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Republic of the Philippines 
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES 
Quezon City, Metro Manila 
NINETEENTH CONGRESS 
First Regular Session 
House Bill No. _________
Introduced by Representative Richard I. Gomez 
EXPLANATORY NOTE 
As an island, the Province of Leyte relies heavily on fishing. Its coastal communities 
enjoy the diverse aquatic resources that surround the island. The fisheries in coastal 
municipalities do not only contribute to the development of the agriculture sector in the province, 
but also to the Philippine economy, at large. 
Although Leyte leads in fishery production in Eastern Visayas, environmental hazards– 
especially during inclement weather conditions – hinder fisherfolks from maximizing the 
available aquatic resources. Coastal communities are also subjected to lack of livelihood when it 
is out of season. Furthermore, with the growing demand in food supply, extracting fishery 
juveniles may not be sustainable for the industry and the environment. 
Thus, this bill seeks to establish a multi-species marine hatchery in the City of Ormoc in 
the Province of Leyte. A multi-species hatchery will not only increase food production but it will 
also contribute to the economic development and poverty alleviation in Ormoc City. With the 
marine hatchery, consistent supply of fish from the facilities would be guaranteed. Furthermore, 
it will reduce the dependence of fisherfolks on wild-caught juveniles, thereby allowing for a 
more sustainable aquaculture. Finally, this will promote the policy of the State under the 
Constitution to provide extensive support to fisherfolks through appropriate technology and 
research, adequate financial, production, and marketing assistance. 
In view of the foregoing, the approval of this bill is earnestly sought. 
RICHARD I. GOMEZ, DPA 
March 14, 2023
6:05 pm
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Republic of the Philippines 
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES 
Quezon City, Metro Manila 
NINETEENTH CONGRESS 
First Regular Session 
House Bill No. __________ 
Introduced by Representative Richard I. Gomez 
AN ACT ESTABLISHING A MULTI-SPECIES MARINE HATCHERY IN THE CITY 
OF ORMOC, PROVINCE OF LEYTE, AND APPROPRIATING FUNDS  
THEREFOR 
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 Bureau of Fisheries 
and Aquatic Resources of the Department of Agriculture (BFAR-DA), a multi-species marine 
hatchery in the City of Ormoc, Province of Leyte. 
SEC. 2. Prior to the establishment of the multi-species marine hatchery, the BFAR-DA 
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 
BFAR-DA, through a memorandum of agreement, shall transfer its management to the local 
government of the City of Ormoc. It shall implement a training and phasing-in program for local 
government personnel on the management and operation of the multi-species 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 City of Ormoc, Province of Leyte, the funding of which shall be included in the 
General Appropriations Act. The local government unit 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 management of the multi-species marine hatchery to the local 
government of the City of Ormoc. 
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SEC. 5. This Act shall take fifteen (15) days after its publication in the Official Gazette 
or in a newspaper of general circulation. 
 
 
Approved,