Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Quezon City

Seventeenth Congress
First Regular Session

HOUSE BILL NO. 5753

Introduced by Honorable Deogracias Victor “DV” B. Savellano

EXPLANATORY NOTE

AN ACT TO ESTABLISH AN AQUATIC RESEARCH AND EXPERIMENTAL BREEDING STATION FOR
LAKE, RIVER AND OTHER INLAND FISHES IN THE PROVINCE OF ILOCOS SUR, MUNICIPALITIES
OF MAGSINGAL AND CABUGAO, APPROPRIATING FUNDS THEREFOR AND FOR OTHER
PURPOSES

The Declaration of Principles and State Policies as enshrined in the 1987 Constitution,
Particularly, Article II Section 16, provides that the State shall protect and advance the right of the
People to a balanced and healthful ecology in accord with the rhythm and harmony of nature-The
human endeavor to understand the roles that various organisms play in the earth’s ecosystems, must
include accurate and detailed knowledge of the biology of fishes. As such, the State is duty bound to
think of ways on how to further develop and enhance its natural resources.

Experimental studies using live, intact organisms such as fishes or any aquatic forms continue to
play an essential role in developing knowledge and better understanding of life processes, life forms,
and the environment in general. Fishes are worthy of experimental and observational research and
understanding their biology cannot be accomplished in the absence of experimentation. Fishes being
Used for experimental studies have the following benefits to wit:

1,) Fishes are useful indicators of environmental quality and ecological integrity;

2.) Fishes provide an important source of food for many of the world’s humans and terrestrial
animals and are an important source of food for other aquatic animals;

3.) Fishes are important part of aquatic environments and ecological systems; and

4.) Fishes are useful indicators of environmental quality and ecological integrity, and their
individual adaptations and physiological specializations make them suitable for use as physiological and
biomedical models.

Article 13 Section 7 of the 1987 Constitution likewise provides that the State shall protect the
fights 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. The State shall also protect, develop, and conserve such resources. The protection shall
extend to offshore fishing grounds of subsistence fishermen against foreign intrusion. Fish workers shall
receive a just share from their labor in the utilization of marine and fishing resources.

The conservation of the aquatic resources having inviolable support from the Constitution, the
State is duty bound to extend the widest latitude of understanding with respect to the protection of
such resources considering the abundance of natural resources the Philippines has to offer.

Case in point is the shores of the Philippines. They are havens that attract people to live, work
and recreate. These coastal estuaries, wetlands, barrier islands, coral reefs, tidal flats and rocky shores
are also vital to a myriad of fish and wildlife species, as well as, to the well-being of Filipinos who live
and work in coastal communities. Many coastal areas have ports for the exchange of trade and
economic activities with other countries. These coastal areas are potential rich source of alternative
energy, marine resources and tourism destination. Among the many coastal areas in the Philippines,
Cabugao and Magsingal which are municipalities of llocos Sur are the most promising.

Magsingal is a third class municipality in the province of !locos Sur, Philippines. According to the
2015 census, it has a population of 30,792 people. The name of the municipality came from the term
"Mayisingal," an \locano term which means "to be moved." It was applied when the bell tower was
moved from a previous location to its current site.

‘On the other hand, Cabugao is a first class municipality in the province of Ilocos Sur, Philippines.
According to the 2015 census, it has a population of 37,501 people. It is the second northernmost town
of the province of Ilocos Sur. It is 27 kilometres (17 mi) from Vigan City, the capital of the province; 55
kilometres (34 mi) from Laoag City (Ilocos Norte); 163 kilometres (101 mi) from the San Fernando, La
Union, the regional center; and 432 kilometres (268 mi) north of Manila. It is accessible to almost all
modes of land transportation and a 7-kilometer portion of the MacArthur Highway passes through the
town center. Its total land area is 9,556 hectares (23,610 acres). It is bounded on the north by Sinait; on
the south by San Juan; on the east by Nueva Era, llocos Norte and the Cordillera Mountain Ranges; and
on the west by the South China Sea. The Cordillera mountain range borders on the eastern part of the
municipality. Hills are located in all the four corners of the municipality. Off the coast of Barangay
‘Sabang there is Salomague Island.

In addition, Cabugao has so many rivers and Cabugao River is the largest river among them. Two
tributaries to the east feed the main channel of the Cabugao River. The headwaters of the north fork of,
the Cabugao River originate in Sitio Caset in Barangay Maradodon and the southern fork's headwaters
originate in Sitio Gaco in Barangay Cacadiran. Cabugao's drinking water supply comes from three water
resources in the Cordillera mountain range.

Likewise, due to the vast agricultural lands and rivers Cabugao has to offer, its people are forced
to engage primarily in farming and fishing. Cabugao, with its big poblacion, is one of the most urbanized
towns in the province.

Considering the factual circumstances surrounding Magsingal and Cabugao’s situations,
particularly, the promising growth thru aquatic development, validated by the 1987 Constitution, which
‘mandates the ‘right to a balanced and healthy ecology’ of the nation’s marine wealth, and the Local
Government Code stipulates the responsibility of local government units to ‘manage and maintain
ecological balance within their territorial jurisdiction, the development of the Natural resources found in



Cabugao is imperative. Also, the Fisheries Code (Republic Act 8550) of 1997 institutionalizes the goals of
maintaining a ‘sound primordial ecological balance’ and stipulates the details of autonomy and
‘mandates of different users and management authorities. Also the ArcDev Framework for Sustainable
Philippine Archipelagic Development, developed from the National Marine Policy with assistance from
UNDP, departs from the assumption that Maximum Sustainable Yield (MSY) has been exceeded and
argues that the state is obligated to ensure goals of poverty alleviation and livelihoods within ‘ecological
limits’ and ‘optimal ulitilization’ (DENR et al., 2004, p. 163). The definition of what comprises the
desirable, optimal and assumed stable state of the ecosystem is frequently dependent on the economic
benefits which can be derived for the government or business partners.

Illustrative example is the Industry of Fishery in the Philippines. It is an economic sector of great
importance for the Philippine state, corporations and the trade partners. in the ArcDev Framework this
economic interest is coupled to interests of territorial integrity, national security and enforcement of
UNCLOS (UN Convention Law of the Sea).

In line with the assistance that the LGU may provide, the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic
Resources (BFAR) is hereby authorized to establish, acquire and maintain such facilities and equipment
‘as may be necessary to implement the intents and purposes of this Act. For this purpose, the aquatic
research and experimental breeding station for lake, river and other inland fishes may promulgate such
rules and regulations regarding the breeding, propagation and distribution of fries, fingerlings and
spawners to those engaged in the fishing industry.

It must focus on the scientific understanding and the global protection, conservation, and
sustainability of aquatic animals, fishery resources, and aquatic ecosystems. Their policies and
standpoints must be based primarily on information developed through scientific practices, but must
also reflect ethical concerns, including the conservation of the diversity and abundance of fish
populations, and respect for life and life processes.

Also, at a practical level, BFAR must set guidelines that are intended to provide general
recommendations on field and laboratory endeavours, such as sampling, holding, and handling fishes.

Lastly, considering the numerous benefits as aforementioned, and avenues it provides where
the people of Magsingal and Cabugao can have the chance to uplift their standard of living and be able
to support their families, the steamrolling of this bill will not only put Magsingal and Cabugao on the
map but will also set a precedent to nearby provinces in taking into account the success it may
accomplish thru this Act.

is earnestly sought.

In view of the foregoing, the passage of house bill

tor “DV” B. Savellano
District, Ilocos Sur


Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Quezon City

Seventeenth Congress
First Regular Session

5753

HOUSE BILL NO.

Introduced by Honorable Deogracias Victor “DV” B. Savellano

AN ACT TO ESTABLISH AN AQUATIC RESEARCH AND EXPERIMENTAL BREEDING STATION FOR
LAKE, RIVER AND OTHER INLAND FISHES IN THE PROVINCE OF ILOCOS SUR, MUNICIPALITIES
OF MAGSINGAL AND CABUGAO , APPROPRIATING FUNDS THEREFOR AND FOR OTHER
PURPOSES

Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the Philippines in Congress
assembled:

SECTION 1. There shall be established an aquatic research and experimental breeding station
for lake, river and other inland fishes in the Province of Ilocos Sur, Municiplaities of Magsingal
and Cabugao, which shall be under the supervision and control of the Bureau of Fisheries and
Aquatic Resources (BFAR) of the Department of Agriculture and in cooperation the LGUs
concerned.

SEC. 2. The BFAR is hereby authorized to establish, acquire and maintain such facilities and
equipment as may be necessary to implement the intents and purposes of this Act. For this
purpose, the aquatic research and experimental breeding station for lake, river and other
inland fishes may promulgate such rules and regulations regarding the breeding, propagation
and distribution of fries, fingerlings and spawners to those engaged in the fishing industry.

SEC. 3. The Secretary of Agriculture shall include in the Department’s program the
establishment and operationalization of the aquatic research and experimental breeding
station for lake, river and other inland fishes in the Province of Camarines Sur, the funding of
which shall be included in the annual General Appropriations Act.

SEC. 4. This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after its publication in two (2) newspapers of
general circulation.

Approved,