Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES,
Quezon City

TWENTIETH CONGRESS
First Regular Session

123

House Bill No.” "

Introduced by HONORABLE CHRISTOPHER SHEEN P. GONZALES
HONORABLE MARCELINO C. LIBANAN

EXPLANATORY NOTE

Barangay Japitan in Dolores, Eastern Samar, is strategically located along the coast, with
fishing as a primary livelihood for many residents. However, the lack of a fishport and proper
storage facilities has hindered the full potential of the local fishing industry. Fishermen face
significant challenges in preserving their catch, which often leads to post-harvest losses and
reduced income. The need for a centralized facility to support the fishing industry in Japitan and
the surrounding fishing villages is critical for the region's economic growth.

The proposed fishport with an ice plant and cold storage facility in Barangay Japitan will
serve not only the residents of Japitan but also the fishing communities in nearby towns. This
infrastructure will provide a centralized location for the safe storage and preservation of fish,
enabling fishermen from various villages to maintain the quality of their catch and access larger
markets. By providing the necessary facilities to properly store and preserve fish, the ice plant
and cold storage will significantly reduce post-harvest losses. This will lead to better prices for
the fishermen’s catch and improve the overall profitability of the fishing industry in the region.
The establishment of the fishport will not only boost the local economy by supporting the fishing
industry but will also create employment opportunities in the region. It will attract related
industries such as fish processing and distribution, further stimulating economic activities in
Dolores and neighboring municipalities.

Thus, the establishment of a fishport with an ice plant and cold storage facility in
Barangay Japitan, Dolores, Eastern Samar, is essential for supporting the fishing industry in the
area and nearby towns. This infrastructure will reduce post-harvest losses, enhance market access,
and contribute to the region's economic development. The passage of this bill is strongly
recommended to realize the full potential of the fishing communities in Eastern Samar.


This was filed in the 19% Congress of the Philippines. This is still pending in the
Committee on Rules and it was included in the Official Business on 04 June 2025.

CHRISTOPHER P. GONZALES MARCE! AN,
Representative

Lone District OF Ba Samar 4Ps Partylist


Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
‘Quezon City

TWENTIETH CONGRESS
First Regular Session

123

House Bill No.‘

Introduced by HONORABLE CHRISTOPHER SHEEN P. GONZALES
HONORABLE MARCELINO C. LIBANAN

AN
ACT ESTABLISHING A FISHPORT WITH ICE PLANT AND COLD STORAGE
FACILITIES IN BARANGAY JAPITAN, MUNICIPALITY OF DOLORES, IN THE
PROVINCE OF EASTERN SAMAR, AND APPROPRIATING FUNDS THEREFOR

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

SECTION 1. This Act shall be known as the “The Dolores Fish Port Act”.

SECTION 2. There shall be established, under the supervision of the Department of Agriculture,
through the Philippine Fisheries Development Authority (PFDA), a fishport with ice plant and
cold storage facilities in Barangay Japitan, Municipality of Dolores, Province of Eastern Samar.

SECTION 3. Within two (2) years after the construction of the fishport with ice plant and cold
storage facilities, the PFDA, through a Memorandum of Agreement shall transfer its
management to the local government unit concerned. It shall implement a training and phasing-
in-program for the local government unit personnel on the management and operation of the
fishport with ice plant and cold storage facilities.

SECTION 4. The Secretary of the Department of Agriculture shall include in the Department's
programs the establishment of the fishport with ice plant and cold storage facilities, the funding
of which shall be included in the General Appropriations Act. The local government unit
concerned shall set aside funds from ant available local revenue the amounts necessary for the
operation of the facility.


SECTION 5. Within sixty (60) days from the effectivity of this Act, the Secretary of the
Department of Agriculture shall issue the rules and regulations on the supervision, monitoring
and the transfer to the local government unit concerned by the PFDA of the said fishport.

SECTION 6. This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after its publication in the Official
Gazette or in a newspaper of general circulation.

Approved,