40 Recommendations arising from the FGDs The consensus among participants was that there is a need to better implement the Fisheries Code,312 with emphasis on the delineation of municipal waters and the protection of the preferential rights of artisanal municipal fisherfolk to municipal waters as provided in the law. Proper budget allocation should also be a priority, particularly for the implementation of provisions on bantay-dagat operations313 , which helps in policing municipal waters – along with a robust vessel monitoring system – from IUU fishing activities and illegal entry of commercial fishing vessels. Fisherfolk settlements that are near the fishing grounds 314 should also be prioritized, as according to the participants, the current resettlement areas are not conducive to their livelihood as municipal fisherfolk.315 Genuine consultation should be conducted with affected communities in planning their resettlement areas.316 Participants also called for the preservation and conservation of mangrove and seagrass areas which are valuable fish habitats and contribute to the overall health of marine resources. The provision prohibiting the conversion of mangrove areas into commercial use317 should be fully implemented as the loss of such areas is not just an environmental issue but also has socio-economic impacts on the fishing communities. 318 Participants also called for the implementation of Common Fishery Management Areas319 to allow municipal fisherfolk to fish in areas with overlapping municipality jurisdiction. In this way, it would resolve boundary disputes and allow artisanal fisherfolk more access to marine resources. They also called for better implementation by the LGUs in issuing permits, licenses, and other fishery charges. In particular, they would like the LGUs to prioritize artisanal fisherfolk, especially when they request permits for structures like “saprahan, tahungan, baklad,” and other fishing implements. 320 Participants likewise called for prioritization in the establishment of FARMC at all levels and the full representation of artisanal fisherfolks in each council; 321 institutionalizing the genuine participation of artisanal fisherfolks in planning and decision making of policies and ordinances; and inclusion of management of programs so that there could be “ownership” in the community of the programs intended for them.322 It was also recommended to organize fisherfolks and coastal communities while strengthening existing organizations to amplify their voices from municipal to the national level. 323 They also recommended that BFAR, as the agency directly implementing programs for the use and development of the country’s vast marine resources, be turned into a full-fledged department rather than under the DA's auspices. 324 The participants feel that it can better implement its programs and also institutionalize mechanisms that will develop the capabilities of artisanal fisherfolk if it has its own budget. They also recommended that the BFAR improve the implementation of programs that would enhance the technology and fishing gear of artisanal fisherfolk to be more productive in their livelihood. Moreover, they 312 Consultations with Fisherfolks, supra note 148 313 Sec. 158 of the Fisheries Code, supra note 8 314 Sec. 141 of the Fisheries Code, supra note 8 315 Consultations with Fisherfolks, supra note 148 316 Ibid. 317 Sec. 94 of the Fisheries Code, supra note 8 318 Consultations with Fisherfolks, supra note 148 319 Ibid. 320 Ibid. 321 Ibid. National, Municipal, and Integrated FARMC 322 Consultations with Fisherfolks, supra note 148 323 Ibid. 324 Ibid.