GP RESEN.
om er
~ RECEIVED

Republic of the Philippines
House of Representatives
Constitution Hills, Batasan Complex, Quezon City

EIGHTEENTH CONGRESS
First Regular Session

House Bill No. __6428

Introduced by ALFEL M. BASCUG, Representative,
187 Legislative District of Agusan del Sur.

“AN ACT ESTABLISHING FRESHWATER AQUACULTURE CENTER
IN THE MUNICIPALITY OF TALACOGON, PROVINCE OF AGUSAN
DEL SUR AND APPROPRIATING FUNDS THEREFOR”

Explanatory Note

The 1987 Philippine Constitution provides that, “The State shall
promote a just and dynamic order that will ensure the prosperity and
independence of the nation and free the people from poverty through
policies that will promote full employment, opportunities and improved
quality of life for alf’.— This measure is a fulfillment of this mandate.

A freshwater aquaculture is intended to be situated in the
municipality of Talacogon in Agusan del Sur. The municipalities of
Bunawan, Loreto, and Talacogon in Agusan del Sur is blessed with
bodies of water. With these, the provincial government has capitalized
in developing aquaculture industry in various municipalities of the
province to intensify and develop an approach towards innovative
propagation of its freshwater resources. In fact, under the Provincial
Agriculture Office’s flagship program of Intensified and Sustainable
Development of Aquaculture (ISDA), the provincial government aims to
increase fresh water fish production by promoting fish cage and fish

1


pond technology. With the program, fish farmers benefit technical
assistance and supply of quality fingerlings.

On the other hand, the municipality of Talacogon is seen as the
proper location site of the proposed freshwater aquaculture center in the
province. Being hailed as one of the early cradles of civilization of the
entire province, Talacogon is one of the largest municipalities in the
province channeling the flow of the Agusan River thereby creating lakes
around the area.

Setting the goal, this initiative aims to improve the economic
competitiveness of the province by maximizing capabilities of its
potential stakeholders in the grassroots—the fish farmers. Under the
existing program of the agriculture sector in the province, the
establishment of new strategic municipal hatcheries has helped meet
farmers’ needs. Hence, it is important to come up with a mission to
advance our agricultural ideals for research and breeding activities to
further develop what has been started. Indeed, the need for the
establishment of this Freshwater Aquaculture Center in Talacogon,
Agusan del Sur is truly a necessity.

In view of the significance of this measure to the national
development, immediate passage of this bill is earnestly sought.

ALFEL y Aas


Republic of the Philippines
House of Representatives
Constitution Hills, Batasan Complex, Quezon City

EIGHTEENTH CONGRESS
First Regular Session

House Bill No, _°428

Introduced by ALFEL M. BASCUG, Representative,
187 Legislative District of Agusan del Sur.

“AN ACT ESTABLISHING FRESHWATER AQUACULTURE CENTER
IN THE MUNICIPALITY OF TALACOGON, PROVINCE OF AGUSAN
DEL SUR AND APPROPRIATING FUNDS THEREFOR”

Be it enacted by the Senate and the House of Representatives of
the Philippines in Congress assembled:

SECTION 1. Title. This Act shall be known as the “AGUSAN
DEL SUR FRESHWATER AQUACULTURE CENTER.”

SECTION 2. Establishment and Supervision. There shall be
established, under the supervision of the Department of Agriculture-
Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (DA-BFAR), a freshwater
aquaculture center for a multi-species breeding farm and hatchery in the
municipality of Talacogon, Province of Agusan del Sur. The DA-BFAR
shall conduct continuing research and experimentation on freshwater
aquaculture, especially as they apply to local conditions, to discover new
methods and technology that will rejuvenate the freshwater fishing
industry.


SECTION 4. Appropriations. The Secretary of Agriculture shall
include in the Department's programs the establishment of the said
freshwater aquaculture center, the funding of which shall be included in
the annual General Appropriations Act. The local government of
Talacogon shall set aside funds from any available local revenue in an
amount deemed appropriate for the operationalization of the center.

SECTION 3. Implementing Rules and Regulations. Within sixty
(60) days from the passage of this Act, the Secretary of Agriculture,
through the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources shall issue rules
and regulations necessary to carry out the purposes of this Act.

SECTION 4. Effectivity clause. This Act shall take effect fifteen
(15) days after its publication in the Official Gazette or in a newspaper of
general circulation.

Approved,