Republic of the Philippines 
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES 
Quezon City 
NINETEENTH CONGRESS 
First Regular Session 
HOUSE BILL NO. ____ 
Introduced by HON. LUIS RAYMUND “LRAY” F. VILLAFUERTE, JR., 
HON. MIGUEL LUIS R. VILLAFUERTE, HON. TSUYOSHI ANTHONY G. 
HORIBATA AND HON. NICOLAS “NICK” C. ENCISO VIII 
EXPLANATORY NOTE 
The World Health Organization (WHO) reports that more than one billion people worldwide 
depend on fish as their primary source of protein and livelihood. Unfortunately, according to 
World Bank data, of the world’s fish stocks, almost 90% are fully exploited.1 Moreover, 70% 
of fishing grounds in the Philippines are already overfished, as cited by a news report.2 
Overfishing is a major concern globally, with experts issuing warnings that if sustainable 
fishing is not practiced and oceans are not given time to recover, they could become “empty” 
by 2048.3 Still, there is an ever-increasing demand for high-value marine species in both local 
and export markets. As fish stocks diminish, aquaculture is seen as a way to satisfy the world’s 
growing appetite for fish and at the same time allow wild fish species to multiply their numbers. 
In the Philippines, aquaculture is a growing industry that provides livelihood to hundreds of 
thousands and their number is consistently on the rise. The potential of the sector in 
contributing significantly to the economic development of the country should be recognized 
and maximized, especially since many of our traditional fishing grounds are getting overfished. 
The waters of Camarines Sur show great potential for marine hatcheries because of the 
abundance of edible marine species of high commercial value there. The establishment of a 
marine hatchery in Libmanan likewise presents an opportunity for our fisherfolk to undergo 
training to improve productivity and be educated on the dangers of depletion due to unscientific 
and indiscriminate practices.  
The approval of this bill is earnestly sought. 
LUIS RAYMUND “LRAY” F. VILLAFUERTE, JR. 
 MIGUEL LUIS R. VILLAFUERTE 
TSUYOSHI ANTHONY G. HORIBATA 
NICOLAS “NICK” C. ENCISO VIII 
1 https://datatopics.worldbank.org/sdgatlas/archive/2017/SDG-14-life-below-water.html 
2 https://www.sunstar.com.ph/article/1812928/ILOILO/Local-News/USAid-70-of-Philippine-fishing-grounds-
overfished 
3 hthttps://www.nationalgeographic.com/animals/article/seafood-biodiversity 
August 23, 2022
2:00 pm
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Republic of the Philippines 
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES 
Quezon City 
NINETEENTH CONGRESS 
First Regular Session 
HOUSE BILL NO. ____ 
Introduced by HON. LUIS RAYMUND “LRAY” F. VILLAFUERTE, JR., 
HON. MIGUEL LUIS R. VILLAFUERTE, HON. TSUYOSHI ANTHONY G. 
HORIBATA AND HON. NICOLAS “NICK” C. ENCISO VIII 
AN ACT 
ESTABLISHING A MULTI-SPECIES MARINE HATCHERY IN THE MUNICIPALITY 
OF LIBMANAN, PROVINCE OF CAMARINES SUR 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 (BFAR-DA), a multi-
species marine hatchery in the Municipality of Libmanan, Province of Camarines Sur. 
SECTION 2. The BFAR-DA shall, within two (2) years after the construction of the 
multi-species marine hatchery, transfer the management of the same to the local 
government unit concerned 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. 
SECTION 3. The Secretary of Agriculture shall include in the Department’s programs 
the establishment of the multi-species marine hatchery in the Municipality of 
Libmanan, Province of Camarines Sur, 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 deemed appropriate for the 
operationalization of the hatchery. 
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SECTION 4. Within sixty (60) days from the passage of this Act, the Secretary of 
Agriculture shall issue the rules and regulations on the supervision and monitoring, 
and the transfer or withdrawal by the BFAR of the multi-species marine hatchery. 
 
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,