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EIGHTEENTH CONGRESS
First Regular Session

5302
HOUSE BILL No.

Introduced by: HON. CARL NICOLAS C. CARI

EXPLANATORY NOTE

The Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations elucidated that aquaculture
in the Philippines has a long history and involves many species and farming practices in diverse
‘ecosystems. Most of the production comes from the farming of scaweed, milkfish, tilapia, shrimp,
carp, oyster and mussel. Aquaculture contributes significantly to the country's food security,
employment and foreign exchange earnings. Aquaculture is growing much faster than capture
fisheries. However, the global position of the Philippines in aquaculture production has fallen
steadily from 4" place in 1985 to 12" place today. The Philippines now contributes only a little
over one percent of global farmed fish production compared to five percent previously.

The future growth of Philippine aquaculture may not be sustained unless new markets are
developed, market competitiveness is strengthened and farming risks are reduced. In this age of
international trade and competition, the Philippine aquaculture industry needs to plan and
implement a development and management program with a global perspective.

With this, we need an additional aquaculture center in Baybay City to fill the demand for
fish (and seashells) to fill the gap in fish production.

Respectfully submitted.

CEE,

Representative
5 District, Leyte



Republic of the Philippines

House of Representatives
Quezon City, Metro Manila

EIGHTEENTH CONGRESS
First Regular Session

5302
HOUSE BILL No.

Introduced by: HON. CARL NICOLAS C. CARI

AN ACT ESTABLISHING A MULTI-SPECIE MARINE BREEDING FARM AND
HATCHERY IN BAYBAY CITY, PROVINCE OF LEYTE AND APPROPRIATING
FUNDS THEREFOR

Be it enacted by the Senate and the 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), multi-specie marine breeding
farm/stations and hatcheries for the production and multiplication of fish and shellfish in Baybay,
Leyte.

Section 2. The BFAR-DA shall, within two (2) years after the construction of the multi-
species marine hatchery, transfer the management of the same to the local government unit
concemed through a memorandum of agreement. It shall implement a training and phasing-in
program for local government personnel on the management and operation of the hatchery.

Section 3. The Secretary of Agriculture shall include in the Department of Agriculture’s
programs the immediate establishment of the multipurpose fishery breeding farm and hatchery
herein mandated. Henceforth, funds for their operation and upkeep of needed facilities shall be
included in the General Appropriations Act. The local government unit concerned shall set aside
from any available local revenue such amounts as may be appropriate to support the operation of
the multi-purpose fishery breeding farm and hatchery

Section 4. Within sixty (60) days from effectivity of this Act., the BFAR-DA shall
promulgate the necessary implementing rules and regulations on the supervision and monitoring,
and the transfer or withdrawal by the BFAR to implement this Act.

Section 5. This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after its publication in the Official
Gazette or in a newspaper of general circulation.

APPROVED,