1 
NINETEENTH CONGRESS 
) 
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES ) 
First Regular Session 
) 
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES 
Introduced by Representative Rufus B. Rodriguez 
House Bill No.  _____ 
EXPLANATORY NOTE 
The country is blessed by enormous bodies of water with abundant marine resources. 
Two-thirds of the territorial area of the Philippines is composed of water, covering a total area 
of 171 million hectares. For this reason, a significant number of Filipinos engage in fishing as 
their main source of livelihood.  
To ensure the preservation and proper development of the country's archipelago 
waters and marine resources, this bill proposes the creation of the Department of fisheries 
and Aquatic Resources (DFAR). The DFAR shall have the power to manage, develop, protect, 
conserve and utilize all fisheries and aquatic resources of the country, except for municipal 
waters, which shall remain under the jurisdiction of local government units. 
The DFAR shall likewise regulate the production, capture, processing and marketing 
of fisheries and marine products in the country. This is to make sure that the country's marine 
wealth is to be exclusively used for the benefit of the Filipino people. The creation of the DFAR 
will be a significant breakthrough in providing utmost protection to Philippine waters and 
marine resources.  This will help in pursuing the government's thrust to increase food 
production to meet the demands of the country's fast growing population and alleviate poverty 
among the fishermen. 
Thus, the immediate approval of this bill is earnestly sought. 
RUFUS B. RODRIGUEZ 
November 23, 2022
8:00 am
6302


2 
NINETEENTH CONGRESS   
) 
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES ) 
First Regular Session  
 
) 
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES 
Introduced by Representative Rufus B. Rodriguez 
House Bill No.  _____ 
AN ACT 
CREATING A DEPARTMENT OF FISHERIES AND AQUATIC RESOURCES, PROVIDING 
FOR ITS POWERS AND FUNCTIONS, AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES 
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the Republic of the Philippines 
in Congress assembled: 
SECTION 1. Title. - This Act shall be known as the "Department of Fisheries and Aquatic 
Resources Act". 
SECTION 2. Creation. - The Department of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources, hereinafter 
referred to as the Department, is hereby created structurally and functionally in accordance 
with the provisions of this Act. 
SECTION 3. Declaration of Policies. - It is hereby declared the policy of the State to: 
a)
Promote the sustainable development and management of all fisheries and
marine resources in Philippine waters including the exclusive economic zone (EEZ) and in the 
adjacent high seas, consist with the primordial objective of maintaining a sound ecological 
balance, protecting and enhancing the quality of the environment; 
b)
Protect and conserve the nation's marine wealth in its archipelagic waters,
territorial sea and exclusive economic zone and reserve its use and enjoyment exclusively to 
Filipino citizens.  
c)
Adopt the precautionary principle and to prioritize conservation of the country's
marine and aquatic resources. 
d)
Protect the rights among small-scale fishermen in the preferential use of
communal marine, fisheries and aquatic resources.; and 
e)
Provide integrated support services to fishermen such as training, technical
and financial assistance.. 
SECTION 4. Jurisdiction of the Department. - The Department shall have primary jurisdiction 
over the management, conservation, development, protection, utilization and disposition of all 
fishery and aquatic resources of the country, including the habitats of fish and all other marine 
life and over activities which impact on these habitats, except for municipal waters, which shall 
remain under the jurisdiction of local government units. The latter shall manage their municipal 
waters in accordance with national fishery policies, laws, rules and regulations. The 
Department shall have the authority to supervise and regulate the production and capture of 
fish and fishery products within its jurisdiction, as well as the processing and marketing of all 
fisheries and aquatic products in the country. The Department shall have the responsibility of 
rationalizing all ocean sector initiatives which impact on fish and marine resources or their 
habitat including, but not limited to: marine· energy exploration and development; coastal and 
marine tourism; designation of shipping lanes; protected areas; and, marine industry 
development areas. The regulation of these marine activities, once rationalized by the 
Department, shall reside with the parent agency for the appropriate sector involved. 
6302


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SECTION 5. Powers and Functions. - To accomplish its mandate, the Department shall have 
the following powers, functions and responsibilities: 
 
(a) Authority and responsibility over oceans use on fisheries and their habitat; 
(b) Coordinate the implementation of fisheries and ocean sector policies, plans and 
laws for all maritime components; 
(c) Promulgate and enforce fisheries and oceans habitat regulations, which clarifies 
and amplify the aforementioned departmental mandate in accordance with the published 
fisheries and oceans management plans within its territorial jurisdiction; 
(d) Prepare and implement a comprehensive Fisheries Management Plan, based on 
the precautionary principle and the principle of sustainable development, using scientifically 
generated information or best available evidence on the status of the fisheries and marine 
resources; 
(e) Formulate and implement, consistent with the development framework of the 
National Economic Development Authority, a fishery industry development program and set 
policies and standards for the efficient and economic operations of the fishing industry in 
accordance with the objectives of food security and rational and sustainable development; 
(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) It shall 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; 
(I) Establish and maintain a Philippine Fisheries and Aquatic Resources Information 
System (PF ARIS) 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; 
(n) Actively engage in the conservation, protection and rehabilitation of rare, 
threatened and endangered marine 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; 
 


4 
 
(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) Set oceanic fractions, 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 @FDA), 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 and the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquaculture 
Engineering the 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, fisheries mechanization and fishpond designs 
and construction in cooperation with concerned agencies; 
(w)Establish and implement a National Marketing Assistance Program, aimed at 
ensuring the generation of the highest' possible income for fisher folk and fishery-related 
enterprises, matching supply and demand in both domestic and foreign markets; 
(x) Administer a fisheries modernization credit program to finance fishery projects of 
fisher folk, fish farmers, fish processors, commercial fishers and other qualified borrowers; 
and; 
(y) Perform all other functions consistent with this Act and as may be provided by law. 
 
SECTION 6. Structural Organization. - The Department shall consist of the Office of the 
Secretary and three Undersecretaries for Fisheries Production and Utilization, Fisheries 
Conservation and Management, and for Operations; 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, 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 
(d) Technical Division. 
The Philippine Fisheries Development Authority created by Presidential Decree No. 977 as 
amended, shall be an attached corporation of the Department of Fisheries and Aquatic 
Resources under the Office of the Secretary. 
 
SECTION 7. Functions of the Secretary of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources. – The Secretary 
of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources, hereinafter referred to as the Secretary, shall be 


5 
 
appointed by the President with the consent of the Commission on Appointments, and shall 
have the following functions: 
(a) Supervision and control of the Department and the Bureaus, Offices and Institutes 
under it; 
(b) Authority and responsibility for the performance of the powers and functions of the 
Department; 
(c) Advise the president on the promulgation of policies, rules and regulations, and 
other issuance relative to the sustainable development and management of fisheries and 
oceans resources: 
(d) Establish management policies and standards for the efficient and effective 
operation of the Department in accordance with the programs of the government; 
(e) Promulgate rules, regulations and other issuance in carrying out the Department's 
mandate, objectives, policies, plans, programs and projects; and 
(f) Perform such other functions as may be provided by law or assigned by the 
President. 
 
SECTION 8. Functions of the Undersecretaries of the Department of Fisheries and Aquatic 
Resources. - There shall be three (3) Undersecretaries: the Undersecretary for Fisheries 
Production and Utilization; the Undersecretary for Fisheries Conservation and Management; 
and the Undersecretary for Operations; who shall be appointed by the President upon the 
recommendation of the Secretary. The Undersecretaries for Fisheries Production and 
Utilization and for Fisheries Conservation and Management shall have the following functions:  
 
(a) Advise the Secretary on the formulation of policies, programs, plans, rules and 
regulations, as well as on the promulgation of Department Order, Administrative Orders, and 
other issuance with respect to his/her area of responsibility; 
 
(b) Exercise supervision and control over the bureaus, offices, services and operating 
units under his/her responsibility; 
 
(c) Coordinate the functions and activities of the units under his/her responsibility with 
those of the other units in the Department; 
 
(d) Liaise with concerned government departments, agencies, and offices to ensure 
effective coordination in the management of the fisheries and oceans sector; and 
 
(e) Perform such other functions as may be provided by law or assigned by the 
Secretary. 
 
The Undersecretary for Operations shall have the following functions: 
 
(a) Exercise supervision and control over the regional offices; 
 
(b) Coordinate, harmonize and package the policies, plans, programs and projects of 
all the Bureaus, Services, Offices and Units of the Department, for the proper implementation 
by the regional offices; 
 
(c) Advise the Secretary in the formulation of policies, plans and programs as well as 
on the promulgation of rules, regulations and orders with respect to his/her area of 
responsibility; 
 
(d) Exercise supervision and control over the Fisheries Inspection and Quarantine 
Service and the Bureau of Fishery Economics and Statistics; 
 


6 
 
(e) Establish linkage with local government units, local fisher folk associations and 
organizations, non-government organization and peoples' organization and supervise support 
and extension services at the regional, provincial and municipal levels; and 
 
(f) Perform other functions as may be provided by law or assigned by the Secretary. 
 
SECTION 9. Qualifications of the Undersecretaries. - No person shall be appointed 
Undersecretary of the Department unless he is a Filipino citizen; at least a degree holder in 
fisheries, 
biosystems/aquaculture 
engineering, 
public 
administration, 
management, 
economics, law or other equivalent relevant disciplines; has actual experience in 
administration and management for at least ten (10) years; and has general practical 
knowledge of fisheries. 
 
SECTION 10. Organizational Structure of the Department. - The functions of the Department 
under this Act shall be carried out by the bureaus, agencies and services created in the 
Department. 
 
Under the supervision and control of the Undersecretary for Fisheries Production and 
Utilization, the following bureaus, services and offices are hereby created: 
 
(a) Bureau of Aquaculture und Inland Fisheries (BAlF) - The BAIF shall, among others, 
be responsible for: regulating aquaculture operations in line with the International Code of 
Conduct for Aquaculture, promoting the intensification of aquaculture operations in existing 
areas; formulating aquaculture development programs; establishing and maintaining model 
aquaculture farms and ponds; providing technical assistance to cooperatives and fishpond 
operators in the development of a viable fishmeal and fish feeds industry, undertaking inland 
fishery resources evaluation; and recommending management and conservation measures. 
 
The Bureau shall be headed by a Director and shall he compose of the following 
divisions: 
 
1)  Aquaculture Management and Development Division; 
2)  Inland Fisheries Resource Assessment and Conservation Division; 3) 
3) Inland Fishery Development and Extension Division; and the 
4) Environmental Impact Assessment and Monitoring Division 
 
(b) Bureau of Postharvest and Fisheries Product Standards (BPFPS) - The fishery 
component of the Bureau of Agriculture and Product Standards created under Section 61 of 
RA 8435 shall be transferred to the BPFPS which shall formulate and enforce standards of 
quality in the processing, preservation, packaging, labelling, importation, exportation, 
distribution, and advertising of fishery products; conduct research on product standardization, 
alignment of the local standards with the international standards; promote and strengthen 
semi-processing and handling; and 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: 
 
1) Technical Services Division 
2) Fish Processing Technology Division. 
3) Standards Development and Promotion Division; 
4) Value-added Products Development and Promotion Division; and the 
 
Under the Assistant Director for Industry Compliance and Consumer Protection: 
 


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1) Industry Compliance Division; 
2) Consumer Affairs Division; and the 
3) Arbitration and Dispute Resolution Division. 
 
(c) Bureau of Fisheries Extension, Training, and Support Service (BFETSS) – The 
BFETSS shall 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, and fishing fears and methods. It shall formulate a National Extension System 
for Fisheries, which shall be composed of three (3) subsystems: the national government· 
subsystem, the local government subsystem and the private sector subsystem. It shall deliver 
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: 
 
1) Training and Skills Development Division; 
2) Technology Transfer and Demonstration Division; 
3) Business Advisory and Information Support Division; and 
4) Training Centers; 
 
(d) 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 environment friendly but efficient fisqing gears. It shall be headed by a Director 
and two Assistant Directors and shall have the following divisions: 
 
1) Municipal Fisheries Division; 
2) Commercial Fisheries Division; 
3) Fishing Technology Division 
4) High Seas Fisheries Division; and the 
 
(e) The Fisheries Modernization Credit and Financing Agency (FMCFA) - The FMCFA 
shall administer the funds under Sections 108 to 113 of RA 8550 as well 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 following: 
 
i) 
Fisheries production including processing of fisheries products and inputs; 
ii) 
Acquisition or construction of fishery equipment, machinery, fishing vessels 
and fishing gears; 
iii) 
Acquisition of fry, fingerlings, fertilizers, feeds and similar items; 
iv) 
Procurement of fisheries products for storage, trading, processing and 
distribution; 
v) 
Construction, acquisition and repair of facilities for production, processing, 
storage, transportation, communication, marketing and such other facilities in 
support of fisheries; economic activities; High Seas Fisheries Division; and the 
vi) 
Working capital for fisheries graduates to enable them to engage in fisheries-
related 
vii) 
Activities which support marine and freshwater bodies conservation and 
ecology enhancing activities such as but not limited to mangrove reforestation, 
promotion of whale shark and manta ray and other endangered marine species 
watching and ecotourism; and 
viii) 
Development of appropriate technology, both in fishery and ancillary industries 
that are ecologically sound, locally source based and labor intensive, based on 
the requirements of the Fisheries and Aquatic Management Councils.  
 


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Under the supervision and control of the Undersecretary for Fisheries Conservation and 
Management, the following bureaus, units, board and services are hereby created. 
 
(f) Marine Resources Conservation and Management Bureau. - The Marine Resources 
Conservation and Management Bureau is a line bureau tusked with the formulation and 
implementation of a Comprehensive Fisheries Management Plan. It shall undertake marine 
fishery resources assessment and biological and environmental investigations and formulate 
conservation measures. In coordination with the National Fisheries Research and 
Development Institute, it shall determine and establish the carrying capacity and total 
allowable catch (TAC) for a particular resource. It shall set the allowable fishing effort based 
on the carrying capacity of the resource and TAC and accordingly issue 
commercial fishing licenses and permits. It shall be headed by a Director and two Assistant 
Directors and shall have the following divisions: 
 
1) Coastal Resources Management Division; 
2) Oceanography Division; 
3) Fisheries Licensing Division; 
4) Biotechnology, Biosafety and Bioprospecting Division; and the 
5) Fisheries Law Enforcement Division. 
 
The Fisheries Law Enforcement Division shall operate the National and Zonal 
Monitoring Surveillance 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 shall 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 surveillance 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 andi seizure, and shall' have the authority to directly file 
complaints for violation of fishery laws, rules and regulations. 
 
(g) 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 shall also establish Marine Wildlife Rescue Centers to take custody of all 
confiscated, stranded or abandoned marine wildlife. It shall 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, It shall be the lead 
agency in the fulfilment of the country's obligations under CITES, the Convention on Biological 
Diversity and other treaties and international agreements. It shall have the following divisions: 
 
1) Marine Protected Areas Division; 
2) Marine Wildlife Rescue Centers; 
3) CITES Management Authority; 


9 
 
4) Endangered Marine Species Captive Breeding Centers; 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 
5) Biodiversity Division 
 
(h)   Bureau of Fisheries and Aquaculture Engineering (BFAE)- The fishery component 
of the Bureau of Agricultural and Fisheries Engineering created by Section 24 of R.A. No. 
10601, otherwise known as the Agricultural and Fisheries Mechanization law shall be 
transferred to BFAE.  The BFAE is a line bureau tasked with the following functions and 
responsibilities:  
 
 
1) 
Planning, implementation and monitoring of fisheries and aquaculture 
engineering, mechanization, hatchery facilities,  fishpond development and 
farm-to-market road  programs and projects; 
 
2) 
Prepare, evaluate, validate and recommend engineering plans, designs and 
technical specifications, and oversee the construction, installation, operation 
and maintenance of fisheries and aquaculture mechanization and 
infrastructure, and fishpond development projects; 
 
3) 
Develop and enforce standards and other regulatory policies on aquaculture 
and fisheries engineering; 
 
4) 
Implement accreditation and registration scheme for aquaculture and fishery 
machinery, tools, equipment and facilities, in coordination with technology 
generators; and 
 
5) 
Issue permits to operate to aquaculture and fishery machinery, tools and 
equipment manufacturers, fabricators, assemblers and importers, 
 
The BAFE shall be headed by a Bureau Director and Assistant Bureau Director, all 
appointed by the Department Secretary. 
 
The BAFE shall have the following divisions: (1) Engineering Plans, Designs and 
Specifications; (2) Programs and Projects Management; (3) Standards Regulation and 
Enforcement; and (4) Administration and Finance. 
 
The Undersecretary for Operations shall have direct control and supervision over all regional 
offices and the following units and bureaus: 
 
(i) The Fisheries Inspection and Quarantine Inspection Service (FIQIS) - The 
FIQIS shall have the 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 coming 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: 
 
1) Regional fishery Inspection and Quarantine Offices; 


10 
 
2) Cyanide Detection Centers; 
3) Product Standards Enforcement Division; and 
4) Regional Fish Health Centers; and the 
 
(j) 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: 
 
1) Fishery Statistics Division; 
2) Socioeconomic Division; and the 
3) Fishery Information Division 
 
SECTION 11. Regional Offices and Functions. - The Department shall have such 
department-wide regional offices as may be necessary in the administrative regions, each to 
be headed by a Regional Director, who shall be assisted by an Assistant Regional Director, 
each regional office shall have support staffs as may be necessary and four line divisions 
which shall have the following duties and responsibilities: 
 
(a)  
Provide efficient and effective front-line service to the fishery and aquatic industry 
sector, particularly to the municipal fishermen; 
(b)  
Implement in its area of jurisdiction, the laws, policies, plans, programs, projects, rules 
and regulations of the Department; 
, 
(c)  
Coordinate with the Regional Office of the other departments, offices and agencies in 
the region; and 
(d)  
Perform other functions as may be provided by law or assigned by the Secretary. 
 
SECTION 12. Appointment and Qualification of Directors. - The Directors of the Bureau, 
Offices and Agencies and the Regional Directors shall be appointed by the Secretary, upon 
recommendation of the Undersecretaries concerned. The Directors must have a degree in law 
or Master of Science degree in marine fisheries, oceanography, fisheries biology, marine 
biology, fisheries technology, microbiology or related sciences, or public administration and at 
least five years of experience either in the public or private sector, in marine fisheries research 
and development, or in the fisheries industry. 
 
SECTION 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 
transferred to the Department of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources: Provided, however, That 
no official or employee of the BF AR shall be laid off in the implementation of this section. The 
National and Municipal Fisheries and Aquatic Resources Management Councils created by 
Republic Act No. 8550 shall be transferred to the Office of the Secretary of the Department of 
Fisheries and Aquatic Resources. 
The National Fisheries Research and Development Institute created by Republic Act 
No.8550 is transferred to the department and shall serve as its principal research arm. The 
Philippine Fisheries Development Authority created by Presidential Decree No. 977 including 
its relevant functions, appropriations, records, properties, equipment and personnel, is hereby 
transferred to the Department of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources as an attached agency 
under the Office of the Secretary: Provided, however, That the Secretary of the Department 
of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources shall be the new chairman of the Board: Provided, further, 
That no official or employee of the PFDA shall be laid offin the implementation of this Section. 
The Philippine Technical Advisory Committee of the SEAFDEC Aquaculture Department 
created under Executive Order No. 834 dated October 4, 1982, including its relevant functions, 


11 
 
appropriations; records, properties, equipment and personnel, is hereby transferred and 
attached to the Department of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources: Provided, That no official or 
employee of the Board shall be laid off in the implementation of this section. 
The fisheries related functions of the Laguna Lake Development Authority, including 
its relevant appropriations, records, and personnel, are hereby transferred to the Department 
of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources: Provided, however, that no official or employee of the 
LLDA shall be laid off in the implementation of this Section. 
The Philippine Council for Aquatic and Marine Research and Development is abolished 
and all its personnel, records, appropriations, property and equipment are transferred to the 
National Fisheries Research and Development Institute of the Department of Fisheries and 
Marine Resources. 
The Marine Research and Conservation Division and the different Sections there under 
and the Coastal Environment Program including its relevant appropriations, personnel, 
records, property and equipment, all marine and coastal related projects and programs of the 
Department of Environment and Natural Resources, and all fisheries related functions of the 
DENR under Executive Orders No. 192 and 292, except the functions of the enforcement of 
water pollution laws, rules and regulations, are hereby transferred to the Department of 
Fisheries and Aquatic Resources. 
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 Marine Resources. 
 
SECTION 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. 
 
SECTION 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. 
 
SECTION 16. Appropriations. For the effective implementation of this Act, the amount of $5 
billion pesos is hereby appropriated from the inappropriate 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 


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Department of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources equivalent to P500, 000,000.00 is hereby 
appropriated from the unappropriated funds of the National 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 prografns, 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 project to COA rules and 
regulations. 
 
SECTION 17. Separability Clause - If any provision of this Act is declared unconstitutional 
inoperative, the other provisions not so declared shall remain in force and effect. 
 
SECTION 18. Repealing Clause. - All laws, decrees, orders, rules and regulations or parts 
thereof inconsistent with the Act or the rules and regulations promulgated pursuant thereto are 
hereby repealed or amended accordingly. 
 
SECTION 19. Effectivity Clause. - This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after publication 
in two (2) national newspapers of general circulation. 
 
Approved,