——
| cya REPRESENTATIVES |

Republic of the Philippi: les RCCENVED {
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES, | / M6 2016

Quezon City, Metro Manil: —— En \

SEVENTEENTH CONGRESS ©
First Regular Session |

EXPLANATORY NOTE

This bill seeks to establish in the Province of Aklan,
a Provincial Fisheries and Aquatic Resources Training,
Development, and Product Center, under the supervision
of the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources of the
Department of Agriculture (BFAR-DA). The construction
of the Center is part of the government’s commitment to
deliver precise interventions and promote inclusive

growth in the fishery sector.

The Bureau. of Fisheries and Aquatic
Resources (BFAR), is an agency of the Philippine
government under the Department of Agriculture that is
responsible for the development, improvement,
management and conservation of the Philippines’

fisheries and aquatic resources.


The Province of Aklan is gifted with aquatic
resources and fishery is currently the dominant
economic activities, aside from tourism. The neighboring
Sibuyan Sea makes Aklan a rich fishing area. Annual
harvest is estimated at 13,814 metric tons. The province
has 11 coastal municipalities where different species of
fish and other marine resources like seaweed and oysters
are abundant. The culture of prawns, crabs and milkfish
(bangus) is a major activity. Prawns and crabs are the
major exports of Aklan. BFAR recognizes the need to
uplift the plight of fisherfolk in the province.

In fact, the first community fish landing center
(CFLC) in Western Visayas was launched in Barangay
Bugtongbato, Ibajay town, recently. The P2.8-million
facility will serve as a hub for landing and trading of fish
and other seafood products, and a venue for skills
trainings, and processing, value-adding, and
conservation and protection of fishery resources. The
project was funded by BFAR and the local government of
Ibajay under BFAR’s Targeted Action to Reduce Poverty
and Generate Economic Transformation in the Fishery
Sector program. It was one of the 252 CFLCs that BFAR
plans to put up nationwide to improve the economic

condition of fisherfolk communities.


Other areas in Aklan where BFAR aims to build
such centers are Malay, Altavas, Makato, Kalibo,
Buruanga, and New Washington. These would house
post-harvest equipment and tools that will enable
fisherfolk to preserve the good quality of their fish and
fishery products, which they could sell for a higher price.
Local consumers will also benefit from the fish landing
centers as they will have better access to safe and quality
fishery commodities. The facilities will also be opened as
venues for skills trainings on disaster-resilient fisheries-
based livelihoods and resource management such as
monitoring fish catch and stock assessment. However,

these facilities are not sufficient training centers.

At present, there is no training center for fisheries
and aquatic resources, its development, management
and conservation despite the advent of Republic Act 8550
(The Philippine Fisheries Code of 1998). Likewise, RA
8435 (Agriculture and Fisheries Modernization Act of
1997) could not be fully realized in the province because
no Center has the optimum goal in modernizing the
fisheries sector of the country in order to enhance their
profitability, and prepare said sector for the challenges of
the globalization through an adequate, focused and

rational delivery of necessary support services. This


Center will go alongside the fish landing centers all over

Aklan for the fisherfolk of the whole province.

Immediate approval of this bill is earnestly sought.

A Ama

ENGR. CARLITO “Lito” MARQUEZ &


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

SEVENTEENTH CONGRESS
First Regular Session

HOUSE BILL No. _ 3063

AN ACT
ESTABLISHING A PROVINCIAL FISHERIES AND
AQUATIC RESOURCES TRAINING,
DEVELOPMENT, AND PRODUCT CENTER IN THE
PROVINCE OF AKLAN, AND APPROPRIATING
FUNDS THEREFOR, AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES

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

SECTION 1. There shall be established in the
Province of Aklan, a Provincial Fisheries and Aquatic
Resources Training, Development, and Product Center,
under the supervision of the Bureau of Fisheries and
Aquatic Resources of the Department of Agriculture
(BFAR-DA).

The BFAR shall collaborate with, and tap the
expertise, resources and facilities of, the state
universities and colleges in the province in the
establishment, management and operation of the center.


SECTION 2. The provincial center shall, at a
minimum, provide onsite and online access to the
following:

(a) Applied technology for innovative and sustainable
fish breeding and hatchery of high-value marine
species;

(b) Training activities and technical assistance to
provide sustainable development and production
support and education to fisherfolk;

(c) Technical assistance for sustainable production
and environmentally sound postharvest development
services;

(d) Technical assistance in the establishment,
operation, enhancement and maintenance of
government-operated marine sanctuaries, seaweed
nurseries, seaweed processing plants, and marine-
culture park facilities;

(e) Catalog, display, and promote local fisheries and
aquatic products, and provide marketing and
product distribution assistance to fisherfolk; and

(f) Database of available insurance and credit
assistance for fisherfolk, and local and international
grants and scholarships for fisheries and aquatic
resources studies and research,

SECTION 3.The Secretary of Agriculture shall
include in the Department’s programs the establishment
of the Provincial Fisheries and Aquatic Resources
Training, Development, and Product Center, the funding
of which shall be included in the annual General
Appropriations Act. Apart from the fund from the GAA,


the local government units concerned shall set aside
from any available local revenue an amount deemed
appropriate to support the operation of the center.

SECTION 4. Separability Clause. - If, for any reason,
any provision of this Act is declared unconstitutional or
invalid, other provisions hereof which are not affected
thereby shall continue to be in full force and effect.

SECTION 5. Repealing Clause. - All laws, decrees,
executive orders, proclamation and administrative
regulations, or parts thereof inconsistent herewith are
hereby repealed or modified accordingly.

SECTION 6. Effectivity Clause. - This Act shall take
effect immediately after its publication in at least two (2)
national newspapers of general circulation or in the
Official Gazette.

Approved,