SEVENTEENTH CONGRESS OF THE 
) 
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES 
)
First Regular Session 
)
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SENNoATl 4 3 7
S.B
RECEIVu'Jb..
INTRODUCED BY SENATOR ALAN PETER "COMPANERO" S. CAYETANO
AN ACT
CREATING A DEPARTMENT OF FISHERIES AND AQUATIC RESOURCES, 
PROVIDING FOR ITS POWERS AND FUNCTIONS, AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES
EXPLANATORY NOTE
Filipinos have always relied upon fish as a basic resource and commodity. In fact, in 1986. when 
former P re se n t Corazon Aquino was just running for President, one of the most recogmz-able campaign 
statements she made was about the 'poor man’s fish’, galunggong. She noted that m 1965, one kilo 
galunggong was just P1.50; but in 1986, one kilo of galunggong was already at P26; and asked, who took
galunggong away from the dining tables of the poor?"
The price of the poor man's Rsh has still steadily increased since then. Data from the Philippine 
Statistics Authority revealed that by the time President Benigno Aquino had assumed Pr^s‘^^n c y ’U yf 
2010, a kilo of galunggong cost P84.34; and by tbe time he stepped down in June 2016, a kilo of
galunggong already cost P111.9.1 2 * * 5
As an archipelago, one of the major sources of livelihood in the country is fishery. Based on DA- 
BFAR statistics, the fisheries industry employs some 1,614,368 Filipino fisheries operators.^ In 2014 the 
Philippines ranked 8th among the top fish producing countries m the world with its tota'P r”^U3Ct'0 
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million metric tons of fish, crustaceans, mollusks, and aquatic plants (including sea 
fisheries
since 2014, fisheries production suffered streak of declining growth. In 2016, volume of fisheries 
production was reduced by 6.34 percent from its previous year’s l e v e l . - ^ of.)'a,ue.' th7en,"d5U 17 
contributed P240 billion in 2015 as compared to P242 billion m 2014 and P244.6 billion in 2
While we have very good people in the Department of Agriculture, the departmenf^s focus is more 
on land-based farming. It is time that the government provides for a focused, single-minded, specialized 
department responsive to the needs and concerns of the fisheries industry.
Because of this, there is a need to create the Department of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources 
(DFARl in order to strengthen the institutional capacities of BFAR as the primary policy and regula ory 
body on fisheries and aquatic resources. As with any administrative agency, DFAR will serve public 
purpose, efficiency and the best interest of the industry. Hence, this will serve as a 
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protect, utilize, maximize, and conserve the nation’s marine resources as well as uphold the best mtere
of the fisher folk.
In view of the foregoing, the immediate enactment of this measure is sought.
ALAN PETER ’’COMPANERO" S. CAYETANO 
Senator
1 Fish: Retail Prices, by Region and by Province at
http://countrystat.psa.gov.ph/?cont=10&pageid=l&ma=N10PRRPC
2 NSO 2002 Census for Fisheries
i BFAR Philippine Fisheries Profile 2015
♦ PSA Fisheries Situationer https://psa.gov.ph/fisheries-situationer
5 BFAR Philippine Fisheries Profile 2015


SEVENTEENTH CONGRESS OF THE 
) 
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES 
)
First Regular Session 
)
V'V 't 
011':1'
fin rp
•17 HAY -4 P2-.06
SENATE
1437
S. B. No.
RECEIVlD b
INTRODUCED BY SENATOR ALAN PETER "COMPANERO" S. CAYETANO
AN ACT
CREATING A DEPARTMENT OF FISHERIES AND AQUATIC RESOURCES, 
PROVIDING FOR ITS POWERS AND FUNCTIONS, AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the Philippines in Congress assembled:
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SECTION 1. Title. This Act shall be known as the "Department of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources 
Act of 2017".
SECTION 2. Declaration of Policy. The following is hereby declared policy of the State;
a) The State shall promote sustainable development in the management of all fisheries and marine 
resources within its national territory;
b) The national territory comprises the Philippine archipelago, with all the islands and waters 
embraced therein, and all other territories over which the Philippines has sovereignty or 
jurisdiction, consisting of its terrestrial, fluvial and aerial domains, including its territorial sea, the 
seabed, the subsoil, the insular shelves, and other submarine areas. The waters around, between, 
and connecting the islands of the archipelago, regardless of their breadth and dimensions, form 
part of the internal waters of the Philippines;
c) The Philippine waters include its Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) in the adjacent high seas;
d) It is the primordial policy to maintain a sound ecological balance, protect and enhance the quality 
of the environment in its territorial waters. The State shall protect and conserve the nation s 
marine wealth in its archipelagic waters, territorial sea and EEZ and reserve its use and enjoyment 
exclusively to Filipitu) citizens;
e) The State shall adopt the precautionary principle and to prioritize conservation of the country s 
marine and aquatic resources, as well as to protect the rights of small-scale fisher folk in the 
preferential use of communal marine, fisheries and aquatic resources. Towards this end, it shall 
provide such fisher folk with the appropriate technical and financial support; and
n Legitimate and recognized non-governmental organizations [NGOs) are considered as partners of 
the State in the protection and conservation of fisheries and aquatic resources. These NGOs are 
likewise partners of the State in development and the promotion of the welfare of the fisher folk.
SECTION 3. Creation. To carry out the above-declared policy, the Department of Fisheries and 
Aquatic Resources, hereinafter referred to as the Department, is hereby created structurally and 
functionally in accordance with the provisions of this Act.
SECTION 4. Jurisdiction of the Department. The Department shall have primary jurisdiction over 
the management, development, utilization and disposition of all fishery and aquatic resources of the 
country, including the habitats of fish and all other marine life and over activities which impact on these 
habitats Provided, That the Department shall work closely with the Department of Environment and
1


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Natural Resources and other relevant agencies to ensure that its polices relating to fishery and aquatic
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resources are not in conflict with general government policies on the protection, preservation and
conservation of environment and natural resources, and are supportive of the general goal to ensure 
equitable sharing of the benefits derived therefrom for the welfare of the present and future generations 
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of Filipinos. Provided further. That the jurisdiction over municipal waters shall be exercised jointly by the 
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Department and local government units (LGlJs), with the latter managing the same in accordance with
national fishery policies, laws, rules and regulations.
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The Department shall have the sole authority to supervise and regulate the production and capture
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of fish and fishery products within its jurisdiction, as well as the processing and marketing of all fisheries
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and aquatic products in the country. It shall also have the responsibility of rationalizing all ocean sector 
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initiatives which impact on fish and marine resources or their habitat including, but not limited to: marine 
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energy exploration and development; coastal and marine tourism; designation of shipping lanes;
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protected areas; and, marine industry development areas. The regulation of these marine activities, once 
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rationalized by the Department, shall reside with the parent agency for the appropriate sector involved.
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SECTION 5. Powers and Functions. To accomplish its mandate, the Department shall have the
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following powers, functions and responsibilities:
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a) prepare and implement a Comprehensive National Fisheries Industry Development Plan;
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b) issue licenses for the operation of commercial fishing vessels;
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c) issue identification cards free of charge to fishworkers engaged in commercial fishing;
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d) monitor and review joint fishing agreements between Filipino citizens and foreigners who
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conduct fishing activities in international waters, and ensure that such agreements are not
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contrary to Philippine commitment under international treaties and convention on fishing in the
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high seas;
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e) formulate and implement a Comprehensive Fishery Research and Development Program, such as,
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but not limited to, sea farming, sea ranching, tropical/ornamental fish and seaweed culture,
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aimed at increasing resource productivity, improving resource use efficiency, and ensuring the
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long-term sustainability of the country’s fishery and aquatic resources;
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f) establish and maintain a Comprehensive Fishery Information System;
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g) provide extensive development support services in all aspects of fisheries production, processing
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and marketing:
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h) provide advisory services and technical assistance on the improvement of quality of fish from the
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time it is caught (i.e. on board fishing vessel, at landing areas, fish markets, to the processing
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plants and to the distribution and marketing chain);
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i) coordinate efforts relating to fishery production undertaken by the primary fishery producers,
LGUs, FARMCs, fishery and organizations/cooperatives;
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j] advise and coordinate with LGUs on the maintenance of proper sanitation and hygienic practices
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in fish markets and fish landing areas;
k) establish a corps of specialists in collaboration with the Department of National Defense, 
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Department of the Interior and Local Government, Department of Foreign Affairs for the efficient
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monitoring, control and surveillance of fishing activities within Philippine territorial waters and
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provide the necessary facilities, equipment and training therefor;
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1) implement an inspection system for import and export of fishery/aquatic products and fish
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processing establishments, consistent with international standards to ensure product quality and
safety;
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m)coordinate with LGUs and other concerned agencies for the establishment of productivity
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enhancing and market development programs in fishing communities to enable women to engage
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in other fisheries/cconomic activities and contribute significantly to development efforts;
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n) enforce all laws, formulate and enforce all rules and regulations governing the conservation and
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management of fishery resources, including in municipal waters where it shall closely coordinate
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with the LGUs for such enforcement, and to settle conflicts of resource use and allocation in
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consultation with the NFARMC, LGUs and local FARMCs;


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o) develop value-added Tishery-products for domestic consumption and export;
p) recommend measures for the protection/enhancement of the fishery industries,
q) assist the LGUs in developing their technical capability in the development, management, 
regulation, conservation, and protection of the fishery resources,
r) formulate and implement rules and regulations for the conservation and management of 
straddling fish stocks and highly migratory fish stocks;and threatened living marine resources 
such as sharks, rays and ludong. inter alia, in the Philippine Exclusive Economic Zone, terntonal 
sea, archipelagic and internal waters, in coordination with LGUs and integrated/mumcipal/city 
Fisheries and Aquatic Resources Management Councils;
si train designate and deploy fisheries observers in Philippine Ragged fishing vessels engaged in 
commercial fishing in Philippine waters or distant water fishing to ensure compliance with 
conservation and management measures adopted by RFMOS and by the Department;
t) implement boarding and inspection protocols upon Philippine flagged fishing vessels in order to 
promote observance to international treaty obligations on food safety, to curb illegal, unreported 
and unregulated fishing, and to comply with conservation and management measures;
u) adopt an appropriate monitoring, control, surveillance and traceability system for municipal 
fishing vessels supplying exporters with concurrence of the local government units;
V) adopt and implement a national plan of action to manage fishing capacity, implement the 
international code of conduct for responsible fisheries, and declare fishery management areas as 
over-exploited in coordination with the LGUs and FARMCs;
w) require performance bonds and impose and collect reasonable fees and charges for laboratory 
services, inspection, deployment of fisheries observers, and catch documentation and validation, 
taking into account the balance required between recovering the costs of services rendered and 
the socioeconomic impact of their imposition, upon prior consultation with stakeholders;
x) hear and decide administrative cases before it;
y) determine the appropriate levels of administrative and other sanctions, particularly for serious 
violations, that deprive offenders of economic benefits from their violations of the laws, rules and
regulations;
z) initiate the criminal prosecution of offenses committed in violation of the Fisheries Code of 1997, 
as amended, regardless of their status; and
aa) perform such other related functions which shall promote the development, conservation, 
management, protection and utilization of fisheries and aquatic resources.
SECTION 6. Composition. The Department shall be composed of the Office of the Secretary, three 
f3) Undersecretaries for Fisheries Production and Utilization, Fisheries Conservation and Management, 
and for Operations, the National Fisheries and Aquatic Resources Management Council, the National 
Fisheries Research and Development Institute, the Office of Ocean and Marine Affairs, and the following 
services: the Philippine Fisheries and Aquatic Resources Information Service; Policy Analysis and 
Planning Service; the Personnel, Finance, Legal and Property and General Services,
SECTION 7. Attached Agencies. The Office of Ocean and Marine Affairs shall be the Department s 
primary agency tasked with the implementation of the National Marine Policy and the relevant provisions 
of the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea. Any and all use of the ocean shall require the 
assessment and clearance by this Office, which shall rationalize initiatives that will negatively impact the 
fisheries or their habitat. It shall coordinate the implementation of fisheries and ocean sector policies, as 
well as plans and laws for all maritime components. It shall be headed by a Director and shall have the 
following divisions;
(a) Ocean-Use Assessment and Clearance Division;
(b) National and International Ocean Law and Policy Division;
(c) Special Projects Division; and
(d) Technical Division
The Philippine Fisheries Development Authority created by Presidential Decree No. 977 as 
amended, shall be an attached agency of the Department of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources under the 
Office of the Secretary.


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The National Fisheries Research and Development Institute [NFRDI) created by Republic Act No. 
8550, as amended, shall also be an attached agency of the Department of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources, 
to serve as the primary research arm thereof. To ensure the independent and objective implementation of 
its research activities, the NFRDI shall have a separate budget specific to its manpower requirements and 
operations.
SECTION 8. Secretary of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources. The Secretary of Fisheries and Aquatic 
Resources, hereinafter referred to as the Secretary, shall be appointed by the President with the consent 
of the Commission on Appointments, and shall have the following functions;
(a) Supervision and control of the Department and the Bureaus, Offices and Institutes under it;
(b) Authority and responsibility for the performance of the powers and functions of the Department;
(c) Advise the President on the promulgation of policies, rules and regulations, and other issuances 
relative to the sustainable development and management of fisheries and aquatic resources;
(d) Establish management policies and standards for the efficient and effective operation of the 
Department in accordance with the programs of the government;
(e) Promulgate rules, regulations and other issuance in carrying out the Department's mandate, 
objectives, policies, plans, programs and projects; and
(Q Perform such other functions as may be provided by law or assigned by the President.
SECTION 9. Undersecretaries. There shall be three [3) Undersecretaries: the Undersecretary for 
Fisheries Production and Utilization; the Undersecretary for Fisheries Conservation and Management; and 
the Undersecretary for Operations; who shall be appointed by the President upon the recommendation of 
the Secretary. No person shall be appointed Undersecretary of the Department unless he or she is a 
Filipino citizen; at least a degree holder in fisheries, public administration, management, economics, law 
or other equivalent relevant disciplines; has actual experience in administration and management for at 
least ten (10) years; and has general practical knowledge of fisheries.
The Undersecretaries for Fisheries Production and Utilization and for Fisheries Conservation and 
Management shall have the following functions:
(a) Assist the Secretary on the formulation of policies, programs, plans, rules and regulations, as well 
as on the promulgation of Department Order, Administrative Orders, and other issuance with 
respect to his/her area of responsibility;
(b) Exercise supervision and control over the bureaus, offices, services and operating units under 
his/her responsibility;
(c) Coordinate the functions and activities of the units under his/her responsibility with those of the 
other units in the Department;
(d) Liaise with concerned government departments, agencies, and offices to ensure effective 
coordination in the management of the fisheries and aquatic resources sector, and
(e) Perform such other functions as may be provided by law or assigned by the Secretary.
The Undersecretary for Operations shall have the following functions;
(a) Exercise supervision and control over the regional offices;
(b) Coordinate, harmonize and package the policies, plans, programs and projects of all the Bureaus, 
Services, Offices and Units of the Department, for the proper implementation by the regional 
offices;
(c) Advise the Secretary in the formulation of policies, plans and programs as well as on the 
promulgation of rules, regulations and orders with respect to his/her area of responsibility,
(d) Exercise supervision and control over the Fisheries Inspection and Quarantine Service and the 
Bureau of Fishery Economics and Statistics;
(e) Establish linkage with local government units, local fisher folk associations and organizations, 
non-government organization and peoples' organization and supervise support and extension 
services at the regional, provincial and municipal levels; and
(f) Perform other functions as may be provided by law or assigned by the Secretary.
SECTION 10. Organizational Structure of the Department. The functions of the Department 
under this Act shall be carried out by the bureaus, agencies and services created in the Department.
Under the supervision and control of the Undersecretary for Fisheries Production and Utilization,
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the following bureaus, services and offices are hereby created;
fa) Bureau of Aquaculture und Inland Fisheries (BAIF) - The BAIF shall, among others, be responsible 
for; regulating aquaculture operations in line with the International Code of Conduct for 
Aquaculture, promoting the intensification of aquaculture operations in existing areas; 
formulating aquaculture development programs; establishing and maintaining model aquaculture 
farms and ponds; providing technical assistance to cooperatives and fishpond operators in the 
development of a viable fishmeal and fish feeds industry, undertaking inland fishery resources 
evaluation; and recommending management and conservation measures.
The Bureau shall be headed by a Director and shall be composed of the following divisions;
[1) Aquaculture Management and Development Division;
(2) Inland Fisheries Resource Assessment and Conservation Division;
[3) Inland Fishery Development and Extension Division; and the
(4) Environmental Impact Assessment and Monitoring Division
(b) Bureau of Postharvest and Fisheries Product Standards (BPFPS) - The fishery component of the 
Bureau of Agriculture and Product Standards created under Section 61 of RA 8435 shall be 
transferred to the BPFPS which shall formulate and enforce standards of quality in the processing, 
preservation, packaging, labeling, importation, exportation, distribution, and advertising of fishery 
products; conduct research on product standardization, alignment of the local standards with the 
international standards; promote and strengthen semi-processing and handling; and shall have a 
Director, two Assistant Directors - one for Product Standards and Technical Services and the other 
for Industry Compliance and Consumer Protection.
Under the Assistant Director for Product Standards and Technical Services, the following shall be 
Divisions;
(1) Technical Services Division
(2) Fish Processing Technology Division
(3) Standards Development and Promotion Division; and the
(4) Value-added Products Development and Promotion Division
Under the Assistant Director for Industry Compliance and Consumer Protection, the following 
shall be the following divisions;
(1) Industry Compliance Division;
(2) Consumer Affairs Division; and the
(3) Arbitration and Dispute Resolution Division.
(c) Bureau of Fisheries Extension, Training, and Support Service [BFETSS) - The BFETSS shall 
coordinate all development activities with respect to fisheries and aquatic resources technology, 
and shall have a development section for all components including inland and ocean fishing, and 
fishing fears and methods. It shall formulate a National Extension System for Fisheries, which shall 
be composed of three (3) subsystems; the national government subsystem, the local government 
subsystem and the private sector subsystem. It shall deliver the following major services; training 
services; credit and financing support services, business advisory services; demonstration 
services, and information and communication support services through tri-media.
It shall have the following divisions;
(1) Training and Skills Development Division;
(2) Technology Transfer and Demonstration Division;
(3) Business Advisory and Information Support Division; and
(4) Training Centers
(d) The Bureau of Fishing Technology and Capture Fisheries [BFTCF)- The BFTCF shall have direct 
supervision and control over the utilization of marine resources including commercial, 
international and small-scale fisheries. It shall formulate development programs for the expansion 
of the marine fishery industry; explore new fishery resources and development environment 
friendly but efficient fishing gears.
It shall be headed by a Director and two Assistant Directors and shall have the following divisions;
(1) Municipal Fisheries Division;


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(2) Commercial Fisheries Division;
(3) Fishing Technology Division; and
(4) High Seas Fisheries Division
(e) The Fisheries Modernization Credit and Financing Agency [FMCFA) - The FMCFA shall administer 
the funds under Sections 108 to 113 of RA 8550 as well as the fisheries-related provisions of 
Sections 20 to 25 of RA 8435, harmonizing and integrating the two so as to package and deliver 
various credit assistance programs for the following;
(1)
(2)
Fisheries production including processing of fisheries products and inputs;
Acquisition or construction of fishery equipment, machinery, fishing vessels and fishing
gears;
(3) Acquisition of fry, fingerlings, fertilizers, feeds and similar items;
(4) Procurement of fisheries products for storage, trading, processing and distribution;
(5) Construction, acquisition and repair of facilities for production, processing, storage, 
transportation, communication, marketing and such other facilities in support of fisheries; 
economic activities; High Seas Fisheries Division;
(6) Working capital for fisheries graduates to enable them to engage in fisheries-related;
(7) Activities which support marine and freshwater bodies conservation and ecology-enhancing 
activities such as but not limited to mangrove reforestation, promotion of whale shark and 
manta ray and other endangered marine species watching and ecotourism; and the
(8) 
Development of appropriate technology, both in fishery and ancillary industries that are 
ecologically sound, locally source based and labor intensive, based on the requirements of the 
Fisheries and Aquatic Management Councils. Under the supervision and control of the 
Undersecretary for Fisheries Conservation and Management, the following bureaus, units, 
board and services are hereby created.
(f) Marine Resources Consei'vation and Management Bureau - The Marine Resources Conservation 
and Management Bureau is a line bureau tasked with the formulation and implementation of a 
Comprehensive Fisheries Management Plan. It shall undertake marine fishery resources 
assessment and biological and environmental investigations and formulate conservation 
measures. In coordination with the National Fisheries Research and Development Institute, it shall 
determine and establish the carrying capacity and total allowable catch (TAC) for a particular 
resource. It shall set the allowable fishing effort based on the carrying capacity of the resource and 
TAC and accordingly issue commercial fishing licenses and permits.
It shall be headed by a Director and two Assistant Directors and shall have the following divisions;
(1) Coastal Resources Management Division;
(2) Oceanography Division;
(3) Fisheries Licensing Division;
(4) Biotechnology, Biosafety and Bioprospecting Division; and the
(5) Fisheries Law F.nforcement Division -
The Fisheries Law Enforcement Division shall operate the National and Zonal Monitoring 
Surveillance System. It shall establish fishery air and ocean patrol as well as conduct law 
enforcement trainings and recommend to the Secretary the deputation of government 
employees and members of fisher folk associations as fishery guardians. It shall have the 
supervision and control of fishery officers and guardians and the corps of specialists 
responsible for the enforcement of fishery laws, rules and regulations and the efficient 
monitoring and surveillance of fishing activities within Philippine territorial waters. It shall 
have the following units;
i. 
The National and Fisheries Zone Monitoring and Surveillance Center which shall have a 
National Coordinating Center and several Fisheries Zones Monitoring and Surveillance 
Centers. It is further subdivided into the Vessel Tracking and Remote Sensing Office, and 
the Database and Information Center;
ii. 
The Fisheries Air Patrol and Ocean Patrol, and the Regulatory Staff composed of Fishery 
Officers, Deputized Fisheries Guardians and the corps of specialists from the DND, PNP- 
MARICOM, DILG, DFA and DOJ. The Fishery Officers shall have full police powers relative to 
the enforcement of fishery laws, rules and regulations including arrest, search and seizure, 
and shall have the authority to directly file complaints for violation of fishery laws, rules


and regulations.
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(g) The Bureau of Marine Protected Areas and Wildlife (BMPAW) - The BMPAW is a line bureau 
responsible for establishing and maintaining marine protected areas and wildlife sanctuaries. It 
shall lead in the conduct of scientific researches on the proper strategies for the conservation and 
protection of marine wildlife and their habitat including breeding or propagation. It shall also 
establish Marine Wildlife Rescue Centers to take custody of all confiscated, stranded or abandoned 
marine wildlife. It shall have the authority to issue Committee on International Trade on 
Endangered Species [CITES] Permits and shall be both the CITES Management and Scientific 
Authorities of the Philippines. It shall be the lead agency in the fulfillment of the country's 
obligations under CITES, the Convention on Biological Diversity and other treaties and 
international agreements.
It shall have the following divisions:
[1] Marine Protected Areas Division;
[2] Marine Wildlife Rescue Centers;
[3] CITES Management Authority;
[4] Endangered Marine Species Captive Breeding Centers;
[5] Endangered Marine Wildlife Research Center - The Endangered Marine Wildlife Research 
Center shall be the Department's CITES Scientific Authority which shall coordinate with 
academic institutions designated as scientific authorities; and the
[6] Biodiversity Division
The Undersecretary for Operations shall have direct control and supervision over all regional offices 
and the following unists and bureau:
(a) The Fisheries Inspection and Quarantine Inspection Service [FIQIS] - The FIQIS shall have the line 
functions and shall be responsible for the inspection and quarantine of all fishery related activities 
including the conduct of quarantine and quality inspection of all fish and fishery/aquatic products 
corning into and going out of the country by air or water transport to detect the presence of fish 
pest and diseases, the regular inspection of processing plants, storage facilities, abattoirs, as well 
as public and private markets in order to ensure freshness, safety and quality of products and to 
ensure that these products conform to the standards prescribed by the Department; and the 
quarantine of aquatic animals and fishery products determined or suspected to be with fishery 
pest and diseases and prevent the movement or trade from and or into the country of these 
products so prohibited or regulated under existing laws, rules or regulations and international 
agreements of which the Philippine is a State Party.
It shall have the following units:
[1] Regional fishery Inspection and Quarantine Offices;
[2] Cyanide Detection Centers;
[3] Product Standards Enforcement Division; and the
[4] Regional Fish Health Centers
[b] The Bureau of Fishery Economics and Statistics [BFES] - The BFES shall be a line bureau 
responsible for establishing benchmark data on the structure of the fishery industry. It shall 
conduct research and studies on the socio-economics of various fishery operations, collect data on 
fishery production, and establish a network of fishery information, documentation and 
dissemination. It shall have the following divisions:
[1] Fishery Statistics Division;
[2] Socioeconomic Division; and the
[3] Fishery Information Division
SECTION 11. Regional Offices and Functions, The Department shall have such department-wide 
regional offices as may be necessaiy in the administrative regions, each to be headed by a Regional 
Director, who shall be assisted by an Assistant Regional Director, each regional office shall have support 
staffs as may be necessary and four line divisions which shall have the following duties and 
responsibilities;
[a] Provide efficient and effective front-line service to the fishery and aquatic industry sector,
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particularly to the municipal fishermen;
(b] Implement in its area of jurisdiction, the laws, policies, plans, programs, projects, rules and
regulations of the Department;
(c] Coordinate with the Regional Office of the other departments, offices and agencies in the region;
and
(d] Perform other functions as may be provided by law or assigned by the Secretary.
SECTION 12. Appointment and Qualification of Directors. The Directors of the Bureau, Offices 
and Agencies and the Regional Directors shall be appointed by the Secretaty, upon recommendation of the 
Undersecretaries concerned. The Directors must have a degree in law or Master of Science degree in 
marine fisheries, oceanography, fisheries biology, marine biology, fisheries technology, microbiology or 
related sciences, or public administration and at least five years of experience cither in the public or 
private sector, in marine fisheries research and development, or in the fisheries industry.
SECTION 13. Abolition, Transfer and Merger. - The Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources 
reconstituted by Republic Act No 8550, is hereby abolished and its relevant functions, appropriations, 
records, properties, equipment and personnel arc hereby transferred to the Department of Fisheries and 
Aquatic Resources: Provided, however. That no official or employee of the BFAR shall be laid off in the 
implementation of this section.
The National and Municipal Fisheries and Aquatic Resources Management Councils created by 
Republic Act No. 8550 shall he transferred to the Office of the Secretary of the Department of Fisheries 
and Aquatic Resources.
The National Fisheries Research and Development Institute created by Republic Act No. 8550 is 
transferred to the department and shall serve as its principal research arm.
The Philippine Fisheries Development Authority created by Presidential Decree No. 977 including 
its relevant functions, appropriations, records, properties, equipment and personnel, is hereby 
transferred to the Department of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources as an attached agency under the Office 
of the Secretary; Provided, however. That the Secretary of the Department of Fisheries and Aquatic 
Resources shall be the new chairman of the Board: Provided, further, That no official or employee of the 
PFDA shall be laid off in the implementation of this Section.
The Philippine Technical Advisory Committee of the SEAFDEC Aquaculture Department created 
under Executive Order No. 834 dated October 4, 1982, including its relevant functions, appropriations; 
records, properties, equipment and personnel, is hereby transferred and attached to the Department of 
Fisheries and Aquatic Resources: Provided, That no official or employee of the Board shall be laid off m 
the implementation of this section.
The fisheries-related functions of the Laguna Lake Development Authority, including its relevant 
appropriations, records, and personnel, are hereby transferred to the Department of Fisheries and 
Aquatic Resources: Provided, however, that no official or employee of the LLDA shall be laid off in the 
implementation of this Section.
The Philippine Council for Aquatic and Marine Research and Development is abolished and all its' 
personnel, records, appropriations, property and equipment are transferred to the National Fisheries 
Research and Development Institute of the Department of Fisheries and Marine Resources.
The Marine Research and Conservation Division and the different Sections there under and the 
Coastal Environment Program including its relevant appropriations, personnel, records, property and 
equipment, all marine and coastal related projects and programs of the Department of Environment and 
Natural Resources, and all fisheries related functions 'of the DENR under Executive Orders No. 192 and 
292, except the functions of the enforcement of water pollution laws, rules and regulations, are hereby 
transferred to the Department of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources.
The fisheries-related sections of the Bureau of Agricultural Research, the Bureau of Agricultural 
Statistics and the Agricultural Training Institute of the Department of Agriculture are hereby abolished 
and all its personnel, records, appropriations, property and equipment are transferred to the Department 
of Fisheries and Marine Resources.


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SECTION 14. Transitory Provisions. In accomplishing the acts of organizing the department as 
herein prescribed, the following provisions shall be complied with;
a) The transfer of a government unit or agency shall include the functions, Appropriations, funds, 
records, equipment, facilities, chooses in action, rights, other assets and liabilities, if any, of the. 
Transferred unit or agency as well as the personnel thereof, as may be necessary, who shall, 
pending reappointment, continue to perform their respective duties and responsibilities and 
receive the corresponding salaries and benefits in a hold-over capacity.
b) The transfer of functions which results in the abolition of the government unit or agency that has 
exercised them, shall include the appropriations, funds, records, equipment, facilities, chooses in 
action, rights, other assets and personnel as may be necessary to the proper discharge of the 
transferred functions. Its liabilities, if any, shall likewise be treated in accordance with the 
Government Auditing Code and other pertinent laws, rules and regulations. Its personnel shall, 
pending reappointment, continue to perform their duties and responsibilities and receive the 
corresponding salaries and benefits in a holdover capacity.
SECTION 15. Organization Committee. The duly appointed Secretary of Fisheries and Aquatic 
Resources shall immediately create an organization committee which shall study and formulate the 
staffing pattern, qualification standards, and placement of personnel in the Department, its services, 
bureaus, and offices. The Committee shall be composed of representatives from the Department of Budget 
and Management, Civil Service Commission, the fishery industry and the academe.
SECTION 16. Appropriations. For the effective implementation of this Act, the amount of Php5 
billion pesos is hereby appropriated from the funds of the National Treasury and the current budgetary 
appropriations of the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources, including its regional offices, the 
appropriations of the Philippine Fishing Development Authority, and the budgetary provision of the 
Philippine Council for Aquatic and Marine Research Development.
The revenues which the Department will generate from its licensing operations, the fees collected & 
the proprietary services delivered by the Department, and the administrative fines imposed by the 
National Fisheries Regulatory and Adjudication Bond shall constitute the Department's revolving fund 
from which amounts necessary to carry out the special research projects, management and conservation 
programs, staff development programs, and the acquisition of equipment, vessels, and airplanes, 
helicopters of the Monitoring and Surveillance Center shall be taken; Provided, however. That the 
fishpond rentals shall accrue to the National Fisheries Research and Development Institute as provided 
under Section 46 (c) of Republic Act No. 8550. The use of such funds shall be project to COA rules and 
regulations.
SECTION 17. Separability Clause. If any provision of this Act is declared unconstitutional 
inoperative, the other provisions not so declared shall remain in force and effect.
SECTION 18. Repealing Clause. All laws, decrees, orders, rules and regulations or parts thereof 
inconsistent with the Act or the rules and regulations promulgated pursuant thereto are hereby repealed 
or amended accordingly.
SECTION 19. 
Effectivity Clause. - This Act shall take effect fifteen [15) days after publication in 
two [2) national newspapers of general circulation.
Approved,