Republic of the Philippines fi or 2
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES a ( ecavea
Quezon City, Metro Manila

Eighteenth Congress
First Regular Session

HOUSE BILL NO4443

Introduced by Representative Gil “Kabarangay Jr.”
A. Acosta

EXPLANATORY NOTE

Article XII, Section 2 of the 1987 Constitution provides that the State
shall protect 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. The Congress may, by law, allow small-scale utilization of
natural resources by Filipino citizens, as well as cooperative fish farming, with
priority to subsistence fishermen and fish- workers in rivers, lakes, bays, and
lagoons.

The enactment of Republic Act 8435 or the Agriculture and Fishery
Modernization Act (AFMA) adopted the principles to ensure that the poorer
sectors of the society have equitable access to resources, income opportunities,
basic and support services and infrastructure especially in areas where
productivity is low as a means of improving their quality of life compared with
other sectors of society where public investment in agriculture and fisheries
must be put in place in order to assure efficiency and effectiveness in the use of
scarce resources and thus, obtain optimal returns on its investment.

Palawan has long been the source of food and non-food-based resources
that the whole country is enjoying. The vast oceans surrounding the island are
proven to be a rich source of fishery products and are supplying major markets
in the country.

Palawan’s local fishermen have been harnessing these resources that
ensure food security. While many of our fisher folks now enjoy the catch, the
difficulty of having those catch processed and marketed to high end markets is
obvious. The lack of facilities for post-harvest activities precludes the further


development of fishery products that commands more value other than raw
fresh produce.

The establishment of a fish port in Barangay Macarascas in the City of
Puerto Princesa shall fulfil the mandates elucidated in Republic Act 8435 to
modernize the agriculture and fishery sectors in the Philippines.

Once established, the fish port facilities will surely uplift the livelihood of
fishermen and fish workers in Palawan; the facilities will likewise provide an
avenue for food security, and the modernization of the sector will provide the
sustainable harvest of resources and conservation of fishing grounds.

It is noteworthy that this legislative measure was filed by former
Representative Gil “Kabarangay” P. Acosta, approved by the House, and
transmitted to the Senate in the Seventeenth Congress.

Taking into account the points raised, immediate passage of this bill is
hereby earnestly sought.

Gil “Kabarangay Jr.” A. Acosta
Representative, $" District of Palawan


CoVanuesune

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Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Quezon City, Metro Manila

Eighteenth Congress
First Regular Session

HOUSE BILLNO. 4443

Introduced by Representative Gil “Kabarangay Jr.”
A. Acosta

AN ACT ESTABLISHING A FISH PORT
IN BARANGAY MACARASCAS IN THE CITY OF PUERTO
PRINCESA
AND APPROPRIATING FUNDS THEREFOR

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

Section 1. There shall be established, under the supervision of the Department
of Agriculture (DA), through the Philippine Fisheries Development Authority
(PFDA), a fish port in Barangay Macarascas in the City of Puerto Princesa,
Province of Palawan.

Sec. 2. Within two (2) years after the construction of the fish port, the PFDA,
through a memorandum of agreement, shall transfer its management to the local
government unit concerned. It shall implement a training and phasing-in
program for local government personnel on the management and operation of
the fish port.

Sec. 3. The Secretary of Agriculture shall include in the Department’s
programs the establishment of the fish port, the funding of which shall be
included in the annual General Appropriations Act. The local government units
concerned shall set aside funds from any available local revenue in an amount
deemed appropriate for the operationalization of the fish port.


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Sec. 4. Within sixty (60) days from the passage of this Act, the Secretary of
Agriculture shall issue the rules and regulations on the supervision and
monitoring and the transfer or withdrawal by the PFDA, of the fish port.

Sec. 5. This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after its publication in the
Official Gazette or in a newspaper of general circulation.

Approved,