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Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Queson City

EIGHTEENTH CONGRESS
First Regular Session

House BILL No. 1728

Introduced by HON. LUIS RAYMUND “LRAY” F. VILLAFUERTE, JR.

EXPLANATORY NOTE

Reports have it that over seventy percent (70%) of the world’s fish stocks are fully
exploited or are already overfished. Overfishing is a major concern globally, with
experts issuing warnings that if sustainable fishing is not practiced and oceans are
not given time to recover, they could become ‘virtual deserts’ by 2050 or barely 33
years from now’.

Still, there is an ever-increasing demand for high-value marine species in both local
and export markets. As fish stocks diminish, aquaculture is seen as way to satisfy
the world’s growing appetite for fish and at the same time allow wild fish species to
multiply their numbers.

In the Philippines, aquaculture is a growing industry that provides livelihood to
hundreds of thousands and their number is consistently on the rise. The potential of
the sector in contributing significantly to the economic development of the country
should be recognized and maximized, especially that many of our traditional fishing
grounds are getting overfished.

The waters of Camarines Sur show great potential for marine hatcheries because of
the abundance edible marine species of high commercial value there. The
establishment of a marine hatchery in Libmanan likewise presents an opportunity for
our fisherfolk to undergo training to improve productivity and be educated on the
dangers of depletion due to unscientific and indiscriminate practices.

The approval of this bill is earnestly sought.

“LRAY” F. VILLAFUERTE, JR.

* https://www.worldwildlife.org/stories/will-there-be-enoughyfish-totfeéd-the-world-in-2050



Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Quezon City

EIGHTEENTH CONGRESS
First Regular Session

HOUSE BILL No, _!728

Introduced by HON. LUIS RAYMUND “LRAY” F. VILLAFUERTE, JR.

AN ACT ESTABLISHING A MULTI-SPECIES MARINE HATCHERY IN THE
MUNICIPALITY OF LIBMANAN, PROVINCE OF CAMARINES SUR 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 the Municipality of Libmanan, Province of Camarines Sur.

SECTION 2. The BFAR-DA shall, within two (2) years after the construction of the
multi-species marine hatchery, transfer the management of the same to the local
government unit concerned 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.

SECTION 3. The Secretary of Agriculture shall include in the Department's programs
the establishment of the multi-species marine hatchery in the Municpality of Libmanan,
Province of Camarines Sur, the funding of which shall be included in the annual
General Appropriations Act. The local government unit concemed shall set aside funds
from any availabale local revenue deemed appropriate for the operationalization of the
hatchery.

SECTION 4. Within sixty (60) days from the passage of this Act, the Secretary of
Agriculture shall issue the rules and regulations on the supervision and monitoring,
and the transfer or withdrawal by the BFAR of the multi-species marine hatchery.
SECTION 5. This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after its publication in the
Official Gazette or in a newspaper of general circulation.

Approved,