Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Quezon City, Metro Manila
NINETEENTH CONGRESS
First Regular Session
HouseBillNo.         8143
INTRODUCED BY REP. MERCEDES K. ALVAREZ
EXPLANATORY NOTE
The  Constitution  mandates  the  State  to  provide  support  to  fisherfolks  through  appropriate
technology  and  research,  as  well  as  adequate  financial,  production,  and  marketing  assistance
(Article XIII, Section 7).
Caunyan is a first class municipality and the most populous municipality in the province of Negros
Occidental. Located on the southern portion of the province, Cauayan is bounded on the east by the
Municipality  of Ilog;  on the  south by  the  Municipality  of Candoni;  on the  west by  the  City  of
Sipalay and on the north by Panay Gulf with its bountiful fishing grounds. The seas in the southern
part  of the  province  facing  Hinoba-an,  Sipalay  and  Cauayan  are  abundant  in  high-value  fish
products such as tuna.
The establishment of a marine multi-species hatchery in the Municipality of Cauayan will support
aquaculture development and enhance seafood production for the benefit of local fisher folks and
coastal communities.
With the growing demand for fishery commodities and the exploitation of our fisheries resources,
there  is a strong need for a sustainable management of the resource. Management of the fishery
requires a balance between socio economic and governance interventions.
A multi-species hatchery is thus necessary for the sustainability and growth of the municipality's
food  scene,   as   it  will   ensure  the  sustainable  supply   of  marine  products.   This  aqunculture
development will not only boost the food tourism of the area but shall also enhance its food security.
The Municipality of Cauayan has already been assessed by the experts of the Bureau of Fisheries
and Aquatic Resources and the Provincial Government of Negros Occidental has expressed its full
support and long-term commitment to the project.
In view of the foregoing, the approval of this bill is earnestly sought.
NIHifeKh.AI#AIR
ALVAREZ, MNSA


Republic of the Philippines
HOUSH 0F REPRESHNTATIVES
Quezon City, Metro Manila
NINETEHNTH CONGRESS
First Regular Session
HouseBillNo.      8143
INTRODUCED BY REP. MERCEDES K. ALVAREZ
AN ACT
ESTABLISHING   A   CENTRAL   MULTI-SPECIES   MARINE   HATCHERY   IN   THE
MUNICIPALITY   OF   CAUAYAN,   PROVINCE   OF   NEGROS   OCCIDENTAL,   AND
APPROPRIATING FUNDS THEREFOR
Be  it  enacted  by  the  Senate  and  House  of Representatives  Of the  Philippines  in  Congress
assembled:
SHCTION 1.   There shall be established, under the  supervision of the Bureau of Fisheries and
Aquatic Resources of the Department of Agriculture (DA-BFAR), a central multi-species marine
hatchery in the Municipality of cauayan, Province ofNegros Occidental.
SEC. 2.  Prior to the establishment of the central multi-species marine hatchery, the DA-BFAR
shall  conduct  a  full-scale  feasibility  study  in  support  of its  construction  to  comply  with  the
requirements of the Department of Budget and Management.
Within  five  (5)  years  after  the  construction  of the  central  multi-species  marine  hatchery, the
BFAR-DA, through a memorandum of agreement, shall transfer the management of the same to
the local government of the Municipality of caunyan. The DA-BFAR shall implement training and
phasing-in  program  for  the  local  government  personnel  of the  Municipality  of  Cauayan  in
collaboration  with  the  Central  Philippine  State  University  (CPSU)  on  the  management  and
operation of the central multi-species marine hatchery.
The DA-BFAR, the local government of the Municipality of Cauayan, and the CPSU shall
conduct continuing  research  and  experimentation  on  the breeding  and  production  of marine
species, especially as they apply to local conditions, to discover new methods and technology that
shall benefit the fisheries industry.
SEC.  3. The  Secretary  of Agriculture  shall  include  in  the  Department's  programs  the conduct
of the  feasibility  study  and  the  consequent  establishment  of the  central  multi-species marine
hatchery  in  the  Municipality of cauayan, Province of Negros Occidental,  the  funding  of which
shall  be included in the General Appropriations Act.  The local government unit concerned shall
set aside funds     from             any       available           local     revenue             in          an         amount
deemed appropriate for the operationalization of the hatchery.
SHC. 4. Within sixty  (60)  days  from  the  approval  of this  Act,  the  Department  of Agriculture
and  the  local  government  of the  Municipality  of Cauayan  shall  issue  the  rules  and regulations
on  the  establishment,  supervision,  monitoring,  and  the  eventual  transfer  of the management
of the  central  multi-species  marine  hatchery  to  the  local  government  unit  of the Municipality


ofcauayan.
SHC.  5.  This Act  shall take effect  fifteen  (15)  days  after  its publication  in the  O#cz.cz/ Gczze#e
or in any newspaper of general circulation.
Approved,