se
— S
Republic of the Philippines

House of Representatives
Quezon City, Metro Manila

= DATE

Nineteenth Congress
First Regular Session

HOUSE BILL NO. __ 8434

Introduced by Representative LORDAN G. SUAN

EXPLANATORY NOTE

This bill seeks to establish a fish port and cold storage facility in Barangay
Bonbon, City of Cagayan de Oro, Province of Misamis Oriental,

Section 7, Article XIII of the 1987 Constitution provides:

“Section 7. The 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. x x x”

The fish port in the said city shall serve as a distribution center with
efficient post-harvest facilities that meet the industry's requirements for
maintaining quality marine products. Otherwise stated, establishing said fish port
will provide an avenue for trade and consumer access for small-time fisherfolks
in the locality.

On the other hand, based on data from the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic
Resources, approximately 25 to 40 percent of the total fish production in the
Philippines is lost from the distribution chain due to a shortage in post-harvest
equipment like blast freezers and ice-making machines as well as facilities like
cold storage warehouses and fish landing sites.

Establishing cold storage facility with proper equipment will help maintain
the freshness and quality of fishery products and prevent spoilage. Should the

RECEIVED
May 29, 2023



spoilage of catch be lowered, the country would no longer depend on importing
fish from other countries,

The establishment of a fish port and cold storage facility is likewise
consistent with the pertinent provision of Republic Act No. 8550, otherwise
known as “The Philippine Fisheries Code of 1998,” which provides:

“Section 59. Establishment of Post-Harvest Facilities for Fishing
Communities. - The LGUs shall coordinate with the private sector and other
concerned agencies and FARMCs in the establishment of post-harvest facilities
Jor fishing communities such as, but not limited to, municipal fish landing sites,
fish ports, ice plants and cold storage and other fish processing establishments
to serve primarily the needs of municipal fisherfolk: Provided, That such post-
harvest facilities shall be consistent with the Comprehensive Post-harvest and
Ancillary Industries Plan.”

Therefore, the establishment of post-harvest facilities for fishing
communities is necessary and essential in supporting subsistence fisheries in

exercising their rights to benefit from the country’s fisheries resources, especially
in municipal waters,

In view of the foregoing, the immediate passagé of this bill is eamestly

ONAN.

ISt District, Cagayan de Oro City


Ks

©

Republic of the Philippines

House of Representatives
Quezon City, Metro Manila

Nineteenth Congress
First Regular Session

HOUSE BILL NO. __8434

Introduced by Representative LORDAN G. SUAN

AN ACT
ESTABLISHING A FISH PORT AND COLD STORAGE FACILITY IN
BARANGAY BONBON, CITY OF CAGAYAN DE ORO, PROVINCE OF
MISAMIS ORIENTAL 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 and cold storage facility in Barangay Bonbon, City
of Cagayan de Oro, Province of Misamis Oriental.

SEC. 2. Within two (2) years after the construction of the fish port and cold
storage facility, 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 and cold storage facility.

SEC. 3. The Secretary of Agriculture shall include in the Department’s

programs the establishment of the fish port and cold storage facility in Barangay


Bonbon, City of Cagayan de Oro, Province of Misamis Oriental, 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 operationalization of the fish port and
cold storage facility.

SEC. 4. Within sixty (60) days from the effectivity of this Act, the
Secretary of Agriculture shall promulgate the necessary rules and regulations on
the supervision, operation, monitoring, and eventual transfer of the management
of the fish port and cold storage facility in Barangay Bonbon, City of Cagayan
de Oro, Province of Misamis Oriental.

SEC. 5. This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after its publication in
the Official Gazette or in a newspaper of general circulation.

Approved,