Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIV!
Quezon City

SIXTEENTH CONGR! {
Second Regular Session \.!

, BY

HOUSE BILL NO. 5197 Xe,

Introduced by Rep. Abdullah D. Dimaporo \

EXPLANATORY NOTE

Fish farming or aquaculture, has been practiced for hundreds of years. Today, it produces
a wide array of both freshwater and saltwater fish species and now includes the culture of other
marine species.

Reports have it that over seventy percent of the world’s fish stocks are fully exploited or
are already overfished. As fish stocks began to diminish, aquaculture was seen as @ way to satisfy
the world’s growing appetite for fish and at the same time allow wild fish species to multiply
their numbers.

In the Philippines, aquaculture is a growing industry that provides livelihood to hundreds
of thousands and their number is consistently on the rise, This is the right way to go especially in
the light of reports that many of our traditional fishing grounds are getting overfished. More so,
the potential of the sector in contributing significantly to the economic development of the
country should be recognized and maximized.

In recognition of the sector's actual and potential contributions to the national economy,
its full development should be maximized, The government should take the lead by allocating
considerable resources in research and development. Hence, itis the objective of this measure to
establish a research station for fish breeding and hatcheries in the Municipality of Sultan Naga
Dimaporo to propagate and develop scientific methods for the breeding of high-value marine
species such as grouper, prawn, lobster, crab, oyster and similar marine species of high
commercial value,

The Province of Lanao del Norte is blessed with rich fishing grounds in Panguil Bay and
in the coastal areas of the Municipality of Sultan Naga Dimaporo facing Pagadian Bay, Fishing in
these areas has been an integral part of the local economy and will continue to be so in the next
generations, The waters in these areas are generally free from pollution and provide an ideal place
for research and breeding activities.

The approval of this measure will certainly improve the productivity of the aquaculture
sector and increase its contributions to national development. Technologies developed in the
envisioned research station will be replicated in appropriate areas nationwide with the end view
of propagating best practices among industry players

In view of the significance of this measure to national Sali the prompt approval

of this measure is earnestly sought.
—— ean

7 sou AH D. DIMAPORO
Representative
2™ District, Lanao del Norte



Republic of the Philippines
MOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES,
Quezon City

SIXTEENTH CONGRESS
‘Second Regular Session

BILLNO. 549%

Introduced by Rep. Abdullah D. Dimaporo

HOUSE

AN ACT

ESTABLISHING RESEARCH STATIONS FOR FISH BREEDING AND
HATCHERIES FOR GROUPER, PRAWN, LOBSTER, CRAB, OYSTERS AND
OTHER HIGH-VALUE MARINE SPECIES IN THE MUNICIPALITY OF SULTAN
NAGA DIMAPORO IN THE PROVINCE OF LANAO DEL NORTE AND
APPRORIATING 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 Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic
Resources of the Department of Agriculture (BFAR-DA), research stations for fish breeding
and hatcheries in the Municipality of Sultan Naga Dimaporo in the Province of Lanao del
Norte, for grouper, prawn, lobster, crab, oyster and other high-value marine species.

ION 2. The Provincial Government of Lanao Del Norte, through an Executive
ied by the Governor, shall establish a coordinating council that will promote
coordination between the Provincial Government and the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic
Resources in monitoring and enhancing the programs and methodologies of the research
stations to be established under this Act.

SECTION 3. The BFAR-DA is hereby authorized to establish, acquire and maintain
policies and equipment and construct facilities as may be necessary to implement the intents
and purposes of this Act.

SECTION 4. The Secretary of Agriculture shall include in the Department's programs
for the year succeeding the approval of this Act the funding requirements for the
establishment and operation of the research stations and hatcheries and the necessary
programs for the protection of marine resources in Yilana Bay mandated in this Act and
thereafter in the annual General Appropriations Act.

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

Approved,