TWENTIETH CONGRESS
First Regular Session

3250

House Bill No._“**

Introduced by Abang Lingkod Party-list Representative
Manuel “Manman” O. Ko

EXPLANATORY NOTE

‘The Philippines, as one of the world’s leading producers of fish and
aquatic products, has a vital stake in ensuring that its fisheries sector is
sustainable, competitive, and compliant with international standards.
However, challenges such as illegal, unreported, and unregulated (UU)
fishing, supply chain opacity, and weak enforcement mechanisms
continue to undermine the integrity and long-term viability of the sector.

In recent years, the global demand for traceable and responsibly sourced
seafood has significantly increased. Major export markets such as the
European Union, the United States, and Japan have imposed stringent
traceability and sustainability requirements on imported seafood
products. Compliance with these standards is not merely a matter of
trade access—it is a strategic imperative for protecting marine
ecosystems, ensuring consumer safety, and preserving the livelihoods of
millions of Filipino fisherfolk.

To address these urgent challenges, the proposed measure seeks to
institutionalize a National Seafood Traceability System (NSTS)—a
comprehensive, government-led framework for tracking the movement of
seafood and aquatic products from point of harvest to end consumer. It
will support real-time data collection, supply chain documentation,
product verification, and the use of digital traceability tools to ensure
transparency and accountability at every stage of the supply chain.

‘The NSTS will cover both wild-caught and aquaculture products and will
be implemented in coordination with key government agencies such as
the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR), Department of
Trade and Industry (DTI), Food and Drug Administration (FDA), and
Department of Science and Technology (DOST), in partnership with
private sector stakeholders and fisherfolk communities. Its core function
is to support the detection and prevention of IUU fishing, reduce seafood
mislabeling and fraud, and reinforce the Philippines’ compliance with key
global agreements and market standards.


This measure builds upon existing frameworks such as BFAR
Administrative Circular No. 251-1, Series of 2019, which introduced
enhanced traceability procedures for seafood products, especially for
exports. However, that circular remains administrative in nature and
limited in scope. The proposed legislation seeks to elevate these
mechanisms into permanent, enforceable law, backed by penalties and
inter-agency coordination, and ensure full alignment with the traceability
systems of major trade partners like the EU IUU Regulation, U.S.
Seafood Import Monitoring Program (SIMP), and ASEAN Harmonized
Traceability Guidelines.

‘The traceability system also empowers consumers—both domestic and
international—to make informed choices, while giving producers and
exporters incentives to comply with sustainability requirements and
improve product quality. The system will enhance data integrity, digital
monitoring, verification, and audit processes across the supply
chain—from the fishing boat or aquafarm, to processing plants, cold
storage, ports, exporters, and distributors.

Furthermore, it will help the Philippines fulfill its obligations under
international instruments such as the Port State Measures Agreement
(PSMA), the FAO Code of Conduct for Responsible Fisheries, and the
country’s National Plan of Action to Prevent, Deter and Eliminate IUU
Fishing (NPOA-IUU).

In sum, the passage of this bill is critical to securing the Philippines’
competitiveness in global seafood trade, protecting its marine resources,
and safeguarding the livelihood of its coastal and fishing communities. It
will also serve as a future-proofing strategy against the growing
complexity of regulatory and consumer demands in global seafood
markets.

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

Manuel


Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Batasan Hills, Quezon City

TWENTIETH CONGRESS
First Regular Session

3250

House Bill No.’

Introduced by Abang Lingkod Party-list Representative
Manuel “Manman” 0. Ko

AN ACT INSTITUTIONALIZING A NATIONAL SEAFOOD
TRACEABILITY SYSTEM TO COMBAT ILLEGAL, UNREPORTED AND
UNREGULATED FISHING, PROMOTE SUSTAINABLE FISHERIES, AND
STRENGTHEN PHILIPPINE SEAFOOD EXPORTS, AND FOR OTHER
PURPOSES

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

SECTION 1. Title - This Act shall be known as the "Seafood
Traceability Act of 2025."

SECTION 2. Declaration of Policy - It is hereby declared the policy of
the State to promote responsible and sustainable fisheries management,
protect marine biodiversity, ensure food safety, and strengthen the
competitiveness of Philippine seafood products in both domestic and
international markets. In pursuit of these objectives, the State recognizes
the urgent need for a comprehensive, reliable, and transparent system to
trace the origin, movement, and handling of fish and aquatic products
across the entire supply chain.

The State shall institutionalize a National Seafood Traceability System to
prevent illegal, unreported, and unregulated (IUU) fishing, improve
compliance with international trade requirements, enhance consumer
protection, and support the livelihoods of fisherfolk and aquaculture
producers. This system shall integrate digital technologies, inter-agency
coordination, and stakeholder participation to ensure the integrity,
sustainability, and global marketability of the country’s fisheries and
aquaculture industries.

SECTION 3. Definition of Terms.- For purposes of this Act:

a) Traceability - The ability to systematically identify, track, and trace the
movement of seafood products through all stages of production,
processing, and distribution.


b) Catch Documentation - Official records providing details of species,
volume, harvest date, gear used, and vessel/farm of origin.

c) IU Fishing ~ Activities defined as illegal, unreported, and unregulated
fishing under RA 10654 and international agreements.

) Seafood - All fishery and aquaculture products intended for human
consumption, including fresh, frozen, processed, and value-added
products.

SECTION 4. Creation of the National Seafood Traceability System.-
There is hereby created a National Seafood Traceability System (NSTS)
under the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR).

The NSTS shall serve as a centralized digital platform to systematically
track the movement of seafood products—both wild-caught and
aquaculture—from the point of harvest or production to the final point of
sale or export.

SECTION S. Mandatory Participation.-The following entities shall be
required to participate in the NSTS:

a) All commercial fishing vessels;
b) Aquaculture farms and operators;

c) Fish landing centers and ports;

d) Processing plants, consolidators, and cold storage operators;
e) Exporters, wholesalers, and distributors.

Municipal fisherfolk cooperatives or associations shall be gradually
included and provided support to comply with the system.

SECTION 6. Core Components of the NSTS.-The NSTS shall consist of:

a) Digital Catch Documentation System ~ E-logbooks and QR tagging of
seafood from harvest;

b) Chain-of-Custody Protocols - Secure records of handling, processing,
transport, and storage;

c) Real-time Data Integration - Interconnection with vessel monitoring
systems (VMS), port-inspection records, and export certifications;

4d) Verification and Audit Mechanism — Periodic auditing to detect
misreporting, fraud, or data gaps;

e) Consumer-Facing Labeling Option - Optional traceable labels for
public information and marketing.


SECTION 7. Export Compliance and Certification.- The NSTS shall be
designed to comply with the traceability requirements of major importing
countries, including but not limited to:

© The European Union (EU) IUU Regulation
© The United States Seafood Import Monitoring Program (SIMP)

* ASEAN harmonized traceability guidelines

BFAR shall issue traceability certifications for exports based on NSTS
data integrity.

SECTION 8. Capacity Building and Support.- BFAR, in coordination
with LGUs and relevant agencies, shall:

a) Provide training, equipment, and digital tools to fisherfolk and
aquaculture operators;

b) Support fisherfolk cooperatives in adapting to traceability
requirements;

©) Create public-private partnerships for traceability implementation.

A Seafood Traceability Support Fund shall be established for this
purpose.

SECTION 9. Penalties and Sanctions.- Any person or entity found to:

a. Willful Misreporting of Data
— The intentional submission of false, inaccurate, misleading, or
manipulated information in catch documentation, production
records, processing logs, transport documents, or export
declarations required under the National Seafood Traceability
System (NSTS). This includes misreporting of species, volume,
harvest dates, vessel or farm origin, fishing ground, or handling
and processing details.

b. Falsification of Catch Documentation
~ The unauthorized alteration, creation, or use of fraudulent or
tampered catch certificates, health certificates, e-logbooks, log
sheets, labels, lot numbers, QR codes, or any other official
traceability records required under the NSTS. This includes
counterfeiting of official BFAR-issued forms or digital certifications.

c. Refusal or Willful Failure to Comply with Traceability
Requirements
-The deliberate non-registration with the NSTS by entities required
under this Act; refusal to submit required traceability data;
non-cooperation with BFAR inspectors or control officers; denial of


access to records, facilities, or traceability systems; or failure to
implement internal traceability mechanisms as mandated by law
and its implementing rules.

4. Facilitation of Trade in Non-Traceable or IUU-Derived Products
~ The act of knowingly engaging in the purchase, sale, processing,
transport, export, import, storage, or distribution of seafood
products that:
© are not covered by traceability documentation;
© originate from unregistered or unverified sources;
© are identified as having been harvested through IUU fishing
practices; or
© are mixed with traceable products to conceal their unlawful
origin.

Any person who commits any of the prohibited acts stated herein shall
be penalized, upon due process, with:

1. A fine of # 100,000.00 to 5,000,000.00 depending on the scale of
violation;

2. Suspension or revocation of license or permit;

3. Forfeiture of products or proceeds of sale.

SECTION 10. Interagency Coordination.- BFAR shall coordinate with:

© The Philippine Fisheries Development Authority (PFDA)
© Department of Trade and Industry (DTI)

© Food and Drug Administration (FDA)

© Bureau of Customs

© Philippine Ports Authority (PPA)

© Local Government Units (LGUs)

for the effective implementation and enforcement of the NSTS.

SECTION 11. Appropriations. The amount necessary for the initial
implementation of this Act shall be charged against the current
appropriations of BFAR. Thereafter, such sums shall be included in the
annual General Appropriations Act (GAA).


SECTION 11. Implementing Rules and Regulations. — Within ninety
(90) days from the effectivity of this Act, BFAR, in consultation with
concerned agencies and stakeholders, shall promulgate the IRR.

SECTION 12. Separability Clause. — If any provision of this Act is
declared unconstitutional or invalid, the remaining provisions not
affected shall remain in full force and effect.

Section 13. Repealing Clause. — All laws, decrees, executive orders,
rules, and regulations inconsistent with this Act are hereby repealed or
modified accordingly.

Section 14. Effectivity. — This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days
after its publication in the Official Gazette or in a newspaper of general
circulation.

Approved,