAMPI members marched along Batasan Road to the South Wing Gate of Congress, carrying the call “Proteksyon sa maliliit na mangingisda at lokal na pangisdaan, ngayon na!”
KKAMPI Chairperson Roberto “Ka Dodoy” Ballon said small fishers are demanding rights and justice, not charity, as they face poverty, displacement and commercial fishing encroachment. The proposed measures include the “Bida ang Mangingisdang Artisano sa Kinse Kilometro” Bill to secure exclusive small-fisher rights in municipal waters, a bill strengthening local government authority and enforcement over coastal resources, and a fisherfolk settlement bill ensuring tenure, climate-resilient housing and livelihood facilities near fishing grounds.
PANGISDA-Pilipinas President Pablo Rosales said it is unjust that the seas are rich while fishers remain poor, and Miriam Petalcorin of Samahan ng Mangingisdang Kababaihan ng Macalelon urged recognition of women’s central role in fisheries.
KKAMPI called on the 20th Congress to pass laws that recognize fishers as rights-holders and coastal stewards, warning that development should not displace communities or surrender municipal waters to commercial interests.
Photo: Jimmy Domingo/Mata: Asia Press Photo
