Republic of the Philippines 
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES 
Quezon City 
TWENTIETH CONGRESS 
First Regular Session 
HOUSE BILL NO. 791 
Introduced by REPRESENTATIVE MERCEDES K. ALVAREZ, MNSA 
EXPLANATORY NOTE 
This bill seeks to establish a central multi-species marine hatchery in the 
Municipality of Cauayan, Province of Negros Occidental. 
For many years, marine resources have been steadily declining due to illegal 
fishing practices. To address this issue, it is crucial to restore these resources by 
establishing multi-species hatcheries in various areas. 
Hatcheries play a vital role in food production. The planned multi-species 
marine hatchery in the Municipality of Cauayan will serve as a central facility for fish 
seed production and the stabilization of aquaculture activities. 
Most importantly, it will contribute to enhancing marine biodiversity and 
promoting environmental conservation. 
In view of the foregoing, the immediate passage of this bill is earnestly sought. 
ATTY. MERCEDES K. ALVAREZ, MNSA 
July 1, 2025
12:57 pm


Republic of the Philippines 
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES 
Quezon City 
TWENTIETH CONGRESS 
First Regular Session 
HOUSE BILL NO. 791 
Introduced by REPRESENTATIVE MERCEDES K. ALVAREZ, MNSA 
AN ACT 
ESTABLISHING A CENTRAL MULTI-SPECIES MARINE HATCHERY IN 
THE MUNICIPALITY OF CAUAYAN, PROVINCE OF NEGROS 
OCCIDENTAL 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 Bureau of 
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Fisheries and Aquatic Resources of the Department of Agriculture (“DA-BFAR”), a 
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central multi-species marine hatchery in the Municipality of Cauayan, Province of 
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Negros Occidental. 
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Sec. 2. Prior to the establishment of the multi-species marine hatchery, the DA-
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BFAR shall conduct a full-scale feasibility study in support of its construction to 
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comply with the requirements of the Department of Budget and Management. 
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Within two (2) years after the construction of the multi-species marine 
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hatchery, the DA-BFAR, through a memorandum of agreement, shall transfer its 
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management to the local government of the Municipality of Cauayan. It shall 
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implement a training and phasing-in program for local government personnel of the 
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Municipality of Cauayan in collaboration with the Central Philippines State University 
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(“CPSU”) on the management and operation of the hatchery. 
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Sec. 3. The DA-BFAR, the local government of the Municipality of Cauayan, and 
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the CPSU, shall conduct continuing research and experimentation on the breeding and 
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production of marine species, especially as they apply to local conditions, to discover 
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new methods and technologies that will enhance the fishing industry. 
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Sec. 4. The Secretary of the Department of Agriculture (“DA”) shall include in 
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the program of the department, the conduct of the feasibility study and the consequent 
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establishment of the central multi-species marine hatchery in the Municipality of 
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Cauayan, Province of Negros Occidental, the funding of which shall be included in the 
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General Appropriations Act. The local government unit concerned shall set aside funds 
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from any available local revenue in an amount deemed appropriate for the 
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operationalization of the hatchery. 
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Sec. 5. Within sixty (60) days from the effectivity of this Act, the Secretary of 
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the DA  and the local government of the Municipality of Cauayan shall issue the rules 
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and regulations on the supervision, operation, monitoring, and the eventual transfer 
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of the management of the central multi-species marine hatchery to the local 
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government of the Municipality of Cauayan, Province of Negros Occidental. 
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Sec. 6. This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days following its publication in the 
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Official Gazette or in a newspaper of general circulation in the Philippines. 
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Approved,