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Republic of the Philippines 
House of Representatives 
Constitution Hills, Batasan Complex, Quezon City 
NINETEENTH CONGRESS 
First Regular Session 
House Bill No. ____________ 
Introduced by Representatives ALFEL M. BASCUG and EDDIEBONG G. PLAZA 
AN ACT ESTABLISHING A FRESHWATER FISH HATCHERY IN THE 
MUNICIPALITY OF TALACOGON, PROVINCE OF AGUSAN DEL 
SUR, AND APPROPRIATING FUNDS THEREFOR 
Explanatory Note 
The 1987 Philippine Constitution provides that, “The State shall promote 
a just and dynamic order that will ensure the prosperity and independence of the 
nation and free the people from poverty through policies that will promote full 
employment, opportunities and improved quality of life for all.” This measure is 
a major step towards the fulfillment of this mandate.  
A freshwater aquaculture is intended to be established in the municipality 
of Talacogon in Agusan del Sur. The municipalities of Bunawan, Loreto, and 
Talacogon in Agusan del Sur are blessed with bodies of water teeming with 
freshwater produce.  With this, the provincial government has capitalized in 
developing aquaculture industry in various municipalities of the province to 
intensify and develop an approach towards innovative propagation of its 
freshwater resources. In fact, under the Provincial Agriculture Office’s flagship 
program of Intensified and Sustainable Development of Aquaculture (ISDA), the 
provincial government aims to increase fresh water fish production by promoting 
fish cage and fish pond technology. With the program, fish farmers benefit from 
technical assistance and supply of quality fingerlings.  
July 1, 2022
8:47 am
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The Municipality of Talacogon is seen as the appropriate location site of 
the proposed freshwater aquaculture center in the province. Being hailed as the 
cradle of early civilization of the province, Talacogon is one of the largest 
municipalities in the province channeling the flow of the Agusan River creating 
lakes around the surrounding areas.   
This initiative aims to improve the economic competitiveness of the 
province by maximizing its potential stakeholders in the grassroots—the fish 
farmers. Under the existing program of the agriculture sector in the province, the 
establishment of new strategic municipal hatcheries has helped meet farmers' 
needs. Hence, it is critically important to advance our agricultural ideals for 
research and breeding activities to further develop what has been started. The 
establishment of this Freshwater Aquaculture Center in Talacogon, Agusan del 
Sur is truly a necessity and a step to right direction.  
Notably, this measure has been previously filed in the 18th Congress. The 
House of Representatives approved it on 3rd Reading and the bill had been duly 
transmitted to the Senate.  
The immediate passage of this bill is hereby earnestly sought. 
              ALFEL M. BASCUG 
EDDIEBONG G. PLAZA 
 1ST District, Agusan del Sur 
2nd District, Agusan del Sur 


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Republic of the Philippines 
House of Representatives 
Constitution Hills, Batasan Complex, Quezon City 
NINETEENTH CONGRESS 
First Regular Session 
House Bill No. ____________ 
Introduced by Representatives ALFEL M. BASCUG and EDDIEBONG G. PLAZA 
AN ACT ESTABLISHING A FRESHWATER FISH HATCHERY IN THE 
MUNICIPALITY OF TALACOGON, PROVINCE OF AGUSAN DEL 
SUR, 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 a freshwater fish hatchery in the 
Municipality of Talacogon, Province of Agusan del Sur under the supervision of 
the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources of the Department of Agriculture 
(BFAR-DA).  
SECTION 2.   The BFAR-DA shall transfer the management of the 
freshwater fish hatchery to the local government of Talacogon within two (2) years 
after its construction through a memorandum of agreement. It shall implement a 
training and phasing-in program for local government personnel on the 
management and operation of the hatchery.  
The BFAR-DA shall conduct continuing research and experimentation on 
freshwater aquaculture, especially as they apply to local conditions, to discover 
new methods and technology that shall benefit the freshwater fisheries industry.  
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SECTION 3.  The Secretary of Agriculture shall include in the 
Department’s programs the establishment of the freshwater fish hatchery in the 
Municipality of Talacogon, Province of Agusan del Sur, the funding of which 
shall be included in the annual General Appropriations Act. The local government 
unit shall set aside funds from any available local revenue in  an amount deemed 
appropriate for the operationalization of the hatchery. 
 
SECTION 4.  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 the eventual transfer of the management of the 
freshwater fish hatchery to the local government of Talacogon.  
 
SECTION 5.  This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after its 
publication in the Official Gazette or in a newspaper of general circulation. 
 
 
 
 
Approved,