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

EIGHTEENTH CONGRESS
First Regular Session

2255
HOUSE BILL NO.

Introduced by Honorable SAMANTHA LOUISE V. ALFONSO

EXPLANATORY NOTE

As an archipelagic country, the Philippines is naturally gifted
with aquatic resources. As such, fish has always been one of the
country’s most important products. In the Northwestern part of
Cagayan along the West Philippine Sea, between the municipalities of
Ballesteros and Pamplona, lies the municipality of Abulug. Historically,
it has always been a flourishing fishing village long before Don Juan
Salcedo sailed to the mouth of Abulug River in 1572

Being a municipality that relies on their aquatic resources, it is
crucial to their economy that their fisheries are properly maintained
However, the primitive practices of fishermen coupled with the lack of
scientific knowledge in preservation and conservation resulted into
damages to its natural resources, As a result, the livelihood of farmers
and fishermen has greatly suffered.

Measures have to be put in place to prevent further destruction
of fisheries and aquatic resources without sacrificing the plight of
fishermen in the area. Article II, section 7 of the 1987 Philippine
Constitution specifically provides this protection:

“Section 7. The State shall protect the rights of subsistence of
fishermen, especially of local communities, to the preferential use of
the communal 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.”

Therefore, there is a need to establish a fishery research center
in the Municipality of Abulug. This bill seeks to establish a Fisheries
Research Center in the Municipality of Abulug with the aim of
improving the Fishery Industry in the Second District of Cagayan. It


shall be complete with technologically-advanced features and modern
scientific equipment which will help in facilitating, implementing, and
monitoring the various research needs and activities of the fisheries
sector. It will be a repository of alll fisheries researches and scientific
information. Likewise, the center will provide a venue for intensive
training and development of human resources in the field of fisheries.
The fishermen in the neighboring shore-towns of Ballesteros,
Pamplona, Sanchez Mira, Claveria, Sta. Praxedes, and the Babuyan
Islands, and even Aparri in the First District of Cagayan, will all
benefit from the presence of a fishery research center.

In view of the foregoing, the approval of this bill is earnestly
sought.

SAMAN’ LOUISE V. ALFONSO


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

SEVENTEENTH CONGRESS
First Regular Session

HoUusE Bit wo. 2255

Introduced by Honorable SAMANTHA LOUISE V. ALFONSO

AN ACT
ESTABLISHING A FISHERIES RESEARCH CENTER IN THE
MUNICIPALITY OF ABULUG IN THE SECOND DISTRICT OF
CAGAYAN AND APPROPRIATING FUNDS THEREOF

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

SECTION 1. There shall be established under the supervision of the
Department of Agriculture, a fisheries research center in the
Municipality of Abulug, in the Province of Cagayan.

SECTION 2. The Secretary of Agriculture shall include in the
Department's program for the establishment of the said fisheries
research center, the funding of which shall be included in the annual
General Appropriations Act. The local government unit concerned
shall set aside funds from any available local revenues in an amount
deemed for its operationalization.

SECTION 3. This act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after its
publication in the Official Gazette or in at least two (2) newspapers of
general circulation.

Approved,