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Republic of the Philippines 
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES 
Quezon City 
TWENTIETH CONGRESS 
First Regular Session 
HOUSE BILL NO. _______ 
Introduced by Representative BELLA VANESSA B. SUANSING 
AN ACT 
ESTABLISHING A MULTI-SPECIES FRESHWATER FISH HATCHERY IN THE 
MUNICIPALITY OF KALAMANSIG, PROVINCE OF SULTAN KUDARAT, AND 
APPROPRIATING FUNDS THEREFOR 
EXPLANATORY NOTE 
The following measure seeks to establish an inland multi-species freshwater hatchery in 
the Municipality of Kalamansig, in the Province of Sultan Kudarat. The topographical 
characteristics of the Municipality of Kalamansig, which sits at the Celebes Sea coastline in 
Southwestern Mindanao, render the municipality ripe for income generation opportunities in all 
practices of agriculture and fisheries, particularly aquaculture.  
The establishment of a local multi-species freshwater hatchery under the supervision and 
management of the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources of the Department of Agriculture 
(DA-BFAR) and the pursuit of research and experimentation in modern and locally adaptive 
breeding and production techniques for freshwater species will help the Municipality of 
Kalamansig in catalyzing the development of aquaculture as an alternative source of municipal 
income. The establishment of a local multi-species freshwater hatchery in the area will also provide 
and diversify livelihood opportunities to local workers, while aiding long-term efforts to assure 
food security not only in the municipality, but in the Province of Sultan Kudarat as a whole. 
The following bill was filed by Hon. Horacio P. Suansing, Jr. in the 19th Congress and was 
approved by the House of Representatives on Third and Final Reading (House Bill No. 9705). The 
same bill was transmitted to the Senate for approval. 
In view of Rule X, Section 48 (3) of the Rules of the House of Representatives, and in view 
of the foregoing, the immediate approval of this bill is earnestly sought. 
BELLA VANESSA B. SUANSING 
         Second District of Sultan Kudarat 
July 28, 2025
8:00 am
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Republic of the Philippines 
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES 
Quezon City 
TWENTIETH CONGRESS 
First Regular Session 
HOUSE BILL NO. _______ 
Introduced by Representative BELLA VANESSA B. SUANSING 
AN ACT 
ESTABLISHING A MULTI-SPECIES FRESHWATER FISH HATCHERY IN THE 
MUNICIPALITY OF KALAMANSIG, PROVINCE OF SUL TAN KUDARAT, 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 
Fisheries and Aquatic Resources of the Department of Agriculture (BFAR-DA), a multi-
species freshwater fish hatchery in the Municipality of Kalamansig, Province of Sultan 
Kudarat. 
SECTION 2. Prior to the establishment of the multi-species freshwater hatchery, the 
DA-BFAR shall conduct a full-scale feasibility study in support of its construction to comply 
with the requirements of the Department of Budget and Management. 
Within two (2) years after the construction of the multi-species freshwater fish hatchery, 
the DA-BFAR, through a Memorandum of Agreement, shall transfer its management to the 
local government of the Municipality of Kalamansig. It shall implement a training and phasing-
in program for local government personnel on the management and operation of the hatchery.  
SECTION 3. The DA-BFAR shall conduct continuing research and experimentation 
on the breeding and production of freshwater fish species, especially as they apply to local 
conditions, to discover new methods and technologies that will enhance the fishing industry. 
SECTION 4. The Secretary of Agriculture shall include in the Department’s programs 
the conduct of the feasibility study and the consequent establishment of the multi-species 
freshwater fish hatchery in the Municipality of Kalamansig, Province of Sultan Kudarat, the 
funding of which shall be included in the 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 hatchery. 
SECTION 5. Within sixty (60) days from the effectivity of this Act, the Secretary of 
Agriculture shall issue the rules and regulations on the supervision, operation, monitoring and 
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the eventual transfer of the management of the multi-species freshwater fish hatchery to the 
local government of the Municipality of Kalamansig, Province of Sultan Kudarat. 
 
SECTION 6.  This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after its publication either in 
the Official Gazette or in a newspaper of general circulation. 
 
 
            Approved,