, - “¢,
/ RECEIVED @
| * ome: 26,JUL2017

Republic of the Philippines

HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Quezon City, Metro Manila

Seventeenth Congress
Second Regular Session

HOUSE BILL No6061

Introduced by Honorable Roger G. Mercado

EXPLANATORY NOTE

Fisheries, aquaculture, and maritime transportation are important sectors in the
Province of Southem Leyte and its neighboring coastal municipalities. Subsistence
fishing communities dot the coast of the island of Southern Leyte and fishing provides
for the livelihoods of a significant portion of those below the poverty line in the
island.

‘The Maritime Industry Authority (MARINA) supervises, regulates, promotes
and develops the use of vessels, both small-scale fishing boats and large crafts for
transport. The agency likewise provides financial assistance to the industry and
technological assistance to fishermen.

In light of this difficulty, this bill seeks to expand the capacity of the
MARINA satellite office in Maasin City, Province of Southem Leyte to act as a sub-
provincial hub and address the needs of the residents of the province by converting it
into an extension office and providing the necessary resources, funds and personnel.

Furthermore, the Secretary of the Department of Transportation and the
MARINA are authorized under this bill, for a limited period, to reorganize the offices
within region VIII to deliver efficient services to both islands. For instance, the
MARINA may see fit to subdivide its services for two regional hubs. Region VIII-A
for Leyte Island and Biliran Provinces; and Region VIII-B for Samar Island or
subdivided them into six (6) provincial hubs; one (1) each for Leyte, Western Samar,
Northern Samar, Biliran and Southem Leyte.


For the aforementioned reasons, the undersigned submits this bill for the
consideration of this august body.

ROGER GAVIOLA MERCADO,


Republic of the Philippines

HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Quezon City, Metro Manila

Seventeenth Congress
Second Regular Session

HOUSE BILL No, 6061

Introduced by Honorable Roger G. Mercado

AN ACT
CONVERTING THE SATELLITE OFFICE OF THE MARITIME INDUSTRY
AUTHORITY LOCATED IN MAASIN CITY, PROVINCE OF SOUTHERN
LEYTE INTO AN EXTENSION OFFICE AND APPROPRIATING FUNDS.
THEREFOR

Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the Philippines in
Congress assembled:

SECTION I. The existing Maritime Industry Authority (MARINA) Satellite
Office in Maasin City, Province of Souther Leyte is hereby converted into a regular
MARINA Extension Office. The extension office shall serve as the sub-provincial
hub for the Province of Southern Leyte and its neighboring coastal municipalities of
Inopacan, Hilongos, Bato and Matalom, all of Leyte and provide services for the
residents of the aforementioned province and municipalities.

SECTION 2. The Administrator of MARINA shall include in the Agency's
programs the operationalization of the regular extension office in Maasin City, the
initial funding of which shall be charged against the current year’s appropriation of

the MARINA Region VIII located in Tacloban City. Thereafter, such sums as may be


necessary for the regular and continued operation of the MARINA Extension Office
shall be included in the annual General Appropriations Act.

SECTION 3. The Secretary of the Department of Transportation, thru the
Administrator of MARINA, is hereby authorized to reorganize the offices, personnel,
funds, and properties of the MARINA within Region VII towards the effective and
efficient delivery of services for the residents within the islands of Southern Leyte.
The Secretary of Transportation and the MARINA shall submit the consolidated
reorganization plan and any amendments thereof to President of the Philippines for

his approval.

SECTION 4. This Act shall become effective fifteen (15) days after its

Publication in a newspaper of general circulation.

Approved,