Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE 0F REPRESENTATIVES
Quezon City, Metro Manila
NINETEENTH CONGRESS
Second Regular Session
HOUSEB|LLNo.9858
Introduced by Representative Ivan Howard A. Guintu
EXPLANATORY NOTE
Section 7, Article XIII of the 1987 Constitution provides that "[t]he State shall protect
the rights of subsistence fishermen, especially of local communities, to the preferential use of
local marine and fishing resources, both inland and offshore. It shall provide support to such
fishermen through appropriate technology and research, adequate financial, production, and
marketing assistance, and other services."
Despite  this  constitutional  provision,  our  fisherfolks  remain  to  have  the  highest
poverty incidence among the basic sectors in 2021. One of the reasons for this is the loss of
potential  income  of` fisherfolks  due  to  the  losses  incurred during the post-harvest ol` fishes.
Around  25-40%  of fishes  that  are  catched  end  up  spoiling  due  to  lack  of post-harvest
facilities and equipment.
This  bill  seeks  to  establish  a  fish  port  in  the  municipality  of Pontevedra  in  the
Province of Capiz. Poutevedra boasts a rich fishing ground that can greatly benefit froln the
establishment  of the  fish  port.  This  will  further  bolster  the  productivity  of the  fisheries
industry  in  the  area  by  reducing  post-harvest  losses  due to wastage and spoilage, thereby
uplifting the livelihood of local subsistence fisherfolks.
Tn view of this, early passage of this bill is sought.


Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Quezon City, Metro Manila
NINETEENTH CONGRESS
Second Regular Session
HOUSE B|LLNo.  9858
Introduced by Representative Ivan Howard A. Guintu
AN ACT
ESTABLISHING A FISH PORT IN THE MUNICIPALITY 0F PONTEVEDRA,
PROVINCE OF CAPIZ, 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 Department of
Agriculture, through the Philippine Fisheries Development Authority (PFDA), a fish port in
the Municipality of Pontevedra, Province of Capiz.
SEC.  2.  Within  two  (2)  years  after  the  construction  of the  fish  port,  the  PFDA,
through a memorandum of agreement, shall transfer its management to the local government
unit concerned.  It shall implement a training and phasing-in program for local government
personnel on the management and operation of the fish port.
SHC. 3. The Secretary of Agriculture shall include in the Department's programs the
establishment of the fish port, the funding of which shall be included in the annual General
Appropriations  Act.  The  local  government  unit  concerned  shall  set  aside  funds  from  any
available local revenue in an amount deemed appropriate for the operaJiionaiizalion of the Irish
port.
SEC.  4.  Within  sixty  (60)  days  from  the  passage  of this  Act,  the  Secretary  of
Agriculture  shall issue the rules and regulations on the supervision and monitoring, and the
transfer or withdrawal by the PFDA of the fish port.
SEC. 5. This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days from its publication in the Official
Gazette or in a newspaper of general circulation.
Apt)roved>