Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
CONGRESS OF THE PHILIPPINES

Quezon City, Metro Manila

EIGHTEENTH CONGRESS
First Regular Session

5466
House Bill No.

Introduced by Honorable JOSE “JUN” L. ONG, JR.

AN ACT ESTABLISHING MUDCRAB SEED BANKS, NURSERIES,
HATCHERIES AND GROW-OUT PRODUCTION FARMS IN THE
MUNICIPALITIES OF ALLEN, BIRI, BOBON, CAPUL, CATARMAN, GAMAY,
LAOANG, LAS NAVAS, LAVEZARES, MAPANAS, MONDRAGON, PALAPAG,
PAMBUJAN, ROSARIO, SAN ANTONIO, SAN ISIDRO, SAN JOSE, SAN
ROQUE, SAN VICENTE AND VICTORIA, PROVINCE OF NORTHERN
SAMAR AND APPROPRIATING FUNDS THEREFOR

EXPLANATORY NOTE

This bill seeks to establish mud crab seed banks, nurseries, hatcheries and
grow-out production farms in the coastal municipalities of the Province of
Northern Samar and appropriating funds therefor.

The establishment of these mud crab seed banks, nurseries, hatcheries and
grow-out production farms shall help ensure the production, multiplication
and sustainability of mud crabs in Northern Samar thereby meeting the
nutritional and economic needs of the residents living in the coastal
barangays. It shall also be a sustainable source of economic lot for the people
of Northern Samar. It seeks to provide excellent employment opportunities for
our people and help alleviate poverty. The seed bank, nursery and
hatchery will help control, sustain and replenish the supply of mud crabs and
will enable the people to keep pace with the increasing demand for these
marine products, locally and worldwide.

Northern Samar is located on the eastern edge of the Philippines, bounded on
the north by the San Bernardino Strait separating Luzon from Samar. This
province has been identified as a major source of crab seeds, With an
estimated 10,720 ha of mangroves, brackish water resources are assumed to


be abundant! The mud crab seed banks, nurseries, hatcheries and grow out
production farms will also benefit the nearby provinces and municipalities
economically.

It is high time that the government move for the establishment of these
centers, plants and research facilities to be able to preserve an ideal aquatic
ecosystem which contributes a big portion to food security of the country
while also helping the community by placing infrastructures that make use of
available resources within the area as a viable source of livelihood and
employment for the people.

‘Amidst the huge potential of the Province of Northern Samar, it is yet to be
recognized as one of the leading mud crab producing provinces in the country
due to the blatant export of juveniles outside the province. In fact, most of
other provinces rely on Northern Samar for seed supply. ? Due to the depleting
supply because of export of seed to nearby provinces, mud crab culture
production represents a mere 1% of the national production, despite the 270
ha of ponds and the importance of brackish water resources. Several
ordinances and measure have been implemented for the conservation of the
wild stock of crabs and this representation believes that the establishment of
these centers, plants, hatcheries and research facilities will discourage people
from selling them out as seeds but rather grow them to marketable sizes. This
measure aims to put the Province of Northern Samar on the map of the
country’s leading mud crab producing provinces thus creating enormous
positive impact on the lives of our people.

In view of thereof, early consideration and approval of this bill is earnestly
sought.

AK ONG, JR.

Representative
Second District, Northern Samar

Sa

[Julia Gaillard, Development of the Mud Crab Sector in Three Provinces of the Philippines

September 16, 2010. 4
SCeiiiard.. Development of the Mud Crab Sector in Three Provinces of the Philippines, 2010.


Republic of the Philippines

HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

CONGRESS OF THE PHILIPPINES
Quezon City, Metro Manila

EIGHTEENTH CONGRESS
First Regular Session

5466
House Bill No.

Introduced by Honorable JOSE “JUN” L. ONG, JR.

AN ACT ESTABLISHING MUDCRAB SEED BANKS, NURSERIES,
HATCHERIES, AND GROW-OUT PRODUCTION FARMS IN THE
MUNICIPALITIES OF ALLEN, BIRI, BOBON, CAPUL, CATARMAN, GAMAY,
LAOANG, LAS NAVAS, LAVEZARES, MAPANAS, MONDRAGON, PALAPAG,
PAMBUJAN, ROSARIO, SAN ANTONIO, SAN ISIDRO, SAN JOSE, SAN
ROQUE, SAN VICENTE AND VICTORIA, PROVINCE OF NORTHERN
SAMAR 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 Department of Agriculture, mangrove crab seed banks, nurseries,
hatcheries and grow-out production farms in the municipalities of Catubig,
Gamay, Laoang, Lapinig, Las Navas, Mapanas, Palapag, Pambujan, San
Roque, Silvino Lobos, Province of Northern Samar.

SECTION 2. The Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources
(BFAR), the Provincial Government of Northern Samar, the concerned local
government units (LGUs), and the University of Eastern Philippines shall, in
the identification of areas where these seed banks, nurseries and grow-out
production farms will be established shall place priority to the utilization of


abandoned, undeveloped or underutilized fishponds covered by fishpond
lease agreements.

SECTION 3.The BFAR and the Provincial Government of Northern
Samar, in collaboration with the University of Eastern Philippines, shall issue
guidelines and provide technical assistance to fishermen and their
association, in the establishment, operation, maintenance, supervision and
monitoring of mangrove crab seed banks, nurseries and grow-out production
farms.

SECTION 4. The Secretary of Agriculture shall include in the
Department’s programs the establishment of the mangrove crab seed banks,
nurseries and grow-out production farms, the funding of which shall be
included in the annual General Appropriations Act. The LGUs concerned shall
set aside funds from any available local revenue to fund their establishment,
supervision and monitoring.

SECTION 5. This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after its
publication in the Official Gazette or in a newspaper of general circulation.

Approved,