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Republic of the Philippines > RECEIVED
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES, fe) DATE: ai
hankaee a December 14, 20:
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NINETEENTH CONGRESS
First Regular Session

HOUSE BILL NO. _6689

Introduced by 2™ District of Agusan del Norte Representative
HON. DALE B. CORVERA

AN ACT
ESTABLISHING MULTI-SPECIES MARINE BREEDING FARM AND
HATCHERY IN THE CITY OF CABADBARAN, PROVINCE OF AGUSAN
DEL NORTE AND APPROPRIATING FUNDS THEREFOR

EXPLANATORY NOTE

Most coastal communities comprising the City of Cabadbaran eams a huge part of their
livelihood and subsistence from the nearby waters of Butuan Bay, Bohol Sea and the Surigao
Strait. In fact, Fishing ranks fifth (5") in the top ten types of employment in the city. There are
at least 1,360 registered fisherfolk, 91 fish traders and 7 fish brokers who participates in the
estimated yield of 3.5 metric tons of fish catch per day.

However, in the most recent survey conducted by the Cabadbaran City government, it
was revealed that its fisheries sector has been consistently experiencing shortages of bangus
and tilapia fingerlings, low fish catch and encroachment of commercial fishing vessels. These
problems are magnified by the fact that there are no easily available funding sources for
fisherfolk who desires to own their fishing boats and gears.

Article XH, Section 1 of the 1987 Constitution provides that “the goals of the national
economy are a more equitable distribution of opportunities, income, and wealth; a sustained
increase in the amount of goods and services produced by the nation for the benefit of the
people; and an expanding productivity as the key to raising the quality of life for all, especially
the underprivileged.”

‘The proposed measure attempts to fulfill the declared policy enshrined in the
aforementioned constitutional provision and address the problem in Cabadbaran’s fishing
sector through the establishment of a marine breeding farm and hatchery in the City of
Cabadbaran. It is hoped that the propagation of marine species and the continuous conduct of
research and experimentation on the breeding and production of marine species, especially as
they apply to local conditions, will minimize, if not completely solve, the problems of the
sector.

It is also worth noting that under the proposed measure, the BFAR and the city local
government are mandated to develop an extension program that shall cater to the local


fisherfolk on the propagation of high-value marine species as an attempt to give more
‘opportunities, income, and wealth to those who have less in life.

For these reasons, the passage of this bill is earnestly sought.



Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Constitution Hills, Quezon City \\

NINETEENTH CONGRESS
First Regular Session

HOUSE BILL No. 6689

Introduced by 2™ District of Agusan del Norte Representative
HON. DALE B. CORVERA.

AN ACT
ESTABLISHING MULTI-SPECIES MARINE BREEDING FARM AND
HATCHERY IN THE CITY OF CABADBARAN, PROVINCE OF AGUSAN
DEL NORTE AND APPROPRIATING 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 supervision of the Bureau of Fisheries
and Aquatic Resources of the Department of Agriculture (BFAR), multi-species marine
breeding farm and hatchery for the production and multiplication of fish, shellfish and other
marine resources in the City of Cabadbaran, Province of Agusan del Norte.

Section 2. The BFAR shall, within two (2) years after the construction of the multi-
species marine hatchery, transfer the management of the same to the Cabadbaran City
government 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.

Section 3. The BFAR and the Cabadbaran City government shall conduct continuing
research and experimentation on the breeding and production of marine species, especially as
they apply to local conditions, to discover new methods and technology that shall benefit the
fisheries industry. Furthermore, they shall develop an extension program that shall cater to the
local fisherfolk on the propagation of high-value marine species

Section 4. The Secretary of Agriculture shall include in the Department of Agriculture's
Programs the immediate establishment of the multi-species marine breeding farm and hatchery
herein mandated. Henceforth, funds for its operation and upkeep of needed facilities and


equipment shall be included in the General Appropriations Act. The local government unit
concemed shall set aside from any available local revenue such amounts as may be deemed
appropriate to support the operations of the multi-species marine breeding farm and hatchery.

Section 5. Within sixty (60) days from the effectivity of this Act, the BFAR shall
promulgate the necessary implementing rules and regulations on the supervision and
monitoring, and the transfer or withdrawal by the BFAR to implement this Act.

Section 6. If, for any reason, any section, clause or term of this Act is held to be illegal,
invalid, or unconstitutional, such parts not affected by such declaration shall remain in fall
force and effect.

Section 7. All laws, presidential decrees, issuances, executive orders, letters of
instruction, rules, and regulations inconsistent with the provisions of this Act are hereby
repealed or modified accordingly.

Section 8. This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after its publication in the Official
Gazette or in a newspaper of general circulation,

Approved,