Fishing in the Philippines is both an economic lifeline and a cultural heritage deeply woven into the fabric of coastal communities. For small-scale fisherfolk, municipal waters represent more than a source of income—they embody identity, resilience, and survival. To strengthen local governance and bring fisheries management closer to the grassroots, the Philippine government enacted Executive Order No. 305 (EO 305) in 2004, devolving the registration of fishing vessels three gross tonnage and below to municipal and city governments. The policy envisioned empowered local units capable of maintaining vessel registries, enforcing fishery laws, and providing more direct support to fisherfolk. In Tibiao, Antique, this mandate took form through Municipal Ordinance No. 2014-02. However, gaps emerged between policy ideals and lived realities. Many fisherfolk and even some local officials lacked awareness and understanding of the ordinance, viewing the registration process as bureaucratic and detached from their livelihood concerns. This disconnection revealed key tensions between governance and livelihood, compliance and awareness, empowerment and exclusion emphasizing how regulatory intent often clashes with the day-to-day struggles of small-scale fishers. This study examined how EO 305 is experienced and interpreted by fisherfolk, vessel owners, and local officials in Tibiao. By exploring their perspectives, it aims to bridge the divide between governance frameworks and community realities, advancing a more inclusive and empowering approach to local fisheries management.