EIGHTEENTH CONGRESS OF THE ) 
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES 
)
First Regular Session 
)
S E N A T E  
Senate Bill No.
32
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JUL -1 
All ^06
Introduced by Senator FRANCIS N. PANGILINAN
AN ACT
CREATING A DEPARTMENT OF FISHERIES AND AQUATIC RESOURCES, 
PROVIDING FOR ITS POWERS AND FUNCTIONS, AND FOR OTHER 
PURPOSES
EXPLANATORY NOTE
The Philippines is among the world's largest fish producers, ranking eighth 
among the top fish producing countries in 2016. In 2017, the country's total volume of 
fisheries production was 4.31 million metric tons, accounting for roughly 16% of total 
agricultural output. The subsector's gross value of production in the same year 
amounted to Php 243.9 billion.
According to the Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA), approximately 1.6 million 
Filipinos depend on fisheries and aquaculture for their livelihood. However, despite the 
sector's vastness, poverty incidence continues to remain high among fishermen - 
estimated at 34% in 2015, higher by 12.4% than the poverty incidence of the general 
population.
In order to strategically develop and utilize the country's fisheries and aquatic 
resources, and curb poverty in the rural areas where most of the country's fishermen 
live, this bill proposes the creation of a Department of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources 
(DFAR) which shall be responsible for the development and management of fisheries 
and marine resources in Philippine waters including the exclusive economic zone, as 
well as the protection and conservation of the nation's marine wealth. The department 
will also ensure that the needs and concerns of the fisherfolk are adequately addressed 
to ultimately help them move out of poverty.
In view of the foregoing, the approval of this bill is earnestly sought.
FRANCISSST PANGILINAN


EIGHTEENTH CONGRESS OF THE ) 
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES 
)
First Regular Session 
)
S E N A T E
S5>niuuc
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*19 
JUL -1 
All :06
R F C E IV  L E V :
Introduced by Senator FRANCIS N. PANGILINAN
AN ACT
CREATING A DEPARTMENT OF FISHERIES AND AQUATIC RESOURCES, 
PROVIDING FOR ITS POWERS AND FUNCTIONS, AND FOR OTHER 
PURPOSES
Be enacted by tlte Senate and House of Representatives of the Philippines in Congress 
assembled:
1 
SECTION 1. Title. - This Act shall be known as the "Department of Fisheries and
2 
Aquatic Resources Act of 2019."
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SEC. 2. Creation. - The Department of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources,
4 
hereinafter referred to as the Department, is hereby created structurally and
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functionally in accordance with the provisions of this Act.
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SEC. 3. Declaration of Policies. - It is hereby declared the policy of the State to
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promote the sustainable development and management of all fisheries and aquatic
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resources in Philippine waters including its territorial seas and waters within the
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exclusive economic zone (EEZ), consistent with the primordial objective of maintaining
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a sound ecological balance and protecting and enhancing the quality of the
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environment. It is the policy of the State to protect and conserve the nation's marine
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wealth in its archipelagic waters, territorial seas, and exclusive economic zone and
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reserve its use and enjoyment exclusively to Filipino citizens. It is the policy of the State
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to adopt the precautionary principle and to prioritize conservation of the country's
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marine and aquatic resources. It is also the policy of the State to protect the rights of


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small-scale fishermen to the preferential use of the country's fisheries and aquatic
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resources.
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SEC. 4. Jurisdiction of the Department. - The Department shall have primary
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jurisdiction over the management, conservation, development, protection, utilization,
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and disposition of all fishery and aquatic resources of the country, including the
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habitats of fish and all other marine life and other activities which impact on these
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habitats, except for municipal waters, which shall remain under the jurisdiction of local
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government units. The latter shall manage their municipal waters in accordance with
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national fishery policies, laws, rules, and regulations. The Department shall have the
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authority to supervise and regulate the production and capture of fish and fishery
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products within its jurisdiction, as well as the processing and marketing of all fisheries
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and aquatic products in the country. The Department shall have the responsibility of
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rationalizing all oceans sector initiatives which impact on fish and marine resources or
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their habitat including, but not limited to, marine energy exploration and development;
15 
coastal and marine tourism; designation of shipping lanes; protected areas; and marine
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industry development areas. The regulation of these marine activities, once rationalized
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by the Department, shall reside with the parent agency for the appropriate sector
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involved.
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SEC. 5. Powers and Functions. - To accomplish its mandate, the Department shall
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have the following powers, functions, and responsibilities:
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(a) 
Coordinate the implementation of fisheries and oceans sector policies, plans
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and laws for all maritime components;
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(b) 
Promulgate and enforce fisheries and oceans habitat regulations, which
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clarify and amplify the aforementioned departmental mandate in accordance
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with the published fisheries and oceans management plans within its
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territorial jurisdiction;


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(c) 
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 aquatic resources;
(d) 
Formulate and implement, consistent with the development framework of 
the National Economic 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;
(e) 
Promulgate laws, rules, and regulations governing the conservation and 
proper utilization of fisheries and aquatic resources except in municipal 
waters;
(f) 
Issue licenses for the operation of commercial fishing vessels and permits for 
the conduct of fishery activities subject to the specific carrying capacities of 
the resource as determined by scientific studies or best available evidence 
with preference given to resource users in the local communities living 
adjacent or nearest to the municipal waters;
(g) 
Issue fish worker licenses and identification cards free of charge to fish 
workers engaged in commercial fishing;
(h) 
Implement the provisions of Republic Act No. 8550 and the relevant 
provisions of Republic Act No. 8435 and enforce all fishery laws, rules, and 
regulations through its fishery officers and guardians, and through 
deputized government officials and employees, punong barangays and 
officers, and members of fisherfolk associations who have undergone 
training on law enforcement;


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(i) 
Perform quasi-judicial and allied functions and settle conflicts of resource use 
and allocation in consultation with the National Fisheries and Aquatic 
Resources Management Council (NFARMC) and local government units;
(j) 
It shall prescribe rules and regulations including procedures and guidelines 
concerning the classification, establishment, 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;
(k) 
Establish and maintain a Philippine Fisheries and Aquatic Resources 
Information System (PFARIS) that will function as the principal depository 
and information server of all fisheries and oceans-related information in the 
country, including, but not limited to, the status of fisheries and aquatic 
resources and their habitat as well as all matters pertaining to fisheries 
production, processing, marketing and research results, and technology 
advances;
(l) 
Develop and implement a Monitoring Control and Surveillance System 
(MCSS) for Philippine fisheries and seas at the national and regional levels to 
ensure that the fisheries and aquatic resources in Philippine waters are 
judiciously and wisely utilized and managed on a sustainable basis;
(m) Actively engage in the conservation, protection and rehabilitation of rare, 
threatened, and endangered marine species as it may determine, including 
their habitats;
(n) 
Implement relevant provisions of international treaties and agreements such 
as, but not limited to, the Convention on International Trade in Endangered 
Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES), United Nations Convention on the 
Law of the Sea (UNCLOS), and Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD)


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and formulate rules and regulations for the conservation and management of 
straddling fish stocks and highly migratory species;
(o) 
Formulate and enforce the Code of Practice for Aquaculture and Code of 
Conduct for Responsible Fisheries;
(p) 
Promote international economic and technical cooperation in the fisheries 
and oceans sectors and in integrated oceans management, especially within 
the ASEAN region;
(q) 
Acquire, maintain, operate, purchase, lease, or dispose, through the 
Philippine Fisheries Development Authority (PFDA), equipment and 
facilities such as shipyards, fishing vessels, fishing gears, and refrigerated 
trucks, ice plants and cold storages, communication, and aquaculture 
facilities;
(r) 
Fix, assess, and collect reasonable fees, tolls, charges, rentals and the like, 
through the PFDA, for the use or sale of properties, equipment, facilities, and 
services to support the Department's projects and to adjust the same as 
warranted;
(s) 
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 concerned agencies;
(t) 
Establish and implement, through the PFDA, a National Marketing 
Assistance Program, aimed at ensuring the generation of the highest possible 
income for fisherfolk and fishery-related enterprises, matching supply and 
demand in both domestic and foreign markets;
(u) 
Administer a fisheries modernization credit program to finance fishery 
projects of fisherfolk, fish farmers, fish processors, commercial fishers, and 
other qualified borrowers; and


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(v) 
Perform all other functions consistent with this Act and as may be provided
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by law.
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SEC. 6, Department Proper. - The Department shall consist of the Office of the
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Secretary and three (3) Undersecretaries for Fisheries Production and Utilization;
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Fisheries Conservation and Management; and Operations; one (1) council, the National
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Fisheries and Aquatic Resources Management Council; one (1) institute, the National
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Fisheries Research and Development Institute; and one (1) office, the Office of Oceans
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and Marine Affairs. The Office of Oceans and Marine Affairs shall have authority and
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responsibility over oceans use. It shall be the Department's primary agency tasked with
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the implementation of the National Marine Policy and the relevant provisions of the
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United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS). Any and all use of the
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oceans shall require the assessment and clearance by this Office, which shall rationalize
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initiatives that will negatively impact on fisheries or their habitat. It shall coordinate the
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implementation of fisheries and oceans sector policies, plans and laws for all maritime
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components. It shall be headed by a Director and shall have the following divisions:
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(a) 
Oceans Use Assessment and Clearance Division;
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(b) 
National and International Oceans Law and Policy Division;
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(c) 
Special Projects Division; and
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(d) Technical Division.
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The Philippine Fisheries Development Authority created by Presidential Decree
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No. 977 as amended, shall be an attached agency of the Department of Fisheries and
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Aquatic Resources under the Office of the Secretary.
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SEC. 7. Functions of the Secretary. - The Secretary of Fisheries and Aquatic
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Resources, hereinafter referred to as the Secretary, shall be appointed by the President
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with the consent of the Commission on Appointments, and shall have the following
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functions:
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(a) 
Supervision and control of the Department and all the offices under it;


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(b) 
Authority and responsibility for the performance of the powers and
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functions of the Department;
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(c) 
Advise the President on the promulgation of policies, rules and regulations,
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and other issuances relative to the sustainable development and
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management of fisheries and aquatic resources;
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(d) 
Establish management policies and standards for the efficient and effective
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operation of the Department in accordance with the programs 
of the
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government;
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(e) 
Promulgate rules, regulations, and other issuances in carrying out the
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Department's mandate, objectives, policies, plans, programs, 
and projects;
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and
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(f) 
Perform such other functions as may be provided by law or assigned by the
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President.
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SEC. 8. Functions of the Undersecretaries. - There shall be three (3)
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Undersecretaries: (1) Undersecretary for Fisheries Production and Utilization; (2)
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Undersecretary for Fisheries Conservation and Management; and (3) Undersecretary for
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Operations who shall be appointed by the President upon the recommendation of the
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Secretary.
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The Undersecretaries for Fisheries Production and Utilization and for Fisheries
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Conservation and Management shall have the following functions:
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(a) 
Advise the Secretary on the formulation of policies, programs, plans, rules,
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and regulations, as well as on the promulgation of Department Orders,
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Administrative Orders, and other issuances with respect to his/her area of
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responsibility;
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(b) 
Exercise supervision and control over the bureaus, offices, services, and
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operating units under his/her responsibility;


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(c) 
Coordinate the functions and activities of the units under his/her 
responsibility with those of the 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 offices 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 Inspection Service and the Bureau of Fishery Economics and 
Statistics;
(e) 
Establish linkage with local government units, local fisherfolk associations 
and organizations, and non-government organizations and supervise 
support and extension services at the regional, provincial, city, and 
muiucipal levels; and
(f) 
Perform such other functions as may be provided by law or assigned by the 
Secretary.
SEC. 9. Qualifications of the Undersecretaries. - No person shall be appointed
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Undersecretary of the Department unless he or she is a Filipino citizen; at least a degree
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holder in fisheries, public administration, management, economics, law or other


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equivalent relevant disciplines; has actual experience in administration and
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management for at least ten (10) years; and has general practical knowledge of fisheries.
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SEC. 10. Organizational Structure of the Department. - The functions of the
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Department under this Act shall be carried out by the bureaus, agencies and services
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created in the Department.
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Under the supervision and control of the Undersecretary for Fisheries Production
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and Utilization, the following bureaus, services, and offices are hereby created;
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(a) 
Bureau of Aquaculture and Inland Fisheries (BAIF) - The BAIF shall, among
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others, be responsible for regulating aquaculture operations in line with the
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International 
Code 
of 
Conduct 
for 
Aquaculture; 
promoting 
the
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intensification of aquaculture operations in existing areas; formulating
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aquaculture development programs; establishing and maintaining model
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aquaculture farms and ponds; providing technical assistance to cooperatives
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and fishpond operators in the development of a viable fishmeal and fish
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feeds industry, undertaking inland fishery resources evaluation; and
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recommending management and conservation measures.
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The Bureau shall be headed by a Director and shall be composed of the
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following divisions:
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(1) 
Aquaculture Management and Development Division;
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(2) 
Inland Fisheries Resource Assessment and Conservation Division;
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(3) 
Inland Fishery Development and Extension Division; and
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(4) 
Environmental Impact Assessment and Monitoring Division.
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(b) 
Bureau of Postharvest and Fisheries Product Standards (BPFPS) - The
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fishery component of the Bureau of Agriculture and Product Standards
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created under Section 61 of Republic Act No. 8435 shall be transferred to the
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BPFPS which shall formulate and enforce standards of quality in the
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processing, preservation, packaging, labeling, importation, exportation.


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distribution, and advertising of fishery products; conduct research on 
product standardization and the alignment of local standards with 
international standards; and promote and strengthen semi-processing and 
handling.
The Bureau shall have a Director and two (2) Assistant Directors: one for 
Product Standards and Technical Services and one for Industry Compliance 
and Consumer Protection. It shall have the following divisions:
Under the Assistant Director for Product Standards and Technical Services:
(1) 
Technical Services Division;
(2) 
Fish Processing Technology Division;
(3) 
Standards Development and Promotion Division; and
(4) 
Value-added Products Development and Promotion Division.
Under the Assistant Director for Industry Compliance and Consumer 
Protection:
(1) 
Industry Compliance Division;
(2) 
Consumer Affairs Division; and
(3) 
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, and fishing gears and 
methods. It shall formulate a National Extension System for Fisheries, which 
shall be composed of three (3) subsystems: (1) the national government 
subsystem, (2) the local government subsystem, and (3) the private sector 
subsystem. It shall deliver the following major services: training services; 
credit and financing support services; business advisory services;
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demonstration services; and information and communication support 
services through tri-media. It shall have the following divisions:
(1) 
Training and Skills Development Division;
(2) 
Technology Transfer and Demonstration Division; and
(3) 
Business Advisory and Information Support Division.
(d) 
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 
environment-friendly but efficient fishing gears. It shall be headed by a 
Director and two (2) Assistant Directors and shall have the following 
divisions:
(1) 
Municipal Fisheries Division;
(2) 
Commercial Fisheries Division;
(3) 
Fishing Technology Division; and
(4) 
High Seas Fisheries Division.
(e) 
Fisheries Modernization Credit and Financing Agency (FMCFA) - The 
FMCFA shall administer the funds under Sections 108 to 113 of Republic Act 
No. 8550 as well as the fisheries-related provisions of Sections 20 to 25 of 
Republic Act No. 8435, harmonizing and integrating the two so as to package 
and deliver various credit assistance programs for the following:
(1) 
Fisheries production including processing of fisheries products and 
inputs;
(2) 
Acquisition or construction of fishery equipment, machinery, fishing 
vessels, and fishing gears;
(3) 
Acquisition of fry, fingerlings, fertilizers, feeds, and similar items;
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(4) 
Procurement of fisheries products for storage, trading, processing, and 
distribution;
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(5) 
Construction, acquisition and repair of facilities for production,
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processing, storage, transportation, communication, marketing and
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such other facilities in support of fisheries and economic activities;
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(6) 
Working capital for fisheries graduates to enable them to engage in
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fisheries-related activities which support marine and freshwater bodies
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conservation and ecology-enhancing activities such as, but not limited
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to, mangrove reforestation, promotion of whale shark and manta ray
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and other endangered marine species watching and ecotourism; and
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(7) 
Development of appropriate technology, both in fishery and ancillary
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industries, that are ecologically sound, 
locally-sourced, and labor
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intensive, based on the requirements of the Fisheries and Aquatic
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Management Councils.
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Under the supervision and control of the Undersecretary for Fisheries
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Conservation and Management, the following bureaus, services, and offices are hereby
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created:
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(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. 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
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be headed by a Director and two (2) Assistant Directors and shall have the 
following divisions:
(1) 
Coastal Resources Management Division;
(2) 
Oceanography Division;
(3) 
Fisheries Licensing Division;
(4) 
Biotechnology, Biosafety and Bioprospecting Division; and
(5) 
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 
fisherfolk 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.
(b) 
The Bureau of Marine Protected Areas and Wildlife (BMPAW) - The 
BMP AW 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 and 
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 Convention on International Trade in Endangered 
Species (CITES) permits and shall be both the CITES management and 
scientific authority of the Philippines. It shall be the lead agency in the 
fulfillment of the country's obligations under CITES, the Convention on
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Biological Diversity, and other treaties and international agreements. It shall 
have the following divisions;
(1) 
Marine Protected Areas Division;
(2) 
Marine Wildlife Rescue Centers;
(3) 
CITES Management Authority;
(4) 
Endangered Marine Species Captive Breeding Centers;
(5) 
Endangered Marine Wildlife Research Center shall be the Department's 
CITES scientific authority which shall coordinate with academic 
institutions designated as scientific authorities; and
(6) 
Biodiversity Division
The Undersecretary for Operations shall have direct control and supervision over
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all regional offices and the following units and bureaus:
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(a) 
Fisheries Inspection and Quarantine Inspection Service (FIQIS) - The 
FIQIS 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 aquatic products coming 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 Philippines is a State 
Party. It shall have the following units:
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(1) 
Regional Fishery Inspection and Quarantine Offices;
(2) 
Cyanide Detection Centers;
(3) 
Product Standards Enforcement Division; and
(4) 
Regional Fish Health Centers.
(b) 
Bureau of Fishery Economics and Statistics (BEES) - The BFES shall be a 
line bureau responsible for establishing benchmark data on the structure of 
the fisheries 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:
(1) 
Fishery Statistics Division;
(2) 
Socio-economic Division; and
(3) 
Fishery Information Division.
SEC. 11, Regional Offices and Functions. - The Department shall have regional
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offices as may be necessary in the administrative regions, each to be headed by a
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Regional Director, who shall be assisted by an Assistant Regional Director. Each
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regional office shall have support staff as may be necessary and four (4) line divisions
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which shall have the following duties and responsibilities:
(a) 
Provide efficient and effective frontline services to the fisheries 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 and agencies in the 
region; and
(d) 
Perform such other functions as may be provided by law or assigned by the 
Secretary.
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SEC. 12. Appointment and Qualification of Directors. - The Directors of the
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Bureaus and Offices, and the Regional Directors shall be appointed by the Secretary,
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upon recommendation of the Undersecretaries concerned. The Directors must have a
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degree in law or a Master of Science degree in marine fisheries, oceanography, fisheries
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biology, marine biology, fisheries technology, microbiology or related sciences, or
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public administration and at least five (5) years of experience, either in the public or
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private sector, in marine fisheries research and development or in the fisheries industry. 
SEC. 13. Abolition, Transfer, and Merger. - The Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic
Resources reconstituted by Republic Act No. 8550, is hereby abolished and its relevant
10 
functions, appropriations, records, properties, equipment, and personnel are hereby
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transferred to the Department of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources: Provided, however,
12 
That no official or employee of the BFAR shall be laid off in the implementation of this
13 
section.
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The National and Municipal Fisheries and Aquatic Resources Management
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Councils created by Republic Act No. 8550 shall be transferred to the Office of the
16 
Secretary of the Department of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources.
17 
The National Fisheries Research and Development Institute created by Republic
18 
Act No. 8550 is transferred to the Department and shall serve as its principal research
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arm.
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The Philippine Fisheries Development Authority (PFDA) created by Presidential
21 
Decree No. 977, including its relevant functions, appropriations, records, properties,
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equipment, and personnel, is hereby transferred to the Department of Fisheries and
23 
Aquatic Resources as an attached agency under the Office of the Secretary: Provided,
24 
however, That the Secretary of the Department of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources shall
25 
be the new chairman of the Board: Provided, further, That no official or employee of the
26 
PFDA shall be laid off in the implementation of this Section.
16


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3
1
6
7
The Philippine Technical Advisory Committee of the SEAFDEC Aquaculture 
Department created under Executive Order No. 834 dated 04 October 1982, including its 
relevant functions, appropriations, records, properties, equipment, and personnel, is
4 
hereby transferred and attached to the Department of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources:
5 
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
8 
(LLDA), including its relevant appropriations, records, and personnel, are hereby
9 
transferred to the Department of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources: Provided, however,
10 
That no official or employee of the LLDA shall be laid off in the implementation of this
11 
Section.
12 
The Philippine Council for Aquatic and Marine Research and Development is
13 
abolished and all its functions, appropriations, records, property, equipment, and
14 
personnel are transferred to the National Fisheries Research and Development Institute
15 
of the Department of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources.
16 
All marine and coastal related projects and programs of the Department of
17 
Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) and all fisheries related functions of the
18 
DENR, except the enforcement of water pollution laws, rules, and regulations, are
19 
hereby transferred to the Department of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources.
20 
The fisheries related sections of the Bureau of Agricultural Research, the Bureau of
21 
Agricultural Statistics, and the Agricultural Training Institute of the Department of
22 
Agriculture are hereby abolished, and all its appropriations, records, property,
23 
equipment, and personnel are transferred to the Department of Fisheries and Aquatic
24 
Resources.
25 
SEC. 14. Transitory Provisions. - In creating and organizing the Department as
26 
herein prescribed, the following provisions shall be complied with:
17


(a) 
The transfer of a government unit or agency shall include the functions, 
appropriations, funds, records, equipment, facilities, choses in action, rights, 
and 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 corresponding 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, choses in action, rights, other assets, and 
personnel, as may be necessary, for 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 hold-over capacity.
SEC. 15. Organization Committee. - The duly appointed Secretary of Fisheries
18 
and Aquatic Resources shall immediately create an organization committee which shall
19 
study and formulate the staffing pattern, qualification standards, and placement of
20 
personnel in the Department, its services, bureaus, and offices. The Committee shall be
21 
composed of representatives from the Department of Budget and Management, Civil
22 
Service Commission, the fishery industry, and the academe.
23 
SEC. 16. Appropriations. - For the effective implementation of this Act, the
24 
amount of Five Billion Pesos 
(R5,000,000,000.00) is hereby appropriated from the
25 
unappropriated funds of the National Treasury, the current budgetary appropriations
26 
of the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources, including its regional offices, the
27 
appropriations of the Philippine Fisheries Development Authority, and the budgetary
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3
4
5
6
7
8 
9
10
11
12
13
14
15
16 
17
1
18


1 
provision of the Philippine Council for Aquatic and Marine Research and Development.
2 
The amount necessary for the construction of a national office of the Department of
3 
Fisheries and Aquatic Resources equivalent to Five Hundred Million Pesos (P500,
4 
000,000.00) is hereby appropriated from the unappropriated funds of the National
5 
Treasury.
6 
The revenues which the Department will generate from its licensing operations,
7 
the fees collected and the proprietary services delivered by the Department, and the
8 
administrative fines imposed by the National Fisheries Regulatory and Adjudication
9 
Board shall constitute the Department's revolving fund from which the amounts
10 
necessary to carry out special research projects, management and conservation
11 
programs, staff development programs, and acquisition of equipment, vessels, and
12 
aircraft for the Monitoring and Surveillance Center shall be taken: Provided, however,
13 
That the fishpond rentals shall accrue to the National Fisheries Research and
14 
Development Institute as provided under Section 46 (c) of Republic Act No. 8550. The
15 
use of such funds shall be subject to COA rules and regulations.
16 
SEC. 17. Separability Clause - If any provision of this Act is declared
17 
unconstitutional or inoperative, the other provisions not so declared shall remain in
18 
force and effect.
19
20 
21 
22 
23
SEC. 18. Repealing Clause. - All laws, executive orders, administrative orders, and 
rules and regulations inconsistent with this Act are hereby repealed or amended 
accordingly.
SEC. 19. Effectivity Clause. - This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after its 
publication in the Official Gazette or in two (2) newspapers of general circulation.
Approved,
19