Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Quezon City

EIGHTEENTH CONGRESS
First Regular Session

HOUSE BILL NO. wey

Introduced by REP. JOSE FRANCISCO “KIKO” B. BENITEZ, Ph.D.

EXPLANATORY NOTE

The Constitution mandates the State to provide support to fisherfolks through appropriate
technology and research, adequate financial, production and marketing assistance (Article XII,
Section 7).

As such, the establishment of a multi-species marine hatchery in the Municipality of Enrique
B. Magalona, Province of Negros Occidental, will support aquaculture development and
enhance seafood production in the municipality to the benefit of local fisherfolks and coastal
communities.

‘The Municipality of E.B. Magalona is a major producer of blue crabs (locally known as kasag),
with average production at five (5) tons per day, processed for export. The town is also
producing oysters, sardines (fuloy), milkfish (bangus), threadfin breams (/agaw) and squid. Its
wild-caught blue crabs and the Ugyonan Seafood Festival have already been featured in one of
the country’s leading food and travel shows, demonstrating the town’s huge potential in
seafood production and food tourism.

A multi-species marine hatchery in said town will ensure the sustainable supply of these
products. More importantly, aquaculture development in the municipality will contribute in
further reducing poverty incidence therein, which has been steadily decreasing from 24.7
percent in 2009 to 19.9 in 2015.

In view of the foregoing, the approval of this bill is earnestly sought.

ea
REP, JOSE 2 KO” B. BENITEZ, Ph.D.


Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Quezon City

EIGHTEENTH CONGRESS
First Regular Session

HOUSE BILL NO. 3890

Introduced by REP. JOSE FRANCISCO “KIKO” B. BENITEZ, Ph.D.

AN ACT ESTABLISHING A MULTI-SPECIES MARINE HATCHERY IN THE
MUNICIPALITY OF ENRIQUE B. MAGALONA, PROVINCE OF NEGROS
OCCIDENTAL 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), a multispecies marine
hatchery in the Municipality of Enrique B. Magalona, Province of Negros Occidental.

SEC. 2. The BFAR-DA shall, within two (2) years after the construction of the multispecies
marine hatchery, transfer the management of the same to the local government unit concerned
through a memorandum of agreement. The BEAR-DA shall implement a training and phasing-
in program for local government personnel on the management and operation of the
multispecies marine hatchery.

SEC. 3. The Secretary of Agriculture shall include in the Department's programs the
establishment of the muitispecies marine hatchery in the Municipality of Enrique B. Magalona,
Province of Negros Occidental, the funding of which shall be included in the annual 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
hatchery.

SEC. 4. Within sixty (60) days from the approval of this Act, the Department of Agriculture
shall issue the rules and regulations on the supervision, monitoring, and transfer by the BEAR
of the multispecies marine hatchery.

SEC. 5. 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,