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

SIXTEENTH CONGRESS
First Regular Session

HOUSE BILL No.__'70.2

INTRODUCED BY REPRESENTATIVE TOBIAS “TOBY” M. TIANGCO

EXPLANATORY NOTE

This bill seeks to reinforce the objective of Republic Act No. 8550 otherwise known
as The Philippine Fisheries Code of 1998, that is, to improve the life of the Philippine fisher
folk sectors by passing a law that will protect and support their livelihood.

Section 2 of Article XII of the 1987 Philippine Constitution provides that the
Congress may, by law, allow small-scale utilization of natural resources by Filipino citizens,
as well as cooperative fish farming, with priority to subsistence fishermen and
fish- workers in rivers, lakes, bays, and lagoons. However, Filipino fisher folks near
Manila Bay like those from Cavite, Bataan and Metro Manila were prevented from fishing
even within the municipal waters of the Philippines. This restriction has dramatically
affected Filipino fisherfolk’s livelihood, whose income is primarily sourced from fishing,
Filipino fishermen need the full support of the government to sustain their livelihood anf
further strengthen their indispensable contribution to the economy. Hence, there is a need
to waive the restrictions provided in Section 18 of Republic Act No. 8550 in favor of the
fisherfolks in Cavite, Bataan, and Metro Manila

In view thereof, passage of this Bill is earnestly sought.

TOBIAS “TOBY” M. TIANGCO


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

SIXTEENTH CONGRESS
First Regular Session

02
House BiLLNo,__ “02

INTRODUCED BY REPRESENTATIVE TOBIAS “TOBY” M. TIANGCO

AN ACT AMENDING REPUBLIC ACT NO. 8550
OTHERWISE KNOWN AS THE PHILIPPINE FISHERIES CODE OF 1998
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 the Republic Act No. 8550 otherwise known as The Philippine
Fisheries Code of 1998 is hereby amended to read as follows:

“Sec. 4. Definition of Terms. - As used in this Code, the following terms and
phrases shall mean as follows:

XXX

10. Commercial Fishing - the taking of fishery species by passive or
active gear for trade, business or profit beyond subsistence or sports fishing, to
be further classified as:

1. Small scale commercial fishing - fishing with passive or active gear
utilizing fishing vessels of 3.1 gross tons (GT) up to THIRTY (30) GT;

2. Medium scale commercial fishing - fishing utilizing active gears and
vessels of 30.1 GT up to one hundred fifty (150) GT; and

3. Large scale commercial fishing - fishing utilizing active gears and
vessels of more than one hundred fifty (150) GT.


SECTION 2. Section 18 of the Republic Act No. 8550 otherwise known as The
Philippine Fisheries Code of 1998 is hereby amended to read as follows:

“SEC. 18. Users of Municipal Waters. - All fishery activities in municipal

waters, as defined in this Code, shall be utilized by municipal fisherfolk and their
Foeberatives/organizations who are listed as such in the registry of municipal
fisherfolk.

The municipal or city government, however, may, through its local chief

executive and acting pursuant to an appropriate ordinance, authorize or permit

small and medium commercial fishing vessels to operate within the ten point one

(20.1) to fifteen (15) kilometer area from the shoreline in municipal waters as
‘defined herein, provided, that all the following are met:

2 nome 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 ship owner, employer, captain and crew
have been certified by the appropriate agency as not having violated this Code,
environmental laws and related laws.

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 Section 9 of this
Code. PROVIDED THAT, THE ABOVE PROVISION SHALL NOT BE APPLIED IN
MANILA BAY, CAVITE AND BATAAN FISHER FOLKS ENGAGED IN COMMERCIAL
FISHING.

SECTION 3. Effectivity. ~ This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after its publication
in the Official Gazette or ina Newspaper of General Circulation.

Approved,