Region 9 – Last December 07, 2021, key resource personnel from both the DA-BFAR IX Regional and Provincial Fisheries Office of Zamboanga del Norte headed by Regional Director Isidro M. Velayo, Jr., MDM officially, for the first time, introduced the concept of Big-Brother Small-Brother (BBSB) partnership to the local chief executives (LCEs) from the coastal cities and municipalities of the province of Zamboanga del Norte. The consultative meeting was held at the New Hall of Mibang Hotel, Dipolog City.
In his message, Director Velayo maintained that the BBSB partnership is aimed to foster a more productive and sustainable utilization of our municipal coastal resources since it provides the viable platform by which the stakeholders, namely; 1. The LGUs, 2. The Big-Brothers, represented by established commercial fishing corporations, and 3. The Small-Brother which are the municipal fisherfolks can formulate a mutual agreement by which equal sharing of resources is achieved. However, it was reiterated during the discussions that the Local Government Units along with their respective municipal fisherfolks, predominantly represented by the City or Municipal Fisheries and Aquatic Resources Management Councils (MFARMCs and CFARMCs) will have the primacy role to dictate terms by which the commercial fishing sector would have to abide by. It is important to note, however, that the premise of the BBSB relies on cities or municipalities partially opening their respective municipal waters for commercial fishing as allowed under the Amended Fisheries Code of the Philippines.
Although some voiced concerns, as was expected, the majority welcomed this initiative as a breakthrough to end the eternal struggle of the coastal LGUs with encroaching commercial fishing activities, which, needless to say, is ubiquitous in the province. The chief executives from the majority of the attending LGUs see this opportunity as key in achieving equitable distribution of resources in their respective bulwarks. Where the status quo is the monopoly of the large commercial fishing corporations of the rich fishing grounds within the municipal waters, yet too far for the little bancas of our municipal fisherfolks to reach; BBSB partnership will breach this divide and make sure everybody gets their fair share.
Of course, the LCEs will have to bring the idea of BBSB back to their constituents, first of all, to seek their counsel, if not, their approval. But the majority is optimistic, knowing that the bureau will provide all the support that is needed, from providing technical expertise for the initial stock assessment for the coastal municipalities willing to venture into this endeavor; providing technical support from the consultative phase to the drafting of ordinances, and maintaining its role as an advisory body to ensure the success and sustainability of this endeavor.
Overall, the initial introduction of the BBSB concept to the LCEs of Zamboanga del Norte is a resounding success. The positive response indicated that the initiative is boosted up with a good start. It is now dependent on how the municipal fisherfolks from the coastal communities receive this new concept. The ball is in the hands of the municipalities now, so to speak.