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The wonder and vastness of God’s creation remind us of His boundless wisdom and love (Psalm 104), as entrusted to us as stewards. As we enter a new year, it pains us to find this sacred trust for the integrity of His creation threatened, and our life and survival, particularly the artisanal and municipal fisherfolk challenged.

The Supreme Court First Division issued a resolution that upholds the decision of the Malabon Regional Trial Court, allowing commercial fishing inside the 15-kilometer municipal fishing zone. If the courts’ decisions become final and executory, our municipal fishers who have preferential access to municipal water will face unfair and unjust competition with commercial fishers. 

When Norlan Pagal, a fisherfolk from San Remigio, Cebu caught wind of this decision, he implored: “Paano na kami? Wala kaming kakayahan magpunta sa malalaking laot dahil sagwan at maliliit na pumpboat lang gamit namin. Sana makita ng Korte at ng pamahalaan na pinapahirapan ninyo kami, at unti-unti ninyo kaming pinapatay, pati na rin mga pamilya namin.” 

His experience reflects a deeper injustice faced by 2.3 million of our brothers and sisters who rely on these waters.  When commercial interests take precedence, the vulnerable are left to bear the cost—facing hunger, poverty, and displacement. Didn’t the Lord often remind his disciples to take only what they need to guard against greed? (Lk 12:16-21)

Consider the plight of Luther Alison from Mindanao who laments, “Ang nakukuha ng commercial fishers sa isang gabi, 1000 banyeras: mahina pa iyan. Ilang pamilya ng municipal fisherfolks ang puwede na sanang maghatihati niyan? Ni isang banyera, hindi nga kami makakuha kapag nagpapalaot kami.” 

His experience as a fisher for more than four decades in Gingoog Bay is not isolated, and reflects a deeper injustice faced by 2.3 million of our brothers and sisters who rely on these waters.  He observed that this ruthless competition over limited marine resources will only get worse with this decision. “Bakit pinag-aaway ang mga Pilipino?” When commercial interests take precedence, the vulnerable are left to bear the cost—facing hunger, poverty, and displacement. Didn’t the Lord often remind his disciples to take only what they need to guard against greed? (Lk 12:16-21)

This decision is deeply troubling, for it runs counter to the guiding principles of our nation. The 1987 Constitution, the Local Government Code, and Republic Act 10654 (Fisheries Code of 1998, as amended) and related national laws all affirm the preferential rights of artisanal, small-scale fisherfolk in municipal waters.

Jesus taught us that whatever we do for the least of His brethren, we do for Him (Matthew 25:40). Northern Samar woman fisherfolk leader and organizer, Martha Candano, reminds us of how hard it already is for a fisherfolk and his entire family: “Kung anong laki ng alon sa dagat ay siya ring haba ng leeg ng maybahay na naghihintay sa asawa niyang mangingisda.”  When we allow the powerful to encroach upon the rightful inheritance of the poor, we fail our fisherfolk, greater society, and our duty to God and His creation. This love for our neighbor goes hand-in-hand with the law. As citizens of this physical world and God’s Kingdom, we all have crosses to bear. Will it not be cruel to add even more to our fisherfolk’s burden? 

We will not stand idly by while the sanctity of creation and the dignity of our fisherfolk are undermined. I urge all of you, as faithful stewards of God’s gifts, to advocate for the protection of our municipal waters and the rights of artisanal and municipal fishers. As we pray with our own families and communities, may we reach the hearts of others even outside of our own circles: it is our fervent hope that our policymakers align with the wisdom of our laws and the values of our faith—policies that uphold sustainability, empower local governance, and prioritize ‘care for our common home’, as expressed in Pope Francis’ 2016 World Day of Prayer for the Care of Creation. In doing so, we safeguard the abundance of the sea and honor the Creator who made all things with love and wisdom.

As we hear the cry of the Poor and the cry of the Earth, may the Lord strengthen us in this mission, and may His justice and mercy guide our actions. 

In the name of our fishing communities and the Filipino faithful, we sign this statement:

Signed:

  1. Cardinal Pablo Virgilio David, Diocese of Kalookan
  2. Abp. Ricardo Baccay, Archdiocese of Tuguegarao
  3. Abp. Victor Bendico, Archdiocese of Capiz
  4. Abp. Jose Cabantan, Archdiocese of Cagayan de Oro
  5. Abp. John Du, Archdiocese of Palo
  6. Abp. Jose Romeo Lazo, Archdiocese of Jaro
  7. Abp. Julius Tonel, Archdiocese of Zamboanga
  8. Abp. Romulo G. Valles, Archdiocese of Davao
  9. Abp. Socrates Villegas, Archdiocese of Lingayen-Dagupan
  10. Bp. Narciso Abellana, Diocese of Romblon
  11. Bp. Guillermo D. Afable, Diocese of Digos
  12. Bp. Cosme Damian Almedilla, Diocese of Butuan
  13. Bp. Gerardo Alminaza, Diocese of San Carlos
  14. Bp. Prudencio Andaya, Apostolic Vicariate of Tabuk
  15. Bp. David William Antonio, Diocese of Ilagan
  16. Bp. Abel Apigo, Diocese of Mati
  17. Bp. Elias Ayuban, Jr. CMF, Diocese of Cubao
  18. Bp. Jose Colin Bagaforo, Diocese of Kidapawan
  19. Bp. Joel Baylon, Diocese of Legazpi
  20. Bp. Nolly Buco, Diocese of Catarman
  21. Bp. Antonieto Cabahug, Diocese of Surigao
  22. Bp. Euginius Cañete, Diocese of Gumaca
  23. Bp. Precioso Cantillas, Diocese of Maasin
  24. Bp. Cerilo Allan Casicas, Diocese of Marbel
  25. Bp. Rafael T. Cruz, Diocese of Baguio
  26. Bp. Moises Cuevas, Apostolic Vicariate of Calapan
  27. Bp. Raul B. Dael, Diocese of Tandag
  28. Bp. Jose Alan Dialogo, Diocese of Sorsogon
  29. Bp. Valentin Dimoc, Apostolic Vicariate of Bontoc-Lagawe
  30. Bp. Oscar Florencio, Military Ordinariate of the Philippines
  31. Bp. Robbie Gaa, Diocese of Novaliches
  32. Bp. Louie Galbines, Diocese of Kabankalan
  33. Bp. Reynaldo Evangelista, Diocese of Imus
  34. Bp. Marvyn Maceda, Diocese of San Jose de Antique
  35. Bp. Elmer Mangalinao, Diocese of Bayombong
  36. Bp. Renato Mayugba, Diocese of Laoag
  37. Bp. Socrates Mesiona, Apostolic Vicariate of Puerto Princesa
  38. Bp. Marcelino Antonio Maralit, Jr., Diocese of San Pablo
  39. Bp. Honesto Ongtioco, Diocese of Cubao
  40. Bp. Louie Occiano, Diocese of Virac
  41. Bp. Broderick Pabillo, Apostolic Vicariate of Taytay
  42. Bp. Daniel Patrick Parcon, Diocese of Talibon
  43. Bp. Noel Pedregosa, Diocese of Malaybalay
  44. Bp. Daniel O. Presto, Diocese of San Fernando de La Union
  45. Bp. Rex Ramirez, Diocese of Naval
  46. Bp. Bartolome Santos, Jr., Diocese of Iba
  47. Bp. Ruperto Santos, Diocese of Antipolo
  48. Bp. Danilo Ulep, Prelature of Batanes
  49. Bp. Alberto Uy, Diocese of Tagbilaran
  50. Bp. Crispin Varquez, Diocese of Borongan
  51. Bp. Mylo Vergara, Diocese of Pasig

[FILIPINO]

PAHAYAG NG MGA OBISPO UKOL SA PASYA NG KORTE SUPREMA TUNGKOL SA MUNICIPAL WATERS

PAGSUSUMAMO PARA SA MGA MANGINGISDA AT PARA SA ATING BAYAN: PAGTUTUGMA NG ATING MISYON KAY KRISTO SA KATARUNGANG PANLIPUNAN AT KARUNUNGAN NG BATAS

Pinapaalala ng lawak at kamang-manghang kagandahan ng nilikha ng Diyos ang Kanyang walang hanggang karunungan at pagmamahal (Awit 104). Bilang mga katiwala ng Kanyang nilikha, tungkulin nating pangalagaan ito. Gayunpaman, sa pagpasok ng bagong taon, masakit isipin na nanganganib ang banal na pananagutang ito, pati na ang ating buhay at kaligtasan, lalo na ng mga maliliit na mangingisda.

Naglabas ng resolusyon ang First Division ng Korte Suprema na sumasang-ayon sa  desisyon ng Malabon Regional Trial Court na payagan ang commercial fishing sa loob ng 15-kilometrong municipal fishing zone. Kung magiging pinal at epektibo ang desisyong ito, magsisimula ang hindi patas at hindi makatarungang kumpetisyon sa loob ng mga municipal water sa pagitan ng maliliit na mangingisda at ng malalaking commercial fishing vessels.

Nang mabalitaan ni Norlan Pagal, isang mangingisda mula sa San Remigio, Cebu, ang desisyong ito, nanlumo siya at nagsabi:

“Paano na kami? Wala kaming kakayahan magpunta sa malalaking laot dahil sagwan at maliliit na pumpboat lang ang gamit namin. Sana makita ng Korte at ng pamahalaan na pinahihirapan ninyo kami, at unti-unti ninyo kaming pinapatay, pati na rin ang aming pamilya.”

Ang kanyang hinaing ay sumasalamin sa mas malalim na kawalang-katarungan na hinaharap ng mahigit 2.3 milyong Pilipinong umaasa sa municipal waters para sa kanilang kabuhayan. Kapag mas pinaboran ang komersyal na interes, ang mahihirap ang magdurusa—magugutom, maghihirap, at mawawalan ng hanapbuhay. Hindi ba’t madalas na pinapaalala ng Panginoon sa kanyang mga disipulo na kunin lang ang kailangan nila at huwag maging sakim (Lukas 12:16-21)?

Isaalang-alang natin ang sitwasyon ni Luther Alison mula sa Mindanao. Sabi nya:
“Ang nakukuha ng commercial fishers sa isang gabi, isang libong banyera—mahina pa iyan. Ilang pamilya ng municipal fisherfolks ang pwede na sanang maghati-hati niyan? Ni isang banyera, hindi nga kami makakuha kapag nagpapalaot kami.”

Ang mahigit apatnapung taon nyang karanasan bilang mangingisda sa Gingoog Bay ay di natatangi. Pinapakita nito ang lumalalang kompetisyon para sa limitadong yaman ng karagatan—isang sitwasyong mas titindi dahil sa desisyon ng Korte Suprema.

PAGLABAG SA BATAS AT PANANAGUTAN NG PAMAHALAAN

Lubhang nakakabahala ang desisyong ito dahil salungat ito sa mga batayang prinsipyo ng ating bansa. Ayon sa 1987 Constitution, sa Local Government Code, Republic Act 10654 (Fisheries Code of 1998, as amended), at iba pang batas, malinaw na ang municipal waters ay dapat na may “preferential rights” para sa maliliit (artisanal, small-scale) na mangingisda.

Itinuro ni Hesus na anuman ang ginagawa natin sa pinakahamak Niyang kapatid, ginagawa natin sa kanya. (Mateo 25:40)

Pinapapaalala sa atin ni Martha Candano, isang babaeng lider-mangingisda mula sa Hilagang Samar, kung gaano kahirap na ang buhay ng mga mangingisda at ng mga pamilya nila:

Kung anong laki ng alon sa dagat, siya ring haba ng leeg ng maybahay na naghihintay sa asawa niyang mangingisda.”

Kapag hinayaan nating maagaw ng may kapangyarihan ang nararapat para sa mga mahihirap, hindi lamang natin binibigo ang ating mga mangingisda kundi pati na rin ang ang ating lipunan—at higit sa lahat, ang ating pananagutan sa Diyos at Kanyang nilikha.

Ang pagmamahal sa kapwa ay dapat na kaakibat ng batas. Bilang mga mamamayan ng pisikal na mundong ito at ng Kaharian ng Diyos, may kanya-kanya tayong krus na dapat pasanin. Pero, hindi ba’t kalupitan ng dagdagan pa natin ang pasanin ng ating mga kapatid na mangingisda?

PANAWAGAN NG SIMBAHAN

Hindi tayo pwedeng manahimik habang nilalabag ang kabanalan ng sangnilikha at tinatapakan ang dignidad ng ating mga mangingisda.

Dahil dito, hinihimok namin ang bawat isa na manindigan para proteksyunan ang ating municipal waters at ang karapatan ng mga maliliit na mangingisda.

Sa ating sama-samang panalangin at pagkilos ng ating mga pamilya at komunidad, nawa’y maabot natin ang iba pa nating mga kasama, lalo na sa labas ng ating mga sariling grupo.

Dalangin natin na ang ating mga pinuno, mga sumusuri, at mga gumagawa ng mga polisiya ng ating bansa ay umayon sa karunungan ng ating mga batas at sa mga pinahahalagahan ng ating pananampalataya – na itaguyod ang mga polisyang nakaugat sa katarungan, pagpapanatili ng likas na yaman, pagpapalakas ng mga lokal na pamahalaan, at pagbibigay prayoridad sa pag-aalaga sa ating iisang tahanan – katulad ng panawagan ni Pope Francis sa kanyang 2016 World Day of Prayer for the Care of Creation.

Habang patuloy nating naririnig ang pag-iyak ng Mahihirap at ng Kalikasan, nawa’y patatagin tayo ng Panginoon sa ating misyon, at pagharian ng Kanyang hustisya at awa ang ating mga pagkilos.

Sa ngalan ng ating mga pamayanang mangingisda at ng sambayanang Pilipino, nilalagdaan namin ang pahayag na ito.


REFERENCES:

A Call for Unity and Action amid a Climate Emergency and Planetary Crisis (2022)

An Urgent Call for Ecological Conversion: Hope in the Face of Climate Emergency (2019)

BIBLE VERSES:

    1. Psalm 104:24-25 – ‘O Lord, how manifold are your works! In wisdom you have made them all; the earth is full of your creatures. Yonder is the sea, great and wide, creeping things innumerable are there, living things both small and great.’
  • Luke 12:16-21: Parable of the Rich Fool
  1. Mt 25:40: “And the king will say to them in reply, ‘Amen, I say to you, whatever you did for one of these least brothers of mine, you did for me. ‘ 41* j Then he will say to those on his left, ‘Depart from me, you accursed, into the eternal fire prepared for the devil and his angels.
  2. Norlan Pagal Quote:

ORIGINAL:
(1:14) Paano na kami? Iyong mga commercial fishing, makakapunta sila sa malalaking laot. (1:21) Kami po, paano kami makakapunta — wala naman kaming kakayahan na pumunta doon, dahil sagwan lang ang aming ginagamit at saka maliliit na pumpboat.  (1:40) Kaya sana makita ninyo na pinapahirapan ninyo kami ng maigi, unti-unti ninyo kaming pinapatay at ang aming pamilya.

EDITED – for this statement

(1:14) Paano na kami? Wala kaming kakayahan magpunta sa malalaking laot dahil sagwan at maliliit na pumpboat lang gamit namin. Sana makita ninyo na pinapahirapan ninyo kami, at unti-unti ninyo kaming pinapatay, pati na rin mga pamilya namin.

Download the statement.