The Department of Agriculture has been asked to appeal a decision of the Supreme Court (SC) allowing commercial fishing within 15 kilometers of municipal waters. Ronnel Arambulo, vice chairman of fishers’ group Pambansang Lakas ng Kilusang Mamamalakaya ng Pilipinas, said Agriculture Secretary Francisco Tiu Laurel Jr. should assert the rights of small fisherfolk and oppose the ruling opening municipal waters to commercial fishing. Fisherfolk and groups led by Oceana Philippines on Monday criticized concerned government agencies for allegedly failing to assert the rights of small fishers in municipal waters.

Cariaso, B. (2025, January 2). SC ruling on fishing in municipal waters hit. The Philippine Star, p. 8.