Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Quezon City, Metro Manila

EIGHTEENTH CONGRESS
First Regular Session

HOUSE BILL No.__873
INTRODUCED BY REP. JOHN REYNALD M. TIANGCO.

EXPLANATORY NOTE

Over twenty years since it was mandated by Congress under the
Philippine Fisheries Code of 1998, there has been very little progress, if any,
towards the establishment of settlement areas for fisherfolks. As a result,
fisherfolks continue to be a very vulnerable sector, continually displaced not
only by natural calamities, but also by industrial and tourism-related
development.

This measure aims to strengthen the mandate, and facilitate the
establishment of settlement areas for fisherfolks by including the local
government units of coastal areas, and the newly created Department of
Human Settlements and Urban Development as co-implementing agencies of
the Department of Agriculture.

It is hoped that with this measure, the intended protection for the rights
and welfare of fisherfolks, who are mostly underprivileged, will finally be
realized.

In view of the foregoing, the passage of this measure is earnestly
sought.

shh eoukto anaes


Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Quezon City, Metro Manila

EIGHTEENTH CONGRESS
First Regular Session

HOUSE BILL NO. 873

INTRODUCED BY REP. JOHN REYNALD M. TIANGCO

AN ACT MANDATING THE ESTABLISHMENT OF FISHERFOLK
RESETTLEMENT AREAS BY THE DEPARTEMENT OF AGRICULTURE,
DEPARTMENT OF HUMAN SETTLEMENTS AND URBAN
DEVELOPMENT, AND THE LOCAL GOVERNMENT UNITS, AMENDING
FOR THE PURPOSE SEC. 108 OF REPUBLIC ACT NO. 8550,
OTHERWISE KNOW AS THE “PHILIPPINE FISHERIES CODE OF 1998,”
AS AMENDED BY REPUBLIC ACT NO. 10654

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

Section 1. Amendatory Provision — Section 108 of Republic Act No. 8550,
otherwise known, as the “Philippine Fisheries Code of 1998,” as renumbered
by Republic Act No. 10654, is hereby amended to read as follows:

“SECTION 108. Fisherfolk Settlement Area —
The Department of Agriculture, Department of Human
Settlements and Urban Development, and the local
government units of cities or municipalities having
jurisdiction over coastal areas and municipal waters shall
establish and create settlement areas for fisherfolks with
adequate access to fishing grounds as may be determined
by the Department of Agriculture; provided, that where there
exists previously identified or established settlement areas
with adequate access to fishing grounds, fisherfolks shall be
granted preferrence in the award thereof, provided, further,
that preference shall be given, or settlement areas shall be
especially established only in favor of fisherfolks who are
registered as such with the city or municipality having
jurisdiction over coastal areas and municipal waters, and
who are without real property; provided finally, that local
government units having jurisdiction over coastal areas and
municipal waters are hereby mandated to integrate
settlement areas for fisherfolks in their respective
comprehensive land use plans.


Section 2. Repealing Clause. — All other laws, decrees, orders, circulars,
issuances, rules and regulations and parts thereof which are inconsistent with
this act are hereby repealed, amended or modified accordingly.

Section 3. Separability Clause. — If any provision of this Act is subsequently
declared unconstitutional, the validity of the remaining provisions hereof shall
remain in full force and effect.

Section 4. Effectivity. - This Act shall take effect fifteen days (15) after its
complete publication in at least two (2) newspapers of general circulation in
the Philippines.

Approved,