A provincial ordinance assigns colors and numbers to fishing vessels operating in coastal towns to let enforcers easily identify boats operated by the local fisherfolk and better protect municipal waters from poachers. Ultimately Provincial Ordinance 2017-151 aims to ensure that resources from the municipal waters in this province are “for the exclusive use and enjoyment of Ilonggos.” Also called “an Ordinance prescribing the color-coding and numbering of fishing vessels in the coastal municipalities of the province of Iloilo,” the measure was sponsored by Sangguniang Panlalawigan member Marcelo Valentin Serag, chairman of the committee on agriculture.

Sornito, I. (2018, December 9). Color-coding: boats tagged as Iloilo steps up campaign vs illegal fishing. Panay News, pp. 1, 15.