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

TH CONGRESS
irst Regular Session

3264

House Bill No.

Introduced by Representative Dante S. Garcia

EXPLANATORY NOTE

This bill seeks to establish a multi-species marine hatchery in the Municipality of Sto.
Tomas, Province of La Union.

Capture fishing and aquaculture are important sources of nutrition and livelihood for the
residents and for the economy of La Union. It is therefore vital that there should be a sustainable
supply of fish to improve the economic lot of the people

According to the Philippine Statistics Authority, aquaculture posted the largest
contribution to the fisheries output in the province in 2021 with a share of 6,979.41 metric tons or
46.32 percent of the total fisheries production of the province, In 2021, the top five species in
terms of volume of production were: milkfish (bangus) with 5,996.99 metric tons (39.80 percent
share): tilapia with 671.91 metric tons (4.46 percent share), oyster with 665.79 metric tons (4.42
percent share); threadfin bream (bisugo) with 608.53 metric tons (4.04 percent share); and
slipmouth (sapsap) with 559.17 metric tons (3.71 percent share).

The establishment of a multi-species marine hatchery will enhance seafood production and
spur the aquaculture development of the fisherfolk along the coastal communities.

In view of the foregoing, approval of this bill is earnestly sought

fs District, La Union


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

NINETEENTH CONGRESS
First Regular Session

House Bill No. 3264 _

Introduced by Representative Dante S. Garcia

AN ACT
ESTABLISHING A MULTI-SPECIES MARINE HATCHERY IN THE MUNICIPALITY OF
STO. TOMAS, PROVINCE OF LA UNION, AND APPROPRIATING FUNDS THEREFOR

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

SECTION I. There shall be established, under the supervision of the Bureau of Fisheries and
Aquatic Resources of the Department of Agriculture (DA-BFAR), a multi-species marine hatchery in the

Municipality of Sto, Tomas, Province of La Union.

SEC. 2. Within wo (2) years afler the establishment of the multi-species marine hatchery, the
DA-BFAR, through a memorandum of agreement, shall transfer the management of the hatchery to the
local government unit (LGU) concerned. It shall implement a training and phasing-in program for local

government personnel on the management and operation of the hatchery.

SEC. 3. The Secretary of Agriculture shall include in the Department's programs the
establishment of the multi-species marine hatchery in the Municipality of Sto. Tomas, Province of La
Union, the funding of which shall be included in the annual General Appropriations Act. The local
government unit concemed shall set aside funds from any available local revenue in an amount deemed

appropriate for the operationalization of the hatchery.
Sec. 4. Within sixty (60) days from the passage of this Act, the Secretary of Agriculture shall
issue the rules and regulations on the establishment, supervision, monitoring, and the transfer of the

management of the multi-species marine hatchery to the local government unit concerned.

Sec. 5. ‘This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after its publication in the Oficial Gazette or in

‘a newspaper of general circulation

Approved,