Fisherfolk to get priority in waters near Bangsamoro areas—peace panel chief

MANILA, Philippines—Poor fisherfolk of the Bangsamoro political entity and in nearby areas will be able to fish in the waters near the Bangsamoro territory, the government’s chief negotiator said.

In Monday’s hearing before lawmakers of the aquaculture and fisheries resources committee in the House of Representatives, Peace panel chairperson Miriam Coronel-Ferrer said this is an assurance under the Bangsamoro framework agreement.

Ferrer cited the addendum to the revenue generation and wealth sharing annex as saying these bodies of water, particularly Sulu and Moro Gulf, are part of the so-called Zones of Joint Cooperation.

These waters nearby the Bangsamoro entity would be open to the fisherfolk of Tawi-Tawi, Sulu, Basilan, or among the poorest provinces in the country.

Fisherfolk are also said to be the poorest sector of Philippine society.

According to the addendum, “preferential rights” are given to the Bangsamoro people and other indigenous peoples in adjoining provinces, and resident fishers of Bangsamoro over fishery, aquamarine and other living resources in the joint cooperation zones.

Congress is awaiting the draft of the Bangsamoro basic law from the Office of the President. The law, which needed Congress’ nod, would implement the recently signed Bangsamoro deal that ended the decades-long secessionist movement of the Moro Islamic Liberation Front.

“It is the obligation of Congress to pass laws that will reduce political inequity and remove cultural inequalities,” Ferrer told lawmakers.

Infographics by Albert G. Rodriguez

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