Republic of the Philippines 
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES 
Constitution Hills, Quezon City 
TWENTIETH CONGRESS 
First Regular Session 
HOUSE BILL NO.  ________ 
Introduced by Lone District of Agusan del Norte Representative 
HON. DALE B. CORVERA 
AN ACT 
ESTABLISHING A MULTI-SPECIES MARINE HATCHERY IN THE 
MUNICIPALITY OF CARMEN, PROVINCE OF AGUSAN DEL NORTE, AND 
APPROPRIATING FUNDS THEREFOR 
EXPLANATORY NOTE 
Seven (7) out of eight (8) barangays of the Municipality of Carmen are coastal 
communities. Based on the records of the municipality, there are at least 676 registered 
fishermen, who are mostly the breadwinners of their respective families, heavily dependent on 
fishing for lack of alternative employment. In fact, Fishing ranks second (2nd) among the top 
employment sectors in the area. 
In a recent survey conducted by the municipality, the average annual income per 
household ranges from P25,000 – P34,999, which is way below when compared to the 2018 
food threshold determined by the Philippine Statistics Authority at P88,044 annually. The food 
threshold is the amount needed by a family of five to meet their basic food needs. On the other 
hand, P125,772 is needed by a household of five to meet both their basic food and non-food 
necessities. 
Article XII, Section 1 of the 1987 Constitution provides that “the goals of the national 
economy are a more equitable distribution of opportunities, income, and wealth; a sustained 
increase in the amount of goods and services produced by the nation for the benefit of the 
people; and an expanding productivity as the key to raising the quality of life for all, especially 
the underprivileged.” 
The proposed measure attempts to fulfill the declared policy enshrined in the 
aforementioned constitutional provision and alleviate the economic as well as social status of 
the citizens of the Municipality of Carmen. It is hoped that the propagation of marine species 
and the continuous conduct of research and experimentation on the breeding and production of 
marine species, especially as they apply to local conditions, will minimize, if not completely 
solve, the problems of the sector. 
It is also worth noting that under the proposed measure, the BFAR and the Carmen 
Local Government Unit are mandated to develop an extension program that shall cater to the 
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local fisherfolk on the propagation of high-value marine species as an attempt to give more 
opportunities, income, and wealth to those who have less in life. 
This version of the bill is a rehash of HB 8124 which was filed during the 19th Congress 
and approved by the House of Representatives on third reading on 29 May 2023. Unfortunately, 
no counterpart bill was filed by the Senate. 
For these reasons, the passage of this bill is earnestly sought. 
DALE B. CORVERA 
Representative 
Lone District of Agusan del Norte 


Republic of the Philippines 
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES 
Constitution Hills, Quezon City 
TWENTIETH CONGRESS 
First Regular Session 
HOUSE BILL NO.  ________ 
Introduced by Lone District of Agusan del Norte Representative 
HON. DALE B. CORVERA 
AN ACT 
ESTABLISHING A MULTI-SPECIES MARINE HATCHERY IN THE 
MUNICIPALITY OF CARMEN, PROVINCE OF AGUSAN DEL NORTE, AND 
APPROPRIATING FUNDS THEREFOR 
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the Philippines in Congress 
assembled: 
SECTION 1. There shall be established, under the supervision of the Bureau of 
Fisheries and Aquatic Resources of the Department of Agriculture (DA-BFAR), a multi-
species marine hatchery in the Municipality of Carmen, Province of Agusan del Norte. 
SEC. 2. Prior to the establishment of the multi-species hatchery, the DA-BFAR shall 
conduct a full-scale feasibility study in support of its construction to comply with the 
requirements of the Department of Budget and Management. 
Within two (2) years after the construction of the multi-species marine hatchery, the 
DA-BFAR shall, through a memorandum of agreement, transfer its management to the local 
government of the Municipality of Carmen, Province of Agusan del Norte. It shall implement 
a training and phasing-in program for local government personnel on the management and 
operation of the hatchery. 
SEC. 3. The DA-BFAR and City Government of Cabadbaran shall conduct continuing 
research and experimentation on the breeding and production of marine species, especially as 
they apply to local conditions, to discover new methods and technology that will enhance the 
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fishing industry. Furthermore, they shall develop an extension program that shall cater to the 
local fisherfolk on the propagation of high-value marine species. 
 
SEC. 4. The Secretary of Agriculture shall include in the Department’s programs the 
conduct of the feasibility study and the consequent establishment of the multi-species marine 
hatchery in the Municipality of Carmen, Province of Agusan del Norte, the funding of which 
shall be included in the General Appropriations Act. The local government unit concerned shall 
set aside from any available local revenue in an amount deemed appropriate for the 
operationalization of the hatchery. 
 
SEC. 5. Within sixty (60) days from the effectivity of this Act, the Secretary of 
Agriculture shall issue the rules and regulations on the supervision, operation, monitoring, and 
the eventual transfer of the management of the multi-species marine hatchery to the local 
government of the Municipality of Carmen, Province of Agusan del Norte. 
 
SEC. 6. This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after its publication in the Official 
Gazette or in a newspaper of general circulation. 
 
Approved,