Republic of the Philippines
House of Representatives
Quezon City

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SIXTEENTH CONGRESS
First Regular Session

HOUSE BILLNo.__653

EXPLANATORY NOTE

Abulug lies between the municipalities of Ballesteros and Pamplona on the
Northwestern part of Cagayan along the China Sea. It is basically a coastal town where
most of its inhabitants are fishermen who are dependent on the abundance of fish and
marine products. It has been a flourishing fishing village long before Don Juan Salcedo
sailed to the mouth of Abulug River in 1572

Article II, Section 7 of the 1986 Philippine Constitution specifically provides this
protection:

“Section 7. The State shall protect the rights of subsistence fishermen,
especially of local communities, to the preferential use of the communal
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. The State shall also protect, develop, and conserve such
resources. The protection shall extend to offshore fishing grounds of
subsistence fishermen against foreign intrusion. Fish workers shall receive
a just share from their labor in the utilization of marine and fishing
resources.”

This bill, therefore, is in support of the afore-stated Constitutional provision which seeks
to establish a fishport in the Municipality of Abulug in the Second District of Cagayan
The establishment of said municipal fish port will improve the income of fisherfolks and
fish processors in the locality thereby ensuring the sufficiency of fish supply in the whole
province. This means that there will be a steady supply of fish produce in the area and
that prices of fish products will now be regulated. Hence, it is expected that the fish port
will bring in better revenue for the local government units and will redound to the benefit
of the consumers.

Likewise, the fishport will encourage and attract big traders to come to Abulug.
Consequently, local tourism will surely flourish as fishermen and buyers alike will
converge at the fishport

This bill has been filed during the 15" Congress, favorably acted by the concerned
Committee, approved by the House on Third and Final Reading, and consequently



transmitted to the Senate for its action. It was also favorably acted by the concerned
Senate Committee but its consequent approval by the Senate was stalled by the sine
die adjournment of the 15" Congress.

Hence, the immediate approval of this bill is earnestly sought.

BY AVINE VARGAS-ALFONSO


Republic of the Philippines
House of Representatives
Quezon City

SIXTEENTH CONGRESS
First Regular Session

HOUSE BILL NO. 653

AN ACT
ESTABLISHING A FISHPORT IN THE MUNICIPALITY OF ABULUG IN THE
SECOND DISTRICT OF CAGAYAN AND APPROPRIATING FUNDS THEREOF

Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the Philippines in
Congress assembled.

SECTION 1. Establishment of the Fish Port. - There shall be established, under the
supervision of the Department of Agriculture, through the Philippine Fisheries
Development Authority (PFDA) a Fish Port in the Municipality of Abulug, Province of
Cagayan.

SEC, 2. Implementing Rules and Regulations. - The Department of Agriculture,
through the PFDA, shall formulate the rules and regulations necessary for the effective
implementation of this Act.

SEC. 3. Appropriations. - The Secretary of Agriculture shall include in the
Department's program for the establishment of the said fisheries research center, 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 revenues in
an amount deemed for its operationalization

SEC.4. Effectivity. - This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after its publication in a
newspaper of general circulation

Approved,