EIGHTEENTH CONGRESS OF THE 
)
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES 
)
First Regular Session 
)
SENATE
S. No. 
168
O L U r i .
V > ! ^  
o f  t l'* *  
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'19 
JiJL -2  A1,1,
INTRODUCED BY SENATOR RISA HONTIVEROS
AN ACT
CREATING A DEPARTMENT OF OCEAN, FISHERIES AND AQUATIC RESOURCES, 
PROVIDING FOR ITS POWERS AND FUNCTIONS, APPROPRIATING FUNDS 
THEREFOR AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES
EXPLANATORY NOTE
The fisheries industry provides both food security and livelihood to millions of 
Filipinos. The decline in the fish catch from degraded fishery resources significantly 
contributed to the high incidence of poverty in the sector at 39.2 % in 2014, according 
to the Comprehensive National Fisheries Industry Development Plan 2016-2020. Some 
1.6 million fisherfolks residing in coastal communities are vulnerable to the worsening 
resource use conflict and the resulting increase in the competition for food. A recent 
paradigm shift was adopted to address this resource depletion. From exploitative, 
demand-driven, production-based fisheries, a scientific, sustainable, ecosystems-based 
fisheries management was adopted.
However, developments in the fishing grounds and markets, such as the ASEAN 
integration, the short return rates of climate change events and other hazards coupled 
with the low coping capacity of the fishing industry, and pervasive issues such as the 
depletion of fish stocks, degradation of fishery habitats, overfishing, and international 
poaching especially in our contested maritime zones, continue to challenge our current 
institution, the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources, only an attached agency, that 
is mandated to perform the overwhelming task of managing the utilization of our fishery 
resources and the protection of our marine life and environment.
With the following objectives of the fisheries industry under the Comprehensive 
National Fisheries Industry Development Plan 2016-2020, to wit: providing sufficient 
contributions to national food security; inclusive growth within the industry; sustainable 
science-based fisheries and aquatic resource management practices; compliance to


international laws, policies, and standards, and enforcement of local laws and 
regulations; strengthened capacities to infrastructure, technologies, human resource, 
and information sharing, and resilience to environmental hazards, a strengthening of the 
State's mandate and capacity to regulate the use of the ocean, marine life, and other 
bodies of water is imperative.
This bill will create a Department of Ocean, Fisheries and Aquatic Resources, an 
institution that will manage, conserve, and develop our fisheries and aquatic resources 
and rationalize all ocean sector initiatives within our jurisdiction. The establishment of this 
body is the response to the challenges that is besetting our fisheries industry and the key 
to achieve the objectives set in our national fisheries industry development plan.
The passage of this bill is earnestly sought.
RISA HONTIVEROS V
RISA HONTIVEROS 
Senator


EIGTHEENTH CONGRESS OF THE 
)
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES 
)
First Regular Session 
)
SENATE
-r- 
-
■- . V
‘»©ruir of tijr f
t
T
•19 J'JL -2 
-57
B. No.
INTRODUCED BY SENATOR RISA HONTIVEROS
AN ACT
CREATING A DEPARTMENT OF OCEAN, FISHERIES AND AQUATIC RESOURCES, 
PROVIDING FOR ITS POWERS AND FUNCTIONS, APPROPRIATING FUNDS 
THEREFOR AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES
Be it enacted by the Senate and House o f Representatives o f the Republic o f the 
Philippines in Congress assembled:
CHAPTER I
GENERAL PROVISIONS
1 
Section 1. Short Title. -  This Act shall be known as the "Department of Ocean,
2 
Fisheries and Aquatic Resources Act of 2019."
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Sec. 2. Declaration o f Policies. -  It is hereby declared the policy of the State:
4 
a) to promote the sustainable development and management of all fisheries
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and marine resources in Philippine waters including the exclusive
6 
economic zone (EEZ) and in the adjacent high seas consistent with the
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objective of maintaining a sound ecological balance, protecting and
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enhancing the quality of the environment;
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b) to protect and conserve the nation's marine wealth in its archipelagic
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waters, territorial sea and exclusive economic zone and reserve its use
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and enjoyment exclusively to Filipino citizens;
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c) to adopt the precautionary principle and to prioritize conservation of the
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country's marine and aquatic resources;
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d) to protect the rights of small-scale fishermen in the preferential use of
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communal marine, fisheries and aquatic resources;
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e) to protect fisherfolk communities from the adverse effects of climate
17 
change and severe weather disturbances.
18 
Sec. 3. Department o f Ocean, Fisheries and Aquatic Resources. -  To carry out
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the above-declared policy, there is hereby created the Department of Ocean, Fisheries
20 
and Aquatic Resources, hereinafter referred to as the Department,
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Sec. 4. Mandate. -  The Department shall exercise primary jurisdiction over the
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management, conservation, development, protection, utilization and disposition of all
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fishery and aquatic resources of the country, including the habitats of fish and all other
4 
marine life and over activities which impact on these habitats, except for municipal
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waters, which shall remain under the jurisdiction of local government units. The latter
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shall manage their municipal waters in accordance with existing national fishery policies,
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laws, rules and regulations.
8 
The Department shall have the authority to supervise and regulate the production and
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capture of fish and fishery products within its jurisdiction, as well as the processing and
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marketing of all fisheries and aquatic products in the country.
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The Department shall have the responsibility of rationalizing all ocean sector initiatives
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which impact on fish and marine resources or their habitat including, but not limited to:
13 
marine energy exploration and development; coastal and marine tourism; designation
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of shipping lanes; protected areas; and, marine industry development areas. The
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regulation of these marine activities, once rationalized by the Department, shall reside
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with the parent agency for the appropriate sector involved.
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Sec. 5. Powers and Functions. -  To accomplish its mandate, the Department shall
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have the following powers, functions and responsibilities:
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a) Authority and responsibility over ocean use on fisheries and their habitat;
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b) Coordinate the implementation of fisheries and ocean sector policies,
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plans and laws for all maritime components;
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c) Promulgate and enforce fisheries and oceans habitat regulations, clarify
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and amplify the aforementioned departmental mandate in accordance with
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the published fisheries and oceans management and protection plans
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within its territorial jurisdiction;
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d) Prepare and implement a comprehensive Fisheries Management and
27 
Protection Plan, based on the precautionary principle and the principle of
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sustainable development, using scientifically-generated information or best
29 
available evidence on the status of the fisheries and marine resources;
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e) Formulate and implement, consistent with the development framework of
31 
the National Economic and Development Authority (NEDA), a fishery
32 
industry development program and set policies and standards for the
33 
efficient and economic operations of the fishing industry in accordance
34 
with the objectives of food security and sustainable development;


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f) Promulgate laws, rules and regulations governing the conservation and 
proper utilization of fisheries and aquatic resources except in municipal 
waters;
g) Issue licenses for the operation of commercial fishing vessels and permits 
for the conduct of fishery activities subject to the specific carrying 
capacities of the resource as determined by scientific studies or best 
available evidence with preference given to resource users in the local 
communities living adjacent or nearest to the municipal waters;
h) Issue fish worker licenses and identification cards free of charge to fish 
workers engaged in commercial fishing;
i) Implement the provisions of Republic Act No. 8550 and the relevant 
provisions of Republic Act No. 8435 and enforce all fishery laws, rules and 
regulations through its fishery officers and guardians who shall be vested 
with full police powers including arrest, search and seizure and through 
deputized government officials and employees, punong barangays and 
officers and members of fisher folk associations who have undergone 
training on law enforcement;
j) Perform quasi-judicial and allied functions and settle conflicts of resource 
use and allocation in consultation with the NFARMC and LGUs;
k) Prescribe rules and regulations including visitorial powers, procedures and 
guidelines concerning the classification, establishment, construction, 
maintenance and operation of all fishing ports, landing sites and fish 
markets and the operation of business therein except those that are 
owned and operated by local government units;
l) Establish and maintain a Philippine Fisheries and Aquatic Resources 
Information System (PFARIS) that will function as the principal depository 
and information server of all fisheries and ocean-related information in the 
country, including but not limited to the status of fisheries and marine 
resources and their habitat, all matters pertaining to fisheries production, 
processing, marketing and research results and technology advances;
m) Develop and implement a Monitoring Control and Surveillance System 
(MCSS) for Philippine fisheries and oceans at the national and regional 
levels to ensure that the fisheries and marine resources in Philippine 
waters are judiciously and wisely utilized and managed on a sustainable 
basis;


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n) Actively engage in the conservation, protection and rehabilitation of rare, 
threatened and endangered marine and fresh-water species as it may 
determine, including their habitats;
o) Implement relevant provisions of international treaties and agreements 
such as, but not limited to, the Convention on the International Trade in 
Endangered Species of Wild Flora and Fauna, United Nations Convention 
on the Law of the Sea, Convention on Biological Diversity, and formulate 
rules and regulations for the conservation and management of straddling 
fish stocks and highly migratory species;
p) Designate marine areas as protected areas for the special purposes stated 
in the notice of declaration;
q) Formulate and enforce the Code of Practice for Aquaculture and Code of 
Conduct for Responsible Fisheries;
r) Promote international economic and technical cooperation in the fisheries 
and oceans sectors and in integrated oceans management, especially 
within the ASEAN region;
s) Impose administrative sanctions including fines for minor fisheries and 
ocean infractions, in accordance with the schedules and limits as agreed 
upon by the Department of Justice and embodied in fisheries regulations;
t) Acquire, maintain, operate, purchase, lease or dispose, through the 
Philippine Fisheries Development Authority (PFDA), equipment and 
facilities such as shipyards, fishing vessels, fishing gears, and refrigerated 
trucks, ice plants and cold storages, communication, and aquaculture 
facilities;
u) Fix, assess and collect reasonable fees, tolls, charges, rentals and the like, 
through the PFDA, for the use, sale of properties, equipment, facilities and 
services to support the Department's projects and to adjust the same as 
warranted;
v) Provide, through the PFDA, infrastructure support such as municipal 
fishing ports and markets, farm-to-market roads, quality laboratories in 
fish ports, marketing facilities, local fisheries shipbuilding and repair 
facilities, and post-harvest facilities, in cooperation with concerned 
agencies;
w) Establish and implement, through the PFDA, a National Marketing 
Assistance Program, aimed at ensuring the generation of the highest'


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possible income for fisher folk and fishery-related enterprises, matching 
supply and demand in both domestic and foreign markets;
x) Establish and create fisherfolk settlement areas in coordination with 
concerned agencies, where certain areas of the public domain, specifically 
near the fishing grounds, shall be reserved for the settlement of the 
municipal fisherfolk;
y) Administer a fisheries modernization credit program to finance fishery 
projects of fisher folks, fish farmers, fish processors, commercial fishers 
and other qualified borrowers; and
z) Perform all other functions consistent with this Act and as may be 
provided by law.
CHAPTER I I
THE DEPARTMENT PROPER
Sec. 6. Composition. -  The Department shall be composed of the Office of the 
Secretary and three (3) Undersecretaries for Fisheries Production and Utilization, 
Fisheries Conservation and Management, and for Operations, three (3) Assistant 
Secretaries,; one council, the National Fisheries and Aquatic Resources Management 
Council, one institute, the National Fisheries Research and Development Institute, one 
office, the Office of Ocean and Marine Affairs and the following services: the Philippine 
Fisheries and Aquatic Resources Information Service, the Fisheries Inspection and 
Quarantine Service, the Bureau of Fishery Economics and Statistics, Policy Analysis and 
Planning Service, as well as Personnel, Finance, Legal and Property and General 
Services.
The Office of Ocean and Marine Affairs shall have authority and responsibility over 
ocean use. It shall be the Department's primary agency tasked with the implementation 
of the National Marine Policy and the relevant provisions of the United Nations 
Convention on the Law of the Sea. Any and all use of the ocean shall require the 
assessment and clearance by this Office, which shall rationalize initiatives that will 
negatively impact on fisheries or their habitat. It shall coordinate the implementation of 
fisheries and ocean sector policies, plans and laws for all maritime components. It shall 
be headed by a Director and shall have the following divisions:
a) Oceans Use Assessment and Clearance Division;
b) National and International Oceans Law and Policy Division;
c) Special Projects Division; and


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d) Technical Division.
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The Philippine Fisheries Development Authority (PFDA) created by Presidential Decree
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No. 977 as amended, shall be an attached agency of the Department of Fisheries and
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Aquatic Resources under the Office of the Secretary.
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Sec. 7. The Secretary o f Fisheries and Aquatic Resources. -  The Secretat7 of
6 
Fisheries and Aquatic Resources, hereinafter referred to as the Secretary, shall be
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appointed by the President with the consent of the Commission on Appointments, and
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shall have the following functions:
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a) Exercise supervision and control of the Department and the Bureaus,
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Offices and Institutes under it;
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b) Authority and responsibility for the performance of the powers and
12 
functions of the Department;
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c) Advise the President on the promulgation of policies, rules and
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regulations, and other issuances relative to the sustainable development
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and management of fisheries and oceans resources;
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d) Establish management policies and standards for the efficient and
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effective operation of the Department in accordance with the programs of
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the government;
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e) Promulgate rules, regulations and other issuances in carrying out the
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Department's 
mandates, 
objectives, 
policies, 
plans, 
programs and
21 
projects; and
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f) Perform such other functions as may be provided by law or assigned by
23 
the President.
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Sec. 8. Functions o f the Undersecretaries o f the Department o f Fisheries and
25 
Aquatic Resources. -  There shall be three (3) Undersecretaries, namely,: the
26 
Undersecretary for Fisheries Production and Utilization; the Undersecretary for Fisheries
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Conservation and Management; and the Undersecretary for Operations; who shall be
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appointed by the President upon the recommendation of the Secretary.
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The Undersecretaries for Fisheries Production and Utilization and for Fisheries
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Conservation and Management shall have the following functions:
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a) Advise the Secretary on the formulation of policies, programs, plans,
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rules and regulations, as well as on the promulgation of Department
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Order, Administrative Orders, and other issuances with respect to his/her
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area of responsibility;
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b) Exercise supervision and control over the bureaus, offices, services and
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operating units under his/her responsibility;


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c) Coordinate the functions and activities of the units under his/her
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responsibility with those of other units in the Department;
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d) Liaise with concerned government departments, agencies, and offices to
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ensure effective coordination in the management of the fisheries and
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oceans sector; and
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e) Perform such other functions as may be provided by law or assigned by
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the Secretary.
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The Undersecretary for Operations shall have the following functions:
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a) Exercise supervision and control over the regional offices;
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b) Coordinate, harmonize and package the policies, plans, programs and
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projects of all the Bureaus, Services, Offices and Units of the
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Department, for the proper implementation by the regional offices;
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c) Advise the Secretary in the formulation of policies, plans and programs
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as well as on the promulgation of rules, regulations and orders with
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respect to his/her area of responsibility;
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d) Exercise supervision and control over the Fisheries Inspection 
and
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Quarantine Service and the Bureau of Fishery Economics and Statistics;
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e) Establish 
linkage with 
local 
government units, 
local 
fisher 
folk
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associations and 
organizations, 
non-government organization 
and
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peoples' organization and supervise support and extension services at
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the regional, provincial and municipal levels; 
and
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f) Perform other functions as may be provided by law or assigned by the
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Secretary.
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Sec. 9. Assistant Secretaries. -  The Assistant Secretaries shall be appointed by the
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President upon the recommendation of the Secretary.
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Sec. 10. Regional Offices and Functions. -  The Department shall have such
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department-wide regional offices as may be necessary in the administrative regions,
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each to be headed by a Regional Director, who shall be assisted by an Assistant
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Regional Director, each regional office shall have support staffs as may be necessary
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and four line divisions which shall have the following duties and responsibilities:
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a) Provide efficient and effective front-line service to the fishery and
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aquatic industry sector, particularly to the municipal fishermen;
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b) Implement in its area of jurisdiction, the laws, policies, plans, programs,
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projects, rules and regulations of the Department;
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c) Coordinate with the Regional Office of other departments, offices and
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agencies in the region; and


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d) Perform other functions as may be provided by law or assigned by the
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Secretary.
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Sec. 
11. 
Qualifications. 
-  
No 
person 
shall 
be 
appointed 
as Secretary,
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Undersecretary or Assistant Secretary of the Department unless he or she is a citizen or
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resident of the Philippines, of good moral character, of at least a degree holder in
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fisheries, public administration, management, economics, law or any other equivalent
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relevant discipline, has actual experience in public administration and management for
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at least ten (10) years.
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The Directors must have a degree in law or Master of Science degree in marine
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fisheries, 
oceanography, 
fisheries 
biology, 
marine 
biology, 
fisheries technology,
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microbiology or related sciences, or public administration and at least five years of
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experience either in the public or private sector, in marine fisheries research and
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development, or in the fisheries industry.
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Sec. 12. Bureaus, Oftices and Divisions. -  Subject to the power of the Secretary,
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with the approval of the President, to reorganize, restructure, and redefine the functions
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of the bureaus, in order for them to effectively carry out their mandate under this Act,
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the Department shall have the following bureaus and services: Bureau of Aquaculture
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and Inland Fisheries, Bureau of Post-harvest and Fisheries Product Standards, Bureau of
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Fisheries Extension, Training, and Support Service, Bureau of Fishing Technology and
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Capture Fisheries, Fisheries Modernization Credit and Financing Agency, Marine
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Resources Conservation and Management Bureau, Bureau of Marine Protected Areas
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and Wildlife, Fisheries Inspection and Quarantine Inspection Sen/ice and Bureau of
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Fishery Economics and Statistics.
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Under the supervision and control of the Undersecretary for Fisheries Production and
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Utilization, the following bureaus, services and offices are hereby created:
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a) Bureau of Aquaculture und Inland Fisheries (BAIF) -  The BAIF shall,
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among other, be responsible for:
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a. regulating aquaculture operations in line with the International
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Code of Conduct for Aquaculture, promoting the intensification
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of aquaculture operations in existing areas;
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b. formulating aquaculture development programs;
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c. establishing and maintaining model aquaculture farms and
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ponds;
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d. providing technical assistance to cooperatives and fishpond
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operators in the development of a viable fishmeal and fish feeds
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industry, undertaking inland fishery resources evaluation; and


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e. recommending management and conservation measures.
b) The Bureau shall be headed by a Director and assisted by one Assistant 
Director. The bureau shali be composed of the following divisions:
a. Aquaculture Management and Development Division;
b. Inland 
Fisheries 
Resource 
Assessment 
and 
Conservation 
Division;
c. Inland Fishery Development and Extension Division; and the
d. Environmental Impact Assessment and Monitoring Division.
c) Bureau of Post-harvest and Fisheries Product Standards (BPFPS) -  The 
fishery component of the Bureau of Agricuiture and Product Standards 
created under Section 61 of RA 8435 shall be transferred to the BPFPS 
which shall:
a. formulate and enforce standards of quality in the processing, 
preservation, 
packaging, 
labeling, 
importation, 
exportation, 
distribution, and advertising of fishery products;
b. conduct research on product standardization, alignment of the 
local standards with the international standards; and
c. promote and strengthen semi-processing and handling;
The BPFPS shall have a Director, two Assistant Directors, one for Product 
Standards and Technical Services and the other for Industry Compliance 
and Consumer Protection and the following divisions:
Under the Assistant Director for Product Standards and Technical Services 
are the following:
a. Technical Services Division
b. Fish Processing Technology Division
c. Standards Development and Promotion Division; and
d. Value-added Products Development and Promotion Division. 
Under the Assistant Director for Industry Compliance and Consumer 
Protection are the following:
a. Industry Compliance Division;
b. Consumer Affairs Division; and the
c. Arbitration and Dispute Resolution Division.
d) Bureau of Fisheries Extension, Training, and Support Service (BFETSS) -  
The BFETSS shall:


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a. coordinate all development activities with respect to fisheries 
and oceans technology, and shall have a development section 
for all components including inland and oceans fishing;
b. formuiate a Nationai Extension System for Fisheries, which shail 
be composed of three (3) subsystems: the national government 
subsystem, the local government subsystem and the private 
sector subsystem;
c. deiiver the following major services: training services; credit and 
financing 
support 
services, 
business 
advisory 
services; 
demonstration services, and information and communication 
support services through tri-media.
It shall have the following divisions:
a. Training and Skills Development Division;
b. Technology Transfer and Demonstration Division;
c. Business Advisory and Information Support Division; and
d. Training Centers.
e) The Bureau of Fishing Technology and Capture Fisheries (BFTCF) - The 
BFTCF shall have direct supervision and control over the utilization of 
marine resources including commercial, international and small-scale 
fisheries. It shall formulate development programs for the expansion of 
the marine fishery industry; explore new fishery resources and 
development of environment friendly but efficient fishing gears.
It shall be headed by a Director and two Assistant Directors and shall 
have the following divisions:
a. Municipal Fisheries Division;
b. Commercial Fisheries Division;
c. Fishing Technology Division; and
d. High Seas Fisheries Division;
f) The Fisheries Modernization Credit and Financing Agency (FMCFA) -  The 
FMCFA shall administer the funds under Sections 108 to 113 of RA 8550 
as weil as the fisheries related provisions of Sections 20 to 25 of RA 
8435, harmonizing and integrating the two so as to package and deliver 
various credit assistance programs for the foilowing:
a. Fisheries production including processing of fisheries products 
and inputs;
10


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b. Acquisition or construction of fishery equipment, machinery,
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fishing vessels and fishing gears;
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c. Acquisition of fry, fingerlings, fertilizers, feeds and similar items;
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d. Procurement of fisheries products for storage, trading, processing
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and distribution;
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e. Construction, acquisition and repair of facilities for production,
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processing, storage, transportation, communication, marketing
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and such other facilities in support of fisheries; economic
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activities; and
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f. Working capital for fisheries graduates to enable them to engage
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in fisheries-related activities which support marine and freshwater
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bodies conservation and ecology-enhancing activities such as but
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not limited to mangrove reforestation, promotion of whale shark
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and manta ray and other endangered marine species watching
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and ecotourism; and
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g. Development of appropriate technology, both in fishery and
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ancillary industries that are ecologically sound, locally source-
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based and labor intensive, based on the requirements of the
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Fisheries and Aquatic Management Councils.
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Under the supervision and control of the Undersecretary for Fisheries Conservation and
21 
Management, the following bureaus, units, board and services are hereby created:
22 
a) Marine Resources Conservation and Management Bureau -  The Marine
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Resources Conservation and Management Bureau is a line bureau tasked
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with the formulation and implementation of a Comprehensive Fisheries
25 
Management 
Plan. 
It 
shall 
undertake 
marine 
fishery 
resources
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assessment and 
biological 
and 
environmental 
investigations 
and
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formulate conservation measures. In coordination with the National
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Fisheries Research and Development Institute, it shall determine and
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establish the carrying capacity and total allowable catch (TAC) for a
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particular resource and location. It shall set the allowable fishing effort
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based on the carrying capacity of the resource and TAC and accordingly
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issue commercial fishing licenses and permits.
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It shall be headed by a Director and two Assistant Directors and shall have
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the following divisions:
35 
a. Coastal Resources Management Division;
36 
b. Oceanography Division;
II


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c. Fisheries Licensing Division;
d. Biotechnology, Bio-safety and Bio-prospecting Division; and the
e. Fisheries Law Enforcement Division.
The Fisheries Law Enforcement Division shall operate the National 
and Zonal Monitoring Surveiliance System. It shall establish fishery 
air and ocean patrol as well as conduct law enforcement trainings 
and recommend to the Secretary the deputation of government 
employees and members of fisher folk associations as fishery 
guardians. It shail have the supervision and control of fishery officers 
and guardians and the corps of specialists responsible for the 
enforcement of fishery laws, rules and regulations and the efficient 
monitoring and surveiilance of fishing activities within Philippine 
territorial waters. It shall have the following units:
i. 
The National and Fisheries Zone Monitoring and Surveillance 
Center which shall have a National Coordinating Center and 
several Fisheries Zones Monitoring and Surveillance Centers. It 
is further subdivided into the Vessel Tracking and Remote 
Sensing Office, and the Database and Information Center;
ii. 
The Fisheries Air Patrol and Oceans Patrol, and the Regulatory 
Staff composed of Fishery Officers, 
Deputized Fisheries 
Guardians and the corps of specialists from the DND, PNP- 
MARICOM, DILG, DFA and DOJ. The Fishery Officers shall 
have full police powers relative to the enforcement of fishery 
laws, rules and regulations including arrest, search and 
seizure, and shall have the authority to directly file complaints 
for violation of fishery laws, rules and regulations.
b) The Bureau of Marine Protected Areas and Wildlife (BMPAW) -  The 
BMPAW is a line bureau responsible for establishing and maintaining 
marine protected areas and wildlife sanctuaries. It shall lead in the 
conduct of scientific researches on the proper strategies for the 
conservation and protection of marine wildlife and their habitat including 
breeding or propagation. It shail also establish Marine Wildlife Rescue 
Centers to take custody of all confiscated, stranded or abandoned 
marine wildlife. It shail have the authority to issue Committee on 
International Trade on Endangered Species (CITES) Permits and shall be 
both the CITES Management and Scientific Authorities of the Philippines.
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It shall be the lead agency in the fulfillment of the country's obligations 
under CITES, the Convention on Biological Diversity and other treaties 
and international agreements. Related functions and activities currently 
undertaken the Protected Areas and Wildlife Bureau (PAWB) of the 
Department of Environment and Natural Resources are now transferred 
to the BMPAW. Likewise, all established marine protected areas currently 
supervised by the PAWB shall now be transferred to the BMPAW for 
supervision and management.
The Bureau shall have the following divisions;
a. 
Marine Protected Areas Division;
b. 
Marine Wildlife Rescue Centers;
c. 
CITES Management Authority;
d. 
Endangered Marine Species Captive Breeding Centers;
e. 
Endangered Marine Wildlife Research Center shall be the
Department's CITES Scientific Authority which shall coordinate
with academic institutions designated as scientific authorities; and
the
f. 
Biodiversity Division
The Undersecretary for Operations shall have direct control and supervision over all 
regional offices and the following unit and bureau:
a) The Fisheries Inspection and Quarantine Inspection Service (FIQIS) -  
The FIQIS shall have line functions and shall be responsible for the 
inspection and quarantine of all fishery related activities including the 
conduct 
of quarantine 
and 
quality 
inspection 
of 
all 
fish 
and 
fishery/aquatic products corning into and going out of the country by air 
or water transport to detect the presence of fish pest and diseases, the 
regular inspection of processing plants, storage facilities, abattoirs, as 
well as public and private markets in order to ensure freshness, safety 
and quality of products and to ensure that these products conform to 
the standards prescribed by the Department; and the quarantine of 
aquatic animals and fishery products determined or suspected to be with 
fishery pest and diseases and prevent the movement or trade from and 
or into the country of these products so prohibited or regulated under 
existing laws, rules or regulations and international agreements of which 
the Philippine is a State Party.
It shall have the following units:
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a. Regional fishery Inspection and Quarantine Offices;
b. Cyanide Detection Centers;
c. Product Standards Enforcement Division;
d. Regional Fish Health Centers.
b) The Bureau of Fishery Economics and Statistics (BFES) -  The BFES shall 
be a line bureau responsible for establishing benchmark data on the 
structure of the fishery industry. It shall conduct research and studies on 
the socio-economics of various fishery operations, collect data on fishery 
production, 
and 
establish 
a 
network 
of 
fishery 
information, 
documentation and dissemination.
It shall have the following divisions:
a. Fishery Statistics Division;
b. Socioeconomic Division; and the
c. Fishery Information Division.
There shall be an Office of Ocean and Marine Affairs shall have authority and 
responsibility over ocean use. It shall be the Department's primary agency tasked with 
the implementation of the National Marine Policy and the relevant provisions of the 
United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea. Any and all use of the ocean shall 
require the assessment and clearance by this Office, which shall rationalize initiatives 
that will negatively impact on fisheries or their habitat. It shall coordinate the 
implementation of fisheries and ocean sector policies, plans and laws for all maritime 
components. It shall be headed by a Director and shall have the following divisions:
a) Oceans Use Assessment and Clearance Division;
b) National and International Oceans Law and Policy Division;
c) Special Projects Division; and
d) Technical Division.
The Philippine Fisheries Development Authority (PFDA) created by Presidential Decree 
No. 977 as amended, shall be an attached agency of the Department of Fisheries and 
Aquatic Resources under the Office of the Secretary.
CHAPTER IV
TRANSITORY PROVISIONS
Sec. 13. Abolition, Transfer and Merger. -  The Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic 
Resources reconstituted by Republic Act No 8550, is hereby abolished and its relevant 
functions, appropriations, records, properties, equipment and personnel are hereby
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1 
transferred to the Department of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources: Provided, however,
2 
That no official or employee of the BFAR shall be laid off in the implementation of this
3 
section. The National and Municipal Fisheries and Aquatic Resources Management
4 
Councils created by Republic Act No. 8550 shall be transferred to the Office of the
5 
Secretary of the Department of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources.
6 
The National Fisheries Research and Development Institute created by Republic Act
7 
No.8550 is transferred to the Department and shall serve as its principal research arm.
8 
The Philippine Fisheries Development Authority created by Presidential Decree No. 977
9 
including its relevant functions, appropriations, records, properties, equipment and
10 
personnel, is hereby transferred to the Department of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources
11 
as an attached agency under the Office of the Secretary: Provided, however. That the
12 
Secretary of the Department of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources shall be the new
13 
chairman of the Board: Provided, further. That no official or employee of the PFDA shall
14 
be laid off in the implementation of this Section.
15 
The Philippine Technical Advisory Committee of the SEAFDEC Aquaculture Department
16 
created under Executive Order No. 834 dated October 4, 1982, including its relevant
17 
functions, appropriations; records, properties, equipment and personnel, is hereby
18 
transferred and attached to the Department of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources:
19 
Provided, That no official or employee of the Board shall be laid off in the
20 
implementation of this section.
21 
The fisheries related functions of the Laguna Lake Development Authority, including its
22 
relevant appropriations, records, and personnel, are hereby transferred to the
23 
Department of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources: Provided, however, that no official or
24 
employee of the LLDA shall be laid off in the implementation of this Section.
25 
The Philippine Council for Aquatic and Marine Research and Development is abolished
26 
and all its personnel, records, appropriations, property and equipment are transferred to
27 
the National Fisheries Research and Development Institute of the Department of
28 
Fisheries and Aquatic Resources.
29 
The Marine Research and Conservation Division and the different Sections and the
30 
Coastal Environment Program including its relevant appropriations, personnel, records,
31 
property and equipment, all marine and coastal related projects and programs of the
32 
Department of Environment and Natural Resources, and all fisheries related functions of
33 
the DENR under Executive Orders No. 192 and 292, except the functions of the
34 
enforcement of water pollution laws, rules and regulations, are hereby transferred to
35 
the Department of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources.
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The fisheries-related sections of the Bureau of Agricultural Research, the Bureau of 
Agricultural Statistics and the Agricultural Training Institute of the Department of 
Agriculture are hereby abolished and all its personnel, records, appropriations, property 
and equipment are transferred to the Department of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources,
Sec. 14. Transitory Provisions. In accomplishing the acts of organizing the 
department as herein prescribed, the following provisions shall be complied with:
a. The transfer of a government unit or agency shall include the functions, 
appropriations, funds, records, equipment, facilities, chooses in action 
rights, other assets and liabilities, if any, of the transferred unit or 
agency as well as the personnel thereof, as may be necessary, who 
shall, pending reappointment, continue to perform their respective 
duties and responsibilities and receive the corresponding salaries and 
benefits in a hold-over capacity;
b. The transfer of functions which results in the abolition of the 
government unit or agency that has exercised them, shall include the 
appropriations, funds, records, equipment, facilities, chooses in action, 
rights, other assets and personnel as may be necessary to the proper 
discharge of the transferred functions. Its liabilities, if any, shall likewise 
be treated in accordance with the Government Auditing Code and other 
pertinent laws, rules and regulations. Its personnel shall, pending 
reappointment, continue to perform their duties and responsibilities and 
receive the corresponding salaries and benefits in a holdover capacity.
Sec. 15. Organization Committee. -  The duly appointed Secretary of Fisheries and 
Aquatic Resources shall immediately create an organization committee which shall study 
and formulate the staffing pattern, qualification standards, and placement of personnel 
in the Department, its services, bureaus, and offices. The Committee shall be composed 
of representatives from the Department of Budget and Management, Civil Service 
Commission, the fishery industry and the academe.
Sec. 16. Appropriations. -  For the effective implementation of this Act, the amount 
of $5 billion pesos is hereby appropriated from the unappropriated funds of the National 
Treasury and the current budgetary appropriations of the Bureau of Fisheries and 
Aquatic Resources, including its regional offices, the appropriations of the Philippine 
Fishing Development Authority, and the budgetary provision of the Philippine Council for 
Aquatic and Marine Research Development. The amount necessary for the construction 
of a national office of the Department of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources equivalent to 
P500,000,000.00 is hereby appropriated from the unappropriated funds of the National
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Treasury. The revenues which the Department will generate from its licensing 
operations, the fees collected & the proprietary services delivered by the Department, 
and the administrative fines imposed by the National Fisheries Regulatory and 
Adjudication Bond shall constitute the Department's revolving fund from which amounts 
necessary to carry out the special research projects, management and conservation 
programs, staff development programs, and the acquisition of equipment, vessels, and 
airplanes, helicopters of the Monitoring and Surveillance Center shall be taken: 
Provided, however. That the fishpond rentals shall accrue to the National Fisheries 
Research and Development Institute as provided under Section 46 (c) of Republic Act 
No. 8550. The use of such funds shall be subject to COA rules and regulations.
Sec 17. Separability Clause. -  If any provision of this Act is declared 
unconstitutional, or inoperative, the other provisions not so declared shall remain in full 
force and effect.
Sec 18. Repealing Clause. -  All laws, decrees, orders, rules and regulations or 
parts thereof inconsistent with this Act or the rules and regulations promulgated 
pursuant thereto are hereby repealed or amended accordingly.
Sec 19. Effectivity. -  This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after publication in 
two (2) national newspapers of general circulation.
Approved,
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