44 license, and hefty administrative fines.345 The DILG wants to summon LGUs who have not implemented the new provisions under RA No. 10654.346 4. Representation of artisanal fisherfolks in the FARMC remains a challenge. Experiences shared by the participants highlight the struggle artisanal fisherfolks face when it comes to participation in the planning and development of fisheries and marine resources, especially in municipal waters. BFAR has said that they fully support the sector in having the voice and representation in this management and policy-making bodies at the different levels of management. As part of the Fisheries Management Area (FMA) policymaking, they have included representatives from fisherfolks and indigenous peoples in the management board.347 a. The consultations also show that community organizations have played a significant role in advocacy work and people empowerment to campaign for accountability on the part of the dutybearers. Apart from facilitating government programs better for their communities, they amplify the voices of the marginalized fisherfolk from the municipal to the national level in the planning, decision making, and monitoring thus, ensuring that their opinions and recommendations are taken into consideration. 5. Even with the amendments to RA No. 8550 under RA No. 10654 in 2015, the livelihood of artisanal fisherfolk is still under threat from the continued intrusion of commercial fishing operations in municipal waters. The catch volume of artisanal fisherfolk for one (1) month is equivalent to only a night’s operation for commercial vessels. They are capable of such volume because commercial operations use high-tech gear not available to artisanal fisherfolk. a. Aside from catch volume, they also compete with commercial fishing operations on the price of their catch. Commercial operations which usually sell in bulk control the price of fish in the markets where artisanal fishers also bring their catch. To compete, they often have to sell their catch at a lower price. The participants regarded the construction of fish landing sites in coastal communities where the LGU can set and monitor prices as a viable solution. b. Because they can only sell their catch at lower prices, the income they gain is not enough to offset the capital to finance their operation. The high price of gasoline, bait, and other fishing supplies means they often operate at a loss. In order to make ends meet, fisherfolk are compelled to do other work to supplement their income. Some resort to go into illegal fishing activities or other unsavory means to earn money. c. Besides limiting the entry of commercial vessels in municipal waters, developing the skills, capabilities, and technologies of artisanal fisherfolk is one of the strategies in increasing their capacity and sustaining their livelihood. 6. In their presentation, the BFAR was able to share their Fisheries Development Programs that are designed to improve the capacity and sustain fisherfolk livelihoods and contribution to fish supply and food security.348 The programs include provisions for materials and equipment of municipal fisherfolk. They highlighted delivery of fishing paraphernalia, distribution and fabrication of FRP boats, provision of larger boats to increase the capacity of artisanal fisherfolk, aquaculture programs, as well as fabrication and distribution of fish aggregating devices, locally known as “Payao,”349 a. The consultations revealed however, that participants have varied experiences in the implementation of such programs. While others commend the support it has given to their communities (i.e seaweed farming in Luzon and Visayas), majority of the participants complain 345 Sec. 119 of RA No. 10654, supra note 13 346 DILG, Consultation with NGAS, supra note 40 347 Ibid. BFAR presentation 348 BFAR, Consultation with NGAS, supra note 40 349 Ibid.