Lacson, Piñol want Fisheries Code reviewed

SAN JOSE, Occidental Mindoro — Presidential candidate Senator Panfilo Lacson and senatorial candidate Manny Piñol on Thursday pointed out the need to review the Fisheries Code in the country.

The candidates made the remark when asked about the concern of some fishermen in Occidental Mindoro, who  said they are not able to fish within the municipal waters as some huge fishing boats are already catching their harvests.

The fisherfolk also said they cannot fish in the open seas as foreign vessels might attack their boats.

"Regarding the problem that you presented na na-air ng mga fishermen na dinadayo sila, I think there must be something in the Fisheries Code na dapat i-review, na bigyan ng right muna... first right, right to fish within the municipal waters 'yung mga fishermen doon," Lacson said.

"Kasi kung dinadayo at malalaki ang fishing boats, walang laban ang mga fishermen. If they go beyond, parang Gem Ver naman and tatamaan sila," he added.

Lacson was referring to a small fishing vessel from Occidental Mindoro, Gem Ver 1, which was rammed by the Chinese Coast Guard in Reed Bank in 2019.

Reed Bank is an area within the country's exclusive economic zone as ruled by the Permanent Court of Arbitration in July 2016. The Chinese vessel left the fishermen trying to stay afloat in the sea for hours until they were rescued by a Vietnamese boat.

In line with this concern, Lacson reiterated the need for an alliance with other militarily strong countries that are at par with China.

For his part, Piñol said the Fisheries Code must be "science-based."

"Ang kailangan i-review ang ating Fisheries Code. Number one, kasi ang existing hindi science-based basta sinabi lang 15 kilometers from the shore, bawal ang malalaking barko e hindi natin mineasure ang depth ng dagat," Piñol, a former Agriculture secretary, said.

Apart from this, the senatoriable said the government must provide "practical methods" to improve the welfare of the fisherfolks in the country.

"Minsan ang ating mga batas, instead of developing, masyado nating nire-regulate e," he pointed out.

Lacson and Piñol visited Occidental Mindoro and Oriental Mindoro for their campaign-related activities. — RSJ, GMA News