Republic of the Philippines 
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES 
Quezon City 
19TH CONGRESS 
First Regular Session 
HOUSE BILL NO. _______ 
Introduced by REP. BERNADETTE “DETTE” G. ESCUDERO 
EXPLANATORY NOTE 
Fishing continues to be one of the primary sources of income and livelihood of 
Sorsoganons. In the first quarter of 2019, the overall fisheries production in the province of 
Sorsogon was recorded at 14,815 metric tons, including Aquaculture production at 390 metric 
tons, which was a 61% decrement compared in 2018. 
During the period, the top species produced in Aquaculture environments were 
Mudcrab which accounted for 53% of the total Aquaculture production, followed by mussels 
with 26%, Seaweeds with 13%, and Tiger prawn with 4%, Milkfish with 3%, and lastly, Tilapia 
with 1%. 1 
In order to improve fisheries productivity and boost the local aquaculture sector in the 
province, this bill seeks to establish a marine hatchery in the province located in the 
municipality of Gubat, Sorsogon. 
Gubat is a second-class municipality in Sorsogon, Philippines, with 42 barangays. 
Based on the 2020 Census, it has a population of 69,2502. The municipality is considered one 
of the fastest-growing tourist economies in the province.  
The marine hatchery shall empower stakeholders, particularly the local fisherfolks. It 
shall also serve as a training facility that will showcase innovations developed through years 
of operation. 
In view of the foregoing, the passage of this bill is earnestly sought. 
 BERNADETTE “DETTE” G. ESCUDERO 
1 http://rsso05.psa.gov.ph/sites/default/files/content/Fisheries%20Situationer%201st%20Qtr%202019_Sorsogon.pdf
2 https://www.nnc.gov.ph/phocadownloadpap/userupload/nnc-ro5/Region_5%20Population%20Projections%20CY%20%20%20%202017-2021.pdf
August 8, 2022
2:40 pm
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Republic of the Philippines 
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES 
Quezon City 
19TH CONGRESS 
First Regular Session 
HOUSE BILL NO. _______ 
Introduced by REP. BERNADETTE “DETTE” G. ESCUDERO 
AN ACT ESTABLISHING A MULTI-SPECIES MARINE HATCHERY  
IN THE MUNICIPALITY OF GUBAT, PROVINCE OF SORSOGON, AND 
APPROPRIATING FUNDS THEREFOR 
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the Philippines in Congress assembled: 
Section l. There shall be established, under the supervision of the Bureau of Fisheries and 
Aquatic Resources of the Department of Agriculture (BFAR-DA), a multi-species marine hatchery in 
the Municipality of Gubat, Province of Sorsogon 
Sec. 2. The BFAR-DA shall, within two (2) years after the construction of the multi-species 
marine hatchery, transfer the management of the same to the local government unit concerned through 
a memorandum of agreement. It shall implement a training and phasing-in program for local 
government personnel on the management and operation of the hatchery.  
Sec. 3. The Secretary of Agriculture shall include in the Department's programs the 
establishment of the multi-species marine hatchery in the Municipality of Gubat, Province of Sorsogon, 
the funding of which shall be included in the annual General Appropriations Act. The local government 
unit concerned shall set aside funds from any available local revenue in an amount deemed appropriate 
for the operationalization of the hatchery.  
Sec. 4. Within sixty (60) days from the passage of this Act, the Secretary of Agriculture shall 
issue the rules and regulations on the supervision, monitoring, and the eventual transfer of the 
management of the multi-species to the local government unit of the Municipality of Gubat, Sorsogon. 
Sec. 5. This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after its publication in the Official Gazette or 
in a newspaper of general circulation.  
Approved, 
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