EIGHTEENTH CONGRESS
First Regular Session

House Bill No. _ 4442

Introduced by Representative Gil “Kabarangay Jr.” A. Acosta

AN ACT
ESTABLISHING A MULTI-SPECIES MARINE HATCHERY
IN BARANGAY BINDUYAN, CITY OF PUERTO PRINCESA,
PROVINCE OF PALAWAN AND APPROPRIATING FUNDS
THEREFOR

EXPLANATORY NOTE

What happens when fishermen run out of fish to catch? This was the
dilemma of many of our marginal fisherfolks in most of the coastal areas of the
country. Due to overfishing activities and unsustainable fishing methods, many
coral reefs and spawning areas of marine resources near the coastal villages
were depleted of its fish population.

The main livelihood of people in coastal communities is to catch fish and
other marine creatures like shrimp, shells, seaweeds and squids. As the fish
were in real short supply, coastal residents had to go far off the coast to find fish
and it was really expensive.

Aside from spending more resources on gas just to get enough catch, the
fishermen also had to deal with harsh weather environments at the sea where,
when the waves are high, they couldn’t go far.

In the province of Palawan and the City of Puerto Princesa, the
opportunities looked promising in areas where natural resources can be found
everywhere including places where marine resources are a good source of
livelihood. But admittedly, these resources may not be sustainably available
since the resource competition is intense.


To lighten the impact of resource depletion, the available technologies
that improve stocks of high value marine commodities could be propagated by
establishing a multi-species marine hatchery in areas where it is most likely to
succeed, and where resource end users could best benefit from these facilities.

While the DA-BFAR’s mandate includes popularization of aquaculture
and similar endeavors, the task to manage and sustain a multi-species marine
hatchery in the City of Puerto Princesa area could best be handled by Western
Philippines University where their human resources and logistics are readily
available.

It is noteworthy that this legislative measure was filed by former
Representative Gil “Kabarangay” P. Acosta, approved by the House, and
transmitted to the Senate in the Seventeenth Congress.

Taking into account the points raised, immediate passage of this bill is

earnestly sought.

Gil “Kabarjingay Jr.” A. Acosta
Representative
3" District of Palawan


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

EIGHTEENTH CONGRESS
First Regular Session

House Bill No, _ 4442

Introduced by Honorable Gil “Kabarangay Jr.” A. Acosta

AN ACT
ESTABLISHING A MULTI-SPECIES MARINE HATCHERY
IN BARANGAY BINDUYAN, CITY OF PUERTO PRINCESA,
PROVINCE OF PALAWAN 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 multispecies marine hatchery in the Barangay Binduyan, City of Puerto
Princesa, Province of Palawan.

SECTION 2. The BFAR-DA shall transfer the management of the multispecies
marine hatchery to the Western Philippines University within five (5) years
after its construction through a memorandum of agreement. With the assistance
of the Southeast Asian Fisheries Development Center Aquaculture Division, the
BFAR-DA shall implement a training and phasing-in program for WPU
personnel on the management and operation of the multispecies marine

hatchery.


SECTION 3. The BFAR-DA and the WPU shall develop an extension
program to be funded by the Department of Agriculture and the Committee on
Higher Education which shall cater to marginal fisherfolk to educate them on
new methods and technology especially on the propagation of high-value
marine species.

SECTION 4. The Secretary of Agriculture shall include in the Department's
programs the establishment of the multispecies marine hatchery in Barangay
Binduyan, City of Puerto Princesa, Province of Palawan, the funding of which
shall be included in the annual General Appropriations Act. The WPU shall set
aside funds from any available revenue in an amount deemed appropriate for the

operationalization of the hatchery.

SECTION 5. Within sixty (60) days from the passage of this Act, the Secretary
of Agriculture shall issue the rules and regulations on the supervision,
monitoring, and the eventual transfer of the management of the multispecies

marine hatchery to the WPU.

SECTION 6. This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after its publication in

the Official Gazette or in a newspaper of general circulation.

Approved.