Republic of the Philippines

House of Representatives
Quezon City, Metro Manila

SIXTEENTH CONGRESS
First Regular Session

1833

House Bill No.

Introduced by:
REP. FRANCISCO T. MATUGAS
15' District, Surigao del Norte (Siargao Island)

EXPLANATORY NOTE

This Bill was first filed in the House of Representatives of the 14TH
Congress, was re-filed and finally approved on Third Reading but remained
pending at the Senate Committee of Agriculture until the sine die
adjournment of the 15h Congress. Re-filed in toto in the present Congress,
this bill seeks the establishment of research stations for fish breeding and/or
hatchery for grouper, prawn, lobster, crab, and other high-value marine
species in the Municipalities of Dapa, Del Carmen, Socorro, and Pilar in the
Province of Surigao del Norte.

The waters of Siargao Island teem with edible marine species of high
commercial value especially grouper (lapu-lapu), prawn (sugpo), crab
and lobster. In spite of the abundance, there is now the great danger of
depletion due to unscientific and indiscriminate fishing practices. There is
therefore, a need for the establishment of a research station for fish
breeding and/or hatcheries for high value marine species to ensure the
supply of spawners, fries and fingerlings to operators of fishponds, fish pens
or fish tanks including dispersal programs in the island.

Approval of this Bill is, therefore, urgently recommended.

FRANCIS! T. MATUGAS


Limo
Republic of the Philippines
House of Representatives
Quezon City, Metro Manila

‘SIXTEENTH CONGRESS
First Regular Session

House Bill No. _ 1833

Introduced by:
REP. FRANCISCO T. MATUGAS
15' District, Surigao del Norte (Siargao Island)

AN ACT
ESTABLISHING RESEARCH STATIONS FOR FISH BREEDING AND/OR HATCHERIES FOR
GROUPER, PRAWN, LOBSTER, CRAB AND OTHER HIGH-VALUE MARINE SPECIES IN THE
MUNICIPALITIES OF DAPA, DEL CARMEN, SOCORRO, AND PILAR IN THE PROVINCE OF
SURIGAO DEL NORTE, APPROPRIATING FUNDS THEREFOR AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES

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

SECTION 1. There shall be established, under the Bureau of Fisheries and
Aquatic Resources of the Department of Agriculture (BFAR-DA), research stations
for fish breeding and/or hatcheries for grouper, prawn, lobster, crab and other
high-value marine species in the municipalities of Dapa, Del Carmen, Socorro and
Pilar in the Province of Surigao del Norte.

SEC. 2. The BFAR-DA is hereby authorized to establish, acquire and maintain
such facilities and equipment as may be necessary to implement the intents and
purposes of this Act. For this purpose, the research stations for fish breeding and/or
hatcheries may promulgate such rules and regulations regarding the breeding,
propagation and distribution of fries, fingerlings and spawners to those engaged in
the fishing industry.

SEC. 3. The Secretary Agriculture shall include in the Department's programs
the establishment of said research stations and/or hatcheries, the funding of which
shall be included in the annual General Appropriations Act. The local governments
concerned shall set aside funds from any available local revenues in an amount
deemed appropriate for their operationalization.

SEC. 4. This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after its publication in two
(2) newspapers of general circulation.

Approved,