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9 JUL

Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Quezon City, Metro Manila
SIXTEENTH CONGRESS Secret

First Regular Session

House Bill No__18'74

Introduced by HONORABLE ARNULFO F. GO

EXPLANATORY NOTE

‘The bill seeks to appropriate the amount of One Billion Pesos for the operational requirements
of fishermen multi-purpose cooperatives throughout the country.

One of the policies of the Cooperative Code is to foster the creation and growth of cooperatives
as a practical vehicle for promoting self-reliance and hamessing people power towards the attainment
of economic development and social justice. The government shall ensure financial assistance to enable
said cooperatives to develop into viable and responsive economic enterprises and thereby bring about a
strong cooperative movement that is free from any conditions that might infringe upon the autonomy or
organizational integrity of cooperatives.

Moreover, since, its inception, studies show that cooperatives have benefited mostly the middle
or lower middle class. Among the groups who are not enjoying the benefits of cooperative are the
fishermen. Some of them have formed cooperatives but the very limited funds thereof generated from
the members themselves who could contribute only a minimal amount cannot financially help their
members.

The fishermen contribute immensely to the country's economy. Despite their contribution to the
national economy, Filipino fishermen remained in poverty and deprivation, marginalized due to lack of
government support and protection. To show its sincerity in improving the living condition of the
fishermen, the government should assist them in organizing and developing genuine cooperativism.

Furthermore, Section 2 of Article XII of the constitution provides that “Congress may, by law,
allow small scale utilization of natural resources by Filipino citizens, as well as cooperative fish
farming, with priority to subsistence fishermen and fish workers in rivers, lakes, bays, and lagoons. It is
in accordance with the foregoing provisions that this bill is being proposed. Approval of thjs’bill is
therefore urgently sought.



Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Quezon City, Metro Manila

SIXTEENTH CONGRESS

First Regular Session
c
House Bil No, _-18'74

Introduced by HONORABLE ARNULFO F, GO

AN ACT APPROPRIATING THE AMOUNT OF ONE BILLION PESOS (PHP 1,000,000,000.00)
FOR THE OPERATIONAL REQUIREMENTS OF FISHERMEN MULTI-PURPOSE
COOPERATIVES THROUGHOUT THE COUNTRY.

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

SECTION 1: The amount of one billion (PHP 1, 000, 000, 000.00) is hereby appropriated out
of any fund in the National Treasury not otherwise appropriated for the operational requirements of
fishermen multi- purpose cooperatives throughout the country and shall be released to the Department
of Agriculture which shall allocate the same in accordance with the needs of the fishermen cooperative
concerned.

SECTION 2: The Department of Agriculture, the Cooperatives Development Authority and the
Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas shall draw up a joint program for the organization and financing of the
fishermen multi-purpose cooperatives. The joint programs shall be geared towards the beneficiaries
gradual assumption of full ownership and management control of the fishermen cooperatives within ten
(10) years from the date of registration of said cooperatives.

SECTION 3: This Act shall take effect upon its approval.

Approved.