Threat to Bohol as Global Geopark

PTC urges BFAR to exhaust all

Remedies to reverse SC ruling

TAGBILARAN CITY, Bohol, Jan 27 (PIA)—With the enlistment of Bohol among the elite sites acknowledged worldwide as a global geo-park, now threatened, the Provincial Tourism Council (PTC) joins in the snowballing efforts to express its strong opposition to allowing access of commercial fishers within municipal waters.

This, the Supreme Court First Division recently ruled on the Mercidar case, G.R., No. 27029 dated August 19, 2024, allowing a commercial fishing company Mercidar Fishing Corporation, to operate in municipal waters.

The PTC, fearing that Bohol would be stripped of its United Nations’ Educational Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) designation and enrolment as among the global geoparks, if it fails to protect and conserve its underwater attractions within the municipal waters, urged the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR) to exhaust all legal remedies to reverse the ruling to protect the rights and livelihood of small-scale fisher folk, safeguard marine biodiversity and preserve economic and ecological benefits of tourism in Bohol.

For his part, Governor Erico Aristotle Aumentado immediately released Executive Order No 8, asserting Bohol’s rights over its municipal waters.

This is amidst the snowballing move of LGUS, environment advocates coastal resource management specialists petitioning the Supreme Court en banc to reverse its First Division’s ruling affirming a Regional Trial Court’s decision to allow Mercidar Fishing Corporation’s commercial fishing boats to operate within municipal waters.

The PTC, during its Executive Committee meeting, united in urging the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR) to pursue all legal remedies for a reversal of the Supreme Court Ruling, to protect the rights and livelihood of small-scale fisherfolk.

Incidentally, the Supreme Court’s First Division’s decision would encroach in the 15 kilometer municipal water zones, which Republic Act 8550 or the Fisheries Code of the Philippines had granted preferential rights to small-scale and marginal fishermen.

On this, retired BFAR regional director Alfeo Piloton, at the Kapihan sa PIA, however explained that the law provides that municipal or city governments, may, through its local chief executive and acting pursuant to an appropriate ordinance, authorize small and medium commercial fishing vessels to operate within the 10.1 to 15 kilometers of its municipal waters, on certain conditions.

But communities are concerned that this would deprive the marginal fishermen of catch knowing that commercial fishers have more efficient ways of catching fish through fish finders, longer nets and other technologies that are beyond the reach of small fishers.

On the other hand, the PTC fears that this would necessarily deplete the reef areas of fish which are the major draws for sports and leisure diving.

“I think, wala nila maconsider ang tourism angle sa dive spots,” PTC vice chair Atty. Nunag pointed out, adding that like the whale shark feeding in certain whale shark interaction areas, the potential intrusion of commercial fishers into municipal waters can certainly affect tourism activities, and Bohol’s environmental sustainability policies.

In Executive Order No 8, Governor Erico Aristotle Aumentado said that based on marine science and studies, if commercial fishers are allowed to operate in municipal waters, it will cause ecological imbalance and place the small and marginal fisher-folks at a disadvantage, eroding their general welfare, and degrading the quality of community life.

The PTC official said when the big fishes are attracting divers into the municipal waters, what would be the reason they would dive if these are ruthlessly hunted and harvested?

While the ruling bans commercial fishing in municipal waters with depths less than 7 fathoms, access to municipal waters, by local legislation following consultations and prior public hearing, may be allowed using regulated methods and gears.

Never the less, the entry of commercial fishers, still poses uncertainties among small scale fishers.

Airing his apprehension, the governor, through EO No 8 series of 2025, said although none of the city and municipal government of Bohol are parties to the Mercidar case, if the same becomes final and executory, it could pave way for commercial fishing operators into Bohol municipal waters, they would be directly competing with marginal fishermen and adversely affect their fish catch and livelihood.

To this, the PTC, in a resolution, expressed it strong opposition to the SC decision allowing commercial fishing within municipal waters, citing its potential to harm the livelihood of small scale fisher-folk, degrade marine ecosystem, and jeopardize the province tourism industry and status as designated UNESCO Global Geoparks. (PIABohol)

GLOBAL GEOPARK DESIGNATION THREAT. The PTC, acting on the SC ruling allowing commercial fishers in municipal waters, resolved to ask the SC enbanc to reverse the decision and urged BFAR to exhaust all remedies to protect the marginal fishers and their food security. (PIABohol)