1 
Republic of the Philippines 
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES 
Quezon City 
TWENTIETH CONGRESS 
First Regular Session 
HOUSE BILL NO. _____ 
Introduced by REP. JAVIER MIGUEL L. BENITEZ 
EXPLANATORY NOTE 
The Constitution mandates the State to provide support to fisherfolks through appropriate 
technology and research, adequate financial, production and marketing assistance (Article XIII, 
Section 7). 
As such, the establishment of in the Third District of the Province of Negros Occidental will 
support aquaculture development and enhance seafood production in the district to the benefit 
of local fisherfolks and coastal communities. 
The Third District has a rich culinary heritage and has vast potential for food tourism. Already, 
tourists are drawn to the district to enjoy heirloom dishes, organic produce and fresh seafood 
served in garden or rustic restaurants and hole-in-the-wall eateries.  
The Municipality of E.B. Magalona, in particular, is dubbed as Negros’ blue crab capital, 
producing large volumes of kasag, with average production at five (5) tons per day, processed 
for export. The town is also producing oysters, sardines (tuloy), milkfish (bangus), threadfin 
breams (lagaw) and squid. Its wild-caught blue crabs and the Ugyonan Seafood Festival have 
already been featured in one of the country’s leading food and travel shows, demonstrating the 
town’s huge potential in seafood production and food tourism.   
A multi-species marine hatchery is thus necessary for the sustainability and growth of the 
district’s food scene. Particularly, it will ensure the sustainable supply of E.B. Magalona’s 
products. Aquaculture development will not only contribute to food tourism but also ensure 
food security in the district. 
The site of Sitio Mambucog, Barangay Zone XVI in Talisay City has already been assessed by 
experts from the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources, and the city government of 
Talisay City has expressed its full support and long-term commitment to the project. 
In view of the foregoing, the approval of this bill is earnestly sought. 
JAVIER MIGUEL L. BENITEZ 
July 2, 2025
5:01 pm
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2 
Republic of the Philippines 
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES 
Quezon City 
TWENTIETH CONGRESS 
First Regular Session 
HOUSE BILL NO. _____ 
Introduced by REP. JAVIER MIGUEL L. BENITEZ 
AN ACT 
ESTABLISHING 
A 
MULTI-SPECIES 
MARINE 
HATCHERY 
IN 
SITIO 
MAMBUCOG, BARANGAY ZONE XVI, TALISAY CITY, PROVINCE OF NEGROS 
OCCIDENTAL, 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 marine 
hatchery in Sitio Mambucog, Barangay Zone XVI, Talisay City, Province of Negros 
Occidental. 
SEC. 2. The BFAR-DA shall transfer the management of the multi-species marine 
hatchery to the city government of Talisay City within two (2) years after its construction 
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. 
SEC. 3. The Secretary of Agriculture shall include in the Department's programs the 
establishment of the multi-species marine hatchery in Sitio Mambucog, Barangay Zone XVI 
Talisay City, Province of Negros Occidental, the raiding of which shall be included in the 
annual General Appropriations Act. The local government units concerned shall set aside funds 
from any available local revenue in an amount deemed appropriate for the operationalization 
of the hatchery. 
SEC. 4. 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 management of the multi-species marine hatchery to the city 
government of Talisay City. 
SEC. 5. This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after its publication in the Official 
Gazette or in a newspaper of general circulation. 
Approved, 
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