CITY OF TAYABAS QUEZON- over 60 LGUs, fisherfolks and youth from 12 Municipalities in Tayabas Bay and 1 Municipality in Lamon Bay gathered at Nawawalang Paraiso Resort and Hotel Tayabas City, Quezon on February 19-20, 2025 to participate the Legal Cliniquing.
The Legal Clinique organized by Tanggol Kalikasan, aims to ensure the continued provision of legal assistance and metalegal strategies to communities, a legal clinic was conducted in each affected municipality. This clinique addressed concerns and issues arising from monitoring activities, legal case development, legal research, and the preparation of legal documents.
The initiative also aimed to equip stakeholders with a deeper understanding of existing fisheries laws and other related regulations. It also provided legal guidance on filing petitions and complaints concerning buli-buli and other illegal fishing practices. Additionally, the program fostered collaboration between Bantay Dagat, MAO, FARMC, and other local stakeholders to enhance the enforcement of sustainable fishing practices. Lastly, it focused on developing actionable steps and strategies to strengthen enforcement efforts and community advocacy.
On the second day, the Municipal Agriculturists, City Agriculturist, and fisherfolk from Tayabas Bay and Lamon Bay collectively went to the Lucena City Government, the Lucena City Council, the Provincial Council, and the Office of the Governor to submit the petitions they had prepared. These petitions called for the cessation of illegal fishing practices such as buli-buli (hulbot-hulbot) and blast fishing, as well as the protection of the 15-kilometer municipal waters for the artisanal fishers of Quezon Province.