Iloilo fisherfolk, coastal LGUs oppose commercial fishing in municipal waters

The provincial government, through the Provincial Agriculture Office (PAgrO), is compiling position papers from coastal municipalities, fisherfolk groups, and other concerned parties to formally oppose the Supreme Court (First Division) ruling allowing commercial fishing vessels to operate within the 15-kilometer municipal water zone. PAgrO head Dr. Ildefonso Toledo confirmed that submissions have started arriving at his office and are expected to increase in the coming days. He warned that allowing commercial fishing in municipal waters would severely impact small-scale fisherfolk, who rely on these areas for their livelihood.