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EIGHTEENTH CONGRESS OF THE ) La
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES )
First Regular Session )

HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
H.No, 1121

Introduced by Representative Raul C. Tupas

EXPLANATORY NOTE

‘AN ACT ESTABLISHING A MULTISPECIES MARINE HATCHERY IN THE MUNICIPALITY
OF BATAD, PROVINCE OF ILOILO AND APPROPRIATING FUNDS THEREFOR

Batad is a fifth class municipality in the province of lloilo, According to the 2010
census, it had a population of 19,385 people. The town is composed of 24 barangays, 19 are
inland while 5 are coastal area,

Batad is generally far (125 kilometers from the capital of the province, lloilo City) and
due to the remoteness, majority of the people still rely on farming and fisheries for subsistence.

Rice, Corn, and Sugarcane comprise the ‘major agricultural products of Batad. Along
its coastal barangays, prawns, crabs and all kinds of fishes are abundant during peak fishing
months. Livestock and Poultry raising are secondary sources of income of some farmers.

One of the attractions in Batad is the biggest constructed dam in the province of lloilo,
the Alapasco Dam. The dam was constructed in 1993 and was finished in 1997 with a length
measuring 264.90 meters and a height of 21 meters. The dam serves as a water storage
Feservoir in the low foothills of cornfields and it has a hatchery of golden tilapia

This Bill seeks to establish a multi-species marine hatchery in the municipality of Batad
to catalyze the development of aquaculture in the town which can provide both direct and
indirect employment to its people.

The approval of this Bill will contribute to the growth and development of the fisheries
sector and allied industries. It will also help increase the income of fisher folks who, together
with farmers, remained among the poorest in the country. Latest study on the poverty statistics
for basic sectors showed that fishermen posted the highest poverty incidence for nine basic
sectors in the Philippines at 41.4 percent, and this had remained unchanged since 2006.

The bill was deliberated and approved on Third Reading by the House of
Representatives during the 17" Congress.

RAUL "BOB

'n view thereof, approval of this Bill is earnestly sought.

Yer. on TAR
S RSGEVERS 2

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EIGHTEENTH CONGRESS OF THE )
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES )
First Regular Session )

HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
H.No. 1121

Introduced by Representative Raul C. Tupas

AN ACT ESTABLISHING A MULTISPECIES MARINE HATCHERY IN THE
MUNICIPALITY OF BATAD, PROVINCE OF ILOILO 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-DA), a
multispecies marine hatchery in the Municipality of Batad, Province of lloilo

SECTION 2. The BFAR-DA shall, within three (3) years after the establishment of the
multispecies marine hatchery, transfer the Management of the same to the Northern
lloilo Polytechnic State College (NIPSC) through a memorandum of agreement. The
BFAR-DA shall implement a training and phasing-in program for NIPSC personnel on
the management and operation of the multispecies marine hatchery

The BFAR-DA and the NIPSC 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.

SECTION 3. The Secretary of Agriculture shall include in the Department's programs
the establishment of the multispecies marine hatchery in the Municipality of Batad
Province of lloilo, the funding of which shall be included in the annual General
Appropriations Act. The NIPSC concerned shall set aside funds from any available
fevenue in an amount deemed appropriate for the operationalization of the hatchery.

SECTION 4. Within sixty (60) days from the approval of this Act, the Department of
Agriculture and the NIPSC shall issue the rules and regulations on the establishment
Supervision, monitoring, and the eventual transfer of the management of the
multispecies marine hatchery to the NIPSC.

SECTION 5. This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after its publication in the Official
Gazette or in at least two (2) national newspapers of general circulation.
Approved,