ISABELA CITY, BASILAN — In a rousing inaugural address that set the tone for a people-centered administration, newly sworn-in Basilan Governor Mujiv Hataman declared an unwavering commitment to defend the province’s small-scale fisherfolk against the longstanding threat of commercial exploitation in municipal waters.
Delivered at the Basilan Provincial Capitol, Hataman’s speech underscored a central theme: that the province’s natural wealth—especially its bountiful marine resources—must directly benefit the communities that depend on them, not external profiteers.
“Gusto ko ring diinan: partikular kong tututukan ang kapakanan ng maliliit na mangingisda ng Basilan,” Hataman declared, drawing a round of applause.
“Sa loob ng ating mga municipal waters, sisiguruhin nating mangingisdang taga‑Basilan ang pangunahing makikinabang.”
A Crisis at Sea
Hataman’s remarks come amid rising tensions in Basilan’s coastal towns, where local fishers have long voiced concerns over the unchecked presence of large commercial fishing vessels—some from neighboring provinces, others operating illegally from foreign waters. These vessels, equipped with high-capacity gear and sophisticated tracking systems, often encroach upon areas designated under national law exclusively for small-scale municipal fishermen.
Basilan, surrounded by the rich fishing grounds of the Moro Gulf and Sulu Sea, produces over 28,000 metric tons of fish annually, based on data from the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR). Municipal fishing—not commercial—is responsible for the bulk of this output, sustaining thousands of families in towns like Maluso, Lantawan, and Hadji Muhtamad.
But fisherfolk here say their catches have been dwindling for years. They blame this not on nature, but on the aggressive incursion of industrial fishing boats that violate the 15-kilometer municipal water boundary protected under the Philippine Fisheries Code.
“Not for Outsiders, Not for Abusers”
Hataman minced no words in condemning what he called the “sabotage” of local livelihoods by big players in the fishing industry, some of whom allegedly operate in collusion with local actors.
“Hindi ang mga dayuhan, hindi ang naglalakihang commercial vessels, hindi ang mga kung sino‑sinong nagsasabwatan at matagal nang kumakawawa sa ating mga mangingisda,” he said, his voice rising with conviction.
This tough stance signals a dramatic policy shift in fisheries governance in Basilan. Previous efforts to regulate the entry of commercial fishers have often been marred by weak enforcement, lack of political will, or, worse, silent consent.
A Fisherfolk-First Agenda
For many residents of Basilan’s coastal communities, Hataman’s speech marks the first time in years that their struggles have been acknowledged so prominently by a sitting governor. His administration, he pledged, will not only reinforce the legal protections granted under national fisheries law but also work actively to empower local fisherfolk through improved access to livelihood support, monitoring systems, and maritime patrols.
Fisheries experts and civil society groups have long warned that without decisive intervention, the unchecked plundering of municipal waters could worsen food insecurity, deepen economic inequality, and further marginalize small-scale fishers who already operate under precarious conditions.
Hataman agrees.
“Ang kasaganahan ng katubigan ng Basilan, sisiguruhin nating mag‑aangat sa buhay ng mga mamamayan ng Basilan,” he said, vowing that the wealth of Basilan’s seas must translate into better lives for its people.
Navigating Forward
The challenges ahead are enormous. Beyond enforcing municipal fishing boundaries, the provincial government must also contend with illegal fishers from China, Vietnam, and other neighboring countries who, according to local reports, sometimes operate undetected in the waters of the Sulu Sea. Much of the commercial fishing activity in nearby Zamboanga also puts pressure on Basilan’s marine zones.
Still, Hataman’s firm declaration signals a new direction—one rooted in justice, sustainability, and local empowerment.
His message is clear: Basilan’s marine resources are not for sale, and its seas are not a free-for-all for outsiders with bigger boats and deeper pockets. In the waters of Basilan, the rights of its own people will come first.
“Sa bagong administrasyong ito,” Hataman said, “ang dagat ng Basilan ay para sa mangingisdang Basileno.”