Former Interior and Local Government Secretary Benhur Abalos Jr. expressed his strong opposition to the Supreme Court ruling allowing commercial fishing in municipal waters, citing its harmful impact on small-scale fisherfolk and marine ecosystems. “I am completely against it. The Fisheries Code gives priority to our small fisherfolk, and large commercial fishing vessels are not allowed to operate,” Abalos said in an interview at the Liga ng mga Barangay–Cebu Province Convention in Iloilo City. “They depend on fishing for their daily livelihood,” he stressed. Abalos warned that overturning the longstanding restriction could displace at least two million fisherfolk and their families.

Oladive, M. A. (2025, March 6). Abalos: Protect our small fisherfolk. Daily Tribune, p. A6.