is RECEIVI
2 are, SEP 1 ial

TNE: __ Pot g@s
& 5 =

S/
Wy

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

EIGHTEENTH CONGRESS
First Regular Session

4627

House Bill No.

Introduced by Representative GERALDINE B. ROMAN

EXPLANATORY NOTE

The First Congressional District of the Province of Bataan is composed of the coastal
municipalities of Abucay, Hermosa, Morong, Orani, Samal, and a landlocked Dinalupihan, The
District has a combined land area of 66,962 hectares and is home to approximately 344,000
based on the 2015 Philippines Statistics Authority Report.

This Bill seeks to establish fish and shrimp hatcheries in all suitable areas in the District
to catalyze the development of aquaculture in the municipalities which can provide both direct
and indirect employment for its people.

The hatcheries will also contribute to the existing agro/aqua-tourism sites in the District.
In fact, there is an existing Philippine National Aquasilviculture Program implemented by the
Bataan Peninsula State University (BPSU) to rehabilitate denuded mangrove resources,
establish aquasilviculture technology demonstration projects as a livelihood option for
fisherfolks (while caring for the mangroves they had planted), and establish community-based
multi-species hatcheries to increase endemic fish species in the area.

It is the goal of the Bill to institutionalize this existing program and the hatcheries are
expected to positively impact the environment and the lives of the marginalized people of the
‘community through the collaborative efforts of the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources,
the Commission on Higher Education, BPSU, Local Government Units/Municipalities, and the
fisherfolks'. As an example, a Pawikan Conservation Center, a community-based endeavor for
the conservation of marine turtles, already exists in Nagbalayong, Morong, Bataan.

‘The approval of this Bill will contribute to the growth and development of the fisheries,
agro/aqua-tourism, and related industries. Immediate passage of this Act is earnestly sought.

(Za
GERALDINE B. ROMAN

' Flores, RC., Tungol, F.E., Antonio, A. S., Medairos, E.D., & Salas, J. M. (2015). BFAR-CHED Philippine National Aquasilviculture
Program (PNAP) in Bataan Lifted from

hhups/nepositor sees org plvbtstreanvhanle/10862/2772/FloresRC2015 pscaquence=|.&isAllowed=y. Last sovessed on 31 August
2019, 11:12PM,


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

EIGHTEENTH CONGRESS
First Regular Session

House Bill No. 4627

Introduced by Representative GERALDINE B. ROMAN

AN ACT
ESTABLISHING MULTI-PURPOSE FISH AND SHRIMP HATCHERIES IN ALL.
SUITABLE AREAS IN THE FIRST DISTRICT OF THE PROVINCE OF BATAAN
AND APPROPRIATING FUNDS THEREFOR

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

SECTION 1. There shall be established, under the supervision of the Bureau of Fisheries and
Aquatic Resources of the Department of Agriculture (BFAR-DA), a multi-purpose fish and
shrimp hatcheries in all suitable areas in the First District of the Province of Bataan.

See. 2. Within two (2) years after the construction of the multi-purpose fish and shrimp
hatcheries, the BFAR-DA, through a memorandum of agreement, shall transfer the
management of the hatcheries to the local government units (LGUs) concerned. With assistance
from the Bataan Peninsula State University, it shall implement a training and phasing-in
program for local government personnel on the management and operation of the hatcheries.

Sec. 3. The Secretary of Agriculture shall include in the Department’s programs the
establishment of multi-purpose fish and shrimp hatcheries in all suitable areas in the District,
the funding of which shall be included in the annual General Appropriations Act. The local
government units concerned shall set aside funds from any available local revenue in an amount
deemed appropriate for their operationalization.

Sec. 4. Within sixty (60) days from the approval of this Act, the Secretary of Agriculture shall
issue the rules and regulations on the establishment, supervision, monitoring, and the eventual
transfer of the management of the multi-purpose fish and shrimp hatcheries to the local

government units concerned.

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

Approved,