[1] FAO, The State of World Fisheries and Aquaculture 2024, p. 8.
https://openknowledge.fao.org/server/api/core/bitstreams/a2090042-8cda-4f35-9881-16f6302ce757/content
[2] The Guardian, “If we can’t fish any more, we’re going to die”: volunteer sea patrols protecting Philippine waters, March
5, 2024.
https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2024/mar/05/if-we-cant-fish-any-more-were-going-to-die-the-
volunteer-sea-patrols-protecting-precious-philippine-waters
[3] Philippine Statistics Authority, Fisheries Situation Report – First Quarter 2024.
https://psa.gov.ph/statistics/fisheries-situationer
Republic of the Philippines 
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES 
Quezon City 
TWENTIETH CONGRESS 
First Regular Session 
HOUSE BILL NO. ____ 
Introduced by HON. TSUYOSHI ANTHONY “HORI” G. HORIBATA 
EXPLANATORY NOTE 
The World Health Organization reports that more than one billion people worldwide rely on fish as 
their primary source of protein and livelihood. Unfortunately, global fish stocks are under immense 
pressure—nearly 90% are either fully exploited or overfished[1]. In the Philippines, marine ecosystems 
face similar challenges, with several traditional fishing grounds experiencing critical depletion[2]. 
Experts have warned that if unsustainable fishing practices continue, oceans may be irreversibly 
damaged within decades. 
Aquaculture offers a sustainable solution to address the increasing demand for high-value marine 
products while reducing pressure on wild fish populations. In the Philippines, the aquaculture sector 
accounted for 55.3% of total fisheries production in the first quarter of 2024[3], underscoring its 
growing importance in supporting food security and livelihood generation. 
The coastal waters of Ragay, Camarines Sur, are abundant in marine species of high commercial value, 
making them ideal for the establishment of a marine hatchery. Such a facility would provide fisherfolk 
with technical training to improve productivity and instill practices that promote sustainability and 
marine conservation—key responses to overfishing and habitat degradation. 
Given the pressure on traditional fishing grounds, it is both timely and necessary to maximize the 
potential of aquaculture in areas like Ragay. Supporting the development of a marine hatchery in this 
August 26, 2025
12:41 pm
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municipality can contribute significantly to local economic development and ensure long-term 
resilience in the fisheries sector. 
In view of the foregoing, the approval of this bill is earnestly sought. 
TSUYOSHI ANTHONY “HORI” G. HORIBATA 
First District, Camarines Sur 


Republic of the Philippines 
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES 
Quezon City 
TWENTIETH CONGRESS 
First Regular Session 
HOUSE BILL NO. ____ 
Introduced by HON. TSUYOSHI ANTHONY “HORI” G. HORIBATA 
AN ACT  
ESTABLISHING A MULTI-SPECIES MARINE HATCHERY IN THE MUNICIPALITY OF RAGAY,    
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 multi-species marine hatchery in the 
Municipality of Ragay, Province of Camarines Sur. 
SEC. 2. Prior to the establishment of the 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 its management to the local government of the 
Municipality of Ragay, 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. 
SEC. 3. 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 Ragay, 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. 
SEC. 4. 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 
multi-species marine hatchery to the local government of the Municipality of Ragay. 
SEC. 5. This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after its publication in the Official Gazette or in a 
newspaper of general circulation. 
Approved, 
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