Republic of the Philippines 
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES 
Constitution Hills, Quezon City 
TWENTIETH CONGRESS 
First Regular Session 
HOUSE BILL NO.  1001 
Introduced by Lone District of Agusan del Norte Representative 
HON. DALE B. CORVERA 
AN ACT 
ESTABLISHING A MULTI-SPECIES MARINE HATCHERY IN THE CITY 
OF CABADBARAN, PROVINCE OF AGUSAN DEL NORTE, AND 
APPROPRIATING FUNDS THEREFOR 
EXPLANATORY NOTE 
Most coastal communities comprising the City of Cabadbaran earns a huge part of their 
livelihood and subsistence from the nearby waters of Butuan Bay, Bohol Sea and the Surigao 
Strait. In fact, Fishing ranks fifth (5th) in the top ten types of employment in the city. There are 
at least 1,360 registered fisherfolk, 91 fish traders and 7 fish brokers who participates in the 
estimated yield of 3.5 metric tons of fish catch per day. 
However, in the most recent survey conducted by the Cabadbaran City government, it 
was revealed that its fisheries sector has been consistently experiencing shortages of bangus 
and tilapia fingerlings, low fish catch and encroachment of commercial fishing vessels. These 
problems are magnified by the fact that there are no easily available funding sources for 
fisherfolk who desires to own their fishing boats and gears. 
Article XII, Section 1 of the 1987 Constitution provides that “the goals of the national 
economy are a more equitable distribution of opportunities, income, and wealth; a sustained 
increase in the amount of goods and services produced by the nation for the benefit of the 
people; and an expanding productivity as the key to raising the quality of life for all, especially 
the underprivileged.” 
The proposed measure attempts to fulfill the declared policy enshrined in the 
aforementioned constitutional provision and address the problem in Cabadbaran’s fishing 
sector through the establishment of a marine breeding farm and hatchery in the City of 
Cabadbaran. It is hoped that the propagation of marine species and the continuous conduct of 
research and experimentation on the breeding and production of marine species, especially as 
they apply to local conditions, will minimize, if not completely solve, the problems of the 
sector. 
It is also worth noting that under the proposed measure, the BFAR and the city local 
government are mandated to develop an extension program that shall cater to the local 
July 1, 2025
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fisherfolk on the propagation of high-value marine species as an attempt to give more 
opportunities, income, and wealth to those who have less in life. 
This version of the bill is a rehash of HB 8123 which was filed during the 19th Congress 
and approved by the House of Representatives on third reading on 29 May 2023. Unfortunately, 
no counterpart bill was filed by the Senate. 
For these reasons, the passage of this bill is earnestly sought. 
DALE B. CORVERA 
Representative 
Lone District of Agusan del Norte 


Republic of the Philippines 
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES 
Constitution Hills, Quezon City 
TWENTIETH CONGRESS 
First Regular Session 
HOUSE BILL NO.  1001 
Introduced by Lone District of Agusan del Norte Representative 
HON. DALE B. CORVERA 
AN ACT 
ESTABLISHING A MULTI-SPECIES MARINE HATCHERY IN THE CITY 
OF CABADBARAN, PROVINCE OF AGUSAN DEL NORTE, AND 
APPROPRIATING FUNDS THEREFOR 
Be it enacted by the Senate and 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 (DA-BFAR), a multi-
species marine hatchery in the City of Cabadbaran, Province of Agusan del Norte. 
SEC. 2. Prior to the establishment of the multi-species 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 marine hatchery, the 
DA-BFAR shall, through a memorandum of agreement, transfer its management to the local 
government of the City of Cabadbaran, Province of Agusan del Norte. It shall implement a 
training and phasing-in program for local government personnel on the management and 
operation of the hatchery. 
SEC. 3. The DA-BFAR and City Government of Cabadbaran shall conduct continuing 
research and experimentation on the breeding and production of marine species, especially as 
they apply to local conditions, to discover new methods and technology that will enhance the 


fishing industry. Furthermore, they shall develop an extension program that shall cater to the 
local fisherfolk on the propagation of high-value marine species. 
 
SEC. 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 marine 
hatchery in the City of Cabadbaran, Province of Agusan del Norte, the funding of which shall 
be included in the General Appropriations Act. The local government unit concerned shall set 
aside from any available local revenue in an amount deemed appropriate for the 
operationalization of the hatchery. 
 
SEC. 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 
the eventual transfer of the management of the multi-species marine hatchery to the local 
government of the City of Cabadbaran, Province of Agusan del Norte. 
 
SEC. 6. This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after its publication in the Official 
Gazette or in a newspaper of general circulation. 
 
Approved,