QEPRES, DON

Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES RECEIVED ”)\
Quezon City id owen seas
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‘TWENTIENTH CONGRESS \e eoriam g
45 GY
First Regular Session S

HOUSE BILL NO. 4292

Introduced by the Honorable ANIELA BIANCA N. TOLENTINO

EXPLANATORY NOTE

The Constitutional mandate on national economy and patrimony stated that:
"The goals of the national economy are a more equitable distribution of opportunities,
income, and wealth; a sustained increase in the amount of goods and services
produced by the nation for the benefit of the people; and an expanding productivity as
the key to raising the quality of life for all, espedally the underprivileged” (Section 1,
Article XII).

The town of Naic in the Province of Cavite lies in the shorelines that connect to
Manila Bay. The people of Naic, including nearby towns, can be given the opportunity to
further increase their incomes with the establishment of an aquaculture center in their
town. As such, this representation seeks for the passing of a legislation that will create
the Naic Aquaculture Center (NAC).

When passed into law, NAC is envisioned to conduct continuing research and
experimentation on the breeding and production of saltwater and freshwater species,
especially as they apply to local conditions, to discover new methods and technology
that shall benefit the freshwater and saltwater aquaculture industry, including the
protection of the environment.

The creation of NAC will definitely improve the fishing industry, not just in Naic
but also in other nearby towns in Cavite. NAC will serve as a catalyst in bringing better
lives for Filipinos in Cavite. The Philippines was gifted with natural resources and we
should take steps in maximizing this blessing but at the same time ensure that there
will be mechanisms to ensure its proper management for sustainability. The creation of
NAC envisions a balance in the economic benefits from aquaculture and the need for a
system that will ensure sustainability and environment protection.

For the Filipino people, the approval of the bill is earnestly sought.


Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Quezon City
TWENTIENTH CONGRESS
First Regular Session

HOUSE BILL NO. _4292_

Introduced by the Honorable ANIELA BIANCA D. TOLENTINO

AN ACT ESTABLISHING THE NAIC AQUACULTURE CENTER,
FRESHWATER AND SALTWATER MULTI-SPECIES HATCHERY
AND RESEARCH CENTER IN THE MUNICIPALITY OF NAIC, PROVINCE OF
CAVITE, AND APPROPRIATING FUNDS THEREFOR

Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the Philippine Congress
Assembled:

SECTION 1. Short Title. This act shall be known as the "Nac Aquaculture Center
(NAC) Act.”

SECTION 2. Establishment of NAC. There shall be established, under the
supervision of the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources of the Department of
Agriculture (BFAR-DA), a freshwater and saltwater multispecies hatchery and research
center, to be known as the Naic Aquaculture Center (NAC) in the Municipality of Naic,
Province of Cavite.

SECTION 3. Goals and Objectives of NAC. The Naic Aquaculture Center and the
BFAR-DA shall conduct continuing research and experimentation on the breeding and
production of saltwater and freshwater species, especially as they apply to local
conditions, to discover new methods and technology that shall benefit the freshwater
and saltwater aquaculture industry, including the protection of the environment.

SECTION 4. NAC Advisory Council. There shall be established a Local Advisory
Council that shall provide policy direction for NAC and facilitate the exchange of
information among the Center and the stakeholders. The Council shall be composed of
the BFAR Director for Region IV-A as Chairperson, the Governor of the Province of
Cavite as Co-chairperson, the President of the Municipal Mayors League of Cavite, the
Mayor of the Municipality of Naic, and three (3) representatives from the local fisheries
sector to be appointed by the Governor as members.


SECTION 5. Promotion of Aquaculture Industry. NAC shall disperse fry and finger
lings in public bodies of water in such intervals as may be recommended by the Local
Advisory Council. It may also sell such fry and fingerlings to individual or organized fish
farmers at prevailing market prices.

SECTION 6. Transfer of Management. The BFAR-DA shall transfer the management
of NAC to the local government of the Municipality of Naic within five (5) years after its
establishment through a memorandum of agreement. The BFAR-DA shall implement a
training and phasing-in program for local government personnel on the management
and operation of NAC.

SECTION 7. Funding. The Secretary of Agriculture shall include in the Department’s
programs the establishment of NAC in the Municipality of Naic, Province of Cavite, the
funding of which shall be included in the annual General Appropriations Act. For the
first five (5) years of operation, the Department of Agriculture shall move to appropriate
the amount of Two Hundred Million (P200,000,000.00) annually to NAC. The local
government of the Municipality of Naic shall also set aside funds from any available
local revenue in an amount deemed appropriate for the operationalization of NAC.

SECTION 8. Implementing Rules and Regulations. Within sixty (60) days from
the approval of this Act, the Secretary of Agriculture, in coordination with the local
governments of the Province of Cavite and the Municipality of Naic, shall issue the rules
and regulations to implement this Act. Such rules and regulations shall include the
breeding, propagation, and distribution of fries and fingerlings, the supervision,
monitoring, and the eventual transfer of NAC to the local government of the
Municipality of Naic.

SECTION 9. Repealing Clause. All other laws, acts, presidential decrees, executive
orders, issuances, presidential proclamations, rules and regulations or parts thereof,
which are contrary to and inconsistent with any provision of this Act, are hereby
repealed, amended or modified accordingly.

SECTION 10. Separa!
unconstitutional, the remai
remain in force and effect

Clause. If any portion or provision of this Act is declared
ler of this Act or any provision not affected thereby shall

SECTION 11. Effectivity. This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after its
publication in the Official Gazette or in any newspaper of general circulation.

Approved,