REP I oN
RECEIVED

Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES,
Quezon City

TWENTIETH CONGRESS
First Regular Session

House Bill No, 124

Introduced by HONORABLE CHRISTOPHER SHEEN P. GONZALES
HONORABLE MARCELINO C. LIBANAN

EXPLANATORY NOTE

Eastern Samar is a coastal province with vast marine resources, making fishing one of the
primary livelihoods of its residents. Barangay Tawagan in the Municipality of Oras is
strategically located along the coastline, where many small-scale fishermen operate. However,
despite the abundance of marine resources, the lack of infrastructure, particularly a fishport and
cold storage facility, hampers the full potential of the local fishing industry. Fishermen face
challenges in storing and preserving their catch, leading to significant post-harvest losses and
reduced income.

The establishment of a fishport and cold storage plant will significantly reduce post-
harvest losses by providing proper facilities for storing and preserving fish. This will enable
fishermen to maintain the quality and freshness of their catch, leading to higher market prices
and increased income.

By supporting the local fishing industry, the proposed infrastructure will contribute to the
economic upliftment of the community, generating new opportunities for small-scale fishermen,
traders, and other stakeholders in the fishing value chain.

The fishport will serve as a centralized location for the collection, processing, and
distribution of fish and other marine products. This will improve market access for local
fishermen, allowing them to sell their produce at fair prices, both locally and in nearby regions.
With proper storage facilities, fishermen can diversify their operations, including processing and
value-adding activities, thereby creating more sustainable livelihoods. This will also encourage
responsible fishing practices as fishermen will no longer be pressured to catch large quantities in
a short time to avoid spoilage.


The operation and maintenance of the fishport and cold storage facility will create direct
and indirect employment opportunities for local residents, contributing to poverty reduction and
improved quality of life. Also, by preserving fish and extending its shelf life, the cold storage
facility will help ensure a stable supply of fish for local consumption and for markets beyond
Eastern Samar. This contributes to the country's food security efforts.

The improved efficiency and productivity of the fishing industry in Oras will contribute
to the national economy by increasing the volume and quality of fish available for domestic
consumption and export.

The establishment of a fishport and cold storage plant in Barangay Tawagan, Oras,
Eastern Samar, is a strategic intervention aimed at unlocking the potential of the local fishing
industry. This infrastructure will reduce post-harvest losses, improve market access, create jobs,
and support sustainable livelihoods for local fishermen. Furthermore, it will promote community
growth and contribute to the national economy. Given these substantial benefits, the proposed
bill is a crucial step toward the economic development and well-being of the people of Oras and
the surrounding areas. The passage of this bill is therefore highly recommended.

This was filed in the 19" Congress of the Philippines. This bill is still pending in the
Committee on Rules and it was included in the Official Business on 04 June 2025.

MAR . LIBANAN
Representative
4Ps Partylist



Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Quezon City

TWENTIETH CONGRESS
First Regular Session

124

House Bill No.‘

Introduced by HONORABLE CHRISTOPHER SHEEN P. GONZALES
HONORABLE MARCELINO C. LIBANAN

AN
ACT ESTABLISHING A FISHPORT WITH ICE PLANT AND COLD STORAGE
FACILITIES IN BARANGAY TAWAGAN, MUNICIPALITY OF ORAS, IN THE
PROVINCE OF EASTERN SAMAR, AND APPROPRIATING FUNDS THEREFOR

Be it enacted by the Senate and the House of Representatives of the Republic of the Philippines
in Congress assembled:

SECTION 1. This Act shall be known as the “The Oras Fish Port Act”.

SECTION 2, There shall be established, under the supervision of the Department of Agriculture,
through the Philippine Fisheries Development Authority (PFDA), a fishport with ice plant and
cold storage facilities in Barangay Tawagan, Municipality of Oras, Province of Eastern Samar.

SECTION 3. Within two (2) years after the construction of the fishport with ice plant and cold
storage facilities, the PFDA, through a Memorandum of Agreement shall transfer its
management to the local government unit concerned. It shall implement a training and phasing-
in-program for the local government unit personnel on the management and operation of the
fishport with ice plant and cold storage facilities.

SECTION 4. The Secretary of the Department of Agriculture shall include in the Department's
programs the establishment of the fishport with ice plant and cold storage facilities, the funding
of which shall be included in the General Appropriations Act. The local government unit
concerned shall set aside funds from ant available local revenue the amounts necessary for the
operation of the facility.



SECTION 5. Within sixty (60) days from the effectivity of this Act, the Secretary of the
Department of Agriculture shall issue the rules and regulations on the supervision, monitoring
and the transfer to the local government unit concerned by the PFDA of the said fishport.

SECTION 6. This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after its publication in the Official
Gazette or in a newspaper of general circulation.

Approved,