Dennis Gaviola

Article (news)

Adrian Ayalin

ABS-CBN News

MANILA — Fisherman and Ramon Magsaysay Awardee for environmental conservation and community development Roberto “Ka Dodoy” Ballon, Jr. vowed to craft laws for the benefit of his fellow fisherfolk who were affected by a Supreme Court ruling that favored commercial fishing vessels.On ABS-CBN’s &quot;Harapan 2025&quot; with Ron Cruz, Ballon decried the ruling of the high court’s 1st Division that affirmed the decision of the Malabon Regional Trial Court allowing commercial fishing operations within 15 kilometers of municipal waters.<div><a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/news/nation/2025/1/29/lawmakers-seek-inquiry-on-impact-of-commercial-fishing-in-municipal-waters-0951">Lawmakers seek inquiry on impact of commercial fishing in municipal waters</a></div>“Ngayon, kung tuluyan nang pasukin dahil pinayagan na ng 1st Division ng Supreme Court, so ano ang mangyayari sa amin, iyon ang kinakaharap naming problema ngayon,” Ballon said.(Now, if these commercial fishing operations come in because the 1st Division of the Supreme Court allowed it, what happens to us? That&#x27;s the problem we&#x27;re facing now)Ballon won the Ramon Magsaysay Award in 2021 after he spearheaded mangrove reforestation in Zamboanga Sibugay.He told ABS-CBN that while he respects the decision of the high court, he will use his position for the welfare of fisherfolk, farmers and indigenous people, if elected to the Senate.“Iyan po ang tututukan natin na gagawa tayo ng mga batas o paiigtingin natin ang mga batas na nagpo-protekta sa ating katubigan, sa ating kalikasan para sa kapakanan ng mga mamamayan, lalo na sa mga mangingisda, magsasaka at mga katutubo,” Ballon said.(That will be our focus. We will file laws or strengthen existing laws that protect our waters and the environment for the benefit of fishers, farmers and indigenous peoples)Asked why run for senator and not for party-list representative, Ballon said he just responded to the clamor of his fellow fisherfolk and the situation they live in.“So itong 2.3 million na mangingisda ay naghihirap, sila ang tumulak sa akin o nag-endorse sa akin kasama ang mga magsasaka at katutubo na mahihirap para bosesan sila sa Senado kung tayo ay papalarin,” Ballon said.(So the 2.3 million fishers are suffering. They are the ones who pushed me... or endorsed me, along with the farmers and IPs to be their voice at the Senate if I am fortunate)<div><a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/news/2024/10/15/why-countries-need-to-fund-climate-solutions-and-disaster-risk-reduction-fast-1620">Why countries need to fund climate solutions and disaster risk reduction fast</a></div>Ballon plans to address climate change, considering that his sector is among those badly affected during typhoons.He said the country needs a climate financing initiative that can be used in anticipation of climate-related weather events like typhoons.Ballon hopes that his campaign platform will resonate with his fellow poor Filipinos.“Walang nakaintindi sa putak ng manok kundi manok lang, walang nakaintindi sa mihe ng kambing kundi kambing lang so dapat ang pinapaupo na boses nila, representative dapat galing sa kanila, at nakikita ano talaga ang nangyayari sa baba,&quot; he said.(Only a chicken will understand a chicken&#x27;s clucks. Only a goat will understand another goat&#x27;s bleating. So the people&#x27;s representative should be from among them and sees the plight of those at the bottom)<div><a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/news/nation/2025/2/16/wrap-why-it-matters-if-a-party-list-rep-isn-t-from-the-poor-and-marginalized-0129">WRAP: Why it matters if a party-list rep isn’t from the poor and marginalized</a></div>&quot;Kaso lang ang nangyayari ngayon pinipili ng mga manok — ibig sabihin ng manok yung mahirap iyon na tao, isang kahig isang tuka nga eh, manok — ang pinipili nila, buwaya, so kinakain pa sila,” Ballon said.(But what usually happens is the chicken — by that, I mean the poor — choose crocodiles that end up eating them)

Fisherman and Ramon Magsaysay Awardee for environmental conservation and community development Roberto “Ka Dodoy” Ballon, Jr. vowed to craft laws for the benefit of his fellow fisherfolk who were affected by a Supreme Court ruling that favored commercial fishing vessels.

Fisherman and Ramon Magsaysay Awardee for environmental conservation and community development Roberto “Ka Dodoy” Ballon, Jr. vowed to craft laws for the benefit of his fellow fisherfolk who were affected by a Supreme Court ruling that favored commercial fishing vessels.

Harapan 2025: Fisherfolk advocate Ka Dodoy vows to counter SC decision on commercial fishing

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Harapan 2025: Fisherfolk advocate Ka Dodoy vows to counter SC decision on commercial fishing

Adrian Ayalin,

ABS-CBN News

Published Feb 21, 2025 06:16 PM PHT

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Halalan 2025

Harapan 2025

Ka Dodoy Ballon

Senate

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