Republic of the Philippines

House of Representatives
Quezon City, Metro Manila

TWENTIETH CONGRESS
First Regular Session

HOUSE BILL NO. 4341

INTRODUCED BY HON. ANNA YORK P. BONDOC, M.D.

EXPLANATORY NOTE

The Municipality of Masantol significantly contributes to making our district, the 4"
District Pampanga, and our Province of Pampanga as the top aquaculture producer in the
country. We are number one in tilapia production and a top producer of mud crabs and prawns.

This bill is in support of our thriving aquaculture industry as well as of our government's
efforts for food self-sufficiency. This bill seeks to establish a multi-species freshwater and
saltwater hatchery in the Municipality of Masantol, Province of Pampanga which shall be under
the supervision of the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources of the Department of
Agriculture (BFAR-DA). The BFAR-DA shall, consequently, transfer the management of the
hatchery facilities to the local government units and shall implement a training and phasing-in
program for the findlocal government personnel on the management and operation of the
hatchery.

‘Aquatic hatcheries provide the seed for aquaculture and promote commercial
fisheries. It allows the replenishment of fish in these man-made facilities at a rate much faster
than nature would allow. It provides for an optimum environment for fish eggs to develop and
hatch by maintaining proper water temperature and oxygen levels, as well as providing
adequate food supplies and safety from predators.

‘As such, the establishment of multi-species freshwater and saltwater hatchery is
exponentially pivotal in addressing the deficiency in the supply of fish scedlings to aquaculture
sectors. Moreover, the hatcheries would improve the country’s fish fry supply and boost the
Jocal aquaculture sector.

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

Que Yule P hrrbn/

Rep. Anna York P; Bondoc, M.D.
4" District Pampanga


Republic of the Philippines

House of Representatives
Queson City, Metro Manila

TWENTIETH CONGRESS
First Regular Session

HOUSE BILL NO. _4341

INTRODUCED BY HON. ANNA YORK P. BONDOC, M.

AN ACT ESTABLISHING A MULTI-SPECIES FRESHWATER AND SALTWATER
HATCHERY IN THE MUNICIPALITY OF MASANTOL, PROVINCE OF
PAMPANGA, AND APPROPRIATING FUNDS THEREFOR

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

Section 1. There shall be established, under the supervision of the Bureau of Fisheries
and Aquatic Resources of the Department of Agriculture (BFAR-DA), a multi-species
freshwater and saltwater hatchery in the Municipality of Masantol, Province of Pampanga.

Section 2. Prior to the establishment of the multi-species freshwater and saltwater
hatchery, the BFAR-DA shall conduct a full-scale feasibility study in support of its
construction to comply with the requirements of the Department of Budget and Management.

Within two (2) years after the construction of the multi-species freshwater and saltwater
hatchery, the BFAR-DA, through a Memorandum of Agreement, shall transfer its management
to the local government of the Municipality of Masantol. It shall implement a training and
phasing-in program for local government personnel on the management and operation of the
hatchery.

Section 3. The BFAR-DA shall conduct continuing research and experimentation on the
breeding and productions of freshwater and saltwater species, especially as these apply to local
conditions, to discover new methods and technologies that will enhance the fishing industry.

Section 4. The Secretary of Agriculture shall include in the Department's Programs the
conduct of the feasibility study and the consequent establishment of the multi-species
freshwater and saltwater hatchery in the Municipality of Masantol, Province of Pampanga, the
funding of which shall be included in the General Appropriation Act. The local government
unit concerned shall set aside funds from any available local revenue in an amount deemed
appropriate for the operationalization of the hatchery.

Section 5. Within sixty (60) days from the effectivity of this Act, the Secretary of
Agriculture shall issue the rules and regulations on the supervision, operation, monitoring, and
the eventual transfer of the multi-species freshwater and saltwater hatchery to the local
government of the Municipality of Masantol.

Section 6. This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after its publication in the Official
Gazette or ina newspaper of general circulation.

Approved.