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NINETEENTH CONGRESS OF THE 
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES
Second Regular Session
)
SENATE
S.B. No. 2417
23 AUG 2^ P^2
RtCEiVED aV:
Introduced by SENATOR JOEL VILLANUEVA
AN ACT
ESTABLISHING AN AQUACULTURE FEED MILL PLANT IN 
BARANGAY BAHIT, MUNICIPALITY OF PANAY, PROVINCE OF 
CAPIZ AND APPROPRIATING FUNDS THEREFOR
EXPLANATORY NOTE
According to the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), 
the Philippines is ranked 11th in the world in terms of aquaculture production, 
contributing 1.01% to the total global production. The total value of the country’s 
aquaculture production including fish, crustaceans, and mollusks is US$1.89 billion.1
In 2020, 233,725 or 11% of the total registered fisherfolk in the country depend 
on aquaculture for their livelihood. Among the fisheries sub-sectors, it contributes the 
largest at 52.79% and 41.82% of the country’s total fisheries production and 
production value, respectively.2
Nevertheless, the sector is not without issues. The high cost of production 
remains a big issue for fish farmers who grapple with the increasing cost of feeds, 
which is 50-70% of the production cost of aquaculture. According to the Southeast 
Asian Fisheries Development Center-Aqua culture Division (SEAFDEC-AQD), 
commercial feeds cost P33.00-35.00 per kilogram for milkfish and P32.00-34.00 per 
kilogram for tilapia, and developing efficient and sustainable feeds could reduce the 
price by P6.00-10.00 per kilogram.3
Hence, this measure seeks to establish an aquaculture feed mill plant in Capiz, 
also known as the “Seafood Capital of the Philippines.’’ The province is blessed with
BFAR. Philippine Fisheries Profile 2020. Available at httDs://www.bfar.da.qov.ph/wp- 
content/uploads/2022/02/2020-Fisheries-Profile-Final.pdf. Accessed on 16 August 2023.
Ibid.
Department of Agriculture. Aquafeed project develops cost-effective feeds for milkfish, tilapia. 14 June 2022. 
Available at https://www.da.qov.ph/aquafeed-proiect-develops-cost-effective-feeds-for-milkfish-tilapia/. 
Accessed on 16 August 2023.


a long coastline and a wide expanse of swampy lands easily converted into fishponds. 
It has one of the richest fishing grounds in the country and is a major contributor to the 
fisheries sector. Establishing an aquaculture feed mill plant in the province will help 
local fish farmers improve their production to meet growing demands, and provide 
cheap and continuous supply of nutrient-rich feed and feed ingredients through the 
development of new methods and technologies that are suitable to the local condition. 
All these are aimed towards achieving sustainable aquaculture production for the 
country.
In view of the foregoing, passage of this bill is earnestly sought.
JOEjLyVILLANUEVA,


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•#' 0fficp of i!ic £ I: rt ir.t
NINETEENTH CONGRESS OF THE 
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES
Second Regular Session
)
23 AUG2^P1:22
S.B. No.
SENATE
2417
RECEIVED BY:
Intiodu ced by SENATOR JOEL VILLANUEVA
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AN ACT
ESTABLISHING AN AQUACULTURE FEED MILL PLANT IN 
BARANGAY BAHIT, MUNICIPALITY OF PANAY, PROVINCE OF 
CAPIZ 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), an 
aquaculture feed mill plant in Barangay Bahit, Municipality of Panay, Province of 
Capiz.
SEC. 2. Upon the effectivity of this Act, the BFAR-DA shall prepare a project study 
or proposal detailing the mechanics for the establishment of an aquaculture feed mill.
SEC. 3. Within five (5) years after the establishment of the aquaculture feed mill 
plant, the BFAR-DA shall, through a Memorandum of Agreement with the Local 
Government of the Municipality of Panay, constitute and convene a Management 
Board which shall be the policymaking body of the aquaculture feed mill plant. The 
Management Board shall be composed of five (5) members consisting of the following:
a) One (1) representative from the Local Government Unit of the Municipality of
Panay;
b) One (1) representative from the Panay Aqua Farmers Consumer Cooperative
(PAFCC):
c) One (1) representative from the Department of Science and Technology (DOST);
d) One (1) representative from the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI); and
e) One (1) representative from the Capiz State University
The members of the Management Board shall serve for a term of five (5) years.


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SEC. 4. The BFAR shall implement a training and phasing-in program for local 
government personnel and the members of the Management Board on the 
management and operation of the aquaculture feed mill plant.
The BFAR-DA shall, in coordination with the Southeast Asian Fisheries 
Development Center-Aquaculture Department (SEAFDEC/AQD) and the 
Management Board, conduct continuing research and experimentation on the 
development of the aquaculture feeds, especially as they apply to local conditions, to 
discover new methods and technologies on aquaculture as well as the production of 
feeds. They shall develop an education and training program, in coordination with the 
Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA), to educate the 
marginal fisherfolk on these new methods and technologies.
SEC. 5. The Secretary of Agriculture shall include in the Department’s programs 
the conduct of a full-scale feasibility study and the consequent establishment of the 
aquaculture feed mill plant in Barangay Bahit, Municipality of Panay, Province of Capiz, 
the funding of which shall be included in the General Appropriations Act. The local 
government unit concerned shall set aside funds from any available local revenue in 
an amount deemed appropriate for the operationalization of the aquaculture feed mill 
plant.
SEC. 6. Implementing Rules and Regulations. - Within sixty (60) days from 
the effectivity of this Act, the Secretary of Agriculture shall issue the rules and 
regulations on the supervision, operation, monitoring, and the eventual transfer of the 
management of the aquaculture feed mill plant to the local government of the 
Municipality of Panay.
SEC. 7. 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.
SEC. 8. Repealing Clause. - All laws, decrees, executive issuances, and rules 
and regulations inconsistent with the provisions of this Act are hereby repealed or 
modified accordingly.
SEC. 9. Effectivity. - This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after its 
publication in the Official Gazette or in a newspaper of general circulation.
Approved,