Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Quezon City

NINETEENTH CONGRE
First Regular Session

HOUSE BILL No. _74

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 XU.
Section 7).

As such, the establishment of in the Third District of the Province of Negros Occidental will
support aquaculture development and enhance seafood production in the district to the benefit
of local fisherfolks and coastal communities.

The Third District has a rich culinary heritage and has vast potential for food tourism. Already,
tourists are drawn to the district to enjoy heirloom dishes, organic produce and fresh seafood
served in garden or rustic restaurants and hole-in-the-wall eateries.

The Municipality of E.B. Magalona, in particular, is dubbed as Negros’ blue crab capital,
producing large volumes of kasag, with average production at five (5) tons per day. processed
for export. The town is also producing oysters, sardines (tuloy), milkfish (bangus), threadfin
breams (lagaw) 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 is thus necessary for the sustainability and growth of the
district's food scene. Particularly, it will ensure the sustainable supply of E.B. Magalona’s
products. Aquaculture development will not only contribute to food tourism but also ensure
food security in the district,

The site of Sitio Mambucog, Barangay Zone XVI in Talisay City has already been assessed by
experts from the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources, and the city government of
Talisay City has expressed its full support and long-term commitment to the project.

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

p. 2 As
NCISCO “KJKO” B. BRAITEZ, Ph.D.



Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Quezon City

NINETEENTH CONGRESS
First Regular Session

74

HOUSE BILL NO.

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

AN ACT
ESTABLISHING A MULTI-SPECIES MARINE HATCHERY IN SITIO
MAMBUCOG, BARANGAY ZONE XVI, TALISAY CITY, 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 multi-species marine
hatchery in Sitio Mambucog, Barangay Zone XVI, Talisay City, Province of Negros
Occidental

SEC. 2. The BFAR-DA shall transfer the management of the multi-species marine
hatchery to the city government of Talisay City within two (2) years afier its construction
through a memorandum of agreement. It shall implement a training and phasing-in program
for local government personnel on the management and operation of the hatchery.

SEC. 3. The Secretary of Agriculture shall include in the Department's programs the
establishment of the multi-species marine hatchery in Sitio Mambucog, Barangay Zone XVI
Talisay City, Province of Negros Occidental, the raiding of which shall be included in the
annual General Appropriations Act. The local government units 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 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 multi-species marine hatchery to the city
government of Talisay City.

SEC. 5. This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after its publication in the Official
Gazette or in a newspaper of general circulation.

Approved,