FIFTEENTH CONGRESS OF THE 
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES 
First Regular Session 
SENATE 
S.B, No. 2718 
Introduced by SENATOR MANNY VILLAR 
EXPLANATORY NOTE 
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'11 
FEB 24 P 4 :31 
With its thousands of islands, the Philippines has one of the longest coastlines in the 
world - estimated at 36,289 kilometers including vast and enormous bodies of water. The 
coastline extends 2,000 kilometers from north to south, with 25 major cities lying on the coast 
while two-thirds of the territorial sea covers a total area of 171 million hectares. Philippine 
waters likewise contain some of the world's richest ecosystems, characterized by extensive coral 
reefs, sea-grass beds, and dense mangrove forests, Blessed with a sunny tropical climate, waters 
enriched with nutrients from the land, and driven by the wind, the Philippines supports an 
exceptionally high diversity of marine life, The country depends heavily on its rich coastal and 
marine resources for the many economic, employment, and biodiversity values and services they 
provide. I 
As rich and beneficial our aquatic resources are, it is unfortunate that it is not given 
ample attention due to lack of policies, laws, rules and regulations governing and protecting it. 
Some 2,000 species abound in Philippine waters but despite more than a doubling in output since 
the 1960s, the fishing industry remains relatively undeveloped.2 
One reason for this is the 
government's focus on land-based agriculture over those of marine and other water-based 
agriculture and food prodnction activities. . 
This bill seeks to ensure the preservation and proper development of the country's 
archipelagic waters and marine resources, by proposing the creation of the Department of 
Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (DFAR). The creation of the DFAR will be a significant 
development in providing the best protection to Philippine waters as well as marine resources 
and provide appropriate attention to local fishermen. 
Thus, the approval ofthis bill is earnestly sought. 
1 http://siteresau rces. warl d ba n k.arg/l NTP H III PP I N ES/Resau rces/P EMOS-ch 1. pdf 
2 http://www.natiansencyciapedia.cam/Asia-and-Gceania/Philippines-FISHING.htm I 


FIFTEENTH CONGRESS OF THE 
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES 
First Regular Session 
) 
) 
) 
SENATE 
S,B. No. 2718 
Introduced by SENATOR MANNY VILLAR 
AN ACT 
'\1 
FEB 24 
p~ :31 
CREATING A DEPARTMENT OF FISHERIES AND AQUATIC RESOURCES, 
PROVIDING FOR ITS POWERS AND FUNCTIONS, AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES 
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the Republic of the 
Philippines in Congress assembled: 
SECTION 1. Short Title. - This Act shall be known as the "Department of Fisheries and 
Aquatic Resources Act of 20 11." 
SECTION 2. The Department of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources. - The Department of 
Fisheries and Aquatic Resources, hereinafter referred to as the Department, is hereby created 
with its powers and functions defined and enumerated by this Act. 
SECTION 3. Declaration of Policies. - It is hereby declared the policy of the State to 
promote the sustainable development and management of all fisheries and marine resources in 
Philippine waters including the exclusive economic zone (EEZ) and in the adjacent high seas, 
consistent with the primordial objective of maintaining a sound ecological balance, and 
protecting and enhancing the quality of the environment. 
It is the policy of the State to protect and conserve the nation's marine wealth in its 
archipelagic waters, territorial sea and exclusive economic zone and reserve its use and 
enjoyment to Filipino citizens. In the preferential use of communal marine, fisheries and aquatic 
resources, the small-scale fishermen shall be given its preferential use while protecting their 
rights. Towards this end, such fishermen shall be given the appropriate technical and financial 
support. 
SECTION 4, Jurisdiction of the Department. - The Department shall have primary 
jurisdiction over the management, conservation, development, protection, utilization and 
disposition of all fishery and aquatic resources of the country, including the habitats of fish and 
other marine life and shall have control and jurisdiction over activities which impact these 
habitats, except for municipal waters, which shall remain under the jurisdiction of local 
government units. The latter shall manage their municipal waters in accordance with national 
fishery policies, laws, rules and regulations. 
The Department shall have the authority to supervise and regulate the production and 
capture of fish and fishery products within its jurisdiction, as well as the processing and 
marketing of all fisheries and aquatic products in the country. The Department shall have the 
responsibility of rationalizing all ocean sector initiatives which affect fish and marine resources 
or their habitat including, but not limited to: marine energy exploration and development; coastal 
and marine tourism; designation of shipping lanes; protected areas; and, marine industry 
development areas. The regulation of these marine activities, once rationalized by the 
Department, shall reside with the parent agency for the appropriate sector involved. 


SECTION 5. Powers and Functions. - To accomplish its mandate, the Department shall 
have the following powers, functions and responsibilities: 
(a) Authority and responsibility over ocean-use with respect to fisheries, marine and 
aquatic life and their respective habitats; 
(b) Coordinate the implementation of fisheries and ocean sector policies, plans and laws 
to all appropriate maritime components and agencies; 
(c) Promulgate and enforce fisheries and ocean habitat regulations, and clarify and 
amplify the aforementioned departmental mandate in accordance with the published 
fisheries and oceans management plans within its territorial jurisdiction; 
(d) Prepare and implement a comprehensive Fisheries Management Plan based on the 
precautionary principle and the principle of sustainable development, using 
scientifically-generated information or best available evidence on the status of the 
fisheries and marine resources; 
(e) Formulate and implement, consistent with the development framework of the National 
Economic and Development Authority, a fishery industry development program and 
set policies and standards for the efficient and economic operations of the fishing 
industry in accordance with the objectives of food security and rational and 
sustainable development; 
(f) Promulgate laws, rules and regulations governing the conservation and proper 
utilization of fisheries and aquatic resources except in municipal waters; 
(g) Issue licenses and permits for the operation of commercial fishing vessels and the 
conduct of activities in relation to the same, subject to the specific carrying capacities 
of the resource as determined by the Department based on scientific studies or best 
available evidence with preference given to resource users in the local communities 
living adjacent or nearest to the municipal waters; 
(h) Issue fish worker licenses and' identification cards free of charge to fish workers 
engaged in commercial fishing; 
(i) Implement the provisions of Republic Act No. 8550 otherwise known as the 
"Philippine Fisheries Code of 1998" and the relevant provisions of Republic Act No. 
8435 otherwise known as the "Agriculture and Fisheries Modernization Act of 1997" 
and enforce all fishery laws, rules and regulations through its officers and authorized 
agents who shall be vested with full police powers including arrest, search and seizure 
subject to current rules and regulations, and through deputized government officials 
and employees, punong barangays and officers and members of fisher folk 
associations who have undergone relevant training in law enforcement; 
j) Perform quasi-judicial and allied functions and settle conflicts of resource use and 
allocation in consultation with the NFARMC and LGUs; 
(k) Prescribe rules and regulations including visitorial powers, procedures and guidelines 
concerning the classification, establislunent, construction, maintenance and operation 
of all fishing ports, landing sites and fish markets and the operation of business therein 
except those that are owned and operated by local government units; 
(I) Establish and maintain a Philippine Fisheries and Aquatic Resources Information 
System (PF ARIS) which will function as the principal depository and information 
server of all fisheries and ocean-related information in the country, including but not 
limited to the status of fisheries and marine resources and their habitat, all matters 


peliaining to fisheries production, processing, marketing and research results and 
technology advances; 
(m) Develop and implement a Monitoring Control and Surveillance System (MCSS) for 
Philippine fisheries and oceans at the national and regional levels to ensure that the 
fisheries and marine resources in Philippine waters are judiciously and wisely utilized 
and managed on a sustainable basis; 
(n) Actively engage in the conservation, protection and rehabilitation of rare, threatened 
and endangered marine and fresh-water species as it may determine, including their 
habitats; 
(0) Implement relevant provisions of international treaties and agreements such as, but 
not limited to, the Convention on the International Trade on Endangered Species of 
Wild Flora and Fauna, United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea, Convention 
on Biological Diversity, and formulate rules and regulations for the conservation and 
management of straddling fish stocks and highly migratory species; 
(p) Designate marine areas as protec\ed areas for the special purposes stated in the notice 
of declaration; 
(q) Formulate and enforce the Code of Practice for Aquaculture and Code of Conduct for 
Responsible Fisheries; 
(r) Promote international economic and technical cooperation in the fisheries and oceans 
sectors and in integrated oceans management, especially within the ASEAN region; 
(s) Impose administrative sanctions including fines for minor fisheries ap.d ocean 
infractions, in accordance with the schedules and limits as agreed upon by the 
Department of Justice and embodied in fisheries regulations; 
(t) Acquire, maintain, operate, purchase, lease or dispose, through the Philippine 
Fisheries Development Authority (FDA), equipment and facilities such as shipyards, 
fishing vessels, fishing gears, and refrigerated trucks, ice plants and cold storages, 
communication, and aquaculture facilities; 
(u) Fix, assess and collect reasonable fees, tolls, charges, rentals and the like, through the 
PFDA, for the use, sale of properties, equipment, facilities and services to support the 
Department's projects and to adjust the same as may be required; 
(v) Provide, through the PFDA, infrastructure support such as municipal fishing ports and 
markets, farm-to-market roads, quality laboratories in fish ports, marketing facilities, 
local fisheries shipbuilding and repair facilities, and post-harvest facilities, in 
cooperation with the appropriate agencies; 
(w) Establish and implement, through the PFDA, a National Marketing Assistance 
Program, aimed at ensuring the highest' possible income for fisher folk and fishery-
related enterprises, matching supply and demand in both domestic and foreign 
markets; 
(x) Administer a fisheries modernization credit program to finance fishery projects of 
fisher folks, fish farmers, fish processors, commercial fishers and other qualified 
borrowers; and 
(y) Perform all other functions consistent with this Act and as may be provided by law. 
SECTION 6. Structural Organization. - The Department shall consist of the Office of 
the Secretary and three (3) Undersecretaries for Fisheries Production and Utilization, Fisheries 


Conservation and Management, and for Operations; one (1) council, the National Fisheries and 
Aquatic Resources Management Council; one (Ii) institute, the National Fisheries Research and 
Development Institute; one (1) office, the Office of Ocean and Marine Affairs and the following 
services: the Philippine Fisheries and Aquatic Resources Information Service, the Fisheries 
Inspection and Quarantine Service, the Bureau of Fishery Economics and Statistics, Policy 
Analysis and Planning Service, as well as Personnel, Finance, Legal and Property and General 
Services. 
The Office of Ocean and Marine Affairs shall have authority and responsibility over 
ocean use. It shall be the Department's primary agency tasked with the implementation of the 
National Marine Policy and the relevant provisions of the United Nations Convention on the Law 
of the Sea. Any and all use of the ocean shall require the assessment and clearance by this Office, 
which shall rationalize initiatives that will negatively impact fisheries or their habitat. It shall 
coordinate the implementation of fisheries and ocean sector policies, plans and laws for all 
maritime components and shall be headed by a Director having the following divisions: 
(a) Oceans Use Assessment and Clearance Division; 
(b) National and International Oceans Law and Policy Division; 
(c) Special Projects Division; and 
(d) Technical Division. 
The Philippine Fisheries Development Authority created by Presidential Decree No. 977 
as amended, shall be an attached agency of the Department of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources 
under the Office of the Secretary. 
SECTION 7. Functions of the Secretary of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources, - The 
Secretary of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources, hereinafter referred to as the Secretary, shall be 
appointed' by the President with the consent of the Commission on Appointments, and shall have 
the following functions: 
(a) Supervision and control of the Department and the Bureaus, Offices and Institutes 
under it; 
(b) Authority and responsibility for the performance of the powers and functions of the 
Department; 
(c) Advise the President on the promulgation of policies, rules and regulations, and other 
issuances relative to the sustainable development and management of fisheries and 
oceans resources: 
(d) Establish management policies and standards for the efficient and effective operation 
of the Department in accordance with the programs of the government; 
( e) Promulgate rules, regulations and other issuances in carrying out the Department's 
mandates, objectives, policies, plans, programs and projects; and 
(f) Perform such other functions as may be provided by law. 
SECTION 8. Functions of the Undersecretaries of the Department of Fisheries and 
Aquatic Resources. - There shall be three (3) Undersecretaries: the 'Undersecretary for Fisheries 
Production and Utilization; the Undersecretary for Fisheries Conservation and Management; and 
the Undersecretary for Operations; who shall be appointed by the President upon the 
recommendation of the Secretary. The Undersecretaries for Fisheries Production and Utilization 
and for Fisheries Conservation and Management shall have the following functions: 
(a) Advise the Secretary on the formulation of policies, programs, plans, rules and 
regulations, as well as on the promulgation of Department Order, Administrative 
Orders, and other issuances with respect to his/her area of responsibility; 


(b) Exercise supervision and control over the bureaus, offices, services and operating 
units under his/her responsibility; 
(c) Coordinate the functions and activities of the units under his/her responsibility with 
those of other units in the Department; 
(d) Liaise with concerned government departments, agencies, and offices to ensure 
effective coordination in the management of the fisheries and oceans sector; and 
(e) Perform such other functions as may be provided by law or assigned by the Secretary. 
The Undersecretary for Operations shall have the following functions: 
(a) Exercise supervision and control over the regional offices; 
(b) Coordinate, harmonize and package the policies, plans, programs and projects of all 
the Bureaus, Services, Offices and Units of the Department, for the proper 
implementation by the regional offices; 
(c) Advise the Secretary in the formulation of policies, plans and programs as well as on 
the promulgation of rules, regulations and orders with respect to his/her area of 
responsibility; 
(d) Exercise supervision and control over the Fisheries Inspection and Quarantine Service 
and the Bureau of Fishery Economics and Statistics; 
( e) Establish linkage with local government units, local fisher folk assiciations and 
organizations, non-government organization and peoples' organization and supervise 
support and extension services at the regional, provincial and municipal levels; and 
(f) Perfo'rm other functions as may be provided by law or assigned by the Secretary. 
SECTION 9. Qualifications of the Undersecretaries. - No person shall be appointed 
Undersecretary of the Department unless he is a Filipino citizen; at least a degree holder in 
fisheries, publication administration, management, economics, law or other equivalent relevant 
disciplines; has actual experience in administration and management for at least ten (l0) years; 
and has general practical knowledge of fisheries. 
SECTION 10. Organizational Structure of the Department. - The functions of the 
Department under this Act shall be carried out by the bureaus, agencies and services created in 
the Department. 
Under the supervision and control of the Undersecretary for Fisheries Production and 
Utilization, the following bureaus, services and offices are hereby created: 
(a) Bureau of Aquaculture und Inland Fisheries (BAIF) - The BAIF shall, among 
others, be responsible for regulating aquaculture operations in line with the 
International Code of Conduct for Aquaculture, promoting the intensification of 
aquaculture operations in existing areas; formulating aquaculture development 
programs; establishing and maintaining model aquaculture farms and ponds; 
providing technical assistance to cooperatives and fishpond operators in the 
development of a viable fishmeal and fish feeds industry, undertaking inland fishery 
resources evaluation; and recommending management and conservation measures. 
The Bureau shall be headed by a Director and assisted by one Assistant Director. The 
bureau shall be composed of the following divisions: 


• Aquaculture Management and Development Division; 
• Inland Fisheries Resource Assessment and Conservation Division; 
• Inland Fishery Development and Extension Division; and the 
• Environmental Impact Assessment and Monitoring Division 
(b) Bureau of Post-harvest and Fisheries Product Standards (BPFPS) -, The fishery 
component of the Bureau of Agriculture and Product Standards created under Section 
61 of RA 8435 shall be transferred to the BPFPS which shall formulate and enforce 
standards of quality in the processing, preservation, packaging, labeling, importation, 
exportation, distribution, and advertising of fishery products; conduct research on 
product standardization, alignment of the local standards with the international 
standards; promote and strengthen semi-processing and handling; and shall have a 
Director, two Assistant Directors, one for Product Standards and Technical Services 
and the other for Industry Compliance and Consumer Protection and the following 
divisions: 
Under the Assistant Director for Product Standards and Technical Services -
• Technical Services Division 
• Fish Processing Technology Division. 
• Standards Development and Promotion Division; 
• Value-added Products Development and Promotion Division; and the 
Under the Assistant Director for Industry Compliance and Consumer Protection -
• Industry Compliance Division; 
• Consumer Affairs Division; and the 
• Arbitration and Dispute Resolution Division. 
(c) Bureau of Fisheries Extension, Training, and Support Service (BFETSS) - The 
BFETSS shall coordinate all development activities with respect to fisheries and 
oceans technology, and shall have a development section for all components 
including inland and oceans fishing. It shall formulate a National Extension System 
for Fisheries, which shall be composed of three (3) subsystems: the national 
government subsystem, the local government subsystem and the private sector 
subsystem. It shall deliver the following major services: training services; credit and 
financing support services, business advisory services; demonstration services, and 
information and communication support services through tri-media. It shall have the 
following divisions: 
• Training and Skills Development Division; 
• Technology Transfer and Demonstration Division; 
• Business Advisory and Information Support Division; and 
• Training Centers; 
(d) The Bureau of Fishing Technology and Capture Fisheries (BFTCF)- The BFTCF 
shall have direct supervision and control over the utilization of marine resources 
including commercial, international and small-scale fisheries. It shall formulate 
development programs for the expansion of the marine fishery industry; explore new 
fishery resources and development of environment friendly but efficient fishing gears. 
It shall be headed by a Director and two Assistant Directors and shall have the 
following divisions: 
• Municipal Fisheries Division; 
• Commercial Fisheries Division; 
• Fishing Technology Division 
• High Seas Fisheries Division; and the 


(e) The Fisheries Modernization Credit and Financing Agency (FMCFA) - The 
FMCFA shall administer the funds under Sections 108 to 113 of RA 8550 as well as 
. the fisheries related provisions of Sections 20 to 25 of RA 8435, harmonizing and 
integrating the two so as to package and deliver various credit assistance programs for 
the following: 
• Fisheries production including processing of fisheries products and inputs; 
• Acquisition or construction of fishery equipment, machinery, fishing vessels and 
fishing gears; 
• Acquisition of fry, fingerlings, fertilizers, feeds and similar items; 
• Procurement of fisheries products for storage, trading, processing and 
distribution; 
• Construction, acquisition and repair of facilities for production, processing, 
storage, transportation, communication, marketing and such other facilities in 
support of fisheries and economic activities; 
• Working capital for fisheries graduates to enable then\. to engage in fisheries-
related activities which support marine and freshwater bodies conservation and 
ecology-enhancing activities such as but not limited to mangrove reforestation, 
promotion of whale shark and manta ray and other endangered marine species 
watching and ecotourism; and 
• Development of appropriate technology, both in fishery and ancillary industries 
that are ecologically sound, locally source-based and labor intensive, based on 
the requirements of the Fisheries and Aquatic Management Councils. 
Under the supervision and control of the Undersecretary for Fisheries Conservation and 
Management, the following bureaus, units, board and services are hereby created. 
(a) Marine Resources Conservation and Management Bureau. - The Marine 
Resources Conservation and Management Bureau is a line bureau tasked with the 
formulation and implementation of a Comprehensive Fisheries Management Plan. It 
shall undertake marine fishery resources assessment and biological and 
environmental investigations and formulate conservation measures. In coordination 
with the National Fisheries Research and Development Institute, it shall determine 
and establish the carrying capacity and total allowable catch (TAC) for a particular 
resource and location. It shall set the allowable fishing effort based on the carrying 
capacity of the resource and TAC and accordingly issue commercial fishing licenses 
and permits. It shall be headed by a Director and two Assistant Directors and shall 
have the following divisions: 
• Coastal Resources Management Division; 
• Oceanography Division; 
• Fisheries Licensing Division; 
• Biotechnology, Bio-safety and Bio-prospecting Division; and the 
• Fisheries Law Enforcement Division. 
The Fisheries Law Enforcement Division shall operate the National and Zonal 
Monitoring Surveillance System. It shall establish fishery air and ocean patrol as well as 
conduct law enforcement trainings and recommend to the Secretary the deputation of 
government employees and members of fisher folk associations as fishery guardians. It 
shall have the supervision and control of fishery officers and guardians and the corps of 
specialists responsible for the enforcement of fishery laws, rules and regulations and the 
efficient monitoring and surveillance of fishing activities within Philippine territorial 
waters. It shall have the following units: 


(a) The National and Fisheries Zone Monitoring and Surveillance Center which 
shall have a National Coordinating Center and several Fisheries Zones 
Monitoring and Surveillance Centers. It is further subdivided into the Vessel 
Tracking and Remote Sensing Office, and the Database and Information 
Center; 
(b) The Fisheries Air Patrol and Oceans Patrol, and the Regulatory Staff 
composed of Fishery Officers, Deputized Fisheries Guardians and the corps of 
specialists from the DND, PNP-MARICOM, DILG, DFA and DOl. The 
Fishery Officers shall have full police powers relative to the enforcement of 
fishery laws, rules and regulations including arrest, search and seizure, and 
shall have the authority to directly file complaints for violation of fishery 
laws, rules and regulations. 
(b) The Bureau of Marine Protected Areas and Wildlife (BMP A W) - The BMP A W is 
a line bureau responsible for establishing and maintaining marine protected areas and 
wildlife sanctuaries. It shall lead in the conduct of scientific researches on the proper 
strategies for the conservation and protection of marine wildlife and their habitat 
including breeding or propagation. It shall also establish Marine Wildlife Rescue 
Centers to take custody of all confiscated, stranded or abandoned marine wildlife. It 
shall have the authority to issue Committee on International Trade on Endangered 
Species (CITES) Permits and shall be both the CITES Management and Scientific 
Authorities of the Philippines. It shall be the lead agency in the fulfillment of the 
country's obligations under CITES, the Convention on Biological Diversity and other 
treaties and international agreements. Related functions and activities currently 
undertaken the Protected Areas and Wildlife Bureau (P A WB) of the Department of 
Environment and Natural Resources are now transferred to the BMP A W. Likewise, 
all established marine protected areas currently supervised by the P A WB shall now 
be transferred to the BMP A W for supervision and management. 
The Bureau shall have the following divisions: 
• Marine Protected Areas Division; 
• Marine Wildlife Rescue Centers; 
• CITES Management Authority; 
• Endangered Marine Species Captive Breeding Centers; Endangered Marine 
Wildlife Research Center shall be the Department's CITES Scientific Authority 
which shall coordinate with academic institutions designated as scientific 
authorities; and the 
• Biodiversity Division 
The Undersecretary for Operations shall have direct control and supervision over all 
regional offices and the following unit and bureau: 
(\1) The Fisheries Inspection and Quarantine Inspection Service (FIQIS) - The FIQIS 
shall have line functions and shall be responsible for the inspection and quarantine of 
all fishery related activities including the conduct of quarantine and quality inspection 
of all fish and fishery/aquatic products corning into and going out of the country by 
air or water transport to detect the presence of fish pest and diseases, the regular 
inspection of processing plants, storage facilities, abattoirs, as well as public and 
private markets in order to ensure freshness, safety and quality of products and to 
ensure that these products conform to the standards prescribed by the Department; 
and the quarantine of aquatic animals and fishery products determined or suspected to 
be with fishery pest and diseases and prevent the movement or trade from and or into 
the country of these products so prohibited or regulated under existing laws, rules or 
regulations and international agreements of which the Philippine is a State Party. It 
shall have the following units: 


• Regional fishery Inspection and Quarantine Offices; 
• Cyanide Detection Centers; 
• Product Standards Enforcement Division. 
• 'Regional Fish Health Centers; and the 
(b) The Bureau of Fishery Economics and Statistics (BFES) - The BFES shall be a 
line bureau responsible for establishing benchmark data on the structure of the fishery 
industry. It shall conduct research and studies on the socio-economics of various 
fishery operations, collect data on fishery production, and establish a network of 
fishery information, documentation and dissemination. It shall have the following 
divisions: 
• Fishery Statistics Division; 
• Socioeconomic Division; and the 
• Fishery Information Di vision 
SECTION 11. Regional Offices and Functions. - The Department shall have such 
department-wide regional offices as may be necessary in the administrative regions, each to be 
headed by a Regional Director, who shall be assisted by an Assistant Regional Director, each 
regional office shall have support staffs as may be necessary and four line divisions which shall 
have the following duties and responsibilities: 
(a) Provide efficient and effective front-line service to the fishery and aquatic industry 
sector, particularly to the municipal fishermen; 
(b) Implement in its area of jurisdiction, the laws, policies, plans, programs, projects, 
rules and regulations of the Department; 
(c) Coordinate with the Regional Office of other departments, offices and agencies in the 
region; and 
(d) Perform other functions as may be provided by law or assigned by the Secretary. 
SECTION 12. Appointment and Qualification of Directors. • The Directors of the 
Bureau, Offices and Agencies and the Regional Directors shall be appointed by the Secretary, 
upon recommendation of the Undersecretaries concerned. The Directors must have a degree in 
law or Master of Science degree in marine fisheries, oceanography, fisheries biology, marine 
biology, fisheries technology, microbiology or related sciences, or public administration and at 
least five years of experience either in the public or private sector, in marine fisheries research 
and development, or in the fisheries industry. 
SECTION 13. Abolition, Transfer and Merger. - The Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic 
Resources reconstituted by Republic Act No 8550, is hereby abolished and its relevant functions, 
appropriations, records, properties, equipment and personnel are hereby transferred to the 
Department of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources: Provided, however, That no official or 
employee of the BF AR shall be laid off in the implementation of this section. The National and 
Municipal Fisheries and Aquatic Resources Management Councils created by Republic Act No. 
8550 shall be transferred to the Office of the Secretary of the Department of Fisheries and 
Aquatic Resources. 
The National Fisheries Research and Development Institute created by Republic Act 
No.8550 is transferred to the Department and shall serve as its principal research arm. The 
Philippine Fisheries Development Authority created by Presidential Decree No. 977 including its 
relevant functions, appropriations, records, properties, equipment and personnel, is hereby 
transferred to the Department of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources as an attached agency under 
the Office ofthe Secretary: Provided, however, That the Secretary of the Department of Fisheries 
and Aquatic Resources shall be the new chairman of the Board: Provided, further, That no 
official or employee of the PFDA shall be laid off in the implementation of this Section. 


The Philippine Technical Advisory Committee of the SEAFDEC Aquaculture 
Department created under Executive Order No. 834 dated October 4, 1982, including its relevant 
functions, appropriations; records, properties, equipment and personnel, is hereby transferred and 
attached to the Department of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources: Provided, That no official or 
employee of the Board shall be laid off in the implementation of this section. 
The fisheries related functions of the Laguna Lake Development Authority, including its 
relevant appropriations, records, and personnel, are hereby transferred to the Department of 
Fisheries and Aquatic Resources: Provided, however, that no official or employee of the LLDA 
shall be laid off in the implementation of this Section. 
The Philippine Council for Aquatic and Marine Research and Development is abolished 
and all its personnel, records, appropriations, property and equipment are transferred to the 
National Fisheries Research and Development Institute of the Department of Fisheries and 
Aquatic Resources. 
The Marine Research and Conservation Division and the different Sections and the 
Coastal Environment Program including its relevant appropriations, personnel, records, property 
and equipment, all marine and coastal related projects and programs of the Department of 
Environment and Natural Resources, and all fisheries related functions of the DENR under 
Executive Orders No. 192 and 292, except the functions of the enforcement of water pollution 
laws, rules and regulations, are hereby transferred to the Department of Fisheries and Aquatic 
Resources. 
The fisheries-related sections of the Bureau of Agricultural Research, the Bureau of 
Agricultural Statistics and the Agricultural Training Institute of the Department of Agriculture 
are hereby abolished and all its personnel, records, appropriations, property and equipment are 
transferred to the Department of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources. 
SECTION 14, Transitory Provisions. - In accomplishing the acts of organizing the 
department as herein prescribed, the following provisions shall be complied with: 
(a) The transfer of a government unit or agency shall include the functions, 
appropriations, funds, records, equipment, facilities, chooses in action rights, other 
assets and liabilities, if any, of the transferred unit or agency as well as the personnel 
thereof, as may be necessary, who shall, pending reappointment, continue to perform 
their respective duties and responsibilities and receive the corr(1sponding salaries and 
benefits in a hold-over capacity; 
(b) The transfer of functions which results in the abolition of the government unit or 
agency that has exercised them, shall include the appropriations, funds, records, 
equipment, facilities, chooses in action, rights, other assets and personnel as may be 
necessary to the proper discharge of the transferred functions. Its liabilities, if any, 
shall likewise be treated in accordance with the Government Auditing Code and 
other pertinent laws, rules and regulations. Its personnel shall, pending 
reappointment, continue to perform their duties and responsibilities and receive the 
corresponding salaries and benefits in a holdover capacity. 
SECTION 15. Organization Committee. - The duly appointed Secretary of Fisheries and 
Aquatic Resources shall immediately create an organization committee which shall study and 
formulate the staffing pattern, qualification standards, and placement of personnel in the 
Department, its services, bureaus, and offices. The Committee shall be composed of 
representatives from the Department of Budget and Management, Civil Service Commission, the 
fishery industry and the academe. 
SECTION 16. Appropriations. - For the effective implementation of this Act, the 
amount of five billion Pesos (P5,OOO,OOO,OOO.OO) is hereby appropriated from the unallocated 


funds of the National Treasury and the current budgetary appropriations of the Bureau of 
Fisheries and Aquatic Resources, including its regional offices, the appropriations of the 
Philippine Fishing Development Authority, and the budgetary provision of the Philippine 
Council for Aquatic and Marine Research Development. The amount necessary for the 
construction of a national office of the Department of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources 
equivalent to five hundred million Pesos (PsOO,OOO,OOO.OO) is hereby appropriated from the 
unallocated funds of the National Treasury. The revenues which the Department will generate 
from its licensing operations, the fees collected & the proprietary services delivered by the 
Department, and the administrative fines imposed by the National Fisheries Regulatory and 
Adjudication Bond shall constitute the Department's revolving fund from which amounts 
necessary to carry out the special research projects, management and conservation programs, 
staff development programs, and the acquisition of equipment, vessels, arId airplanes, helicopters 
of the Monitoring and Surveillance Center shall be taken: Provided, however, That the fishpond 
rentals shall accrue to the National Fisheries Research and Development Institute as provided 
under Section 46 (c) of Republic Act No. 8550. The use of such funds shall be subject to COA 
rules and regulations. 
SECTION 17. Separability Clause. - If any provision or part hereof, is held invalid or 
unconstitutional, the remainder of the law or the provision not otherwise affected shall remain valid 
and subsisting. 
SECTION 18. Repealing Clause. - Any law, presidential decree or issuance, executive order, 
letter of instruction, administrative order, rule or regulation contrary to or is inconsistent with the 
provision of this Act is hereby repealed, modified, or amended accordingly. 
SECTION 19. Effectivity Clause. - This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after its 
publication in at least two (2) newspapers of general circulation. 
Approved,