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

‘TWENTIETH CONGRESS
1 Regular Session

House Bill No. 2084

Introduced by Representative HAROLD JAMES T. DUTERTE

EXPLANATORY NOTE

The Philippines is blessed with abundant marine and aquatic resources. Such abundance is
embodied in the share of fishing and aquaculture activities in the country’s Gross Domestic
Product which recorded a value of PhP 269.64 billion or 12.82% in 2022. As of 2022, we have
2,302,648 registered according to the BEAR Fisherfolk Registration System (FishR). However, the
actual number is actually much higher.

Notwithstanding their numbers and the said invaluable contribution of the fisherfolks to the
economy, the sector remains to be the among the poorest in the country. The Philippine Statistics
Authority accounts for the poverty incidence of the fisheries sector at 30.6% — the highest among
all basic sectors in the country.

An issue among such fisherfolk is the costs of securing and renewing licenses and permits ~ usually
an annual recurring burden before they can work.

It is in this regard that this Bill seeks to amend the specific provision of the Local Government
Code to increase the validity of the licenses granted by Local Government Units to fisherfolk. The
said measure primarily aims to mitigate the resources and expenses that our fisherfolk may incur

for the operation of their own source of sustenance and livelihood

In view of the foregoing, the approval of this Bill is earnestly sought.

HON. OLD JAMES T. DUTERTE


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

TWENTIETH CONGRESS
1" Regular Session

House Bill No._20$4

Introduced by Representative HAROLD JAMES T. DUTERTE

AN ACT
REGULATING THE VALIDITY OF LICENSES ISSUED UNDER SECTION 3 (B) 3
AND AMENDING FOR THE PURPOSE REPUBLIC ACT NO. 7160, OTHERWISE
KNOWN AS THE LOCAL GOVERNMENT CODE OF THE PHILIPPINES, AS
AMENDED

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 "Five (5) Year LGU Fishing
License Act."

SEC. 2. Validity of Registration, Licenses, and Permits. — Any and all registrations,
licenses, and permits granted pursuant to Republic Act No. 8550, or the Philippine Fisheries Code
of 1998, or those granted by a delegation of authority under the same Code shall be valid for five
(5) years, unless a shorter period is specifically provided under the Code.

SEC. 3. Section 149, Paragraph b (3) is hereby amended as follows:
Section 149. Fishery Rentals, Fees and Charges. ~

a. Municipalities shall have the exclusive authority to grant fishery privileges
in the municipal waters and impose rentals, fees or charges therefor in
accordance with the provisions of this Section.

b. The sangguniang bayan may:

1. Grant fishery privileges to erect fish corrals, oysters, mussels or
other aquatic beds or bangus fry areas, within a definite zone of the
municipal waters, as determined by it: Provided, however, That
duly registered organizations and cooperatives of marginal
fishermen shall have the preferential right to such fishery
privileges: Provided, further, That the sangguniang bayan may
require a public bidding in conformity with and pursuant to an
ordinance for the grant of such privileges: Provided, finally, That
in the absence of such organizations and cooperatives or their
failure to exercise their preferential right, other parties may
participate in the public bidding in conformity with the above cited
procedure.


2. Grant the privilege to gather, take or catch bangus fry, prawn fry
or kawag-kawag or fry of other species and fish from the municipal
waters by nets, traps or other fishing gears to marginal fishermen
fice of any rental, fee, charge or any other imposition whatsoever.

3. Issue licenses for the operation of fishing vessels of three (3) tons
or less for which purpose the sangguniang bayan shall promulgate
rules and regulations regarding the issuances of such licenses to
qualified applicants under existing laws. PROVIDED, THAT
SUCH LICENSES SHALL BE VALID FOR AT LEAST FIVE
() YEARS.

Provided, however, ‘That the sanggunian concerned shall, by
appropriate ordinance, penalize the use of explosives, noxious or
poisonous substances, electricity, muro-ami, and other deleterious
methods of fishing and prescribe a criminal penalty therefor in
accordance with the provisions of this Code: Provided, finally,
‘That the sanggunian concerned shall have the authority to
prosecute any violation of the provisions of applicable fishery laws.

SEC. 4, Separability Clause. — \f any portion or provision of this Act is declared
unconstitutional or invalid, the other portions or provisions hereof, which are not affected thereby,
shall continue in full force and effect.

SEC. 5. Repealing Clause. — All other laws, decrees, orders, rules and regulations or parts
thereof inconsistent with the Act or rules and regulations promulgated pursuant thereto are hereby

repealed or amended accordingly.

SEC. 6. Effectivity. — This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after publication in the
Official Gazette or in two (2) newspapers of national circulation.

Approved,