A coalition of fisherfolk and environmental advocates has called on the Supreme Court to review and reverse its ruling allowing commercial fishing vessels to operate within the 15-kilometer municipal waters. On the morning of March 26, the Fisherfolk and Environment Advocates Network (FIFTEEN), also known as “ATON ANG KINSE”, submitted a copy of its petition bearing 1,300 signatures to the Iloilo provincial government through Provincial Administrator Raul Banias and Provincial Legal Officer Dennis Ventilacion. The group’s appeal specifically targets the Supreme Court’s affirmation of the Malabon Regional Trial Court’s decision favoring Mercidar Fishing Corporation (MFC), which permits the firm’s commercial fishing vessels to operate within municipal fishing zones.

Sornito, I. (2025, March 27). Fisherfolk, advocates urge SC to reverse ruling allowing commercial fishing in municipal waters. Panay News, p. 3.