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Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
‘Constitution Hills, Quezon City

TIME __ 2:15PM.
NINETEENTH CONGRESS
First Regular Session

HOUSE BILL No. _6690

Introduced by 2” District of Agusan del Norte Representative
HON. DALE B. CORVERA

AN ACT
ESTABLISHING MULTI-SPECIES MARINE BREEDING FARM AND
HATCHERY IN THE MUNICIPALITY OF CARMEN, PROVINCE OF
AGUSAN DEL NORTE AND APPROPRIATING FUNDS THEREFOR

EXPLANATORY NOTE

Seven (7) out of eight (8) barangays of the Municipality of Carmen are coastal
communities. Based on the records of the municipality, there are at least 676 registered
fishermen, who are mostly the breadwinners of their respective families, heavily dependent on
fishing for lack of alternative employment. In fact, Fishing ranks second (2) among the top
employment sectors in the area.

In a recent survey conducted by the municipality, the average annual income per
household ranges from P25,000 — P34,999, which is way below when compared to the 2018
food threshold determined by the Phi Statistics Authority at P88,044 annually. The food
threshold is the amount needed by a family of five to meet their basic food needs. On the other
hand, P125,772 is needed by a household of five to meet both their basic food and non-food
necessities.

Article XII, Section 1 of the 1987 Constitution provides that “the goals of the national
economy are a more equitable distribution of opportunities, income, and wealth; a sustained
increase in the amount of goods and services produced by the nation for the benefit of the
people; and an expanding productivity as the key to raising the quality of life for all, especially
the underprivileged.”

The proposed measure attempts to fulfill the declared policy enshrined in the
aforementioned constitutional provision and alleviate the economic as well as social status of
the citizens of the Municipality of Carmen. It is hoped that the propagation of marine species
and the continuous conduct of research and experimentation on the breeding and production of
marine species, especially as they apply to local conditions, will minimize, if not completely
solve, the problems of the sector.

It is also worth noting that under the proposed measure, the BFAR and the Carmen
Local Government Unit are mandated to develop an extension program that shall cater to the

G REPRESS,

RECEIVED

DATE December 14,

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14, 2022 9
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local fisherfolk on the propagation of high-value marine species as an attempt to give more
opportunities, income, and wealth to those who have less in life.

For these reasons, the passage of this bill is earnestly sought.

fepresentative
Distric{ of Agusan del Norte


Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Constitution Hills, Quezon City

NINETEENTH CONGRESS
First Regular Session

HOUSE BILL NO. _6690

Introduced by 2" District of Agusan del Norte Representative
HON. DALE B. CORVERA

AN ACT
ESTABLISHING MULTI-SPECIES MARINE BREEDING FARM AND
HATCHERY IN THE MUNICIPALITY OF CARMEN, PROVINCE OF
AGUSAN DEL NORTE AND APPROPRIATING FUNDS THEREFOR

Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the Philippines in Congress
assembled:

Section 1. There shall be established, under the supervision of the Bureau of Fisheries
and Aquatic Resources of the Department of Agriculture (BFAR), multi-species marine
breeding farm and hatchery for the production and multiplication of fish, shellfish and other

‘marine resources in the Municipality of Carmen, Province of Agusan del Norte.

Section 2. The BFAR shall, within two (2) years after the construction of the multi-
species marine hatchery, transfer the management of the same to the Municipality of Carmen
government through a memorandum of agreement. It shall implement a training and phasing-
in program for local government personnel on the management and operation of the hatchery.

Section 3. The BFAR and the Municipality of Carmen government shall conduct
continuing research and experimentation on the breeding and production of marine species,
especially as they apply to local conditions, to discover new methods and technology that shall
benefit the fisheries industry. Furthermore, they shall develop an extension program that shall
cater to the local fisherfolk on the propagation of high-value marine species

Section 4. The Secretary of Agriculture shall include in the Department of Agriculture's
programs the immediate establishment of the multi-species marine breeding farm and hatchery
herein mandated. Henceforth, funds for its operation and upkeep of needed facilities and


equipment shall be included in the General Appropriations Act. The local government unit
concerned shall set aside from any available local revenue such amounts as may be deemed
appropriate to support the operations of the multi-species marine breeding farm and hatchery.

Section 5. Within sixty (60) days from the effectivity of this Act, the BFAR shall
promulgate the necessary implementing rules and regulations on the supervision and
monitoring, and the transfer or withdrawal by the BFAR to implement this Act.

Section 6. If, for any reason, any section, clause or term of this Act is held to be illegal,
invalid, or unconstitutional, such Parts not affected by such declaration shall remain in full
force and effect.

Section 7. All laws, presidential decrees, issuances, executive orders, letters of
instruction, rules, and regulations inconsistent with the provisions of this Act are hereby
repealed or modified accordingly.

Section 8. This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after its publication in the Official

Gazette or in a newspaper of general circulation,

Approved,