Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Quezon City

SIXTEENTH CONGRESS
First Regular Session

House Bill No.

Introduced by Representatives
DIOSDADO MACAPAGAL ARROYO and GLORIA MACAPAGAL ARROYO

AN ACT
CREATING THE SAN MIGUEL BAY-FISHERIES AND AQUATIC RESOURCES
MANAGEMENT AUTHORITY (SMB-FARMA) IN THE PROVINCES OF CAMARINES
SUR AND CAMARINES NORTE, APPROPRIATING FUNDS THEREFOR AND FOR
OTHER PURPOSES

EXPLANATORY NOTE

This bill seeks to establish the San Miguel Bay-Fisheries and Aquatic Resources
Management Authority or the SMB-FARMA in the provinces of Camarines Sur and
Camarines Norte.

The broadest objective or goal of the proposed measure is to promote optimal
management of fisheries and other natural resources of the bay with the following policy
directions:

1) Ecological — Sustainable exploitation and habitat protection;

2) Economic — Maximize benefits from the utilization of fishery resources;

3) Social — Promote equitable distribution of the benefits from fishing and other
uses of the fishing ground by stakeholders;

4) Political - Maximize the cost of management, upgrade the capability of

institutions and streamline management operation by formation of the SMB-

FARMA.


It is the intention of this bill to sustain all efforts and programs to effectively
manage fisheries and aquatic resources and ultimately alleviate fisher folk and other
stakeholders from poverty.

As a fitting complement to Republic Act No. 8550 or the Philippine Fisheries
Code of 1998, there is an urgent need to pass this measure to empower the fisher folk
sector in the area. With the establishment of the SMB-FARMA, it will also strengthen
the existing structure of the Fisheries and Aquatic Resources Management Council
(FARMC) which was created under said republic act and mandated to recommend and
participate in the management, conservation, protection and sustainable development
of the fisheries and aquatic resources of San Miguel Bay.

In view of the foregoing, the immediate passage of this bill is eamestly
recommended.

DIOSDADO-MACAPAGAL ARROYO GLORIA MACAPAGAL ARROYO
Second District, Camarines Sur S¢cond District, Pampanga



Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Quezon City

SIXTEENTH CONGRESS
First Regular Session

House Bill No.__2809

Introduced by Representatives
DIOSDADO MACAPAGAL ARROYO and GLORIA MACAPAGAL ARROYO

AN ACT
CREATING THE SAN MIGUEL BAY-FISHERIES AND AQUATIC RESOURCES
MANAGEMENT AUTHORITY (SMB-FARMA) IN THE PROVINCES OF CAMARINES
SUR AND CAMARINES NORTE, APPROPRIATING FUNDS THEREFOR AND FOR
OTHER PURPOSES

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

SECTION 1. Title. - This Act shall be known as “The San Miguel Bay Fisheries
and Aquatic Resources Management Authority (SMB-FARMA) Act of 2013.”

SECTION 2. Creation of the SMB-FARMA. - There is hereby created an
independent body to be known as the San Miguel Bay Fisheries and Aquatic Resources
Management Authority (SMB-FARMA) which shall be primarily responsible in the
Management, conservation, utilization, protection and sustainable development of the
bay.

SECTION 3. The Department of Agriculture, through the Bureau of Fisheries and
Aquatic Resources, shall take initial steps to demonstrate scientific, technical and
institutional skills in the formation of the SMB-FARMA, adopting the organizational
structure of the Fisheries and Aquatic Resources Council (FARMC) including its
composition under Republic Act No. 8550 or “The Philippine Fisheries Code of 1998.”

SECTION 4. The SMB-FARMA shall consider the San Miguel Bay Integrated
Coastal Fisheries Management Plan as a strategy in managing the bay.


The Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources shall assist in the formulation of
its implementing rules and regulations including but not limited to its technical and
institutional capabilities to fully operationalize the SMB-FARMA.

SECTION 5. There is hereby appointed a Chairman to head the SMB-FARMA to
implement all plans, programs and projects being recommended by the Fisheries and
‘Aquatic Resources Management Council. The FARMC Board shall also act as the
board of the SMB-FARMA.

SECTION 6. Funding Source. - The amount of Fifteen Million Pesos
(P15,000,000.00) is hereby initially authorized for this purpose which shall be sourced
out of the appropriations of the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources and/or other
funds as it may allocate for this purpose. Thereafter, such sums necessary for its
operation and maintenance shall be included in the Annual General Appropriations Act.

SECTION 7. Separability Clause. - If any provision or part hereof, is held invalid
or unconstitutional, the remainder of the Act or the provision not otherwise affected shall
remain valid and subsisting.

SECTION 8. Repealing Clause. ~ All laws, decrees, executive orders, rules and
regulations, and other issuances or parts hereof which are inconsistent with this Act are
hereby repealed or modified accordingly.

SECTION 9. Effectivity Clause. ~ This Act shall take effect immediately after its
publication in at least two (2) newspapers of general circulation.

Approved,