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

HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
H. a My

Introduced by Representative Raul C. Tupas

EXPLANATORY NOTE

AN ACT ESTABLISHING A MULTI-SPECIES MARINE HATCHERY IN THE
MUNICIPALITY OF BATAD, PROVINCE OF ILOILO AND APPROPRIATING FUNDS
THEREFOR

Batad Is a fifth class municipality in the province of Iloilo. 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 Iloilo,
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
reservoir 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.

In view thereof, approval of this Bill is earnestly sought.

RAUL ‘soapy c. TUPAS


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SEVENTEENTH CONGRESS OF THE =)
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES )
First Regular Session )

HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
H.No.440 7

Introduced by Representative Raul C. Tupas

AN ACT ESTABLISHING A MULTI-SPECIES MARINE HATCHERY IN THE
MUNICIPALITY OF BATAD, PROVINCE OF ILOILO AND APPROPRIATING FUNDS
THEREFOR

SECTION 1. Title. - This Act shall be known as the “Establishment of Multi‘Species Marine
Hatchery in the Municipality of Batad Act.”

SECTION 2. Establishment of Multi-Species Marine Hatchery - 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
Batad, Province of lloilo.

SECTION 3. Supervision of the BFAR - Within three (3) years after the construction of the
multi-species marine hatchery, the BFAR-DA shall transfer its management to the Northern
Iloilo Polytechnic State College (NIPSC). It shall implement a training. and phasing-in
program for NIPSC personnel on the management and operation of the multi-species
marine hatchery. .

SECTION 4. Continuing Research- The BFAR-DA and NIPSC shall conduct continuing
research and development on the multi-species marine hatchery to discover new methods
that will enhance the fishing industry.

SECTION 5. Budget Allocation. The Secretary of Agriculture shall include in the
Department of Agriculture's programs the establishment of the multi-species marine
hatchery in the Municipality of Batad, lloilo, the funding of which shall be included in the
General Appropriations Act. The NIPSC shall set aside funds from any available revenue in
an amount deemed appropriate for the operationalization of the hatchery.

SECTION 6. Implementing Rules and Regulations. - The BFAR-DA and the NIPSC.
shall issue the rules and regulations on the supervision and monitoring, and the transfer or
withdrawal by the BFAR, of the multi-species marine hatchery.

SECTION 7. Effectivity.- 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,