Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Quezon City

Nineteenth Congress
First Regular Session

3033

HOUSE BILL NO._

INTRODUCED BY REPRESENTATIVE ADRIAN MICHAEL A. AMATONG

EXPLANATORY NOTE

Sibuco is a coastal municipality in the Province of Zamboanga del Norte
with a population of 36,049 as of the 2020 census. It faces the Sulu Sea and
thus, fishing is one of the major livelihoods of its residents.

Fishing sardines is the focus of the Sibuco fishermen. However, there are
other species of fish that are caught in the Sulu Sea such as tuna, red
grouper, Salay-salay Ginto (scad), and cuttlefish, which are regarded as “high-
valued species” because of its greater price in the market. To promote fishing
of “high-valued species” and to help the marginal fishermen boost their
income, the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources together with the
Southern Philippines Deep Sea Fishing Association, Inc. (SOPHIL) has already
distributed free fishing gears for *high-valued species” to some fishermen in
the area. Despite this commendable action, however, another more pro-active
measure to promote “high-valued species fishing” is to add to the supply of
high-valued species in the Sulu Sea by using scientilic and research-based
methods.

Thus, this bill seeks to establish a multi-species marine hatchery in the
Municipality of Sibuco in the Province of Z: mboanga del Norte. A multi-species
hatchery will address the problem of low-income fishing of the residents and
will increase the supply of “high-valued species” in the Sulu Sea, thereby
contributing to the economic growth of Sibuco and nearby coastal areas and to
the livelihood of the residents. As such, the policy of the State to provide
support to such fishermen through appropriate technology and research,
adequate financial, production, and marketing assistance, and other services,
under the Constitution, will be promoted.

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

AD LA. AMATONG


Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Quezon City

Nineteenth Congress
First Regular Session

3093

HOUSE BILL NO.

INTRODUCED BY REPRESENTATIVE ADRIAN MICHAEL A. AMATONG

AN ACT ESTABLISHING A MULTI-SPECIES MARINE HATCHERY IN THE
MUNICIPALITY OF SIBUCO, PROVINCE OF ZAMBOANGA DEL NORTE,
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 and Aquatic Resources of the Department of Agriculture (BFAR-
DA), a multi-species marine hatchery in the Municipality of Sibuco, Province of
Zamboanga del Norte.

SEC. 2. Prior to the establishment of the multi marine hatchery, the
BFAR-DA shall conduct a full-scale feasibility study in support of its
construction to comply with the requirements of the Department of Budget
and Management.

Within two (2) years after the construction of the multi-species marine
hatchery, the BFAR-DA, through a memorandum of agreement, shall transfer
ils management to the local government of the Municipality of Sibuco. It shall
implement a training and phasing-in program for local government personnel
on the management and operation of the multi-species hatchery.

SEC. 3. The BFAR-DA shall conduct continuing research and experimentation
on the breeding and production of marine species, especially as they apply to
local conditions, to discover new methods and technologies that will enhance
the fishing industry.

SEC. 4. The Secretary of Agriculture shall include in the Department's
program the conduct of the feasibility study and the consequent establishment
of the multi-species marine hatchery in the Municipality of Sibuco, Province of
Zamboanga del Norte, the funding of which shall be included in the 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. 5. 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 multi-species marine hatchery to
the local government of the Municipality of Sibuco.

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

Approved,