EIGHTEENTH CONGRESS OF THE 
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES 
First Regular Session
)
)
SENATE
S. No. 
760
Senate
•H tcf o( l()r
*19 
JUL24 P4U3
RECEWtDiJY;
Introduced by Senator Ralph G. Recto
AN ACT
ESTABLISHING THE NATIONAL MARICULTURE PROGRAM, PROVIDING 
FUNDS THEREFOR, AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES
EXPLANATORY NOTE
This bill aims to strengthen the Philippine Fisheries sector through the 
formulation of a National Mariculture Program adopting the ecosystem-based 
approach. It seeks to expand and strengthen Mariculture Parks and Zones and 
proposes the creation of the Maritime Zone Advisory Council consisting of 
representatives from the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources-Department of 
Agriculture (BFAR-DA), the Local Government Unit (LGU) Agriculturist, the LGU 
Planning and Development Coordinator, fisherfolk cooperatives/organizations and 
business with direct involvement in mariculture.
The bill sets a P500-Million initial fund for implementation of the program and 
mandates the Land Bank of the Philippines to extend financial assistance to 
fisherfolk at easy terms, low interest rates and low amortizations. The BFAR and the 
Southeast Asian Fisheries Development Center shall extend technical assistance and 
recommend culture structures and procedures, among others, to ensure effective 
implementation. This bill provides for the establishment of physical, and socio­
economic support infrastructures to ensure the viability of investments and the 
equitable share of fisherfolk and LGUs from sustainable mariculture.


The Philippines is endowed with vast marine and coastal resources. Of the 2.2 
million square kilometers of territorial waters, including the Exclusive Economic 
Zone, around 266,000 sq. kms. are under the jurisdiction of around 900 coastal 
cities and towns along the whole length of the country's 36,289 km. coastline. Our 
archipelago lies at the Earth's center of marine biodiversity, the Coral Triangle, which 
hosts thousands of endemic and migratory species. We also lie in the Western 
Central Pacific (Food and Agriculture Office Statistical Area 71), deemed to be one of 
the highly diverse marine areas and covered by the Convention on the Conservation 
and Management of Highly Migratory Fish Stocks in the Western and Central Pacific 
Ocean.1
Fish is a major source of protein, constituting 11.9 percent of the Filipino diet, 
at 37 kilograms annual per capita.2 In fine weather, coastal folk can depend on the 
sea for food and livelihood. The map of coastal areas largely reflects the most 
densely-populated areas, inhabited by poor Filipinos migrating to where they can get 
Hbreng ulam. Likewise, coastal folk cut mangrove trees for fuel, charcoal production 
and house construction materials.
This situation of use and misuse in the light of abundant marine resources is 
best illustrated in the Verde Island Passage (VIP). An estimated seven (7) million 
people live in cities and towns along the VIP, which lies in the apex of the Coral 
Triangle, while 830,000 live right along the coastlines. Degradation of the VIP's 
coastlines has come from the destruction of mangrove forests, logging, various 
coastal developments and aquaculture.
Nationwide, our mangrove forests have whittled down to 248,000 hectares 
from the 450,000 hectares surveyed a hundred years ago. In addition, mangrove
1 Food and Agriculture Organization -  Major Fishing Areas in the Pacific Ocean 
http://w w w .fao.org/docrep/w l310e/w l310E 04.htm
2 Bureau o f Fisheries and Aquatic Resources -  Philippine Fisheries Profile 2017: Food Consumption
2


destruction has led to the loss of habitat of many species due to monoculture, or 
single-species aquaculture, such as prawn farming.
Decades of practicing unsustainable system of aquaculture has led to 
diminishing variety and volume of harvests with increasing numbers of abandoned, 
unutilized and underutilized aquaculture areas that had become less productive due 
to environmental degradation. In addition, Mariculture Parks and Zones are 
vulnerable to the pollution and contamination coming from farms, construction and 
other activities in inland waterways.
The latest BFAR data show total mariculture production in 2017 of 117,790.2 
metric tons (mt) with the biggest production at 86,005 mt coming from Region I. 
However, reported figures are often not reliable because of the absence of a 
standard system for reporting yields and landings as well as collection and 
transmission of fees and earnings due the LGUs.
Despite the economic services derived from marine resources, the sector has 
one of the most insecure labor conditions. The 2018 Labor Force Survey has 
reported that 1.1 million employed in Fishing and Aquaculture received an Average 
Daily Basic Pay of P267.84, which is P174.94 less or 49% smaller than the all­
industry daily basic pay of P442.78, as of 2018.3 If a fisherman would work for 30 
days in a month, he would earn P8,035.2, which is P4,541.8 lower than the 2018 
first-half poverty threshold of P12,577 and P768.8 lower than the food threshold of 
P8,804 a month. It is a basket case of food producers under the shadow of hunger. 
Municipal fisherfolk are one of the lowest-paid and most insecure workers in the 
country.
The proposed bill will address the issues of food safety and security; low 
wages and insecure livelihood; declining yields due to many factors such as habitat 
destruction or imprecise reporting systems; and degradation of coastal ecosystems
3 2018 Labor Force Survey


from anthropomorphic activities that affect the mariculture industry. The Mariculture 
Zone Advisory Council to be created is tasked with the over-all management and 
supervision of Mariculture Parks and Zones as well as revenue collection and 
transmission of the same to local governments.
Food security and employment for millions of Filipinos are immediate direct 
benefits to be gained with the implementation of a sustainable ecosystem-based 
National Mariculture Program proposed herein.
In the light of the foregoing, immediate passage of the bill is earnestly
sought.
/FMPC


EIGHTEENTH CONGRESS OF THE 
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES 
First Regular Session
S. No.
)
)
SENATE
760
*19 
JUL 24 P4'44
RECEIVCL 5V..
Introduced by Senator Ralph G. Recto
AN ACT
ESTABLISHING THE NATIONAL MARICULTURE PROGRAM, PROVIDING 
FUNDS THEREFOR, AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES
Be it enacted by the Senate and House o f Representatives o f the Philippines in 
Congress assembled:
1 
Section 1. Title. -  This Act shall be known as "The National Mariculture
2 
Program".
3 
Sec. 2. Declaration o f Policy. -  The State shall ensure food security to
4 
everyone, utilizing and developing the country's natural wealth, and shall protect the
5 
aquatic resources as valuable food reserve. Toward this end, the State shall ensure
6 
the utmost protection of the country's marine environment while optimizing the
7 
potential contribution to food security.
8 
Likewise, the State shall uphold the rights and interests of the Filipino
9 
fisherfolk and they shall be given preferential use of the marine and fishing
10 
resources in the country.
11 
To this end, there shall be a comprehensive program on marine technology
12 
and research, financial and marketing assistance, and other services for the benefit
13 
of the fisherfolk and the local communities.
14 
Sec. 3. National Mariculture Program. -  The National Government, through
15 
the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR), shall undertake a National
16 
Mariculture Program (NMP), guided by the following objectives:
17 
1. To promote mariculture as a major source of livelihood for fisherfolk;


1 
2. To identify and establish mariculture parks in suitable areas adopting the
2 
ecosystem-based approach;
3 
3. To ensure food security and enhance socio-economic growth through a
4 
sustainable mariculture industry;
5 
4. To conserve, protect and manage the aquatic environment conducive to
6 
fisheries, species management and mariculture investment;
7 
5. To develop procedures in order to minimize the adverse effects from
8 
mariculture in view of the multiple uses of marine and coastal areas where
9 
mariculture parks may be established;
10 
6. To develop the technical skills of fisherfolk throughout the production,
11 
harvesting, processing, storage and transport stages in the value chain;
12 
7. To provide appropriate infrastructure and equipment for post-harvest
13 
technology;
14 
8. To provide stakeholders easy access to financial institutions; and
15 
9. To enable stakeholders to implement activities for climate change
16 
resiliency and disaster risk reduction and management capability.
17 
Sec. 4. Definition o f Terms. -  As used in this Code, the following terms shall
18 
mean as follows:
19 
1. Mariculture shall refer to an integrated branch of aquaculture designed to
20 
produce fish through sea cages, long lines and other culture structures in
21 
marine and coastal areas to grow high value species, such as but not
22 
limited to bangus, siganid, seaweeds, oysters, mussels, red snappers,
23 
groupers and other related species;
24 
2. Mariculture Park or Zone shall refer to duly designated fishery areas where
25 
mariculture is undertaken; and
26 
3. Southeast Asian Fisheries Development Center (SEAFDEC) shall refer to an
27 
intergovernmental organization established for the purpose of sustaining
28 
fishery development in Southeast Asia.
29 
Sec. 5. Mariculture Development Parks and Zones. -  Subject to the limitations
30 
set forth under Sections 20 and 22 of Republic Act No. 8550, otherwise known as
31 
the Philippine Fisheries Code of 1988, and Section 149 of Republic Act No. 7160,


1 
otherwise known as the Local Government Code, the officials of the local
2 
government unit concerned shall supervise the establishment of mariculture parks
3 
and zones in duly designated areas located within the municipal waters. In case of
4 
waters located outside of municipal waters, the Department of Agriculture (DA) shall
5 
designate and supervise the respective mariculture area.
6 
The technical, social, economic viability and sustainability, as well as
7 
environmental protection, shall be taken into consideration in selecting an area for a
8 
mariculture park or zone.
9 
For this purpose, the province, city or municipality shall enter into a Lease
10 
Agreement with the registered fisherfolk cooperative as well as private investors,
11 
where the terms and conditions, as well as profit-sharing terms, are specified
12 
therein.
13 
However, the BFAR shall provide a ceiling for rental fees to locators, in
14 
consultation 
with 
the 
Sanggunian concerned, 
taking 
into 
consideration 
its
15 
affordability to ordinary fisherfolks and the viability for its continued operation. In
16 
granting lease agreements, local government units shall give preference to local
17 
fisherfolk.
18 
A development plan shall always be required of applicants to form part of the
19 
bases for the grant of a license by the Mariculture Zone Advisory Council.
20 
Considering the competing uses of seas and ocean space, the Philippine Coast
21 
Guard (PCG), shall be required to determine if a proposed mariculture park or zone
22 
and its facilities therein pose a significant navigational hazard or obstruct safe travel,
23 
and, to issue a certification of its findings and recommendations and submit the
24 
same to the DA.
25 
Sec. 6. Ownership o f Mariculture Parks. -  Unless the Mariculture Park is
26 
established by a private individual or corporation, the ownership of the park shall
27 
belong to the municipality or city which has jurisdiction over the area. If the park is
28 
established outside the municipal waters or within the territorial jurisdiction of two or
29 
more cities or municipalities, the ownership shall belong to the provincial
30 
government which has jurisdiction over the area. If the area is within the territorial


1 
jurisdiction of two or more provinces, the provinces concerned shall enter into a
2 
Joint Venture Agreement where the issue of ownership shall be defined.
3 
Sec. 7. Mariculture Zone Advisory Council. -  The Mariculture Zone Advisory
4 
Council is hereby created which shall be composed of the following:
5 
1. Representative from the BFAR with a rank equivalent to a Director as
6 
Chairperson;
7 
2. The City or Municipal Agriculturist, or in the absence thereof, the Provincial
8 
Agriculturist as Vice-Chairperson;
9 
3. The City or Municipal Planning and Development Coordinator;
10 
4. A representative from the registered fisherfolk organization or cooperative;
11 
and
12 
5. A representative from the private business sector directly involved with the
13 
Mariculture Zone.
14 
All members of the Advisory Council, and not their respective proxies, shall be
15 
required to attend all council meetings.
16 
Sec. 8. Functions o f the Maritime Zone Advisory Council. -  The Mariculture
17 
Zone Advisory Council shall have the following functions:
18 
1. To operate, administer, manage and develop the Mariculture Zone
19 
according to the principles set forth in this Act;
20 
2. To register, regulate and supervise the enterprises in the Mariculture Zone
21 
in an efficient and decentralized manner;
22 
3. To exercise general supervision over the development, plans, activities
23 
and operations of the Mariculture Zone; and
24 
4. To ensure that all revenues of the Mariculture Zone are properly collected
25 
and remitted to the local government unit/units.
26 
Sec. 9. Mooring Spaces. -  Grant of Mariculture Zone areas shall be based on
27 
mooring spaces to ensure that usage of area for sea cages, long lines and other
28 
culture structures is limited to the granted space as provided. Granted mooring
29 
spaces not developed/installed with culture structures within six (6) months will be
30 
forfeited and awarded to other qualified applicants. The BFAR shall prescribe the
31 
guidelines in the installation of sea cages, long lines and other culture structures.


1 
Sec. 10. Support Infrastructures. -  To ensure reliable access, cost-effective
2 
distance and economic feasibility of the Mariculture Park and Zone, the Advisory
3 
Council shall cause the establishment of support infrastructures such as, but not
4 
limited to floating guardhouses, onshore feed warehouse, net mending and drying
5 
shed, a pier, ice plant and cold storage facility.
6 
To ensure fish safety and control diseases, the Advisory Council shall provide
7 
for a water quality monitoring system to determine the presence of marine litter,
8 
agricultural run-off and pathogenic contaminants in the Mariculture Parks and Zones.
9 
In addition to the physical infrastructure, socio-economic infrastructure shall
10 
likewise be placed to ensure the success of the Mariculture Park and Zone such as
11 
the registration of fisherfolk, fisheries cooperatives and organizations.
12 
Sec. 11. Energy Supply. -  The Local Government Unit shall ensure 24-hour
13 
electric power supply for the Mariculture Park and Zone cold storage facility through
14 
self-generation or through a power supply agreement with an electric cooperative,
15 
distribution utility, sub-transmission or transmission company serving the area
16 
nearest the Mariculture Park and Zone: Provided, That the Advisory Council shall first
17 
determine the feasibility of installing a self-generating renewable energy system for
18 
the exclusive use of the Mariculture Park and Zone: Provided, further. That the
19 
Advisory Council shall utilize power from self-generation if the price per kilowatt hour
20 
is lower than power from other entities.
21 
Sec. 12. Aquaculture Technical Assistance and Training to Local Government
22 
Units, 
Fisherfolk 
Cooperatives 
and 
Associations, 
and, 
Non-Governmental
23 
Organizations. -  The SEAFDEC, through its Aquaculture Department, shall provide
24 
technical assistance, training and marketing support to local government units,
25 
coastal 
fishermen, 
fisherfolk 
cooperafives/association, 
and 
non-government
26 
organizations with respect to the establishment, utilization and management of
27 
mariculture systems in their respective jurisdictions. The SEAFDEC shall closely
28 
coordinate with the stakeholders concerned for this purpose.
29 
Sec. 13. Private Sector as Economic Partners. -  Private individual investors or
30 
enterprises shall, as far as practicable, be encouraged to take an active role in the
31 
establishment, utilization and management of mariculture systems. Qualified private


1 
investors or entrepreneurs shall coordinate with the local government officials
2 
concerned, local fishing community and appropriate government agencies, for this
3 
purpose.
4 
Sec. 14. Financing Scheme. -  The Land Bank of the Philippines (LBP) shall
5 
provide financial assistance to registered fisherfolk organizations/cooperatives for
6 
the construction of the fish cage, long line and other culture structures and for the
7 
procurement of the initial stocks and feeds. The LBP shall issue guidelines on the
8 
scheduled annual payments of the loan. It shall reduce the interest rate and/or
9 
reduce the principal obligation to make the repayment affordable for the fisher-folk.
10 
The LBP shall render quarterly reports on the disbursement of funds for the National
11 
Mariculture Program.
12 
Sec. 15. Continuing Research and Development -  The BFAR shall conduct
13 
continuing research and development as well as application of technological
14 
advancements in the mariculture industry. A one-hectare Research and Development
15 
area shall be designated within a province, city or municipality for the conduct of
16 
research and demonstration activities as well as a venue for the manpower capability
17 
trainings in the mariculture zone. This area shall be jointly managed by the LGU and
18 
BFAR.
19 
Sec. 
16. 
Monitoring and Evaluation. 
-  The 
DA 
shall 
monitor 
the
20 
implementation of Research and Development programs and mariculture projects.
21 
The BFAR shall review all existing mariculture parks and zones every four (4) years,
22 
to determine their viability or effectiveness. The BFAR shall employ the services of
23 
independent evaluators to assess the overall impact of the country's mariculture
24 
development. A quarterly Performance Evaluation issued by independent evaluators
25 
shall be submitted to the BFAR for this purpose.
26 
Sec. 17. Identification o f Mariculture Areas. -  Within six (6) months from the
27 
effectivity of this Act, the BFAR shall identify the local government units which have
28 
potential areas for the establishment of mariculture parks: Provided, That not later
29 
than one (1) year from the effectivity of this Act, the BFAR, in coordination with the
30 
local government units concerned, shall complete the blueprint of each mariculture
31 
park in the identified areas.


1 
Sec. 18. Annual Report. -T h e  DA, through the BFAR, shall render an annual
2 
report to Congress on the accomplishment of the program. A review on the viability
3 
of the program which includes a complete list suitable for the establishment of
4 
mariculture parks in the country with their respective feasibility study shall be made
5 
by the agencies concerned after three (3) years of its implementation.
6 
Sec. 19. Information Campaign. -T h e  BFAR shall undertake intensive public
7 
information campaign within three (3) months from the effectivity of this Act.
8 
Sec. 20. Appropriations. -  The initial amount of Five Hundred Million Pesos
9 
(P500,000,000.00) is hereby appropriated to effectively carry out the provisions of
10 
this Act during the first year of implementation. Thereafter, such sums as may be
11 
necessary for the continued implementation of this Act shall be included in the
12 
succeeding General Appropriations Act.
13 
Sec. 21. Implementing Rules and Regulations. -  The DA, through the BFAR,
14 
together with the Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG) and the
15 
representatives of the League of Provinces, League of Cities, and League of
16 
Municipalities, shall adopt rules and regulations necessary to implement the
17 
provisions of this Act within ninety (90) days upon the approval of this Act.
18 
Sec. 22. Repealing Cause. -  All laws, acts, decrees, executive orders,
19 
issuances, presidential proclamations and rules and regulations or parts thereof
20 
which are contrary to and inconsistent with this Act are hereby repealed, amended
21 
or modified accordingly.
22 
Sec. 23. Effectivity. - This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days following its
23 
publication in the Official Gazette or in at least two (2) newspapers of general
24 
circulation.
Approved,