Republic of the Philippines 
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES 
Quezon City, Metro Manila 
NINETEENTH CONGRESS 
First Regular Session 
HOUSE BILL NO. _______ 
Introduced by 
HON. CHRISTOPHERSON “COCO” M. YAP
EXPLANATORY NOTE 
In Republic Act No. 8437, the State declared it a policy “to enable those who belong to 
the agriculture and fisheries sectors to participate and share in the fruits of development 
and growth in a manner that utilizes the nation’s resources in the most efficient and 
sustainable way possible by establishing a more equitable access to assets, income, basic 
and support services and infrastructure”. Under the same law, the State committed to 
empowering the agriculture and fisheries sector to develop and sustain themselves in 
accordance with the principles of a) poverty alleviation and social equity; b) food 
security; c) rational use of resources; d) global competitiveness; e) sustainable 
development; f) people empowerment; and g) protection from unfair competition. 
Fish ports serve as post-harvest facilities that help extend the marketable life of our 
fisherfolk’s catch. They also serve as distribution points for nearby areas and distant 
markets. 
July 29, 2022
11:46 am
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This measure, which was approved by the House and transmitted to the Senate in the 
18th Congress, seeks to empower fisherfolks and fish workers and ensure food security. 
Towards these ends, the establishment of a fish port in the Municipality of Saint 
Bernard, Province of Southern Leyte, is herein proposed. 
Given the foregoing, approval of this measure is earnestly sought. 
CHRISTOPHERSON “COCO” M. YAP 
Representative, Second District of Southern Leyte 


Republic of the Philippines 
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES 
Quezon City, Metro Manila 
NINETEENTH CONGRESS 
First Regular Session 
HOUSE BILL NO. _______ 
Introduced by 
HON. CHRISTOPHERSON “COCO” M. YAP
AN ACT  
ESTABLISHING A FISH PORT IN THE MUNICIPALITY OF SAINT BERNARD, 
PROVINCE OF SOUTHERN LEYTE, 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 
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of Agriculture, through the Philippine Fisheries Development Authority 
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(PFDA), a fish port in the Municipality of Saint Bernard, Province of 
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Southern Leyte. 
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SEC 2. 
Within two (2) years after the construction of the fish port, the 
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PFDA, through a memorandum of agreement, shall transfer its 
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management to the local government unit concerned. It shall implement a 
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training and phasing-in program for local government personnel on the 
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management and operation of the fish port.  
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SEC. 3.  
 
The Secretary of Agriculture shall include in the Department's 
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programs the establishment of the fish port in the Municipality of Saint 
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Bernard, Province of Southern Leyte, the funding of which shall be 
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included in the annual General Appropriations Act. The local government 
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unit concerned shall set aside funds from any available local revenue in an 
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amount deemed appropriate for the operationalization of the fish port.  
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SEC. 4. 
 
Within sixty (60) days from the effectivity of this Act, the Secretary 
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of Agriculture shall issue the rules and regulations on the supervision, 
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operation, monitoring, and the eventual transfer of the fish port to the 
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local government of Saint Bernard. 
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SEC. 5. 
 
This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after its publication in 
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the Official Gazette or a newspaper of general circulation. 
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Approved, 
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