NINETEENTH CONGRESS OF THE 
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES 
First Regular Session
)
gj'cnaic 
ft Ulf £rn P|L’1'.1’
•22 JUL25 A10:21
SENATE
s. No. 790
RECEIVED BV:
Introduced by Senator Jinggoy Ejercito Estrada
AN ACT
ESTABLISHING THE NATIONAL MARICULTURE PROGRAM AND 
PROVIDING FUNDS THEREFOR
EXPLANATORY NOTE
The Philippine archipelago of 7,641 islands is endowed with vast marine 
resources. In fact, the country has 2.2 million square kilometers of total territorial 
water area and 17,460 kilometers of shoreline. Hence, it is no surprise that fishing 
figures heavily In the Filipino way of life.
The fishing industry contributes roughly 1.5% to the country's gross domestic 
product (GDP), as the sector provides employment and livelihood to more than two 
million Filipinos. The country also ranks among the top fish producing countries in 
the world, and one of the biggest producers of aquatic plants, including seaweed1.
This bill seeks to further strengthen the sector through the establishment of a 
National Mahculture Program.
Mariculture refers to an integrated branch of aquaculture designed to produce 
fish through sea cages, long lines and other culture structures in marine and coastal 
areas. This method is usually used to grow high value species, such as bangus, 
siganid, seaweeds, oysters, mussels, red snappers, groupers, among others.
While a mariculture program is already being implemented by the Bureau of 
Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR) since it was introduced in the early 2000, its 
potential to substantially contribute to food production and food security can be
Philippine Fisheries Profile 2020. https://www.bfar.da.gov.ph/wp-content/uDloads/2022/02/202Q-Fi.«;hpriPc- 
Profile-Final.pdf 
--------------------


optimized to benefit both the fisherfolk and the consuming public. Considering the 
trend in total fisheries production fur the past ten years (2010-2020), aquaculture 
registered the biggest contribution among the three subsectors (including municipal 
and commercial) both in volume and value2. In 2019, BFAR bared plans of 
developing 300 fish cages in every region as the agency encouraged industry 
stakeholders to engage in mariculture "to increase our production in the next three 
to five years3. Apart from boosting food production, a national program promoting 
and developing mariculture could also mean more stable and higher income for our 
fisherfolk considering the expected increase in productivity and yield, and the higher 
value of species being cultivated.
This measure was already passed by the House of Representatives on Third 
and Final Reading during the Seventeenth Congress.
The passage of this legislation Is earnestly sought.
iJERCITO ESTRADA
2 Philippine Fisheries Profile 2020. https://www.b;ar.da.eov.ph/wD-content/jploads/2022/Q2/2020-Fisheries- 
Profile-Final.pdf
BFAR to develop 300 fish cages in every region." May 8;2019. https://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1069289


NINETEENTH CONGRESS OF THE 
)
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES 
)
First Regular Session 
)
I’i, Senate
of t!.if ^ftveiar^
*22 JUL25 A10:21
SENATE 
s. No. 790
RECEIVED BV
Introduced by Senator Jinggoy Ejercito Estrada
AN ACT
ESTABLISHING THE NATIONAL MARICULTURE PROGRAM AND 
PROVIDING FUNDS THEREFOR
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the Philippines in 
Congress assembled:
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Section 1. Short Title. - This Act shall be known as "The National Maricuiture
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Program Act."
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Sec. 2. Declaration of Policy. - The State shall ensure food security for
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everyone by utilizing and developing the country's natural wealth, and by protecting
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the country's aquatic resources as a valuable food resource. Towards this end, the
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State shall ensure the utmost protection of the country's marine environment and
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optimize its potential as a major contributor to food security.
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Likewise, the State shall uphold the rights and interests of Filipino fisherfolk
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through the preferential use of marine and fishing resources In the country. Pursuant
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to this, there shall be comprehensive program on marine fisheries and aquaculture
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technology, to include research, financial and marketing assistance, and other
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services for the benefit of fisherfolk and local communities.
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Sec. 3. National Maricuiture Program. - The National Government, through
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the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources of the Department of Agriculture
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(BFAR-DA), shall undertake a National Maricuiture Program, guided by the following
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objectives:
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a) To promote maricuiture as a major source of livelihood for fishermen;


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b) To identify and establish mariculture parks in suitable areas in consultation 
with the local government units (LGUs) concerned;
c) To ensure food security and enhance socioeconomic growth through a 
sustainable mariculture industry;
d) To adopt the ecosystem-based approach to fisheries management which 
shall ensure that the marine environment remains conducive to 
sustainable fisheries, species management and mariculture investment;
e) To develop procedures in order to minimize the adverse effects of 
mariculture in view of the multiple uses of marine and coastal areas;
0 To develop the technical skills of fishermen throughout the production, 
harvesting, processing, storage, and transport stages in the value chain;
g) To provide appropriate infrastructure and equipment for postharvest 
technology;
h) To provide stakeholders easy access to financial institutions; and
i) To enable stakeholders to implement activities that will enhance climate 
change resiliency and increase capabilities for disaster risk reduction and 
management.
Sec. 4. Definition of Terms. - as used in this Act:
a) Ecosystem-Based Approach to Fisheries Management - refers to an 
approach to fisheries that strives to balance diverse societal objectives or 
needs by taking into account the knowledge and uncertainties about 
biotic, abiotic, and human components of ecosystems and their 
interaction, and applying and integrated approach to fisheries 
management within ecologically meaningful boundaries. It may be 
synonymously used with "ecosystem approach to fisheries management" 
(EAFM);
b) Mariculture - refers to an integrated branch of aquaculture designed to 
produce fish through sea cages, long lines and other culture structures In 
marine and coastal areas to grow high value species, such as bangus, 
siganid, seaweeds, oysters mussels, red snappers, groupers, and other 
related species;


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c) Mariculture park or zone - refers to duly designated fishery areas where
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mariculture is undertaken; and
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d) Mooring space - refers to a unit of space within a mariculture park or zone
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to which vessels, sea cages, lines of other culture structures can be
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moored or secured in place;
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Sec. 5. Mariculture Development Parks or Zones. - Subject to the limitations
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set forth under Sections 20 and 22 of Republic Act No. 8550, otherwise known as
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"The Philippine Fisheries Code of 1998"; Section 149 of Republic Act No. 7160,
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otherwise known as the "Local Government Code of 1991"; and relevant provisions
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of Republic Act No. 7586, otherwise known as the "National Integrated Protected
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Areas System Act of 1992", the LGU shall supervise the establishment of mariculture
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parks and zones in duly designated areas located within the municipal waters. In
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case of waters located outside of municipal waters, the DA shall designate and
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supervise the respective mariculture areas.
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The technical, social, environment, and economic viability and sustainability of
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the project shall be taken into consideration in selecting an area for a mariculture
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park or zone: Provided, That no mariculture park or zone shall be established in
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marine protected areas identified by the Department of Environment and Natural
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Resources (DENR) and the BFAR.
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In the establishment of a mariculture park or zone, the province, city or
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municipality shall enter into a lease agreement with registered fisherfolk
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cooperatives or private investors. Tha terms and conoitions, as well as profit sharing
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terms, shall be specified therein. The lease agreement shall be valid for a period of
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ten (10) years, renewable for another ten (10) years.
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In determining the rental ceiling In the mariculture park or zone, the BFAR, in
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consultation with the Sanggunian concerned, shall take Into consideration its
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affordability to ordinary fisherfolk and its economic viability for the continued
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operation, in granting lease agreement, LGUs shall give preference to local
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fisherfolk.
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A developmtent plan shall always be required of applicant to form part of the
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bases for the grant of a license to operate by the concerned LGUs.


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Considering the competing uses of seas and ocean space, the Philippine Coast 
Guard shall be required to determine if a proposed mariculture park or zone and its 
facilities therein pose a significant navigational hazard or obstruct safe travel, and to 
issue a certification of its findings and recommendations and submit the same to the 
DA.
Sec. 6. Mooring Spaces. - The establishment of mariculture zone areas shall 
be based on mooring spaces to ensure that usage of the area for sea cages, long 
lines and other culture structures is limited to the granted space provided. Granted 
mooring spaces not developed or installed with culture structures within six (6) 
months will be forfeited and awarded to other qualified applicants. The BFAR shall
prescribe the guidelines in the installation of sea cages, long lines and other culture 
structures.
Sec. 7. Support Infrastructure's. — To ensure reliable access, cost-effective 
location, and economic feasibility of the mariculture park or zone, the LGUs or 
private investors, or both, as the case may be, shall cause the establishment of 
support infrastructures, such as fish hatcheries and/or nurseries, security facilities, 
onshore feed warehouse, net mending and drying sheds, ice plants and cold storage 
facilities.
Sec. 8. Aquaculture Technical Assistance and Training to Local Government 
Units,. Fisherfoik Cooperatives/Associations, and Nongovernment Organizations. — 
The DA shall provide technical training, and marketing support to the LGUs, 
fisherfoik cooperatives/associations, and nongovernment organizations with respect 
to the establishment, utilization, and management of mariculture systems in their 
respective jurisdictions.
Through a memorandum of agreement between the Southeast Asian Fisheries 
Development Center - Aquaculture Department (SEAFDEC-AQD) and the BFAR, 
SEAFDEC-AQD shall facilitate the transfer of the latest aquaculture technologies and 
assist In the DA's training programs for sustainable mariculture while promoting the 
adoption of good aquaculture practices.
Sec. 9. Private Sector as Economic Partners. - Private individual investors or 
enterprises shall be encouraged to take an active role in the establishment, 
utilization, and management of mariculture systems. For this purpose, qualified


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private investors or entrepreneurs shall coordinate with the local government
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officials concerned, the local fishing community, and appropriate government
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agencies.
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Sec. 10. Financing Scheme. - The Land Bank of the Philippines (LBP) shall
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provide loan assistance to qualified fisherfolk organizatlons/cooperatives for the
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construction of the fish cage, the procurement of the initial stocks and feeds, and for
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related expenses.
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Sec. 11. Continuing Research and Development - The BFAR, in coordination
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with fisheries schools and/or state universities and colleges In the area, and the
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concerned LGUs, shall conduct continuing research and development as well as
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application of technological advancements In the mariculture Industry.
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Sec. 12. Monitoring and Evaluation. - The DA shall monitor the
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Implementation of research and de\ elopment programs and mariculture projects. A
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technical advisory committee composed of the BFAR, the SEAFDEC-AQD, the
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National Fisheries Research and Development Institute, and the academe, shall
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review all existing mariculture parks or zones every four (4) years to determine their
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viability or effectiveness.
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Sec. 13. Appropriations. - The amount needed for the implementation of this
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Act shall be Included in the budgets of the concerned departments/agencies in the
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annual General Appropriations Act.
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The LGUs, the implementation of the Program shall be funded from their
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National Tax Allotment (NTA) and otner internally generated funds.
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Sec. 14. Identification of Mariculture Areas. - Within six (6) months from the
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effectivity of this Act, the BFAR shall identify the LGUs which have potential areas for
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the establishment of mariculture parks: Provided, That not later than one (1) year
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from the effectivity of this Act, the BFAR, in coordination with the LGUs concerned,
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shall complete the master plan of each mariculture park in the Identified areas:
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Provided, further. That the number of fish cages to be Installed in the duly
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designated mariculture parks shall be determined by the LGUs concerned through
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the enactment of an ordinance.
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Sec. 15. Annual Report. - The DA, through the BFAR, shall render an annual
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report to Congress on the accomplishment of the program, a review on the viability


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of the program which Includes a complete list of areas suitable for the establishment 
of marlculture parks in the country with their respective feasibility study shall be 
made by the agencies concerned after three (3) years of implementation of this Act.
Sec. 16. Information Campaign. - The BFAR shall undertake an intensive 
public information campaign within three (3) months from the effectivlty of this Act.
Sec. 17. Implementing Rules and Regulations. - Within ninety (90) days upon 
the approval of this Act, the DA, through the BFAR, together with the Department of 
the Interior and Local Government (DILG) and the representatives of the League of 
Provinces, League of Cities, and League of Municipalities, shall adopt rules and 
regulations necessary to Implement the provisions of this Act.
Sec. 18. Separability Clause. - If any provision of this Act is declared invalid 
or unconstitutional, the remaining provision not affected thereby shall continue to be 
in full force and effect.
Sec. 19. Repealing Clause. - All laws, decrees, orders or regulations or part 
thereof Inconsistent with this Act are hereby repealed or modified accordingly.
Sec. 20 . Effectivity. - This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days following the 
completion of its publication in the Official Gazette or In a national newspaper of 
general circulation.
Approved,