Southeast Asian Fisheries Development Center (SEAFDEC) Aquaculture Department Chief Dan Baliao voiced support for Senate Bill No. 522, or the proposed Municipal Fisherfolk Protection Act, during a Feb. 18 hearing at the Philippine Senate. Baliao told the Senate Committee on Agriculture, Food and Agrarian Reform the measure is a “vital legislative shield” for the livelihood of subsistence fishers, whom he described as “the country’s most vulnerable food producers.” The bill seeks to reinforce the 15-kilometer municipal waters zone for small-scale fishers and affirm the preferential access of municipal fisherfolk under the Philippine Fisheries Code of 1998, or Republic Act No. 8550.

SEAFDEC chief backs Municipal Fisherfolk Protection Act. (2026, March 3). DailyGuardian, pp. 1, 11.