Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Quezon City, Metro Manila

FIFTEENTH CONGRESS
First Regular Session

House BillNo.__ 8674

Introduced by Representative Tobias Reynald M. Tiangco

EXPLANATORY NOTE

This bill seeks to reinforce the objective of Republic Act No. 8550 otherwise
known as The Philippine Fisheries Code of 1998, that is, to improve the life of the
Philippine fisher folk sectors by passing a law that will protect and support their
livelihood.

Section 2 of Article XII of the 1987 Philippine Constitution provides that the
Congress may, by law, allow small-scale utilization of natural resources by Filipino
citizens, as well as cooperative fish farming, with priority to subsistence fishermen and
fish- workers in rivers, lakes, bays, and lagoons. However, Filipino fisher folks nearby
Manila Bay like those from Cavite, Bataan and Metro Manila were prevented from
fishing even within the municipal waters of the Philippines. This restriction has
dramatically affects Filipino fisherfolk's livelihood. Fishing is the bulk of the source of
income of those fishermen living nearby Manila Bay. Filipino fishermen, specifically
those living nearby Manila Bay, needs full support from the government to further
strengthen their indispensable contribution to the economy. Hence, there is a need to
waive the restrictions provided in Section 18 of Republic Act No. 8550 in favor to the
fisher folks in Cavite, Bataan, and Metro Manila.

In view thereof, passage of this Bill is earnestly sought.

Jf» thea fre
A.
Lone District of Navotas City


Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Quezon City, Metro Manila

FIFTEENTH CONGRESS
First Regular Session

3674

House Bill No.

Introduced by Representative Tobias Reynald M. Tiangco

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

AN ACT
AMENDING REPUBLIC ACT NO. 8550 OTHERWISE KNOWN AS THE PHILIPPINE
FISHERIES CODE OF 1998 AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES

SECTION. 1. Section 4 of the Republic Act No. 8550 otherwise known as The Philippine
Fisheries Code of 1998 is hereby amended to read as follows:

“Sec. 4. Definition of Terms. - As used in this Code, the following terms and
phrases shall mean as follows:

XXX

10. | Commercial Fishing - the taking of fishery species by passive or
active gear for trade, business or profit beyond subsistence or sports fishing, to
be further classified as:

4. Small scale commercial fishing - fishing with passive or active gear
utilizing fishing vessels of 3.1 gross tons (GT) up to THIRTY (30) GT;

2. Medium scale commercial fishing - fishing utilizing active gears and
vessels of 30.1 GT up to one hundred fifty (150) GT; and

3. Large scale commercial fishing - fishing utilizing active gears and
vessels of more than one hundred fifty (150) GT.

SEC. 2 Section 18 of the Republic Act No. 8550 otherwise known as The Philippine
Fisheries Code of 1998 is hereby amended to read as follows:


“SEC. 18. Users of Municipal Waters. - Alll fishery activities in municipal waters,
as defined in this Code, shall be utilized by municipal fisherfolk and their
cooperatives/organizations who are listed as such in the registry of municipal fisherfolk.

The municipal or city government, however, may, through its local chief executive and
acting pursuant to an appropriate ordinance, authorize or permit small and medium
commercial fishing vessels to operate within the ten point one (10.1) to fifteen (15)
kilometer area from the shoreline in municipal waters as defined herein, provided, that
all the following are met:

a. no commercial fishing in municipal waters with depth less than seven (7) fathoms as
certified by the appropriate agency;

b. fishing activities utilizing methods and gears that are determined to be consistent
with national policies set by the Department;

c. prior consultation, through public hearing, with the M/CFARMC has been conducted;
and

d. the applicant vessel as well as the ship owner, employer, captain and crew have
been certified by the appropriate agency as not having violated this Code,
environmental laws and related laws.

In no case shall the authorization or permit mentioned above be granted for fishing in
bays as determined by the Department to be in an environmentally critical condition and
during closed season as provided for in Section 9 of this Code. PROVIDED THAT, THE
ABOVE PROVISION SHALL NOT BE APPLIED IN MANILA BAY, CAVITE AND
BATAAN FISHER FOLKS ENGAGED IN COMMERCIAL FISHING.

SEC. 2. Effectivity. - This Act shall take effect fifteen days after its publication in the
official gazette or newspaper of general circulation.

Approved.