The Senate Committee on Agriculture, Food and Agrarian Reform on February 18 advanced several measures seeking to institutionalize stronger protection and welfare support for small scale fishermen, amid reports of abuses involving foreign and local commercial vessels.
During a public hearing presided over by Sen. Francis “Kiko” Pangilinan, lawmakers examined proposals aimed at addressing what the committee described as injustices experienced by small scale fishermen, including incidents involving the Chinese Coast Guard and Philippine commercial fishing vessels.
“The committee on Agriculture, Food and Agrarian Reform has put the spotlight on the condition of small-scale fishermen who have been subjected to injustice, not only from the Chinese Coast Guard but also from Philippine commercial fishing vessels,” the statement read.
Senators discussed both immediate and long term interventions to respond to the sector’s grievances and strengthen safeguards in municipal waters.
Among the measures tackled were the proposed Municipal Fisherfolk Protection Act, the Pantawid Pambangka Act or Fisherfolk Fuel Subsidy, the Bantay Dagat Welfare and Incentives Act, the proposed Department of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources Act, and amendments to the Philippine Fisheries Code of 1998.
Lawmakers said the bills seek to formalize assistance mechanisms, improve enforcement and create institutional reforms to ensure the protection and welfare of small scale fishermen nationwide.
