FIFTEENTH CONGRESS OF THE) 
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES) 
First Regular Session 
) 
SENAT~ 
S.B. NO._~·_;)· 28 
; . 
, 
Introduced by SENATOR FERDINAND R. MAWt8~,ESrt(·~~ 
EXPLANATORY NOTE 
The country has a total territorial water area of 2,200,000 square kilometer, with 
the coastline measuring 17,460 kilometers, while the coastal area stretches to 266,00 
square kilometers. 
As of 2008, fisheries contribution to the total Gross Domestic Product of the 
country amounted to 2.3% (at current prices). 
Based on the data from the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR), 
the total fish and fish product intake amounted to 11.7%, based on a-mean one-day per 
capita food consumption. 
This is evident of the fact that fish product is one of the main food sources of the 
Filipino families. 
It is however alarming that there is a diminishing supply of aquatic resources in 
the country today. In an article entitled "Development of a Mariculture Park" written by 
Mr. Wilfredo G. Yap, Executive Vice-President of the Society of Aquaculture Engineers 
in the Philippines, Inc. (SAEP), he reported that: 
"Coastal or municipal fisheries in the Philippines have reached the paint of 
diminishing returns. 
More and more fishers are chasing after less and 
less fish. 
While it is posted a growth of 3.1% in 1999, this cannot be 
attributed to increased fish resources in municipal waters. In 1997, an EI 
Nino year, municipal landing increased by 3.65% but fell abruptly by 
5.45% in 1998, a La Nina year. Over-all municipal fisheries have declined 
at the average rate of 2.66% since 1992 (All figures are derived from 
BFAR, 2000). 
Thus the need to reduce fishing pressure to allow the fish resources to 
recover remains crucial. Encouraging municipal fishers to shift to other 
means of livelihood will be one way of doing so, and aquaculture, 
specifically sea-based aquaculture, beckons as one such alternative. The 
culture of fish or other marine organism in the sea will mean giving fishers 
a livelihood involving the production of the vel}' same commodity, and in 
the vel}' same environment, that they are already familiar with. It can be 
considered a most logical choice. " 
Fish farming or mariculture park is a fishing concept introduced in the country in 
2004. It operates like industrial parks where investors set up fish cages to breed high 
value marine species like bang us, siganids and seeweeds. 
There are currently 40 mariculture parks established in the country. 
Of this 
number, the Visayas has the highest number at 16, followed by Mindanao, 13, and 11 in 
Luzon, according to BFAR Director Malcolm Sarmiento. 


Republic Act 8550, otherwise known as The Philippine Fisheries Code of 1998 
has provided the foundation of maritulture operations in the country. However, there is 
no existing national program on mariculture. 
Hence, this bill proposes the formulation of the National Mariculture Program, 
with the end goals of providing security of food for our countrymen, steady livelihood to 
the fisherfolk, and sustaining an ecologically-balanced aquatic environment. 
There is an urgent need to replenish the decreasing volume of fish in Philippine 
waters. Mariculture is the best alternative option in attaining this objective. 
Let us bring back the treasure of the seas. Aquaculture development will greatly 
contribute to cultivate fishery production. 
In view of thereof, the passage of this bill is earnestly requested. 
R. MARCOS, JR 


FIFTEENTH CONGRESS OF THE) 
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES) , 
First Regular Session 
) 
SENATE 
S.B. No.2526 
HI 
SE~ 15 r' 4 :')3 
y 
Introduced by SENATOR FERDINAND R. MARCOS, JR. 
AN ACT ESTABLISHING THE NATIONAL MARICULTURE PROGRAM, AND 
PROVIDING FUNDS THEREFOR, AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES 
Be it enacted by the Senate /'1nd the House of Representatives of the Philippines 
in Congress Assembled: 
SECTION 1. Title. - This Act shall be known as "The National Mariculture 
Program of 2010". 
SECTION 2. Declaration of Policy. - The State shall ensure food security to 
everyone, utilizing and developing the country's natural wealth, and shall protect the 
aquatic resources as valuable food reserve. 
Toward this end, the State shall ensure 
the utmost protection of the country's marine environment, while optimizing its potential 
contribution to food security. 
Likewise, the State shall uphold the rights and interests of the Filipino fisherfolk 
and they shall be given preferential use of the marine and fishing resources in the 
country. 
To this end, there shall be a comprehensive program on marine technology and 
research, financial and marketing assistance, and other services for the benefit of the 
fisherfolk and the local communities. 
SECTION 3. 
National Mariculture Program. -
The National Government, 
through the BFAR, shall undertake a National Mariculture Program, guided by the 
following objectives: 
. 
1. Promotion of mariculture as major source of livelihood for the fishermen; 
2. The identification and establishment of mariculture parks in suitable areas in the 
country; 
3. Increase socio-economic growth and ensure food security through mariculture 
industry; 
4. Conservation, protection and preservation of the aquatic environment conducive 
to fisheries, species management, and mariculture investment; 
5. Development of technical skills for fishermen to sustain the mariculture industry; 
6. Provide appropriate infrastructure and equipment for favorable investment 
climate, and post-harvest technology. 
7. Provide stakeholders easy access to lending institutions. 
SECTION 4. Definition of Terms. As used in this Code, the following terms 
shall mean as follows: 
1. Mariculture -is designed to produce fish through sea cages, to grow high value 
marine species, such as bang us, siganids, seaweeds, oysters, mussels, red 
snappers, groupers and other related species. 


2. Maricu/ture Park or Zone -
refers to duly designated fishery areas where 
mariculture is undertaken. 
3. SEAFDEC - refers to the Southeast Asian Fisheries Development Center, an 
intergovernmental organization established for the purpose of sustaining fishery 
development in the Southeast Asian Region. 
SECTION 5. 
Mariculture Development Parks and Zone. 
Subject to the 
limitations set forth under Sections 20 and 22 of Republic Act 8550, otherwise known as 
The Philippine Fisheries Code of 1988, and Section 149 of Republic Act 7160, 
otherwise known as The Local Government Code of 1991, the concerned officials of the 
local government unit shall supervise the establishment of mariculture parks and zones 
in duly designated areas located within the municipal waters. In case of waters located 
outside municipal waters, the Department of Agriculture (DA) shall designate and 
supervise the respective mariculture area. 
The technical, social, economic viability and sustainability, as well as the 
environmental protection, shall be t1!'ken into consideration in selecting an area for a 
mariculture parks or zone. 
For this purpose, the province, city or municipality shall enter into a Lease 
Agreement with the registered fisherfolk or fisherfolk cooperative as well as private 
investors, where the terms and conditions, as well as profit sharing, are specified 
therein. 
However, the BFAR shall provide a ceiling for rents to locators, in consultation 
with the sangguniang concerned, taking into consideration its affordability to ordinary 
fisherfolks and the viability for its continued operation. In granting lease proposals by 
the local government unit, preference shall be given to local fisherfolks. 
SECTION 6. Ownership of Mariculture Parks. Unless the mariculture park is 
established by private individual or corporation, the ownership of the park shall belong 
to the municipal or city which has jurisdiction over the area. If the park is established 
outside the municipal waters or witliin the territorial jurisdiction of two or more cities or 
municipalities, the ownership shall belong to the provincial government which has 
jurisdiction over the area. If the area is within the territorial jurisdiction of two or more 
provinces, the concerned provinces shall enter into a Joint Venture Agreement where 
the issue of ownership dispute shall be amicably sett/ed. 
SECTION 7. 
Mariculture Zone Advisory Council. 
The Mariculture Zone 
Advisory Council is hereby created which shall be composed of the following: 
1. Representative from the BFAR with a rank equivalent to a Director as Chairman; 
2. The City or Municipal Agriclliturist, or in the absence thereof, the Provincial 
Agriculturist as Vice Chairman; 
3. A representative from the registered Fisherfolk organization or cooperative; 
4. A representative from the private business sector directly involved with 
Mariculture Zone. 
All the above-mentioned members of the Advisory Council, and not their 
respective proxies, shall be required to attend all council meetings. 


SECTION 8. 
Functions of the Mariculture Zone Advisory Council. The 
Mariculture Zone Advisory Council shall have the following functions: 
1. To operate, administer, manage and develop the Mariculture Zone according to 
the principles set forth in this Act; 
2. To register, regulate, supervise the enterprises in the Mariculture Zone in an 
efficient and decentralized manner; 
3. To exercise general supervision over the development, plans, activities and 
operations of the Mariculture Zone; 
4. To ensure that all revenues of the Mariculture Zone are properly collected and 
remitted to the local government unit. 
SECTION 9. Mooring Spaces. Grant of Mariculture Zone areas shall be based 
on mooring spaces to ensure that usage of area-space for seacage farming is solely 
based 
on 
the 
granted 
space 
as 
provided. 
Granted 
mooring 
spaces 
not 
developed/installed with cage within 6 months will be forfeited and awarded to other 
applicants. The BFAR shall prescribe the guidelines in installation of sea cages. 
SECTION 10. Support Infrastructures. 
To make the mariculture park and 
zone more convenient and useful to potential investors, there shall be support 
infrastructures such as, but not limited to floating, guardhouses, an onshore feed 
warehouse, an shore net mending and drying shed, a pier where small crafts can dock 
safely and a small ice plant or an insulated ice house. 
In addition to the physical infrastructure, socio-economic infrastructure shall 
likewise be placed in order to ensure the success of the mariculture park and zone. 
SECTION 11. 
Aquaculture Technical Assistance and Training to Local 
Government Units, 
Fisherfolk Cooperatives/Associations, 
Non-Government 
Organizations. The SEAFDEC, through its Aquaculture Department, shall provide 
technical assistance, training and marketing support to local government units, coastal 
fishermen, fisherfolk cooperatives/associations, and non-government organizations with 
respect to the establishment, utilization and management of mariculture system in their 
respective jurisdictions. The SEAFDEC shall closely coordinate with the concerned 
stakeholders for this purpose. 
SECTION 12. Private Sector as Economic Partners. 
Private individual 
investors or enterprises shall, as far .and practicable, be encouraged to take an active 
role in establishment, utilization and management of mariculture system. 
Qualified 
private investors or entrepreneurs shall coordinate with the concerned local government 
officials, local fishing community and appropriate government agencies, for this 
purpose. 
SECTION 13. Financing Scheme. The LandBank of the Philippines (LBP) shall 
provide financial or loan assistance to registered fisherfolk organizations/cooperatives 
for the construction of the fish cage and to finance the initial stocks and feeds. 
The LBP shall issue guidelines on the scheduled annual payments of the loan. It 
shall ensure however, that whenever practicable, it shall reduce the interest rate and/or 
reduce the principal obligation to make the repayment affordable for the fisherfolk. 
The LBP shall render quarterly reports on the disbursement of funds for the 
National Mariculture Program. 


SECTION 14. 
Continuing Research and Development. 
The BFAR shall 
conduct continuing research and development as well as application of technological 
advancements in mariculture industry. 
A one-hectare Research and Development area shall be designated within a 
province, city or municipality for the conduct of research and demonstration activities as 
well as a venue for the manpower capability trainings in the mariculture zone. This area 
shall be jointly managed by the LGU and BFAR. 
SECTION 15. 
Monitoring and Evaluation. -
The DA shall monitor the 
implementation of Research and Development programs and mariculture projects. The 
BFAR shall review all existing mariculture parks and zones every four (4) years, to 
determine their viability or effectiveness. The BFAR shall employ the services of 
independent evaluators to assess the over-all impact of the country's mariculture 
development. A quarterly Performance Evaluation issued by independent evaluators 
shall be submitted to the BFAR for this purpose. 
SECTION 16. 
Appropriations. The initial amount of Five Hundred Million 
Pesos is hereby appropriated to effectively carry out the provisions of this Act during the 
first year of implementation. Thereafter, such sums as may be necessary for the 
continued implementation of this Act shall be included in the succeeding General 
Appropriations Act. 
SECTION 17. Identification of Mariculture Areas. Within six (6) months from 
the effectivity of this Act, the BFAR shall identify the local government units which have 
• 
potential areas for the establishment of mariculture parks. Provided that, not later than 
one year from the effectivity of this Act, the BFAR, in coordination with the local 
government units concerned, shall complete the blueprint of each mariculture park in 
the said identified areas. 
SECTION 18. Annual Report.- The DA, through the BFAR, shall render an 
annual report to Congress on the accomplishment of the program. A review on the 
viability of the program, which includes a complete list of the areas suitable for 
establishment of mariculture parks in the country with their respective feasibility study, 
shall be made by the concerned agencies after three (3) years of its implementation. 
SECTION 19. Information Campaign. The BFAR shall undertake intensive 
public information campaign within three (3) months from the effectivity of this Act. 
SECTION 20. Implementing Rules and Regulations.- The DA, through the 
BFAR, together with the Department of Interior and Local Government(DILG) and the 
representatives of the League of Provinces, League of Cities, and League of 
Municipalities, shall adopt rules and regulations necessary to implement the provisions 
of this Act within ninety (90) days from the effectivity thereof. 
SECTION 21. 
Separability ·Clause- If any provision of this Act is declared 
invalid or unconstitutional, the other provisions not affected thereby shall remain in full 
force and effect. 


• 
SECTION 22. Repealing Clause.-AII laws, presidential decrees, executive 
orders, presidential proclamations, rules and regulations or parts thereof contrary to or 
inconsistent with this Act are hereby repealed or modified accordingly. 
SECTION 23. Effectivity.- This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days following 
its publication in at least two (2) newspapers of general circulation or in the Official 
Gazette, whichever comes first. 
Approved.