) 
SIXTEENTH CONGRESS OF THE 
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES 
First Regular Session 
SENATE 
S.B. No116 
Introduced by SENATOR FERDINAND R. MARCOS, JR. 
EXPLANATORY NOTE 
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According to the Bureau of Agricultural Statistics, the country's fisheries 
sector came down with 2.32% less output in 2012. From last year's record of 
4,973,587.7 5 metric tons, the 2012 volume of production was placed at 
4,858,097.10 metric tons. Municipal fisheries and aquaculture posted 3.88% and 
2.54 
percent reductions in 
their volumes of production, respectively. 
Commercial fisheries gained 0.23% in volume of production. (WebSite, Bureau 
of Agricultural statistics, Fisheries Situationer, January - December 20 12). 
The !said Bureau furthermore reported that "the volume of Aquaculture 
production was estimated at 2,541.965.38 metric tons in 2012. Production was 
down by 12.54% or 66,154.46 metric tons from the 2011 level. 
Aquaculture 
production dropped in all quarters of 2012 and the biggest decrease WaS 
observed during the fourth quarter at 4.18%or 35,861.45 metric tons. Seaweed 
production at 1.751.070.64 contributed 68.89% to total aquaculture production. 
Production of seaweed declined by 4.88% or 89,762.22 metric tons in 2012. It 
exhibited a downward trend throughout the year and the biggest decrease was 
registered on the fourth quarter at 7.37% or 47,992.48 metric tons. 
Ice-ice 
disease was reported in top seaweed producing provinces. 
Fin fishes and 
shellfishes contributed 31.11 % to the total aquaculture production. 
These 
included milkfish, tilapia, tiger prawn, oyster and mussel. 
Aquaculture 
accounted for 52.32% of the total fisheries production in 2012." 
The downward trend of fisheries / aquaculture production is alarming. 
Hence, a curative intervention is urgently needed to address the country's 
dwindling fishery production. 
Fish farming or mariculture park is a fishing concept introduced in the 
country in 2004. It operates like industrial parks where investors set up fish cages 
to breed high value marine species like bang us, siganids and seeweeds. 
As of July 2012, there are 65 mariculture zones, / parks established in the 
country, with a total of 2,702 fish cages. Of this number, the Luzon has the 
highest number at 24, followed by Visayas, 21, and 20 in Mindanao. 
Republic Act 8550, otherwise known as The Philippine Fisheries Code of 
1998 has provided the foundation of mariculture operations in the country, 
However, there is no existing national program on mariculture. 


Hence, this bill proposes the formulation of the National Mariculture 
Program, with the end goals of providing security of food for our countrymen, 
steady livelihood to the fisherfolk, and sustaining an ecologically-balanced 
aquatic environment. 
There is an urgent need to replenish the decreasing volume of fish in 
Philippine waters. 
Mariculture is the best alternative option in attaining this 
objective. ' 
! 
Let us bring back the treasure of the seas. Aquaculture development will 
greatly contribute to cultivate fishery production. 
In view of thereof, the passage of this bill is earn stly requested. 
") 
D R. MARCOS, JR 


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;, 
SIXTEENTH CONGRESS OF THE 
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES 
First Regular Session 
SENATE 
S,B. No.llS 
'13 
JWL -1 P 1 :28 
Introduced by SENATOR FERDINAND R. MARCOS, JR. 
AN ACT ESTABLISHING THE NATIONAL MARICULTURE PROGRAM, AND PROVIDING 
FUNDS THEREFOR, AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES 
Be it enacted by the Senate and the House of Representatives of the 
Philippines in Congress Assembled: 
SECTION 1. Title. - This Act shall be known as "The National Mariculture 
Program of 20 13". 
SECTION 2. Declaration of Policy. - The State shall ensure food security to 
everyone, utilizing and developing the country's natural wealth, and shall 
protect the aquatic resources as valuable food reserve. 
Toward this end, the 
State shall ensure the utmost protection of the country's marine environment. 
While optimizing its potential contribution to food security. 
Likeyvise, the State shall uphold the rights and interests of the Filipino 
fisherfolk and they shall be given preferential use of the, marine and fishing 
resources In the country. 
To this end, there shall be a comprehensive program on marine 
technology and research, financial and marketing assistance, and other 
services for the benefit of the fisherfolk and the local communities. 
SECTION 3. 
National Mariculture Program. - The National Government, 
through the BFAR, shall undertake a National Mariculture Program, guided by 
the following objectives: 
1. Promotion of mariculture as major source of livelihood for the fishermen; 
2. The identification and establishment of mariculture parks in suitable areas 
in the country; 
3. Increase socio-economic growth and ensure food security through 
mariculture industry; 
4. Conservation, protection and preservation of the aquatic environment 
conducive to fisheries, species management. and mariculture investment; 
5. Development of technical skills for fishermen to sustain the mariculture 
industry; 
6. Provide 
appropriate 
infrastructure 
and 
equipment 
for 
favorable 
investment climate. and post-harvest technology. 
7. Provide stakeholders easy access to lending institutions. 


.. 
,. 
SECTION 4. Definition of Terms. As used in this Code. the following terms 
shall mean as follows: 
1. Mariculture -is designed to produce fish through sea cages. to grow high 
value marine species. such as bang us. siganids. seaweeds. oysters. 
mussels. red snappers. groupers and other related species. 
2. Mariculture Park or Zone - refers to duly designated fishery areas where 
mariculture is undertaken. 
3. SEAWEC - refers to the Southeast Asian Fisheries Development Center. an 
inte~governmental organization established for the purpose of sustaining 
fishery development in the Southeast Asian Region. 
SECTION 5. 
Mariculture Development Parks and Zone. Subject to the 
limitations set forth under Sections 20 and 22 of Republic Act 8550. otherwise 
known as The Philippine Fisheries Code of 1988. and Section 149 of Republic Act 
7160. otherwise known as The Local Government Code of 1991. the concerned 
officials of the local government unit shall supervise the establishment of 
mariculture parks and zones in duly designated areas located within the 
municipal waters. 
In case of waters located outside municipal waters. the 
Department of Agriculture (DA) shall designate and supervise the respective 
mariculture area. 
The technical. social. economic viability and sustainability. as well as the 
environmental protection. shall be taken into consideration in selecting an area 
for a mariculture parks or zone. 
For this purpose. the province. city or municipality shall enter into a Lease 
Agreement with the registered fisherfolk or fisherfolk cooperative as well as 
private investors. where the terms and conditions. as well as profit sharing. are 
specified therein. 
However. the BFAR shall provide a ceiling for rents to locators. in 
consultation with the sangguniang concerned. taking into consideralion its 
affordability to ordinary fisherfolks and the viability for its continued operation. In 
granting lease proposals by the local government unit. preference shall be 
given to local fisherfolks. 
SECTION 6. Ownership of Mariculture Parks. Unless the mariculture park is 
established by private individual or corporation. the ownership of the park shall 
belong to the municipal or city which has jurisdiction over the area. If the park is 
established outside the municipal waters or within the territorial jurisdiction of two 
or more cities or municipalities. the ownership shall belong to the provincial 
government which has jurisdiction over the area. 
If the area is within the 
territorial jurisdiction of two or more provinces. the concerned provinces shall 
enter into,a Joint Venture Agreement where the issue of ownership dispute shall . 
be amicably settled. 


SECTION 7. 
Mariculture Zone Advisory Council. 
The Mariculture Zone 
Advisory Council is hereby created which shall be composed of the following: 
1. Representative from the BFAR with a rank equivalent to a Director as 
Chairman; 
2. The City or Municipal Agriculturist. or in the absence thereof, the Provincial 
Agriculturist as Vice Chairman; 
3. A 
representative 
from 
the 
registered 
Fisherfolk 
organization 
or 
cooperative; 
4. A representative from the private business sector directly involved with 
Mariculture Zone. 
All the above-mentioned members of the Advisory Council, and not their 
respective proxies, shall be required to attend all council meetings. 
SECTION 8. 
Functions of the Mariculture Zone Advisory Council. 
The 
Mariculture Zone Advisory Council shall have the following functions: 
1. To operate, administer, manage and develop the Mariculture Zone 
according to the principles set forth in this Act; 
2. To register, regulate, supervise the enterprises in the Mariculture Zone in an 
efficient and decentralized manner; 
3. To exercise general supervision over the development. plans, activities 
and operations of the Mariculture Zone; 
4. To ensure that all revenues of the Mariculture Zone are properly collected 
and remitted to the local government unit. 
SECTION 9. Mooring Spaces. Grant of Mariculture Zone qreas shall be 
based on mooring spaces to ensure that usage of area-space for sea cage 
farming is solely based on the granted space as provided. Granted mooring 
spaces not developed/installed with cage within 6 months will be forfeited and 
awarded to other applicants. 
The BFAR shall prescribe the guidelines in 
installation of sea cages. 
, 
SECTION 10. Support Infrastructures. 
To make the mariculture park and 
zone more convenient and useful to potential investors, there shall be support 
infrastructures such as, but not limited to floating, guardhouses, an onshore feed 
warehouse, an shore net mending and drying shed, a pier where small crafts 
can dock safely and a small ice plant or an insulated ice house. 
In addition to the physical infrastructure, socio-economic infrastructure 
shall likewise be placed in order to ensure the success of the mariculture park 
and zone. 
SECTION 11. 
Aquaculture Technical Assistance and Training to Local 
Government 
Units, 
Fisherfolk Cooperatives/Associations, 
Non-Government 
Organizations. The SEAFDEC, through its Aquaculture Department. shall provide 
technical assistance, training and marketing support to local government units, 
coastal fishermen, fisherfolk cooperatives/associations, and non-government 
organizations with respect to the establishment. utilization and management of 
mariculture system in their respective jurisdictions. The SEAFDEC shall closely 
coordinate with the concerned stakeholders for this purpose. 


SECTION 12. Private Sector as Economic Partners. 
Private individual 
investors or enterprises shall, as far and practicable, be encouraged to take an 
active role in establishment, utilization and management of mariculture system. 
Qualified private investors or entrepreneurs shall coordinate with the concerned 
local 
government 
officials, 
local 
fishing 
comrnunity 
and 
appropriate 
governrnent agencies, for this purpose. 
SECTION 13. Financing Scheme. The LandBank of the Philippines (LBP) 
shall 
provide 
financial 
or 
loan 
assistance 
to 
registered 
fisherfolk 
organizations/cooperatives for the construction of the fish cage and to finance 
the initial stocks and feeds. 
The LBP shall issue guidelines on the scheduled annual payments of the 
loan. It shall ensure however, that whenever practicable, it shall reduce the 
interest rate and/or reduce the principal obligation to make the repayment 
affordable for the fisherfolk. 
I 
The .LBP shall render quarterly reports on the disbursement of funds for the 
National Mariculture Program. 
SECTION 14. 
Continuing Research and Development. 
The BFAR shall 
conduct continuing research and developrnent as well as applic<;ltion of 
technological advancements in rnariculture industry. 
A one-hectare Research and Development area shall be designated 
within a province, city or municipality for the conduct of research and 
demonstration activities as well as a venue for the manpower capability 
trainings in the mariculture zone. This area shall be jointly managed by the LGU 
and BFAR. 
SECTION 15. 
Monitoring and Evaluation. -
The DA shall monitor the 
implernentation of Research and Development programs and mariculture 
projects. The BFAR shall review all existing mariculture parks and zones every four 
(4) years, to determine their viability or effectiveness. The BFAR shall employ the 
services of independent evaluators to assess the over-all irnpact of the country's 
mariculture development. 
A quarterly Performance Evaluation issued by 
independent evaluators shall be submitted to the BFAR for this purpose. 
SECTION 16. Appropriations. The initial amount of Five Hundred Million 
Pesos is hereby appropriated to effectively carry out the provisions of this Act 
during the first year of irnplementation. Thereafter, such sums as may be 
necessary for the continued irnplementation of this Act shall be included in the 
succeeding General Appropriations Act. 
SECTION 17. Identification of Mariculture Areas. Within six (6) months from 
the effectivity of this Act, the BFAR shall identify the local government units 
which have potential areas for the establishment of mariculture parks. Provided 
that, not later than one year from the effectivity of this Act, the BFAR, in 
coordination with the local government units concerned, shall complete the 
blueprint of each mariculture park in the said identified areas. 


SECTION 18. Annual Report.- The DA, through the BFAR, shall render an 
annual report to Congress on the accomplishment of the program. A review on 
the viability of the program, which includes a complete list of the areas suitable 
for establishment of mariculture parks in the country with their respective 
feasibility study, shall be made by the concerned agencies after three (3) years 
of its implementation. 
SECTION 19. Information Campaign. The BFAR shall undertake intensive 
public information campaign within three (3) months from the effectivity of this 
Act. 
SECTION 20. Implementing Rules and Regulations.- The DA, through the 
BFAR, together with the Department of Interior and Local Government(DILG) 
and the representatives of the League of Provinces, League of Cities, and 
League of Municipalities, shall adopt rules and regulations necessary to 
implement the provisions of this Act within ninety (90) days from the effectivity 
thereof. 
SECTION 21. Separability Clause- If any provision of this Act is declared 
invalid or unconstitutional, the other provisions not affected thereby shall remain 
in full force and effect. 
SECTION 22. Repealing Clause.-AII laws, presidential decrees, executive 
orders, presidential proclamations, rules and regulations or parts thereof contrary 
to or inconsistent with this Act are hereby repealed or modified accordingly. 
SECTION 23. Effectivity.- This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after its 
publication in at least two (2) national newspapers of general circulation. 
Approved.