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Republic of the Philippines 
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES 
Quezon City 
TWENTIETH CONGRESS 
First Regular Session 
House Bill  No._____ 
Introduced by: Congressman BIENVENIDO M. ABANTE, JR. 
AN ACT 
CREATING A DEPARTMENT OF FISHERIES AND AQUATIC RESOURCES, 
PROVIDING FOR ITS POWERS AND FUNCTIONS, AND FOR OTHER 
PURPOSES 
EXPLANATORY NOTE 
In 2018, the Philippines ranked 8th among the top fish-producing countries in 
the world with its total production of 4.35 million metric tons (MT) of fish, 
crustaceans, mollusks, and aquatic plants (including seaweed). The production 
constituted 2.06% of the total world production of 211.87 million MT (FAO, 2020). 
In terms of aquaculture production, the country ranked 11th in the world 
with 826.01 thousand MT or 1.01% share of the total global aquaculture production 
of 82.10 million MT. The total value of the country’s aquaculture production, 
including fish, crustaceans, and mollusks, is USD 1.89 billion (FAO, 2020). 
The Philippines is also the world’s 4th largest producer of aquatic plants 
(including seaweed), having a total of 1.48 million MT or 4.56% of the total world 
production of 32.39 million MT (FAO, 2020).  
The fishing industry’s contribution to the country’s Gross Domestic Product 
(GDP) is 1.52% at both current and constant 2018 prices. This translates to PhP 273.41 
billion at current prices and PhP 266.22 billion at constant prices of the country’s 
GDP of PhP 17,939 billion (current prices). 
The industry also shared 12.27% (PhP 224.19 billion) and 12.54% (PhP 223.20 
billion) for both current and constant prices of the Gross Value Added (GVA) in 
Aquaculture, Hunting, Forestry, and Fishing Group of PhP 1,827.01 billion (current 
prices) and PhP 1,780.54 billion (constant prices), respectively (PSA, 2021). 
According to the Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA), approximately 1.6 
million Filipinos depend on fisheries and aquaculture for their livelihood. However, 
despite the sector's vastness, poverty incidence continues to remain high among 
August 5, 2025
12:07 pm
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fishermen, estimated at 34% in 2018, higher by 12.4% than the poverty incidence of 
the general population. 
In order to strategically develop and utilize the country's fisheries and aquatic 
resources, and curb poverty in the rural areas where most of the country's fishermen 
live, this bill proposes the creation of a Department of Fisheries and Aquatic 
Resources (DFAR) which shall be responsible for the development and management 
of fisheries and marine resources in Philippine waters including the exclusive 
economic zone, as well as the protection and conservation of the nation's marine 
wealth. The department will also ensure that the needs and concerns of the fisherfolk 
are adequately addressed to ultimately help them move out of poverty. 
In view of the foregoing, the approval of this bill is earnestly sought. 
BIENVENIDO M. ABANTE, JR.         


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Republic of the Philippines 
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES 
Quezon City 
TWENTIETH CONGRESS 
First Regular Session 
House Bill  No._____ 
Introduced by: Congressman BIENVENIDO M. ABANTE, JR. 
AN ACT 
CREATING A DEPARTMENT OF FISHERIES AND AQUATIC RESOURCES, 
PROVIDING FOR ITS POWERS AND FUNCTIONS, AND FOR OTHER 
PURPOSES 
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the Philippines in Congress 
assembled: 
SECTION 1. Title. - This Act shall be known as the "Department of Fisheries 
and Aquatic Resources Act of 2025." 
SEC. 2. Creation. - The Department of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources, 
hereinafter referred to as the Department, is hereby created structurally and 
functionally in accordance with the provisions of this Act. 
SEC. 3. Declaration of Policies. - It is hereby declared the policy of the State to 
promote the sustainable development and management of all fisheries and aquatic 
resources in Philippine waters, including its territorial seas and waters within the 
exclusive economic zone (EEZ), consistent with the primordial objective of 
maintaining a sound ecological balance and protecting and enhancing the quality of 
the environment. It is the policy of the State to protect and conserve the nation's 
marine wealth in its archipelagic waters, territorial seas, and exclusive economic 
zone and reserve its use and enjoyment exclusively to Filipino citizens.  
It is the policy of the State to adopt the precautionary principle and to prioritize the 
conservation of the country's marine and aquatic resources. It is also the policy of the 
State to protect the rights of small-scale fishermen to the preferential use of the 
country's fisheries and aquatic resources. 
SEC. 4. Jurisdiction of the Department. - The Department shall have primary 
jurisdiction 
over the 
management, 
conservation, 
development, 
protection, 
utilization, and disposition of all fishery and aquatic resources of the country, 
including the habitats of fish and all other marine life and other activities which 
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impact on these habitats, except for municipal waters, which shall remain under the 
jurisdiction of local government units. The latter shall manage their municipal 
waters in accordance with national fishery policies, laws, rules, and regulations. The 
Department shall have the authority to supervise and regulate the production and 
capture of fish and fishery products within its jurisdiction, as well as the processing 
and marketing of all fisheries and aquatic products in the country. The Department 
shall have the responsibility of rationalizing all oceans sector initiatives that impact 
fish and marine resources or their habitat, including, but not limited to, marine 
energy exploration and development; coastal and marine tourism; designation of 
shipping lanes; protected areas; and marine industry development areas. The 
regulation of these marine activities, once rationalized by the Department, shall 
reside with the parent agency for the appropriate sector involved. 
 
SEC. 5. Powers and Functions. - To accomplish its mandate, the Department 
shall have the following powers, functions, and responsibilities: 
 
(a) Coordinate the implementation of fisheries and oceans sector policies, plans 
 and laws for all maritime components; 
 
(b) Promulgate and enforce fisheries and oceans habitat regulations, which clarify 
and amplify the aforementioned departmental mandate in accordance with the 
published fisheries and oceans management plans within its territorial jurisdiction; 
 
(c) Prepare and implement a comprehensive Fisheries Management Plan, based on 
the precautionary principle and the principle of sustainable development, using 
scientifically generated information or best available evidence on the status of the 
fisheries and aquatic resources; 
 
(d) Formulate and implement, consistent with the development framework of the 
National Economic Development Authority, a fishery industry development 
program and set policies and standards for the efficient and economic operations of 
the fishing industry in accordance with the objectives of food security and rational 
and sustainable development; 
(e) Promulgate laws, rules, and regulations governing the conservation and proper 
utilization of fisheries and aquatic resources except in municipal waters; 
 
(f) Issue licenses for the operation of commercial fishing vessels and permits for the 
conduct of fishery activities subject to the specific carrying capacities of the resource 
as determined by scientific studies or best available evidence, with preference given 
to resource users in the local communities living adjacent or nearest to the municipal 
waters; 
 
(g) Issue fish worker licenses and identification cards free of charge to fish workers 
engaged in commercial fishing; 
 
(h) Implement the provisions of Republic Act No. 8550 and the relevant provisions 


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of Republic Act No. 8435 and enforce all fishery laws, rules, and regulations through 
its fishery officers and guardians, and through deputized government officials and 
employees, punong barangays and officers, and members of fisherfolk associations 
who have undergone training on law enforcement; 
 
(i) Perform quasi-judicial and allied functions and settle conflicts of resource use and 
allocation in consultation with the National Fisheries and Aquatic Resources 
Management Council (NFARMC) and local government units; 
 
(j) It shall prescribe rules and regulations, including procedures and guidelines 
concerning the classification, establishment, construction, maintenance, and 
operation of all fishing ports, landing sites, and fish markets and the operation of 
business therein, except those that are owned and operated by local government 
units; 
 
(k) Establish and maintain a Philippine Fisheries and Aquatic Resources Information 
System (PFARIS) that will function as the principal depository and information 
server of all fisheries and oceans-related information in the country, including, but 
not limited to, the status of fisheries and aquatic resources and their habitat as well 
as all matters pertaining to fisheries production, processing, marketing and research 
results, and technology advances; 
 
(l) Develop and implement a Monitoring Control and Surveillance System (MCSS) 
for Philippine fisheries and seas at the national and regional levels to ensure that the 
fisheries and aquatic resources in Philippine waters are judiciously and wisely 
utilized and managed on a sustainable basis; 
 
(m) Actively engage in the conservation, protection, and rehabilitation of rare, 
threatened, and endangered marine species, as it may determine, including their 
habitats; 
 
(n) Implement relevant provisions of international treaties and agreements such as, 
but not limited to, the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of 
Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES), United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea 
(UNCLOS), and Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD) and formulate rules and 
regulations for the conservation and management of straddling fish stocks and 
highly migratory species; 
 
(o) Formulate and enforce the Code of Practice for Aquaculture and Code of 
Conduct for Responsible Fisheries; 
 
(p) Promote international economic and technical cooperation in the fisheries and 
oceans sectors and in integrated oceans management, especially within the ASEAN 
region; 
 
(q) Acquire, maintain, operate, purchase, lease, or dispose of, through the 


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Philippine Fisheries Development Authority (PFDA), equipment and facilities such 
as shipyards, fishing vessels, fishing gears, refrigerated trucks, ice plants, cold 
storage, communication, and aquaculture facilities; 
 
(r) Fix, assess, and collect reasonable fees, tolls, charges, rentals, and the like, 
through the PFDA, for the use or sale of properties, equipment, facilities, and 
services to support the Department's projects and to adjust the same as warranted; 
 
(s) Provide, through the PFDA, infrastructure support such as municipal fishing 
ports and markets, farm-to-market roads, quality laboratories in fish ports, 
marketing facilities, local fisheries shipbuilding and repair facilities, and post-
harvest facilities, in cooperation with concerned agencies; 
 
(t) Establish and implement, through the PFDA, a National Marketing Assistance 
Program, aimed at ensuring the generation of the highest possible income for 
fisherfolk and fishery-related enterprises, matching supply and demand in both 
domestic and foreign markets; 
 
(u) Administer a fisheries modernization credit program to finance fishery projects 
of fisherfolk, fish farmers, fish processors, commercial fishers, and other qualified 
borrowers; and 
 
(v) Perform all other functions consistent with this Act and as may be provided by 
law. 
 
SEC. 6. Department Proper. - The Department shall consist of the Office of the 
Secretary and three (3) Undersecretaries for Fisheries Production and Utilization; 
Fisheries Conservation and Management; and Operations; one (1) council, the 
National Fisheries and Aquatic Resources Management Council; one (1) institute, 
the National Fisheries Research and Development Institute; and one (1) office, the 
Office of Oceans and Marine Affairs. The Office of Oceans and Marine Affairs shall 
have authority and responsibility over oceans use. It shall be the Department's 
primary agency tasked with the implementation of the National Marine Policy and 
the relevant provisions of the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea 
(UNCLOS). Any and all use of the oceans shall require the assessment and 
clearance by this Office, which shall rationalize initiatives that will negatively 
impact fisheries or their habitat. It shall coordinate the implementation of fisheries 
and oceans sector policies, plans, and laws for all maritime components. It shall be 
headed by a Director and shall have the following divisions: 
 
(a) Oceans Use Assessment and Clearance Division; 
(b) National and International Oceans Law and Policy Division; 
(c) Special Projects Division; and 
(d) Technical Division. 
 
The Philippine Fisheries Development Authority, created by Presidential Decree 
No. 977 as amended, shall be an attached agency of the Department of Fisheries 


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and Aquatic Resources under the Office of the Secretary. 
 
SEC. 7. Functions of the Secretary. - The Secretary of Fisheries and Aquatic 
Resources, hereinafter referred to as the Secretary, shall be appointed by the 
President with the consent of the Commission on Appointments, and shall have the 
following functions: 
 
(a) Supervision and control of the Department and all the offices under it; 
(b) Authority and responsibility for the performance of the powers and 
functions of the Department; 
(c) Advise the President on the promulgation of policies, rules, and 
regulations, and other issuances relative to the sustainable 
development and management of fisheries and aquatic resources; 
(d) Establish management policies and standards for the efficient and 
effective operation of the Department in accordance with the 
programs of the government; 
(e) Promulgate rules, regulations, and other issuances in carrying out the 
Department's mandate, objectives, policies, plans, programs, and 
projects; and 
(f) Perform such other functions as may be provided by law or assigned 
by the President. 
 
SEC. 8. Functions of the Undersecretaries. - There shall be three (3) 
Undersecretaries: (1) Undersecretary for Fisheries Production and Utilization; (2) 
Undersecretary 
for 
Fisheries 
Conservation 
and 
Management; 
and 
(3) 
Undersecretary for Operations, who shall be appointed by the President upon the 
recommendation of the Secretary. 
 
The Undersecretaries for Fisheries Production and Utilization and for Fisheries 
Conservation and Management shall have the following functions: 
 
(a) Advise the Secretary on the formulation of policies, programs, plans, 
rules, and regulations, as well as on the promulgation of Department 
Orders, Administrative Orders, and other issuances with respect to 
his/her area of responsibility; 
 
(b) Exercise supervision and control over the bureaus, offices, services, 
and operating units under his/her responsibility; 
 
(c) Coordinate the functions and activities of the units under his/her 
responsibility with those of the other units in the Department; 
 
(d) Liaise with concerned government departments, agencies, and offices 
to ensure effective coordination in the management of the fisheries 
and oceans sector; and 
 
(e) Perform such other functions as may be provided by law or assigned 


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by the Secretary. 
 
The Undersecretary for Operations shall have the following functions: 
 
(a) Exercise supervision and control over the regional offices; 
 
(b) Coordinate, harmonize, and package the policies, plans, programs, 
and projects of all the offices of the Department for the proper 
implementation by the regional offices; 
 
(c) Advise the Secretary in the formulation of policies, plans, and 
programs as well as on the promulgation of rules, regulations, and 
orders with respect to his/her area of responsibility; 
 
(d) Exercise supervision and control over the Fisheries Inspection and 
Quarantine Inspection Service and the Bureau of Fishery Economics 
and Statistics; 
 
(e) Establish linkage with local government units, local fisherfolk 
associations and organizations, and non-government organizations, 
and supervise support and extension services at the regional, 
provincial, city, and municipal levels; and 
 
(f) Perform such other functions as may be provided by law or assigned 
by the Secretary. 
 
SEC. 9. Qualifications of the Undersecretaries. - No person shall be appointed 
Undersecretary of the Department unless he or she is a Filipino citizen; at least a 
degree holder in fisheries, public administration, management, economics, law or 
other equivalent relevant disciplines; has actual experience in administration and 
management for at least ten (10) years; and has general practical knowledge of 
fisheries. 
 
SEC. 10. Organizational Structure of the Department. - The functions of the 
Department under this Act shall be carried out by the bureaus, agencies, and 
services created in the Department. 
 
Under the supervision and control of the Undersecretary for Fisheries Production 
and Utilization, the following bureaus, services, and offices are hereby created; 
 
(a) Bureau of Aquaculture and Inland Fisheries (BAIF) - The BAIF shall, among 
others, be responsible for regulating aquaculture operations in line with the 
International Code of Conduct for Aquaculture; promoting the intensification of 
aquaculture operations in existing areas; formulating aquaculture development 
programs; establishing and maintaining model aquaculture farms and ponds; 
providing technical assistance to cooperatives and fishpond operators in the 
development of a viable fishmeal and fish feeds industry, undertaking inland 


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fishery resources evaluation; and recommending management and conservation 
measures. The Bureau shall be headed by a Director and shall be composed of the 
following divisions: 
 
(1) Aquaculture Management and Development Division; 
(2) Inland Fisheries Resource Assessment and Conservation Division; 
(3) Inland Fishery Development and Extension Division; and 
(4) Environmental Impact Assessment and Monitoring Division. 
 
(b) Bureau of Postharvest and Fisheries Product Standards (BPFPS) – The fishery 
component of the Bureau of Agriculture and Product Standards created under 
Section 61 of Republic Act No. 8435 shall be transferred to the BPFPS which shall 
formulate and enforce standards of quality in the processing, preservation, 
packaging, labeling, importation, exportation, distribution, and advertising of 
fishery products; conduct research on product standardization and the alignment 
of local standards with international standards; and promote and strengthen semi-
processing and handling. 
 
The Bureau shall have a Director and two (2) Assistant Directors: one for 
Product Standards and Technical Services, and one for Industry Compliance 
and Consumer Protection. It shall have the following divisions: 
Under the Assistant Director for Product Standards and Technical Services: 
 
(1) Technical Services Division; 
(2) Fish Processing Technology Division; 
(3) Standards Development and Promotion Division; and 
(4) Value-added Products Development and Promotion Division. 
 
Under the Assistant Director for Industry Compliance and Consumer 
Protection: 
 
(1) Industry Compliance Division; 
(2) Consumer Affairs Division; and 
(3) Arbitration and Dispute Resolution Division. 
 
(c) Bureau of Fisheries Extension, Training, and Support Service (BFETSS) -The 
BFETSS shall coordinate all development activities with respect to fisheries and 
oceans technology and shall have a development section for all components, 
including inland and oceans fishing, and fishing gears and methods. It shall 
formulate a National Extension System for Fisheries, which shall be composed of 
three (3) subsystems: (1) the national government subsystem, (2) the local 
government subsystem, and (3) the private sector subsystem. It shall deliver the 
following major services: training services; 
credit and financing support services; business advisory services; demonstration 
services; and information and communication support services through tri-media. It 
shall have the following divisions: 
 


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(1) Training and Skills Development Division; 
(2) Technology Transfer and Demonstration Division; and 
(3) Business Advisory and Information Support Division. 
 
(d) Bureau of Fishing Technology and Capture Fisheries (BFTCF) - The BFTCF shall 
have direct supervision and control over the utilization of marine resources, 
including commercial, international, and small-scale fisheries. It shall formulate 
development programs for the expansion of the marine fishery industry; explore 
new fishery resources and develop environment-friendly but efficient fishing gears. 
It shall be headed by a Director and two (2) Assistant Directors and shall have the 
following 
divisions: 
 
(1) Municipal Fisheries Division; 
(2) Commercial Fisheries Division; 
(3) Fishing Technology Division; and 
(4) High Seas Fisheries Division 
 
(e) Fisheries Modernization Credit and Financing Agency (FMCFA) – The FMCFA 
shall administer the funds under Sections 108 to 113 of Republic Act No. 8550 as 
well as the fisheries-related provisions of Sections 20 to 25 of Republic Act No. 
8435, harmonizing and integrating the two so as to package and deliver various 
credit assistance programs for the following: 
 
(1) Fisheries production, including processing of fisheries products and 
inputs; 
(2) Acquisition or construction of fishery equipment, machinery, fishing 
vessels, and fishing gear; 
(3) Acquisition of fry, fingerlings, fertilizers, feeds, and similar items; 
(4) Procurement of fisheries products for storage, trading, processing, and 
distribution; 
 (5) Construction, acquisition, and repair of facilities for production, 
processing, storage, transportation, communication, marketing, and such 
other facilities in support of fisheries and economic activities; 
 (6) Working capital for fisheries graduates to enable them to engage in 
fisheries-related activities which support marine and freshwater bodies 
conservation and ecology-enhancing activities, such as, but not limited 
to, mangrove reforestation, promotion of whale shark and manta ray 
and other endangered marine species watching and ecotourism; and 
 (7) Development of appropriate technology, both in fishery and ancillary 
industries, that is ecologically sound, locally-sourced, and labor-
intensive, based on the requirements of the Fisheries and Aquatic 
Management Councils. 
 
Under the supervision and control of the Undersecretary for Fisheries Conservation 
and Management, the following bureaus, services, and offices are hereby created: 
 


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(a) Marine Resources Conservation and Management Bureau - The Marine 
Resources Conservation and Management Bureau is a line bureau tasked with the 
formulation and implementation of a Comprehensive Fisheries Management Plan. 
It shall undertake marine fishery resources assessment and biological and 
environmental 
investigations, 
and 
formulate 
conservation 
measures. 
In 
coordination with the National Fisheries Research and Development Institute, it 
shall determine and establish the carrying capacity and total allowable catch (TAC) 
for a particular resource. It shall set the allowable fishing effort based on the 
carrying capacity of the resource and TAC, and accordingly issue commercial 
fishing licenses and permits. It shall be headed by a Director and two (2) Assistant 
Directors and shall have the 
following divisions: 
 
(1) Coastal Resources Management Division; 
(2) Oceanography Division; 
(3) Fisheries Licensing Division; 
(4) Biotechnology, Biosafety and Bioprospecting Division; and 
(5) Fisheries Law Enforcement Division. 
 
The Fisheries Law Enforcement Division shall operate the National and Zonal 
Monitoring Surveillance System. It shall establish fishery, air, and ocean patrols as 
well as conduct law enforcement trainings and recommend to the Secretary the 
deputation of government employees and members of fisherfolk associations as 
fishery guardians. It shall have the supervision and control of fishery officers and 
guardians and the corps of specialists responsible for the enforcement of fishery 
laws, rules, and regulations, and the efficient monitoring and surveillance of fishing 
activities within Philippine territorial waters. 
 
(b) The Bureau of Marine Protected Areas and Wildlife (BMPAW) – The BMPAW is 
a line bureau responsible for establishing and maintaining marine protected areas 
and wildlife sanctuaries. It shall lead in the conduct of scientific research on the 
proper strategies for the conservation and protection of marine wildlife and their 
habitat, including breeding and propagation. It shall also establish Marine Wildlife 
Rescue Centers to take custody of all confiscated, stranded, or abandoned marine 
wildlife. It shall have the authority to issue Convention on International Trade in 
Endangered Species (CITES) permits and shall be both the CITES management and 
scientific authority of the Philippines. It shall be the lead agency in the fulfillment 
of the country's obligations under CITES, the Convention on Biological Diversity, 
and other treaties and international agreements.  
 
It shall have the following divisions; 
(1) Marine Protected Areas Division; 
(2) Marine Wildlife Rescue Centers; 
(3) CITES Management Authority; 
(4) Endangered Marine Species Captive Breeding Centers; 
(5) Endangered Marine Wildlife Research Center shall be the Department's 
CITES scientific authority, which shall coordinate with academic 


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institutions designated as scientific authorities; and 
(6) Biodiversity Division 
 
The Undersecretary for Operations shall have direct control and supervision over 
all regional offices and the following units and bureaus: (a) Fisheries Inspection and 
Quarantine Inspection Service (FIQIS) – The FIQIS shall be responsible for the 
inspection and quarantine of all fishery related activities including the conduct of 
quarantine and quality inspection of all fish and aquatic products coming into and 
going out of the country by air or water transport to detect the presence of fish pest 
and diseases; the regular inspection of processing plants, storage facilities, 
abattoirs, as well as public and private markets in order to ensure freshness, safety 
and quality of products and to ensure that these products conform to the standards 
prescribed by the Department; and the quarantine of aquatic animals and fishery 
products determined or suspected to be with fishery pest and diseases and prevent 
the movement or trade from and/or into the country of these products so 
prohibited or regulated under existing laws, rules, or regulations and international 
agreements of which the Philippines is a State Party.  
 
It shall have the following units: 
 (1) Regional Fishery Inspection and Quarantine Offices; 
(2) Cyanide Detection Centers; 
(3) Product Standards Enforcement Division; and 
(4) Regional Fish Health Centers. 
(b) Bureau of Fishery Economics and Statistics (BEES) - The BFES shall be a 
line bureau responsible for establishing benchmark data on the structure 
of the fisheries industry. It shall conduct research and studies on the 
socioeconomics of various fishery operations, collect data on fishery 
production, 
and 
establish 
a 
network 
of 
fishery 
information, 
documentation, and dissemination. 
 
 It shall have the following divisions: 
(1) Fishery Statistics Division; 
(2) Socio-economic Division; and 
(3) Fishery Information Division. 
 
SEC. 11. Regional Offices and Functions. - The Department shall have regional 
offices as may be necessary in the administrative regions, each to be headed by a 
Regional Director, who shall be assisted by an Assistant Regional Director. Each 
regional office shall have support staff as may be necessary and four (4) line 
divisions, which shall have the following duties and responsibilities: 
 
(a) Provide efficient and effective frontline services to the fisheries sector, 
particularly to the municipal fishermen; 
(b) Implement in its area of jurisdiction the laws, policies, plans, programs, 
projects, rules, and regulations of the Department; 
(c) Coordinate with the regional office of other departments and agencies in 
the 


Page 13 of 15 
 
region; and 
(d) Perform such other functions as may be provided by law or assigned by 
the 
Secretary. 
 
 
Sec. 12. Appointment And Qualification Of Directors. - The Directors of the 
Bureaus and Offices, and the Regional Directors shall be appointed by the 
Secretary, upon recommendation of the Undersecretaries concerned. The Directors 
must have a degree in law or a Master of Science degree in marine fisheries, 
oceanography, fisheries biology, marine biology, fisheries technology, microbiology 
or related sciences, or public administration and at least five (5) years of experience, 
either in the public or private sector, in marine fisheries research and development 
or in the fisheries industry. 
 
SEC. 13. Abolition, Transfer, and Merger. - The Bureau of Fisheries and 
Aquatic Resources reconstituted by Republic Act No. 8550, is hereby abolished and 
its relevant functions, appropriations, records, properties, equipment, and 
personnel are hereby transferred to the Department of Fisheries and Aquatic 
Resources: Provided, however, that no official or employee of the BFAR shall be 
laid off in the implementation of this section. 
 
The National and Municipal Fisheries and Aquatic Resources Management 
Councils created by Republic Act No. 8550 shall be transferred to the Office of the 
Secretary of the Department of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources. The National 
Fisheries Research and Development Institute, created by Republic Act No. 8550, is 
transferred to the Department and shall serve as its principal research arm. 
 
The Philippine Fisheries Development Authority (PFDA), created by Presidential 
Decree No. 977, including its relevant functions, appropriations, records, 
properties, equipment, and personnel, is hereby transferred to the Department of 
Fisheries and Aquatic Resources as an attached agency under the Office of the 
Secretary: Provided however, That the Secretary of the Department of Fisheries and 
Aquatic Resources shall be the new chairman of the Board: Provided, further, That 
no official or employee of the PFDA shall be laid off in the implementation of this 
Section. 
 
The Philippine Technical Advisory Committee of the SEAFDEC Aquaculture 
Department created under Executive Order No. 834 dated 04 October 1982, 
including its relevant functions, appropriations, records, properties, equipment, 
and personnel, is hereby transferred and attached to the Department of Fisheries 
and Aquatic Resources: Provided, that no official or employee of the Board shall be 
laid off in the implementation of this Section. 
 
The fisheries-related functions of the Laguna Lake Development Authority (LLDA), 
including its relevant appropriations, records, and personnel, are hereby 
transferred to the Department of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources: Provided, 


Page 14 of 15 
 
however, that no official or employee of the LLDA shall be laid off in the 
implementation of this Section. 
 
 The Philippine Council for Aquatic and Marine Research and Development is 
abolished, and all its functions, appropriations, records, property, equipment, and 
personnel are transferred to the National Fisheries Research and Development 
Institute of the Department of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources. 
 
All marine and coastal-related projects and programs of the Department of 
Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) and all fisheries-related functions of 
the DENR, except the enforcement of water pollution laws, rules, and regulations, 
are hereby transferred to the Department of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources. The 
fisheries-related sections of the Bureau of Agricultural Research, the Bureau of 
Agricultural Statistics, and the Agricultural Training Institute of the Department of 
Agriculture are hereby abolished, and all their appropriations, records, property, 
equipment, and personnel are transferred to the Department of Fisheries and 
Aquatic Resources. 
 
SEC. 14. Transitory Provisions. - In creating and organizing the Department as 
Herein prescribed, the following provisions shall be complied with: 
 
(a) The transfer of a government unit or agency shall include the functions, 
appropriations, funds, records, equipment, facilities, choses in action, rights, and 
other assets and liabilities, if any, of the transferred unit or agency as well as the 
personnel thereof, as may be necessary, who shall, pending reappointment, 
continue to perform their respective duties and responsibilities and receive the 
corresponding salaries and benefits in a holdover capacity. 
 
(b) The transfer of functions, which results in the abolition of the government unit 
or agency that has exercised them, shall include the appropriations, funds, records, 
equipment, facilities, choses in action, rights, other assets, and personnel, as may be 
necessary, for the proper discharge of the transferred functions. Its liabilities, if any, 
shall likewise be treated in accordance with the Government Auditing Code and 
other pertinent laws, rules, and regulations. Its personnel shall, pending 
reappointment, continue to perform their duties and responsibilities and receive 
the corresponding salaries and benefits in a hold-over capacity. 
 
SEC. 15. Organization Committee. - The duly appointed Secretary of Fisheries 
and Aquatic Resources shall immediately create an organization committee which 
shall study and formulate the staffing pattern, qualification standards, and 
placement of personnel in the Department, its services, bureaus, and offices. The 
Committee shall be composed of representatives from the Department of Budget 
and Management, the Civil Service Commission, the fishery industry, and the 
academe. 
 
SEC. 16. Appropriations. - For the effective implementation of this Act, the 
amount of Five Billion Pesos (Ph5,000,000,000.00) is hereby appropriated from the 


Page 15 of 15 
 
unappropriated funds of the National Treasury, the current budgetary 
appropriations of the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources, including its 
regional offices, the appropriations of the Philippine Fisheries Development 
Authority, and the budgetary provision of the Philippine Council for Aquatic and 
Marine Research and Development. 
 
The amount necessary for the construction of a national office of the Department of 
Fisheries and Aquatic Resources equivalent to Five Hundred Million Pesos (P500, 
 000,000.00) is hereby appropriated from the unappropriated funds of the National 
Treasury. 
 
The revenues which the Department will generate from its licensing operations, the 
fees collected and the proprietary services delivered by the Department, and the 
administrative fines imposed by the National Fisheries Regulatory and 
Adjudication Board shall constitute the Department's revolving fund from which 
the amounts necessary to carry out special research projects, management and 
conservation programs, staff development programs, and acquisition of equipment, 
vessels, and aircraft for the Monitoring and Surveillance Center shall be taken: 
Provided, however, 
 
That the fishpond rentals shall accrue to the National Fisheries Research and 
Development Institute as provided under Section 46 (c) of Republic Act No. 8550. 
The use of such funds shall be subject to COA rules and regulations. 
 
SEC. 17. Separability Clause - If any provision of this Act is declared 
unconstitutional or inoperative, the other provisions not so declared shall remain in 
force and effect. 
 
SEC. 18. Repealing Clause. - All laws, executive orders, administrative orders, 
and Rules and regulations inconsistent with this Act are hereby repealed or 
amended accordingly. 
 
SEC. 19. Effectivity Clause. - This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after its 
publication in the Official Gazette or in two (2) newspapers of general circulation. 
 
 
Approved,