The effect of the Implementation of the Philippine Fisheries Code on the Socio-Economic Status of Municipal Fisher Folks of Bacoor, Cavite

Abstract

Fishing is an important source of livelihood for Filipinos, fish being the second staple food next to rice. With the increasing population comes the increasing demand for the resource and this inevitability led to degraded fishery habitats and general decline in the condition of our coastal environment. These issues and problems affect the socio-economic well-being of municipal fishermen and their families. The Philippine Fisheries Code of 1998 was created to guarantee the fair use of our fishery and aquatic resources and to safeguard the rights of all stakeholders.

This study aimed to: (1) evaluate the socio-economic conditions of municipal fisherfolk in light of the implementation of the Fisheries Code; (2) determine the status of implementation of the policies and provisions of the Fisheries Code that addresses the concerns of municipal fisherfolk; (3) determine the current issues and concerns and other matters identified by the fisherfolk of Bacoor that affect their welfare; and (4) provide recommendations in aid of the implementation of the Fisheries Code.

The review of the Fisheries Code showed that the local government unit of Bacoor has implemented 14 provisions of the law since its enactment in 1998. During the same period, the local government unit did not implement the same number of provisions (14) and has reserved action on five (5) provisions for study and further considerations. Among the provisions implemented are those relating to: monitoring, control and surveillance, jurisdiction of the municipality, users of municipal waters, registry of municipal fisherfolk, fisherfolk organizations, priority of municipal waters, registry of municipal fisher folk, reversion of all abandoned fishponds, creation of FARMCs, unauthorized fishing activities and the use of active fishing gears. The provisions which were not implemented include those relating to: fees and other fishery charges , grant of fishing privileges of fisherworkers, incentives for municipal and small-scale commercial fisherfolk, license to operate fishpens, licensing of post-harvest facilities, municipal fisheries grant fund and aquaculture investment fund.

The interview, survey and on-site visit component of the study provided the socio-economic profile of Bacoor fisherfolk as: (a) majority (56.15%) of the fisherfolk have motorized bancas with 3 to 16 horsepower engines; (b) majority (44.74%) of the fisherfolk are aged 41 to 50 years old, followed by those aged 41 to 50 (25.44%) and then, 31 to 40 years old (21.05%); (c) majority (47.74%) of the fisherfolk are aged 41 to 50 years old, followed by those aged 41 to 50 (25.44%) and then, 31 to 40 years old (21.05%); (c) majority (47.36%) have a family size of 7 to 8 family members; (d) majority (27.19%) catch fish for 8 hours, followed by those 17.54% for hours then 12.28% for 7 hours; (e) Fish catch were sold at an average price of Php 65.00 to Php 115.00 depending on the fish species; (f) majority of the fishers catch fish at an average of 5.0 kilograms (28.07%) then 4.0 kilograms (18.42%); (g) based on these results, it was estimated that the average income derived from fishing is Php 280.00 when prices of fishes are low, Php 350.00 when prices of the fishes are at midpoint and Php 420.00 when the prices are high.

The study recommends the full implementation of all applicable provisions in the Fisheries Code for further development of the local fisheries sector of Bacoor. To address and resolve the current concerns, the following issue-based recommendations for the development of the local fisheries sector are suggested by the author: (a) enhanced support against illegal fishing activities; (b) further study on the reclamation issues; (c ) consultation to address the highly political environment; (d) development of the sector to improve poor production; and (e) provision of additional livelihood to the fisherfolk.