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Republic of the Philippines 
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES 
Quezon City, Metro Manila 
TWENTIETH CONGRESS 
First Regular Session 
HOUSE BILL NO. 970 
Introduced by Representative Ivan Howard A. Guintu 
EXPLANATORY NOTE 
Section 7, Article XIII of the 1987 Constitution provides that “The State shall protect the rights 
of subsistence fishermen, especially of local communities, to the preferential use of local marine and 
fishing resources, both inland and offshore. It shall provide support to such fishermen through 
appropriate technology and research, adequate financial, production, and marketing assistance, and 
other services.” 
Aquaculture and fisheries is one of the main industries in the province of Capiz. According to 
the Philippine Statistics Authority. it is observed that the volume of production of Marine Municipal 
Fisheries in the Province of Capiz has decreased to 5,877 metric tons in 2024, from 9,464 metric tons 
in 2023. Furthermore, the volume of production of Inland Municipal Fisheries decreased to 711 metric 
tons from 1,395 metric tons in 2023. In order to diversify the production of the fishing industry in the 
Province of Capiz, there is a need for the establishment of a freshwater multi-species hatchery. 
This bill seeks to establish a freshwater multi-species hatchery in the Municipality of 
Pontevedra, Province of Capiz. It shall be under the supervision of the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic 
Resources of the Department of Agriculture (BFAR-DA). The BFAR-DA shall transfer the 
management of the hatchery facilities to the local government unit within two years and it shall also 
implement a training and phasing-in program for local government personnel on the management and 
operation of the hatchery. 
The establishment of a freshwater multi-species hatchery will bolster the productivity of the 
aquaculture and fisheries industry in Capiz and provide more opportunities to local fisherfolks and 
coastal communities.  
In view of the foregoing, early passage of this bill is sought. 
IVAN HOWARD A. GUINTU 
Representative, 1st District of Capiz 
July 1, 2025
5:44 pm


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Republic of the Philippines 
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES 
Quezon City, Metro Manila 
TWENTIETH CONGRESS 
First Regular Session 
HOUSE BILL NO. 970 
Introduced by Representative Ivan Howard A. Guintu 
AN ACT 
ESTABLISHING A FRESHWATER MULTI-SPECIES HATCHERY IN THE 
MUNICIPALITY OF PONTEVEDRA, PROVINCE OF CAPIZ, AND 
APPROPRIATING FUNDS THEREFOR 
Be it enacted by the Senate and the House of Representatives of the Philippines in Congress 
assembled: 
SECTION 1.  There shall be established, under the supervision of the Bureau of Fisheries 
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and Aquatic Resources of the Department of Agriculture (BFAR-DA), a freshwater multi-species 
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hatchery in the Municipality of Pontevedra, Province of Capiz. 
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SEC. 2. The BFAR-DA shall, within two (2) years after the establishment of the freshwater 
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multi-species hatchery, transfer the management of the same to the local government concerned 
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through a memorandum of agreement. The BFAR-DA shall implement a training and phasing-in 
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program for local government personnel on the management and operation of the hatchery. 
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SEC. 3. The Secretary of Agricultures shall include in the Department’s programs the 
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establishment of the freshwater multi-species hatchery in the Municipality of Pontevedra, Province 
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of Capiz, the funding of which shall be included in the annual General Appropriations Act. The 
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local government unit concerned shall set aside funds from any available local revenue in an 
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amount deemed appropriate for the operationalization of the hatchery. 
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SEC. 4. Within sixty (60) days from the effectivity of this Act, the Secretary of Agriculture 
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shall issue the rules and regulations on the supervision, operation, monitoring, and the eventual 
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transfer of the management of the freshwater multi-species hatchery to the local government of 
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Pontevedra. 
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SEC. 5. This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days from its publication in the Official 
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Gazette or in at least two (2) newspapers of general circulation. 
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Approved,