NINETEENTH CONGRESS OF THE) 
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES ) 
First Regular Session 
)
SENATE
s. No. 1702
Senate
flWfttf of tijf l&rnrtaip
23 JAN 18 P5 :37
RECEIVtD BY; VL
~TT'
Introduced by Senator Raffy T. Tulfo
AN ACT MANDATING THE ESTABLISHMENT OF FISHERFOLK
RESETTLEMENT AREAS BY THE DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE, 
DEPARTMENT OF HUMAN SETTLEMENTS AND URBAN DEVELOPMENT, AND 
THE LOCAL GOVERNMENT UNITS, AMENDING FOR THE PURPOSE SEC. 108 
OF REPUBLIC ACT NO. 8550, OTHERWISE KNOWN AS THE "PHILIPPINE 
FISHERIES CODE OF 1998." AS AMENDED BY REPUBLIC ACT NO. 10654"
EXPLANATORY NOTE
Since the Philippine Fisheries Code of 1998 was enacted two decades ago, there 
has been little improvement in the establishment of settlement for fishermen. As a 
result, fishermen remain a vulnerable group that is frequently displaced not only by 
natural disasters but also by growth in industry, commerce, and tourism.
In spite of the nation's abundant marine resources, a consultation workshop 
with the United Nations Food and Agricultural Organization (UN-FAO) indicated that 
the Filipino fishing community is among the poorest of the poor. The displacement of 
fishermen is one of the reasons for this.
By including the local government units of coastal areas and the recently 
established Department of Human Settlements and Urban Development as co­
implementing agencies of the Department of Agriculture, this measure seeks to


implementing agencies of the Department of Agriculture, this measure seeks to 
strengthen the mandate and facilitate the establishment of settlement areas for 
fishermen.
With this policy, it is believed that the rights and welfare of fishermen, who are 
mostly low-income people, will finally be protected.
In view of the aforementioned, the Mssage of this measure is earnestly sought.
Raffy t^Julfo
Senator


Senate
r'iBlhtt of tl)f fera ftai-p
NINETEENTH CONGRESS OF THE) 
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES ) 
First Regular Session 
)
SENATE
s. No. 1702
23 JAN 18 P5 37
RECEIVED B\.
Introduced by Senator Raffy T. Tulfo
AN ACT MANDATING THE ESTABLISHMENT OF FISHERFOLK 
RESETTLEMENT AREAS BY THE DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE, 
DEPARTMENT OF HUMAN SETTLEMENTS AND URBAN DEVELOPMENT, AND 
THE LOCAL GOVERNMENT UNITS, AMENDING FOR THE PURPOSE SEC. 108 
OF REPUBLIC ACT NO. 8550, OTHERWISE KNOWN AS THE "PHILIPPINE 
FISHERIES CODE OF 1998." AS AMENDED BY REPUBLIC ACT NO. 10654"
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the Philippines in 
Congress Assembled:
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SECTION 1. Section 108 of Republic Act No. 8550, otherwise known as "The
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Philippine Fisheries Code of 1998", as amended by Republic Act No. 10654, is
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hereby amended as follows:
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SEC. 108. Fisherfolk Settlement Areas. — [ The Department shall
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establish and create fisherfolk settlement areas in coordination with concerned
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agencies of the government, where certain areas of the public domain,
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specifically near the fishing ground, shall be reserved for the settlement of the
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municipal fisherfolk. Nothing in this section shall be construed to vest ownership
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of any resettlement area to a municipal fisherfolk for whom said areas may
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have been reserved for or had been actually granted to.


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THE DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE, DEPARTMENT OF HUMAN 
SETTLEMENTS AND URBAN DEVELOPMENT, AND THE LOCAL GOVERNMENT 
UNITS OF CITIES OR MUNICIPALITIES HAVING JURISDICTION OVER 
COASTAL AREAS AND MUNICIPAL WATERS SHALL ESTABLISH AND CREATE 
SETTLEMENT AREAS FOR FISHERFOLK WITH ADEQUATE ACCESS TO FISHING 
GROUNDS AS MAY BE DETERMINED BY THE DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE: 
PROVIDED, THAT WHERE THERE EXIST PREVIOUSLY IDENTIFIED OR 
ESTABLISHED SETTLEMENT AREAS WITH ADEQUATE ACCESS TO FISHING 
GROUNDS, FISHERFOLK SHALL BE GRANTED PREFERENCE IN THE AWARD 
THEREOF: PROVIDED, FURTHER, THAT PREFERENCE SHALL BE GIVEN, OR 
SEFFLEMENT AREAS SHALL BE ESPECIALLY ESTABLISHED, ONLY IN FAVOR 
OF FISHERFOLK
WHO ARE REGISTERED AS SUCH WITH THEIR RESPECTIVE CITY OR 
MUNICIPALITY AND WHO ARE WITHOUT REAL PROPERTY: PROVIDED 
FINALLY THAT LOCAL GOVERNMENT UNITS HAVING JURISDICTION OVER 
COASTAL AREAS AND MUNICIPAL WATERS ARE HEREBY MANDATED TO 
INTEGRATE SETTLEMENT AREAS FOR FISHERFOLK IN THEIR RESPECTIVE 
COMPREHENSIVE LAND USE PLANS.',
SEC. 2. Separability Clause. — If any portion or provision of this Act is 
declared unconstitutional or invalid, the other portions or provisions hereof, which are 
not affected thereby, shall remain in full force and effect.
SEC. 3. Reputing Clause. -All other taws, decrees, orders, circulars, 
issuances, rules and regulations and part thereof which are inconsistent with this Act 
are hereby repealed, amended, or modified accordingly.
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SEC. 4. Effectivity. — This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after its
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complete publication in the Official Gazette or in a newspaper of general circulation.
Approved.