A Study on the Effectiveness of the Philippine Fisheries Code of 1998 (Republic Act 8550)

Abstract

The researcher aims to study the effectiveness of the Philippine Fisheries Code of 1998 or Republic Act 8550. The study also includes the situation of the Fisheries and Aquatic resources for the past years. The researcher considers the data from 1998-2002 about the fisheries sector as the basis for evaluation. The researcher also takes a look at the previous laws and policies created for the management, development and protection of the environment, especially the Fisheries and Aquatic resources of the Philippines to connect these laws to the present Code. These laws are the 1975 Fisheries Decree and the Agriculture and Fishery Modernization Act (AFMA). Historical Materialism was used to have a comprehensive and holistic assessment of the law. Moreover, the researcher conducted interviews of the concerned agency, which is the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources. Likewise, interviews were also conducted from the People’s Organization, specifically the PAMALAKAYA to determine their plight and their viewpoint as the major organization of the fishermen in the Philippines. Surveys were conducted at Brgy. Julugan, Tanza, Cavite to get primary and supporting data for the formulation of analysis and interpretation. A total of 100 respondents are selected at random to represent the target population.