Republic of the Philippines 
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES 
Quezon City 
NINETEENTH CONGRESS 
Third Regular Session 
House Bill No. 10848 
Introduced by HONORABLE MARCELINO C. LIBANAN 
EXPLANATORY NOTE 
Eastern Samar is a coastal province with vast marine resources, making fishing one of the 
primary livelihoods of its residents. Barangay Tawagan in the Municipality of Oras is strategically 
located along the coastline, where many small-scale fishermen operate. However, despite the 
abundance of marine resources, the lack of infrastructure, particularly a fishport and cold storage 
facility, hampers the full potential of the local fishing industry. Fishermen face challenges in 
storing and preserving their catch, leading to significant post-harvest losses and reduced income. 
The establishment of a fishport and cold storage plant will significantly reduce post-harvest 
losses by providing proper facilities for storing and preserving fish. This will enable fishermen to 
maintain the quality and freshness of their catch, leading to higher market prices and increased 
income. 
By supporting the local fishing industry, the proposed infrastructure will contribute to the 
economic upliftment of the community, generating new opportunities for small-scale fishermen, 
traders, and other stakeholders in the fishing value chain. 
The fishport will serve as a centralized location for the collection, processing, and 
distribution of fish and other marine products. This will improve market access for local fishermen, 
allowing them to sell their produce at fair prices, both locally and in nearby regions. With proper 
storage facilities, fishermen can diversify their operations, including processing and value-adding 
activities, thereby creating more sustainable livelihoods. This will also encourage responsible 
fishing practices as fishermen will no longer be pressured to catch large quantities in a short time 
to avoid spoilage. 
The operation and maintenance of the fishport and cold storage facility will create direct 
and indirect employment opportunities for local residents, contributing to poverty reduction and 
improved quality of life. Also, by preserving fish and extending its shelf life, the cold storage 
September 2, 2024
2:25 pm


facility will help ensure a stable supply of fish for local consumption and for markets beyond 
Eastern Samar. This contributes to the country's food security efforts. 
The improved efficiency and productivity of the fishing industry in Oras will contribute to 
the national economy by increasing the volume and quality of fish available for domestic 
consumption and export. 
The establishment of a fishport and cold storage plant in Barangay Tawagan, Oras, Eastern 
Samar, is a strategic intervention aimed at unlocking the potential of the local fishing industry. 
This infrastructure will reduce post-harvest losses, improve market access, create jobs, and support 
sustainable livelihoods for local fishermen. Furthermore, it will promote community growth and 
contribute to the national economy. Given these substantial benefits, the proposed bill is a crucial 
step toward the economic development and well-being of the people of Oras and the surrounding 
areas. The passage of this bill is therefore highly recommended. 
MARCELINO C. LIBANAN 
Representative 
4Ps Partylist 


Republic of the Philippines 
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES 
Quezon City 
NINETEENTH CONGRESS 
Third Regular Session 
House Bill No. 10848
Introduced by HONORABLE MARCELINO C. LIBANAN 
AN 
ACT ESTABLISHING A FISHPORT WITH ICE PLANT AND COLD STORAGE 
FACILITIES IN BARANGAY TAWAGAN, MUNICIPALITY OF ORAS, IN THE 
PROVINCE OF EASTERN SAMAR, AND APPROPRIATING FUNDS THEREFOR 
Be it enacted by the Senate and the House of Representatives of the Republic of the Philippines in 
Congress assembled: 
SECTION 1. This Act shall be known as the “The Oras Fish Port Act”. 
SECTION 2. There shall be established, under the supervision of the Department of Agriculture, 
through the Philippine Fisheries Development Authority (PFDA), a fishport with ice plant and cold 
storage facilities in Barangay Tawagan, Municipality of Oras, Province of Eastern Samar. 
SECTION 3. Within two (2) years after the construction of the fishport with ice plant and cold 
storage facilities, the PFDA, through a Memorandum of Agreement shall transfer its management 
to the local government unit concerned. It shall implement a training and phasing-in-program for 
the local government unit personnel on the management and operation of the fishport with ice 
plant and cold storage facilities. 
SECTION 4. The Secretary of the Department of Agriculture shall include in the Department’s 
programs the establishment of the fishport with ice plant and cold storage facilities, the funding of 
which shall be included in the General Appropriations Act. The local government unit concerned 
shall set aside funds from ant available local revenue the amounts necessary for the operation of 
the facility. 


SECTION 5. Within sixty (60) days from the effectivity of this Act, the Secretary of the 
Department of Agriculture shall issue the rules and regulations on the supervision, monitoring and 
the transfer to the local government unit concerned by the PFDA of the said fishport. 
 
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,