TWENTIETH CONGRESS 
) 
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES ) 
First Regular Session 
) 
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES 
Introduced by Representative Rufus B. Rodriguez and 
Representative Maximo B. Rodriguez, Jr. 
House Bill No. _____
EXPLANATORY NOTE 
Republic Act No. 10654, which amended Republic Act No. 8550, otherwise known as "The 
Philippine Fisheries Code of 1998" provides that “Except in cases specified under this Code, 
it shall also be unlawful for any commercial fishing vessel to fish in municipal waters.” 
Unfortunately, intrusion of commercial fishing vessels within municipal waters remains 
prevalent and unabated specially at night. There is also a problem in the implementation of 
vessel monitoring measures as mandated by RA 10654 for commercial fishing vessels.  
Hence, this bill which seeks to address this problem that leaves local fishermen at the mercy 
of commercial fishing vessels. 
In view of the foregoing, the immediate approval of this measure is earnestly requested. 
RUFUS B. RODRIGUEZ 
 
  MAXIMO B. RODRIGUEZ, JR. 
July 21, 2025
2:51 pm
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TWENTIETH CONGRESS 
) 
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES ) 
First Regular Session 
) 
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES 
Introduced by Representative Rufus B. Rodriguez and 
Representative Maximo B. Rodriguez, Jr. 
House Bill No. _____
AN ACT 
TO 
ENHANCE 
PROTECTION 
TO 
MUNICIPAL 
FISHING 
AND 
ARTISANAL 
FISHERFOLKS BY ESTABLISHING A TEN (10)-KILOMETER MUNICIPAL FISHING 
BUFFER ZONE BEYOND THE FIFTEEN (15)-KILOMETER MUNICIPAL WATERS, 
AMENDING FOR THE PURPOSE SECTIONS 4 AND 18 OF REPUBLIC ACT NO. 
8550 OR THE PHILIPPINE FISHERIES CODE OF 1998, AS AMENDED, AND FOR 
OTHER PURPOSES  
Be it enacted by the Senate and the House of Representatives of the Philippines in 
Congress assembled:  
SECTION  1. Section 4 of Republic Act No. 8550, otherwise known as "The 
Philippine Fisheries Code of 1998", is amended, as follows:  
"SEC. 4. Definition of Terms. - As used in this Code, the following terms 
and phrases shall mean as follows:  
 X X X 
57. Municipal fishing - refers to fishing within municipal waters OR WITHIN
MUNICIPAL WATERS BUFFER ZONE using fishing vessels of three (3)
gross tons or less, or fishing not requiring the use of fishing vessels.
58-A. MUNICIPAL WATERS BUFFER ZONE – MARINE WATERS
INCLUDED BETWEEN    TWO (2) LINES DRAWN PERPENDICULAR TO
THE GENERAL COASTLINE FROM POINTS WHERE THE BOUNDARY
LINES OF THE MUNICIPALITY TOUCH THE SEA AT LOW TIDE AND A
FOURTH LINE PARALLEL TO THE THIRD LINE THAT SERVES AS
BOUNDARY 
OF 
THE 
MUNICIPAL 
WATERS 
AND 
TEN 
(10)
KILOMETERS FROM SUCH THIRD MUNICIPAL WATERS BOUNDARY
LINE.
   x x x"  
SEC. 2. Section 18 of the same Act is hereby amended, as follows: 
"SEC. 18. Users of Municipal Waters. - All fishery related activities in 
municipal waters OR IN MUNICIPAL WATERS BUFFER ZONE, 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 AND SHALL BE LIMITED TO MUNICIPAL FISHING.  
The DEPARTMENT, WITH THE CONCURRENCE OF THE municipal or 
city government, however, may, through its local chief executive and acting 
pursuant to an appropriate ordinance, authorize or permit small [and 
2160 


medium] commercial fishing vessels to operate within the [ten point one 
(10.1) to fifteen (15) kilometer area from the shoreline in] municipal waters 
BUFFER ZONE 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 shipowner, employer, captain and 
crew have been certified by the appropriate agency as not having violated 
this Code, environmental laws and related laws [.]; AND,  
 
(E) THE APPLICANT VESSEL IS EQUIPPED WITH A VESSEL 
MONITORING SYSTEM (VMS) THAT IS CONSISTENTLY REPORTING 
ITS LOCATION PRESCRIBED BY AND REGISTERED WITH THE 
DEPARTMENT.  
 
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 Sec. 9 of this Code.  
 
SEC. 3. Repealing Clause. - All laws, decrees, executive orders and rules and regulations or 
parts thereof which are inconsistent with this Act are hereby repealed or modified accordingly.  
 
SEC. 4. Effectivity. - This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after its complete publication 
in at least two (2) newspapers of general circulation.  
 
Approved,