Fisherfolk groups protested at the Department of Agriculture (DA) in Quezon City on May 28, slamming the fast expansion and growing number of commercial fishing operations within the country’s 15-kilometer municipal waters.

Led by the Pambansang Lakas ng Kilusang Mamamalakaya ng Pilipinas (Pamalakaya, or National Strength of the Fisherfolk Movement in the Philippines), the protest was held days before marking the National Fisherfolk’s Day on May 31. Fisherfolk organizations representatives from Cebu, Negros Occidental, Panay Island, Batangas, and La Union joined the protest.

They condemned DA Secretary Francisco Tiu-Laurel Jr for failing to challenge the December 2024 Supreme Court decision that allowed commercial fishing in municipal waters. The ruling disregarded provisions of the Philippine Fisheries Code that designated the 15-km municipal waters as exclusive for small-scale fishing.

Fisherfolk have long opposed this because it will destroy the livelihood of around two million fisherfolk. It stripped small fishers of their exclusive right to fish in these waters.

Data from Karagatan Patrol recorded that 3,853 commercial fishing vessels have encroached into municipal waters in March 2026. This is the highest monthly record in the past five years.

“Commercial fishing operations in municipal waters have further expanded two years after the Court’s decision on its regulation,” Pamalakaya national chairperson Fernando Hicap said. He added that this has severely affected the livelihood of small fisherfolk as large fishing vessels rapidly deplete fish and other marine resources.

A report obtained by Pamalakaya cited cases where commercial fishing operations reach as close as five to seven kilometers from the shoreline. “Despite this, the DA and Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources have taken no concrete action to protect fisherfolk livelihoods from big business,” Hicap said.

National Fisherfolk Summit

A day before the protest, Pamalakaya held a National Fisherfolk Summit at the University of the Philippines (UP)-Diliman in Quezon City. Pamalakaya members and chapters from Cebu, Panay, Negros, Bicol, Batangas, Cavite, Rizal, and Navotas City joined the activity.

Local Pamalakaya chapters shared their sector’s specific conditions in their respective provinces and regions. They emphasized the impacts of reclamation and conversion on fishing grounds, as well as militarization in communities of organized fisherfolk.

Anakdagat-Kabataang Mandaragat (Fisherfolk Youth) and Babae, Abante para sa Karapatan sa Karagatan (Bangka, or Women Advance for Rights to Seas) also attended the gathering. Raymond Palatino, secretary general of Bagong Alyansang Makabayan (Bayan), the alliance to which Pamalakaya belongs, presented a study at the event.

Gabriela Women’s Party Rep. Sarah Elago also discussed House Bill 5606 or the Atin ang Kinse Bill, filed by Makabayan bloc representatives in Congress on May 25. The measure aims to grant fisherfolk masses exclusive fishing rights in municipal waters. Elago also explained other Makabayan proposals and resolutions to defend the rights and welfare of fisherfolk.

Closing the gathering, fisherfolk unified to advance the Manifesto of Unity for Exclusive Rights to the 15-Kilometer Municipal Waters. It will serve as the collective declaration of the fisherfolk masses for their rights, livelihood, and welfare.