Canning operators raise concerns over proposed Bangsamoro territorial waters

ZAMBOANGA CITY, Philippines - Canning operators in Zamboanga City see the proposed extended territorial waters in the Bangsamoro region to cause the displacement of the industry which operates in the southern port city.

The apprehension was raised by Edgar Lim, former president of the sardines canning industry in this city, during a peace forum. Lim asked the member of the government peace panel, Senen Bacani, on the basis of the Moro Islamic Liberation Front's (MILF) territorial water limits for the Bangsamoro.

Lim said with the provision in the proposed Bangsamoro law, the new region's territorial water is extended to 22.2 kilometers, and the canning industry will be affected.

“We’re concerned that if the commercial fishing will be dislocated this will be the downfall of the sardine industry in Zamboanga City that will affect 30,000 workers, not to mention their dependents,” Lim added.

Zamboanga City, dubbed as the sardines capital of the Philippines, has been strongly opposing its inclusion in the Bangsamoro region. 

Bacani said the territorial water for the Bangsamoro was a result of the compromise agreement that was arrived at by the GPH and MILF peace panel.

However, Bacani declined to elaborate further citing that the provisions remained as a draft and have yet to be finalized and mutually agreed upon before it will be presented to the Congress as part of the Bangsamoro Basic Law.

Rep. Celso Lobregat, 1st district representative, said while the city is not mentioned in the proposed Bangsamoro region, many areas will be affected by the possible predicament of the canning industry. 

Lobregat said the Bangsamoro law must be subjected to the national law, citing the provision of the Constitution particularly section 20 of the Article 10 that calls for territorial jurisdiction and national laws such as the fishery law and the local government code.

“So whatever law is passed giving powers to the Bangsamoro will have to be subjected also to this provision,” Lobregat said.