Republic of the Philippines
House of Representatives
Quezon City, Metro Manila
Nineteenth Congress
Second Regular Session
HOUSEBILLNo.9815
Introduced by Representative Christian S. Unabia
EXPLANATORY NOTE
This   bill   seeks   to   establish   a   multi-species   freshwater   and   marine
hatchery  in Barangay Portulin,  Municipality of Medina,  Province  of Misamis
Oriental.
A  fish  hatchery  is  a  facility  designed  to  cultivate  and  breed  a  large
number of fish in an enclosed artificial environment.  It provides for fish eggs to
develop  and  hatch  by  maintaining  proper  water temperature,  oxygen  levels,
disease control,  food,  and protection from predators.   Hatcheries are also used
for stock enhancement and are also known as "res/orc}fz.o# czgciczcct//c{re" through
which fish and shellfish are raised in a hatchery and then released to a bigger
environment  to  be  grown  to  a  desired  weight  and  thereafter  harvested  to
supplement the demands of the consuming public.
In  Misamis  Oriental,  there  are  currently  sixty  (60)  units  of registered
Norwegian  cages,  thirty-one (31) units  of bamboo  cages  cultivating milkfish,
and fishpond with a total  area of 107.727 hectares used for monoculture and
polyculture of tilapia, bangus,  hito, koi,  and shrimp.   However, the harvest is
insufficient to meet the increasing demand for freshwater and marine products
in  Misamis  Oriental  and  adjoining provinces.    The  establishment  of a  multi-
species    freshwater   and    marine   hatchery   in   Barangay    Portulin    in   the
Municipality  of Medina will produce  sufficient  fingerlings  for distribution to
fishpond  operators  in  the  area  and  encourage  other  people  to  venture  in
aquaculture.
The  proposed  measure  will  support  the  growth  and  reproduction  of
different species through cultivation and breeding of a variety of highly valued


aquatic   species,   whichever  is   applicable,   to  the   climate   condition   of  the
Municipality  of Medina.    Further,  the  establishment  of a  hatchery  will  also
provide a sustainable source of income and employment opportunities  for the
local community of Medina.
In view of the foregoing, approval of this bill is earnestly requested.


Republic of the Philippines
House of Representatives
Quezon City, Metro Manila
Nineteenth Congress
Second Regular Session
HOUSEB|LLNo.9815
Introduced by Representative Christian S. Unabia
AN ACT
2     HSTABLISHING  A  MULTI-SPECIES  FRESHWATHR  AND  MARINE
3     HATCHERY    IN    BARANGAY    PORTULIN,    MUNICIPALITY    0F
4     MEDINA,       PROVINCE       OF       MISAMIS       ORIENTAL       AND
5     APPROPRIATING FUNDS THEREFOR
6
Be it enacted by the Senate and House Of Representatives Of the Philippines in
Congress assembled:
9
10                 SECTION  1.    There  shall  be  established,  under the  supervision  of the
11      Bureau of Fisheries  and Aquatic Resources  of the Department of Agriculture
12     (BFAR-DA),  a  multi-species  freshwater  and  marine  hatchery  in  Barangay
13      Portulin, Municipality of Medina, Province ofMisamis oriental.
14                 SEC.  2.    Prior to the establishment of the multi-species  freshwater and
15      marine hatchery,  the BFAR-DA  shall conduct a full-scale  feasibility study  in
16     support of its construction to comply with the requirements of the Department
17      of Budget and Management.


1                 Within two (2) years after the construction of the multi-species freshwater
2     and  marine  hatchery,  the  BFAR-DA,  through  a  memorandum  of agreement,
3      shall transfer its management to the local government unit of the Municipality
4     of Medina.    It  shall  implement  a  training  and  phasing-in  program  for  local
5     government personnel on the management and operation of the hatchery.
6                 SEC.   3.       The   BFAR-DA   shall   conduct   continuing   research   and
7     experimentation  on  the  breeding  and  production  of  freshwater  and  marine
8      species,  especially as they apply to local conditions, to discover new methods
9      and technologies that will enhance the fishing industry.
10                 SEC. 4.   The Secretary of Agriculture shall include in the Department's
11     programs the conduct of the feasibility study and the consequent establishment
12     of the  freshwater and  marine  hatchery  in  Barangay  Portulin,  Municipality  of
13      Medina, Province of Misamis Oriental, the funding of which shall be included
14      in   the   annual   General   Appropriations   Act.      The   local   government   unit
15      concerned shall set aside funds from any available local revenue in an amount
16     deemed appropriate for the operationalization of the hatchery.
17                 SEC.  5.    Within  sixty  (60)  days  from  the  effectivity  of this  Act,  the
18      Secretary of Agriculture shall issue the rules and regulations on the supervision,
19     operation,  monitoring,  and the  eventual  transfer of the  hatchery  to  the  local
20     government of the Municipality of Medina.
2


1                  SEC. 6.  This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after its publication in
2      the Qorcz.cz/ Gczze#e or in newspaper of general circulation.
3                 Approve d,
3