Republic of the Philippines 
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES 
Quezon City 
TWENTIETH CONGRESS 
First Regular Session 
HOUSE BILL NO. 3385 
Introduced by HON. TSUYOSHI ANTHONY G. HORIBATA, HON. VINCENZO 
RENATO LUIGI R. VILLAFUERTE, HON. MIGUEL LUIS R. VILLAFUERTE, AND HON. 
TERRY L. RIDON 
EXPLANATORY NOTE 
Fish is one of our primary sources of protein and livelihood in the Philippines as we are 
surrounded by bodies of water that likewise serve as fishing grounds. The World Health 
Organization (WHO) reported that more than one billion people worldwide depend on fish. 
Unfortunately, almost 90% of our world’s fish stock is exploited due to illegal activities. For 
instance, in the Philippines, our number one fishing problem is overfishing which accounts for 
70% of our fishing grounds. As of 2022, the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resource (BFAR) 
reported that there are a total of 2,302,648 registered fisherfolk in the Philippines, excluding 
unregistered ones. 
Fishing is not problematic as it is necessary for our daily sustenance, however, if we exploit 
our natural resources and fail to replenish, by 2048, we might end up with an “empty” oceans. 
Unfortunately, our fishermen likewise do overfishing, which damages our marine ecosystem. 
We need to create policies that shall ensure that for the next years and beyond, we will 
continue to have ample supply of seafood in our food chain.  
The waters of Camarines Sur show great potential for marine hatcheries because of the 
abundance of edible marine species of high commercial value in it. The Municipality of 
Libmanan has the Libmanan River that stretches for 94 kilometers. It is considered one of the 
major waterways in the region as it serves as one of the venues for farming, fishing, and 
transportation, which makes the municipality a viable candidate for a marine hatchery. It 
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. 
This bill was filed during the 18th Congress but only remained pending with the Committee on 
Aquaculture and Fisheries Resources. However, during the 19th Congress, this was finally 
approved on Third Reading, thus, the approval of this bill is earnestly sought. 
HON. TSUYOSHI ANTHONY G. HORIBATA 
HON. VINCENZO RENATO LUIGI R. VILLAFUERTE 
August 7, 2025
3:11 pm


HON. MIGUEL LUIS R. VILLAFUERTE 
 HON. TERRY L. RIDON 


Republic of the Philippines 
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES 
Quezon City 
TWENTIETH CONGRESS 
First Regular Session 
HOUSE BILL NO. 3385 
Introduced by HON. TSUYOSHI ANTHONY G. HORIBATA, HON. VINCENZO 
RENATO LUIGI R. VILLAFUERTE, HON. MIGUEL LUIS R. VILLAFUERTE, AND HON. TERRY 
L. RIDON
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 (DA-BFAR), a satellite multi-species marine 
hatchery in the Municipality of Libmanan, Province of Camarines Sur. 
SECTION. 2. - Prior to the establishment of the satellite multi-species marine hatchery, the DA-
BFAR shall conduct a full-scale feasibility study in support of its construction to comply with the 
requirements of the Department of Budget and Management. 
Within two (2) years after the construction of the multi-species marine hatchery, the DA-BFAR, 
through a memorandum of agreement, shall transfer the management to the local government of 
the Municipality of Libmanan, Province of Camarines Sur. It shall implement a training and phasing-
in program for local government personnel on the management and operation of the hatchery. 
SECTION. 3. - The DA-BFAR shall conduct continuing research and experimentation on the 
breeding and production of marine species, especially as they apply to local conditions, to discover 
new methods and technologies that will enhance the fishing industry. 
SECTION. 4. - The Secretary of Agriculture shall include in the Department's programs the conduct 
of the feasibility study and the consequent establishment of the multi-species marine hatchery in 
the Municipality of Libmanan, Province of Camarines Sur, the funding of which shall be included 
in the General Appropriations Act. The local government unit concerned shall set aside funds from 
any available local revenue in an amount deemed appropriate for the operationalization of the 
hatchery. 
SECTION. 5. - 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 local government of the 
Municipality of Libmanan, Province of Camarines Sur. 
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,