EIGHTEENTH CONGRESS OF THE 
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES 
Second Regular Session
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SENATE 
S.B. No.
RECEIVED«
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Nov 18 2020 rn 
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9:00 a.m.
INTRODUCED BY SENATOR RISA HONTIVEROS
Gilt
INDEX.
AN ACT
GRANTING BENEFITS AND INCENTIVES TO ACCREDITED BANTAY DAGAT AND 
FOR OTHER PURPOSES
EXPLANATORY NOTE
The Philippines forms an ocean region that has long been recognized as one of the 
world's center of marine biodiversity, with one of the richest concentrations of marine life 
on the planet. It Is composed of more than 7,100 islands with a coastline stretching over 
36,289 kilometers. More than 30 million Rlipinos depend on these marine resources for 
survival. But the very seas that provide them livelihood and subsistence are under serious 
threat Important fragile marine ecosystems around the country, are being destroyed at 
an alarming rate.
To conserve, protect and manage these diverse marine wealth from further 
degradation, for the present and future generation of Rlipinos, national government 
agencies such as the Department of Agriculture-Bureau of Rsherles and Aquatic 
Resources (DA-BFAR), Philippine National Police- Maritime Group, Philippine Coast Guard 
and Philippine Navy are mandated to enforce all coastal environmental laws. However, 
given the vastness of the area they are mandated to protect, they can only cover a few 
stretches of the country's archipelagic coastlines. Thus, for several decades now, these 
national agencies and local government units. In partnership with development partners 
and non-government organizations, train volunteer municipal fisherfolks to become 
Deputy Rsh Wardens or Sea Rangers, otherwise known as Bantay Dagat. The Bantay 
Dagat act as the multiplier forces who guard and enforce fishery related laws and 
ordinances in the municipal waters of coastal municipalities and cities.
Unfortunately, these Bantay Dagat volunteers receive no regular honoraria and are 
rarely given Insurance coverage and other benefits, despite the hazards they face, the 
time spent protecting the municipal waters, and the loss of income opportunities.


Notwithstanding their marginalization however, they remain committed to serve and 
protect the nation's marine habitat and fishery resources from further abuse and 
destruction. Many of them have In fact lost their lives and limbs and have been sued 
criminally and for damages. They must thus, be given the recognition, attention, and
assistance they so rightly deserve.
It Is In this context that the approval of this bill Is earnestly sought.
RISA
Senator


EIGHTEENTH CONGRESS OF THE 
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES 
Second Regular Session
SENATE 
S.B. No. 1919
INTRODUCED BY SENATOR RISA HONTIVEROS
E-FILED
^ D/iiXC* Nov 18 2020 ITT 
if>
time;
9:00 a.m
NOEX
AN ACT
GRANTING BENEFITS AND INCENTIVES TO ACCREDITED BANTAY DAGAT AND 
FOR OTHER PURPOSES
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the Philippines in Congress 
assembled:
Section 1. Short Title. -This Act shall be known as the "BantayDagat Welfare and 
Incentives Act.1'
Sec. 2. Statement of Policy. - The State shall protect the rights of subsistence 
fishermen and local communities to the preferential use of the communal marine and 
fishing resources, both inland and offshore. It shall provide support to such fishermen 
through appropriate technology and research and other services. Towards this end, 
coastal municipalities and cities are vested with jurisdiction over the municipal waters as 
defined by Republic Act No. 8558 and, upon consultation with the Rsheries and Aquatic 
Resources Management Council (FARMC), be responsible for the management, 
conservation, development, protection, utilization, and disposition of all fish and fisheries 
and aquatic resources within their respective municipal waters. The LGUs shall also 
enforce all fishery laws, rules, and regulations as well as valid fishery ordinances enacted 
by the municipal or city council. In the enforcement of said laws, the Bureau of Rsheries 
and Aquatic Resources (BFAR), in coordination with the local government units (LGUs), 
is authorized to train and deputize fisherfolks as Deputy Rsh Wardens, locally known as 
Bantay Dagat. This Act shall provide benefits and incentives to these volunteers Bantay 
Dagat who are frontliners In the protection of coastal marine and fisheries resources.
The government and all its instrumentalities shall also recognize the rights of accredited 
Bantay Dagat to organize themselves, to strengthen and systemize their services for their 
community, and to make a venue for sharing their experiences and for recommending
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policies and guidelines for the conservation, protection and sustainable management of
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fisheries and aquatic resources.
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See. 3. Definition. — Bantay Dagat, also known as the Deputy Fish Wardens or
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Sea Wardens shall refer to persons who have undergone training programs on coastal
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and fisheries law enforcement under any accredited government or non- government
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organization and who voluntarily work as deputized fishery law enforcers. They shall be
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accredited to function as such by the Municipal/City Fisheries and Aquatic Resources
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Management Council (M/CFMARC) and be deputized In writing by the Local Chief
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Executive (LCE) In accordance with the guidelines promulgated by the Bureau of Rsheries
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and Aquatic Resources (BFAR).
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Sec. 4. Registration. - In order for Bantay Dagat to be entitled to benefits and
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incentives provided under this Act, said Bantay Dagat shall register with the M/CFARMC
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In the municipality or city In which said Bantay Dagat renders service. The FARMC,
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through the concerned LCE, shall furnish a copy of such registry to the BFAR through its
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Regional Offices, which is hereby mandated to maintain a national register of accredited
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Bantay Dagat nationwide. The accredited Bantay Dagat shall be given appropriate proof
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of said accreditation.
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Sec. 5. Qualifications of Bantay Dagat - Any person seeking accreditation as
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Bantay Dagat must possess the following qualifications:
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a. A Filipino citizen;
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b. A registered and licensed fisherfolk in the municipality or city where
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he/she intends to be accredited;
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c. Not less than twenty-one (21) years but not more than sixty (60) years of
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age;
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d. Not have been convicted ofany offense involving violation of the Fisheries
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Code and related environmental laws;
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e. Completed the Fishery Laws Enforcement Training for Bantay Dagat or
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Deputy Rsh Wardens; and
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f. Involved in coastal and fisheries management activities for at least three
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(3) years.
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Sec. 6. Number of Bantay Dagat - The BFAR shall determine the Ideal ratio of
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Bantay Dagat to the number of fisherfolks and the area of the municipal waters or
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fisheries management area in every municipality or city.
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Sec. 7. Benefits and Incentives. — In recognition of their services, all accredited
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Bantay Dagat who are actively and regularly performing their duties shall be entitled to
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the following Incentives and benefits:


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a. Insurance and PhllHeallh Coverage. — Each Bantay Dagat shall be entitled 
to life and accident Insurance and PhllHealth coverage upon deputation as
sucli by the LCE;
b. Hazard Allowance. - Each Bantay Dagat exposed to situations, condiUons, 
or factors where foreseeable but unavoidable danger or risks exist, and 
which adversely endanger said Bantay Dagats life and/or safety, shall be 
entitled to hazard allowance In an amount to be determined by the FARMC 
and the Peace and Order Council (POC) of the local government unit
concerned;
c. Subsistence Allowance - Each Bantay Dagat who renders seaborne 
patrolling or rescue services for at least eight (8) hours a day shall be 
entitled to subsistence allowance equivalent to the meals they take In the 
course of their duty, which shall be computed in accordance with prevailing 
circumstances as determined by the local government unit concerned;
d. Training, Education and Career Enrichment Programs The concerned 
coastal municipality or city In coordination with BEAR and other 
government agencies and non-government organizations shall provide 
opportunities to accredited Bantay Dagat for the following.
I. Continuing education, study and exposure tour trainings, grants, 
field immersion, scholarships, and the like;
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Scholarships in the form of tuition fees in state colleges, to be 
granted to one child of every Bantay Dagat who will not be able to 
take advantage of the above programs; and
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Special training programs such as those on paralegal education, 
case documentation and evidence gathering and preservation, and 
operations of special gadgets or equipment for effective and 
efficient coastal and fisheries law enforcement;
e. Civil Service Eligibility. — A second grade eligibility shall be granted to 
accredited Bantay Dagat who have rendered five (5) years of continuous 
service as such: Provided, That should the Bantay Dagat volunteer become 
a regular employee of the government, the total number of years served 
as Bantay Dagat shall be credited to his/her service in computing 
retirement benefits;
f. Free Legal Services. - Legal representation and consultation services for 
Bantay Dagat shall be Immediately provided by the Municipal or City Legal 
Officer and/or Public Attorney's Office in cases of coercion, interference,


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and In other civil and criminal cases Hied by or against Bantay Dagat 
volunteers arising out of or In connection with the performance of their 
duties; and
g. Preferential Access to Loans. — The BFAR, In coordination with the 
* Department of Social Welfare Development and other concerned 
government agencies, shall provide, within one hundred eighty (180) days 
after the effectivlty of this Act, a mechanism for access to loan services by 
organized Bantay Dagat volunteers.
Sec. 8. Review by tfie Munidpai or Qty FARMC. - Every incentive or benefit for
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Bantay Dagat volunteers requiring the expenditure of local funds shall be reviewed and
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recommended by the FARMC for the approval of the Local Chief Executive to ensure that
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only deserving Bantay Dagat get the same.
Sec. 9. Security of Tenure. — All accredited Bantay Dagat shall enjoy security of
tenure and shall not be removed or terminated except for just and valid causes as may 
be determined by BFAR. Said just or valid causes shall be included in the implementing 
rules and regulations of this Act.
Sec. 10. Agent of Person in Authority. — The accredited Bantay Dagat shall be 
considered as agents of persons In authority while In the performance of their duties and 
responsibilities.
Sec. 11. Funding Requirement of Bantay Dagat Operation. — Local governments, 
by virtue of this Act, are mandated to allocate regular funding for the benefits and 
Incentives of the Bantay Dagat and their operational requirements. Such operational 
requirements shall include, but shall not be limited to: (a) the conduct of seaborne 
operations such as regular patrol In the coastal areas; (b) maintenance of equipment, 
gadgets, and supplies necessary for their functions; (c) vehicle, fuel and food allowance 
for their operations; and (d) conduct of seminars or workshops for Bantay Dagat 
members.
Sec. 12. Natlonai Government Subsidy. - The national government, through the 
BFAR, shall provide annual subsidy to local governments that are able to organize their 
own Bantay Dagat groups.
Sec. 13. Ruies andReguiations. -The BFAR, In cooperation with the Department 
of the Interior and Local Government, the Department of Justice, the Civil Service 
Commission and other concerned government agencies and non- government 
organizations, shall formulate, within one hundred eighty (180) days from its effectivity, 
the rules and regulations necessary to implement this Act.
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Sec. 14. Separability Oause. —if any provision of this Act Is declared Invalid, the
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remainder or any provision hereof not affected thereby shall remain In force and effect.
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Sec. 15. Repeating Qause. - All laws, deaees, executive orders, and other
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presidential Issuances which are Inconsistent with this Act are hereby repealed, amended,
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or modified accordingly.
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Sec. 16. Effectivity. -This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after its publication
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In at least two (2) national newspapers of general circulation.
Approved,