Republic of the Philippines 
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES 
Quezon City 
NINETEENTH CONGRESS 
First Regular Session 
HOUSE BILL NO. ____ 
Introduced by HON. LUIS RAYMUND “LRAY” F. VILLAFUERTE, JR.,  
HON. MIGUEL LUIS R. VILLAFUERTE, HON. TSUYOSHI ANTHONY G. 
HORIBATA AND HON. NICOLAS “NICK” C. ENCISO VIII 
EXPLANATORY NOTE 
Section 7, Article XIII of the 1987 Constitution provides that, “The State shall protect 
the rights of subsistence fishermen, especially of local communities, to the 
preferential use of local marine and fishing resources, both inland and offshore. It 
shall provide support to such fishermen through appropriate technology and 
research, adequate financial, production, and marketing assistance, and other 
services.”  
As an archipelagic state with 7,641 islands and over 2.2 million km2 of highly 
productive seas, the Philippines enjoys vast oceans and seas surrounding its 
peripheral territories that are rich in various species of marine and aquatic resources. 
It was also recorded that in 2018, 927,612 of our labor workforce engage in capture 
fishing while 239,483 fisherfolk were engaged in gleaning, 209,058 in aquaculture, 
106,644 in fish vending, 34,880 in fish processing, and 384,129 in other fishing 
activities.1 
Despite the abundance of marine and aquatic resources, our fisherfolk remained to 
be one of the sectors with the highest poverty incidence in the country with a 26.2% 
rate in 2018. 2 Our fisherfolk, together with farmers, were consistently recorded to be 
the poorest among other basic sectors since the 2006 statistical year of the 
Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA).3 These data clearly show that there is a huge 
disconnect in the strategic utilization of our resources and uplifting of the livelihoods 
of our coastal communities.  
Given this dilemma, this bill intends to create the Department of Fisheries and 
Aquatic Resources which will be the primary policy and regulatory body on fisheries 
and aquatic resources in the country. While we recognize the existence of the 
current Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources attached to the Department of 
Agriculture (DA), the creation of a separate department would give the much-needed 
1 https://www.rappler.com/environment/philippines-fisheries-sector-statistics/ 
2 https://psa.gov.ph/poverty-press-releases/nid/162541 
3 https://psa.gov.ph/poverty-press-releases/nid/120251 
August 23, 2022
2:00 pm
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specialized attention to the needs and concerns of the fisheries and aquatic 
resources industry. In addition, this would allow DA to focus its efforts on land-based 
farming including crop production, poultry, and livestock that would transcend to 
increased country’s food self-sufficiency. The department will also be empowered 
not only to conserve, promote, and develop the industry but also to protect the rights 
of our local fishermen.  
Indeed, the creation of a new Department of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources would 
serve the best interest of the country’s fisherfolk and the conservation of our marine 
resources. 
The immediate passage of the bill is most earnestly sought. 
LUIS RAYMUND “LRAY” F. VILLAFUERTE, JR. 
 MIGUEL LUIS R. VILLAFUERTE 
TSUYOSHI ANTHONY G. HORIBATA 
NICOLAS “NICK” C. ENCISO VIII 


Republic of the Philippines 
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES 
Quezon City 
NINETEENTH CONGRESS 
First Regular Session 
HOUSE BILL NO. ____ 
Introduced by HON. LUIS RAYMUND “LRAY” F. VILLAFUERTE, JR.,  
HON. MIGUEL LUIS R. VILLAFUERTE, HON. TSUYOSHI ANTHONY G. 
HORIBATA AND HON. NICOLAS “NICK” C. ENCISO VIII 
AN ACT 
CREATING A DEPARTMENT OF FISHERIES AND AQUATIC RESOURCES, 
PROVIDING FOR ITS POWERS AND FUNCTIONS, AND FOR OTHER 
PURPOSES 
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the Philippines in 
Congress assembled: 
SECTION 1. Short Title. This Act shall be known as the "Department of Fisheries 
and Aquatic Resources Act". 
SECTION 2. Declaration of Policy. The following is hereby declared policy of the 
State: 
a)
The State shall promote sustainable development in the management of all
fisheries and marine resources within its national territory;
b)
The national territory comprises the Philippine archipelago, with all the islands
and waters embraced therein, and all other territories over which the
Philippines has sovereignty or jurisdiction, consisting of its terrestrial, fluvial
and aerial domains, including its territorial sea, the seabed, the subsoil, the
insular shelves, and other submarine areas. The waters around, between, and
connecting the islands of the archipelago, regardless of their breadth and
dimensions, form part of the internal waters of the Philippines;
c)
The Philippine waters include its Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) and
extended continental shelf in the adjacent high seas;
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d) 
It is the primordial policy to maintain a sound ecological balance, protect and 
enhance the quality of the environment in its territorial waters. The State shall 
protect and conserve the nation's marine wealth in its archipelagic waters, 
territorial sea and EEZ and reserve its use and enjoyment exclusively to 
Filipino citizens; 
e) 
The State shall adopt the precautionary principle and to prioritize conservation 
of the country's marine and aquatic resources, as well as to protect the rights of 
small-scale fisher folk in the preferential use of communal marine, fisheries and 
aquatic resources. Towards this end, it shall provide such fisher folk with the 
appropriate technical and financial support; and 
f.)  
Legitimate and recognized non-governmental organizations (NGOs) are 
considered as partners of the State in the protection and conservation of 
fisheries and aquatic resources. These NGOs are likewise partners of the State 
in development and the promotion of the welfare of the fisher folk. 
 
SECTION 3. Creation. To carry out the above-declared policy, the Department of 
Fisheries and Aquatic Resources, hereinafter referred to as the Department, is 
hereby created structurally and functionally in accordance with the provisions of this 
Act. 
 
SECTION 4. Jurisdiction of the Department. The Department shall have primary 
jurisdiction over the management, development, utilization and disposition of all 
fishery and aquatic resources of the country, including the habitats of fish and all 
other marine life and over activities which impact on these habitats. Provided, That 
the Department shall work closely with the Department of Environment and Natural 
Resources and other relevant agencies to ensure that its polices relating to fishery 
and aquatic resources are not in conflict with general government policies on the 
protection, preservation and conservation of environment and natural resources, and 
are supportive of the general goal to ensure equitable sharing of the benefits derived 
therefrom for the welfare of the present and future generations of Filipinos. Provided 
further, That the jurisdiction over municipal waters shall be exercised jointly by the 
Department and local government units (LGUs), with the latter managing the same 
in accordance with national fishery policies, laws, rules and regulations. 


The Department shall have the sole authority to supervise and regulate the 
production and capture of fish and fishery products within its jurisdiction, as well as 
the processing and marketing of all fisheries and aquatic products in the country. It 
shall also have the responsibility of rationalizing all ocean sector initiatives which 
impact on fish and marine resources or their habitat including, but not limited to: 
marine energy exploration and development; coastal and marine tourism; 
designation of shipping lanes; protected areas; and, marine industry development 
areas. The regulation of these marine activities, once rationalized by the 
Department, shall reside with the parent agency for the appropriate sector involved. 
 
SECTION 5. Powers and Functions. To accomplish its mandate, the Department 
shall have the following powers, functions and responsibilities: 
a) 
prepare and implement a Comprehensive National Fisheries Industry 
Development Plan; 
b) 
issue licenses for the operation of commercial fishing vessels; 
c) 
issue identification cards free of charge to fish workers engaged in commercial 
fishing; 
d) 
monitor and review joint fishing agreements between Filipino citizens and 
foreigners who conduct fishing activities in international waters, and ensure that 
such agreements are not contrary to Philippine commitment under international 
treaties and convention on fishing in the high seas; 
e) 
formulate 
and 
implement 
a 
Comprehensive 
Fishery 
Research 
and 
Development Program, such as, but not limited to, sea farming, sea ranching, 
tropical/ornamental fish and seaweed culture, aimed at increasing resource 
productivity, improving resource use efficiency, and ensuring the long-term 
sustainability of the country's fishery and aquatic resources; 
f) 
establish and maintain a Comprehensive Fishery Information System; 
g) 
provide extensive development support services in all aspects of fisheries 
production, processing and marketing; 
h) 
provide advisory services and technical assistance on the improvement of 
quality of fish from the time it is caught (i.e. on board fishing vessel, at landing 
areas, fish markets, to the processing plants and to the distribution and 
marketing chain); 


i) 
coordinate efforts relating to fishery production undertaken by the primary 
fishery producers, LGUs, FARMCs, fishery and organizations/cooperatives; 
j) 
advise and coordinate with LGUs on the maintenance of proper sanitation and 
hygienic practices in fish markets and fish landing areas; 
k) 
establish a corps of specialists in collaboration with the Department of National 
Defense, Department of the Interior and Local Government, Department of 
Foreign Affairs for the efficient monitoring, control and surveillance of fishing 
activities within Philippine territorial waters and provide the necessary facilities, 
equipment and training therefor; 
l) 
implement an inspection system for import and export of fishery/aquatic 
products and fish processing establishments, consistent with international 
standards to ensure product quality and safety; 
m) 
coordinate with LGUs and other concerned agencies for the establishment of 
productivity enhancing and market development programs in fishing 
communities to enable women to engage in other fisheries/economic activities 
and contribute significantly to development efforts; 
n) 
enforce all laws, formulate and enforce all rules and regulations governing the 
conservation and management of fishery resources, including in municipal 
waters where it shall closely coordinate with the LGUs for such enforcement, 
and to settle conflicts of resource use and allocation in consultation with the 
NFARMC, LGUs and local FARMCs; 
o) 
develop value-added fishery-products for domestic consumption and export; 
p) 
recommend measures for the protection/enhancement of the fishery industries; 
q) 
assist the LGUs in developing their technical capability in the development, 
management, regulation, conservation, and protection of the fishery resources; 
r) 
formulate and implement rules and regulations for the conservation and 
management of straddling fish stocks and highly migratory fish stocks; and 
threatened living marine resources such as sharks, rays and ludong, inter alia, 
in the Philippine Exclusive Economic Zone, territorial sea, archipelagic and 
internal waters, in coordination with LGUs and integrated/municipal/city 
Fisheries and Aquatic Resources Management Councils; 
s) 
train, designate and deploy fisheries observers in Philippine flagged fishing 
vessels engaged in commercial fishing in Philippine waters or distant water 


fishing to ensure compliance with conservation and management measures 
adopted by RFMOS and by the Department. 
t) 
implement boarding and inspection protocols upon Philippine flagged fishing 
vessels in order to promote observance to international treaty obligations on 
food safety, to curb illegal, unreported and unregulated fishing, and to comply 
with conservation and management measures; 
u) 
adopt an appropriate monitoring, control, surveillance and traceability system 
for municipal fishing vessels supplying exporters with concurrence of the local 
government units; 
v) 
adopt and implement a national plan of action to manage fishing capacity, 
implement the international code of conduct for responsible fisheries, and 
declare fishery management areas as over-exploited in coordination with the 
LGUs and FARMCs; 
w)  require performance bonds and impose and collect reasonable fees and 
charges for laboratory services, inspection, deployment of fisheries observers, 
and catch documentation and validation, taking into account the balance 
required between recovering the costs of services rendered and the 
socioeconomic impact of their imposition, upon prior consultation with 
stakeholders; 
x) 
hear and decide administrative cases before it; 
y) 
determine the appropriate levels of administrative and other sanctions, 
particularly for serious violations, that deprive offenders of economic benefits 
from their violations of the laws, rules and regulations; 
z) 
initiate the criminal prosecution of offenses committed in violation of the 
Fisheries Code of 1997, as amended, regardless of their status; and 
aa) perform such other related functions which shall promote the development, 
conservation, management, protection and utilization of fisheries and aquatic 
resources. 
 
SECTION 6. Composition. The Department shall be composed of the Office of the 
Secretary, three (3) Undersecretaries for Fisheries Production and Utilization; for 
Fisheries Conservation and Management; and for Operations. 
 


SECTION 7. Secretary of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources. The Secretary of 
Fisheries and Aquatic Resources, hereinafter referred to as the Secretary, shall be 
appointed by the President with the consent of the Commission on Appointments. 
No person shall be appointed Secretary of the Department unless he or she is a 
Filipino citizen; at least a degree holder in fisheries, public administration, 
management, economics, law or other equivalent relevant disciplines; has actual 
experience in administration and management for at least ten (10) years; and has 
general practical knowledge of fisheries and/or management of aquatic resources. 
The Secretary shall have the following functions: 
(a) Supervision and control of the Department and the Bureaus, Offices and 
Institutes under it; 
(b) Authority and responsibility for the performance of the powers and 
functions of the Department; 
(c) 
Advise the President on the promulgation of policies, rules and 
regulations, and other issuances relative to the sustainable development 
and management of fisheries and aquatic resources; 
(d) Establish management policies and standards for the efficient and 
effective operation of the Department in accordance with the programs of 
the government; 
(e) Promulgate rules, regulations and other issuance in carrying out the 
Department's mandate, objectives, policies, plans, programs and projects; 
and 
(f) 
Perform such other functions as may be provided by law or assigned by 
the President. 
 
SECTION 8. Undersecretaries. The Secretary shall be assisted by three (3) 
Undersecretaries: 
1. 
Undersecretary for Production and Utilization of Fisheries and Aquatic 
Resources; 
2. 
Undersecretary for Conservation and Management of Fisheries and 
Aquatic Resources; and 
3. 
Undersecretary for Operations. 
The Undersecretaries shall be appointed by the President upon the 
recommendation of the Secretary. No person shall be appointed Undersecretary of 


the Department unless he or she is a Filipino citizen; at least a degree holder in 
fisheries, public administration, management, economics, law or other equivalent 
relevant disciplines. 
The general functions of the Undersecretaries are as follows: 
(a) 
Assist the Secretary on the formulation of policies, programs, plans, rules 
and regulations, as well as on the promulgation of Department Order, 
Administrative Orders, and other issuance with respect to his/her area of 
responsibility; 
(b) 
Exercise supervision and control over the bureaus, offices, services and 
operating units under his/her responsibility; 
(c) 
Coordinate the functions and activities of the units under his/her 
responsibility with those of the other units in the Department; 
(d) 
Liaise with concerned government departments, agencies, and offices to 
ensure effective coordination in the management of the fisheries and 
aquatic resources sector; and 
(e) 
Perform such other functions as may be provided by law or assigned by 
the Secretary 
 
SECTION 9. Undersecretary for Production and Utilization of Fisheries and 
Aquatic Resources. The Undersecretary for Fisheries Production and Utilization 
shall assist the Secretary in the overall management of fisheries production, 
processing, marketing, utilization, development of techniques in the industry, among 
others. 
 
Under the supervision and control of the Undersecretary for Fisheries Production 
and Utilization, the following bureaus, services and offices are hereby created: 
(a)  Bureau of Aquaculture and Inland Fisheries (BAIF) - The BAIF shall, among 
others, be responsible for: regulating aquaculture operations in line with the 
International Code of Conduct for Aquaculture, promoting the intensification of 
aquaculture operations in existing areas; formulating aquaculture development 
programs; establishing and maintaining model aquaculture farms and ponds; 
providing technical assistance to cooperatives and fishpond operators in the 
development of a viable fishmeal and fish feeds industry, undertaking inland 


fishery 
resources 
evaluation; 
and 
recommending 
management 
and 
conservation measures. 
The Bureau shall be headed by a Director and shall be composed of the 
following divisions: 
(1) 
Aquaculture Management and Development Division; 
(2) 
Inland Fisheries Resource Assessment and Conservation Division; 
(3) 
Inland Fishery Development and Extension Division; and the 
(4) 
Environmental Impact Assessment and Monitoring Division 
 
(b) 
Bureau of Postharvest and Fisheries Product Standards (BPFPS) - The fishery 
component of the Bureau of Agriculture and Product Standards created under 
Section 61 of RA 8435 shall be transferred to the BPFPS which shall formulate 
and enforce standards of quality in the processing, preservation, packaging, 
labeling, importation, exportation, distribution, and advertising of fishery 
products; conduct research on product standardization, alignment of the local 
standards with the international standards; promote and strengthen semi-
processing and handling; and shall have a Director, two Assistant Directors - 
one for Product Standards and Technical Services and the other for Industry 
Compliance and Consumer Protection. 
Under the Assistant Director for Product Standards and Technical Services, the 
following shall be Divisions: 
(1) 
Technical Services Division 
(2) 
Fish Processing Technology Division 
(3) 
Standards Development and Promotion Division; and the 
(4) 
Value-added Products Development and Promotion Division 
Under the Assistant Director for Industry Compliance and Consumer Protection, 
the following shall be the following divisions: 
(1) 
Industry Compliance Division; 
(2) 
Consumer Affairs Division; and the 
(3) 
Arbitration and Dispute Resolution Division. 
 
(c) 
Bureau of Fisheries Extension, Training, and Support Service (BFETSS) - The 
BFETSS shall coordinate all development activities with respect to fisheries 
and aquatic resources technology, and shall have a development section for all 


components including inland and ocean fishing, and fishing fears and methods. 
It shall formulate a National Extension System for Fisheries, which shall be 
composed of three (3) subsystems: the national government subsystem, the 
local government subsystem and the private sector subsystem. It shall deliver 
the following major services: training services; credit and financing support 
services, business advisory services; demonstration services, and information 
and communication support services through tri-media. 
It shall have the following divisions: 
(1) 
Training and Skills Development Division; 
(2) 
Technology Transfer and Demonstration Division; 
(3) 
Business Advisory and Information Support Division; and 
(4) 
Training Centers 
 
(d) 
The Bureau of Fishing Technology and Capture Fisheries (BFTCF)- The 
BFTCF shall have direct supervision and control over the utilization of marine 
resources including commercial, international and small-scale fisheries. It shall 
formulate development programs for the expansion of the marine fishery 
industry; explore new fishery resources and development environment friendly 
but efficient fishing gears. 
It shall be headed by a Director and Ovo Assistant Directors and shall have the 
following divisions: 
(1) 
Municipal Fisheries Division; 
(2) 
Commercial Fisheries Division; 
(3) 
Fishing Technology Division; and 
(4) 
High Seas Fisheries Division 
 
(e) 
The Fisheries Modernization Credit and Financing Agency (FMCFA) - The 
FMCFA shall administer the funds under Sections 108 to 113 of RA 8550 as 
well as the fisheries related provisions of Sections 20 to 25 of RA 8435, 
harmonizing and integrating the two so as to package and deliver various credit 
assistance programs for the following: 
(1) 
Fisheries production including processing of fisheries products and inputs; 
(2) 
Acquisition or construction of fishery equipment, machinery, fishing 
vessels and fishing gears; 


(3) 
Acquisition of fry, fingerlings, fertilizers, feeds and similar items; 
(4) 
Procurement of fisheries products for storage, trading, processing and 
distribution; 
(5) 
Construction, acquisition and repair of facilities for production, processing, 
storage, transportation, communication, marketing and such other 
facilities in support of fisheries; economic activities; High Seas Fisheries 
Division; 
(6) 
Working capital for fisheries graduates to enable them to engage in 
fisheries-related; 
(7) 
Activities which support marine and freshwater bodies conservation and 
ecology enhancing activities such as but not limited to mangrove 
reforestation, promotion of whale shark and manta ray and other 
endangered marine species watching and ecotourism; and the 
(8)  Development of appropriate technology, both in fishery and ancillary 
industries that are ecologically sound, locally source based and labor 
intensive, based on the requirements of the Fisheries and Aquatic 
Management Councils. Under the supervision and control of the 
Undersecretary for Fisheries Conservation and Management, the 
following bureaus, units, board and services are hereby created. 
 
SECTION 10. Undersecretary for Conservation and Management of Fisheries 
and Aquatic Resources. The Undersecretary for Fisheries Conservation and 
Management shall assist the Secretary primarily in the development and 
implementation of conservation and protection of the fisheries and aquatic resources 
industry. 
 
Under the supervision and control of the Undersecretary for Conservation and 
Management, the following bureaus, services and offices are hereby created: 
(a)  Marine Resources Conservation and Management Bureau - The Marine 
Resources Conservation and Management Bureau is a line bureau tasked with 
the 
formulation 
and 
implementation 
of 
a 
Comprehensive 
Fisheries 
Management Plan. It shall undertake marine fishery resources assessment and 
biological and environmental investigations and formulate conservation 
measures. In coordination with the National Fisheries Research and 


Development Institute, it shall determine and establish the carrying capacity 
and total allowable catch (TAC) for a particular resource. It shall set the 
allowable fishing effort based on the carrying capacity of the resource and TAC 
and accordingly issue commercial fishing licenses and permits. 
It shall be headed by a Director and two Assistant Directors and shall have the 
following divisions: 
(1) 
Coastal Resources Management Division; 
(2) 
Oceanography Division; 
(3) 
Fisheries Licensing Division; 
(4) 
Biotechnology, Biosafety and Bioprospecting Division; and the 
(5) 
Fisheries Law Enforcement Division — 
The Fisheries Law Enforcement Division shall operate the National and Zonal 
Monitoring Surveillance System. It shall establish fishery air and ocean patrol 
as well as conduct law enforcement trainings and recommend to the Secretary 
the deputation of government employees and members of fisher folk 
associations as fishery guardians. It shall have the supervision and control of 
fishery officers and guardians and the corps of specialists responsible for the 
enforcement of fishery laws, rules and regulations and the efficient monitoring 
and surveillance of fishing activities within Philippine territorial waters. It shall 
have the following units: 
i. 
The National and Fisheries Zone Monitoring and Surveillance Center 
which shall have a National Coordinating Center and several Fisheries 
Zones Monitoring and Surveillance Centers. It is further subdivided into 
the Vessel Tracking and Remote Sensing Office, and the Database and 
Information Center; 
ii. 
The Fisheries Air Patrol and Ocean Patrol, and the Regulatory Staff 
composed of Fishery Officers, Deputized Fisheries Guardians and the 
corps of specialists from the DND, PNP-MARICOM, DILG, DFA and DOJ. 
The Fishery Officers shall have full police powers relative to the 
enforcement of fishery laws, rules and regulations including arrest, search 
and seizure, and shall have the authority to directly file complaints for 
violation of fishery laws, rules and regulations. 
(b)  The Bureau of Marine Protected Areas and Wildlife (BMPAW) - The BMPAW is 
a line bureau responsible for establishing and maintaining marine protected 


areas and wildlife sanctuaries. It shall lead in the conduct of scientific 
researches on the proper strategies for the conservation and protection of 
marine wildlife and their habitat including breeding or propagation. It shall also 
establish Marine Wildlife Rescue Centers to take custody of all confiscated, 
stranded or abandoned marine wildlife. It shall have the authority to issue 
Committee on International Trade on Endangered Species (CITES) Permits 
and shall be both the CITES Management and Scientific Authorities of the 
Philippines. It shall be the lead agency in the fulfilment of the country's 
obligations under CITES, the Convention on Biological Diversity and other 
treaties and international agreements. 
It shall have the following divisions: 
a. 
Marine Protected Areas Division; 
b. 
Marine Wildlife Rescue Centers; 
c. 
CITES Management Authority; 
d. 
Endangered Marine Species Captive Breeding Centers; 
e. 
Endangered Marine Wildlife Research Center - The Endangered 
Marine Wildlife Research Center shall be the Department's CITES 
Scientific Authority which shall coordinate with academic institutions 
designated as scientific authorities; and the 
f. 
Biodiversity Division 
 
SECTION 11. Undersecretary for Operations. The Undersecretary for Fisheries 
Operations shall assist the Secretary in the overall supervision and control over all 
regional offices. 
Undersecretary for Operations shall have direct control and supervision of the 
following units and bureau: 
(a)  The Fisheries Inspection and Quarantine Inspection Service (FIQIS) - The 
FIQIS shall have the line functions and shall be responsible for the inspection 
and quarantine of all fishery related activities including the conduct of 
quarantine and quality inspection of all fish and fishery/aquatic products 
corning into and going out of the country by air or water transport to detect the 
presence of fish pest and diseases, the regular inspection of processing plants, 
storage facilities, abattoirs, as well as public and private markets in order to 
ensure freshness, safety and quality of products and to ensure that these 


products conform to the standards prescribed by the Department; and the 
quarantine of aquatic animals and fishery products determined or suspected to 
be with fishery pest and diseases and prevent the movement or trade from and 
or into the country of these products so prohibited or regulated under existing 
laws, rules or regulations and international agreements of which the Philippine 
is a State Party. 
It shall have the following units: 
(1) 
Regional fishery Inspection and Quarantine Offices; 
(2) 
Cyanide Detection Centers; 
(3) 
Product Standards Enforcement Division; and the 
(4) 
Regional Fish Health Centers 
(b)  The Bureau of Fishery Economics and Statistics (BFES) - The BFES shall be a 
line bureau responsible for establishing benchmark data on the structure of the 
fishery industry. It shall conduct research and studies on the socio-economics 
of various fishery operations, collect data on fishery production, and establish a 
network of fishery information, documentation and dissemination. It shall have 
the following divisions: 
(1) 
Fishery Statistics Division; 
(2) 
Socioeconomic Division; and the 
(3) 
Fishery Information Division 
 
SECTION 12. Attached Agencies. The Office of Ocean and Marine Affairs shall be 
the Department's primary agency tasked with the implementation of the National 
Marine Policy and the relevant provisions of the United Nations Convention on the 
Law of the Sea. Any and all use of the ocean shall require the assessment and 
clearance by this Office, which shall rationalize initiatives that will negatively impact 
the fisheries or their habitat. It shall coordinate the implementation of fisheries and 
ocean sector policies, as well as plans and laws for all maritime components. It shall 
be headed by a Director and shall have the following divisions: 
(a) Ocean-Use Assessment and Clearance Division; 
(b) National and International Ocean Law and Policy Division; 
(c) 
Special Projects Division; and 
(d) Technical Division 


The Philippine Fisheries Development Authority created by Presidential 
Decree No. 977 as amended, shall be an attached agency of the Department of 
Fisheries and Aquatic Resources under the Office of the Secretary. 
The National Fisheries Research and Development Institute (NFRDI) created 
by Republic Act No. 8550, as amended, shall also be an attached agency of the 
Department of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources, to serve as the primary research 
arm thereof. To ensure the independent and objective implementation of its research 
activities, the NFRDI shall have a separate budget specific to its manpower 
requirements and operations. 
 
SECTION 13. Organizational Structure of the Department. The functions of the 
Department under this Act shall be carried out by the bureaus, agencies and 
services created in the Department. 
 
SECTION 14. Regional Offices and Functions. The Department shall have such 
departmentwide regional offices as may be necessary in the administrative regions, 
each to be headed by a Regional Director, who shall be assisted by an Assistant 
Regional Director, each regional office shall have support staffs as may be 
necessary and four line divisions which shall have the following duties and 
responsibilities: 
(a) 
Provide efficient and effective front-line service to the fishery and aquatic 
industry sector, particularly to the municipal fishermen; 
(b) 
Implement in its area of jurisdiction, the laws, policies, plans, programs, 
projects, rules and regulations of the Department; 
(c) 
Coordinate with the Regional Office of the other departments, offices and 
agencies in the region; and 
(d) 
Perform other functions as may be provided by law or assigned by the 
Secretary. 
 
SECTION 15. Appointment and Qualification of Directors. The Directors of the 
Bureau, Offices and Agencies and the Regional Directors shall be appointed by the 
Secretary, upon recommendation of the Undersecretaries concerned. The Directors 
must have a degree in law or Master of Science degree in marine fisheries, 
oceanography, fisheries biology, marine biology, fisheries technology, microbiology 


or related sciences, or public administration and at least five years of experience 
either in the public or private sector, in marine fisheries research and development, 
or in the fisheries industry. 
 
SECTION 16. Abolition, Transfer and Merger. The Bureau of Fisheries and 
Aquatic Resources reconstituted by Republic Act No 8550, is hereby abolished and 
its relevant functions, appropriations, records, properties, equipment and personnel 
are hereby transferred to the Department of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources: 
Provided, however, That no official or employee of the BFAR shall be laid off in the 
implementation of this section. 
The National and Municipal Fisheries and Aquatic Resources Management 
Councils created by Republic Act No. 8550 shall be transferred to the Office of the 
Secretary of the Department of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources. 
The National Fisheries Research and Development Institute created by 
Republic Act No. 8550 is transferred to the department and shall serve as its 
principal research arm. 
The National Fisheries and Aquatic Resources Management Council created 
by Executive Order No. 240 is transferred to the Department. 
The Philippine Fisheries Development Authority created by Presidential Decree 
No. 977 including its relevant functions, appropriations, records, properties, 
equipment and personnel, is hereby transferred to the Department of Fisheries and 
Aquatic Resources as an attached agency under the Office of the Secretary: 
Provided, however, That the Secretary of the Department of Fisheries and Aquatic 
Resources shall be the new chairman of the Board: Provided, further, That no official 
or employee of the PFDA shall be laid off in the implementation of this Section. 
The Philippine Technical Advisory Committee of the SEAFDEC Aquaculture 
Department created under Executive Order No. 834 dated October 4, 1982, 
including its relevant functions, appropriations; records, properties, equipment and 
personnel, is hereby transferred and attached to the Department of Fisheries and 
Aquatic Resources: Provided, That no official or employee of the Board shall be laid 
off in the implementation of this section. 
The fisheries-related functions of the Laguna Lake Development Authority, 
including its relevant appropriations, records, and personnel, are hereby transferred 
to the Department of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources: Provided, however, that no 


official or employee of the LLDA shall be laid off in the implementation of this 
Section. 
The Philippine Council for Aquatic and Marine Research and Development is 
abolished and all its' personnel, records, appropriations, property and equipment are 
transferred to the National Fisheries Research and Development 'Institute of the 
Department of Fisheries and Marine Resources. 
The Marine Research and Conservation Division and the different Sections 
there under and the Coastal Environment Program including its relevant 
appropriations, personnel, records, property and equipment, all marine and coastal 
related projects and programs of the Department of Environment and Natural 
Resources, and all fisheries related functions 'of the DENR under Executive Orders 
No. 192 and 292, except the functions of the enforcement of water pollution laws, 
rules and regulations, are hereby transferred to the Department of Fisheries and 
Aquatic Resources. 
The fisheries-related sections of the Bureau of Agricultural Research, the 
Bureau of Agricultural Statistics and the Agricultural Training Institute of the 
Department of Agriculture are hereby abolished and all its personnel, records, 
appropriations, property and equipment are transferred to the Department of 
Fisheries and Marine Resources. 
 
SECTION 17. Transitory Provisions. In accomplishing the acts of organizing the 
department as herein prescribed, the following provisions shall be complied with: 
a) 
The transfer of a government unit or agency shall include the functions, 
Appropriations, funds, records, equipment, facilities, chooses in action, rights, 
other assets and liabilities, if any, of the. Transferred unit or agency as well as 
the personnel thereof, as may be necessary, who shall, pending 
reappointment, continue to perform their respective duties and responsibilities 
and receive the corresponding salaries and benefits in a hold-over capacity. 
b) 
The transfer of functions which results in the abolition of the government unit or 
agency that has exercised them, shall include the appropriations, funds, 
records, equipment, facilities, chooses in action, rights, other assets and 
personnel as may be necessary to the proper discharge of the transferred 
functions. Its liabilities, if any, shall likewise be treated in accordance with the 
Government Auditing Code and other pertinent laws, rules and regulations. Its 


personnel shall, pending reappointment, continue to perform their duties and 
responsibilities and receive the corresponding salaries and benefits in a 
holdover capacity. 
 
SECTION 18. Organization Committee. The duly appointed Secretary of Fisheries 
and Aquatic Resources shall immediately create an organization committee which 
shall study and formulate the staffing pattern, qualification standards, and placement 
of personnel in the Department, its services, bureaus, and offices. The Committee 
shall be composed of representatives from the Department of Budget and 
Management, Civil Service Commission, the fishery industry and the academe. 
 
SECTION 19. Appropriations. For the effective implementation of this Act, the 
amount of Php5 Billion is hereby appropriated from the funds of the National 
Treasury and the current budgetary appropriations of the Bureau of Fisheries and 
Aquatic Resources, including its regional offices, the appropriations of the Philippine 
Fishing Development Authority, and the budgetary provision of the Philippine 
Council for Aquatic and Marine Research Development. 
The revenues which the Department will generate from its licensing operations, 
the fees collected & the proprietary services delivered by the Department, and the 
administrative fines imposed by the National Fisheries Regulatory and Adjudication 
Bond shall constitute the Department's revolving fund from which amounts 
necessary to carry out the special research projects, management and conservation 
programs, staff development programs, and the acquisition of equipment, vessels, 
and airplanes, helicopters of the Monitoring and Surveillance Center shall be taken: 
Provided, however, That the fishpond rentals shall accrue to the National Fisheries 
Research and Development Institute as provided under Section 46 (c) of Republic 
Act No. 8550. The use of such funds shall be project to COA rules and regulations. 
 
SECTION 20. Separability Clause. If any provision of this Act is declared 
unconstitutional inoperative, the other provisions not so declared shall remain in 
force and effect. 
 


SECTION 21. Repealing Clause. All laws, decrees, orders, rules and regulations or 
parts thereof inconsistent with the Act or the rules and regulations promulgated 
pursuant thereto are hereby repealed or amended accordingly. 
 
SECTION 22. Effectivity Clause. - This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after 
publication in two (2) national newspapers of general circulation. 
 
Approved,