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SEVENTEENTH CONGRESS OF THE ) ‘S RECEWED
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES ) ES ree 17 NOV 2016
First Regular Session ) \ het hm
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
H-No._AA56

Introduced by Representative Raul C. Tupas

EXPLANATORY NOTE

AN ACT ESTABLISHING A MULTI-SPECIES MARINE HATCHERY IN THE
MUNICIPALITY OF BAROTAC VIEJO, PROVINCE OF ILOILO AND APPROPRIATING
FUNDS THEREFOR

Barotac Viejo is a third class municipality in the province of Iloilo. According to the
2010 census, it has a population of 41,470 people. The Municipality of Barotac Viejo is in
the northern part of the Province of lloilo, facing the strait of Guimaras and the island of
Negros. It is bounded on the north by San Rafael, on the west by Banate, on the south
by the Visayan Sea, and on the east by Ajuy.

Barotac Viejo has two rivers, namely the Barotac Viejo River and the Barotac
Cayo River. It has several creeks or springs. The Barotac Viejo River is the longest and
the widest river passing through the heart of the town. It has never been dry but it
sometimes overflows its banks on rainy days. The river is utilized for bathing, laundry and
fishing. In addition, the municipality has approximately ten miles of shallow shorelines
and nearby fishponds are also present.

This Bill seeks to establish a multi-species marine hatchery in the municipality of
Barotac Viejo to catalyze the development of aquaculture in the town which can provide
both direct and indirect employment to its people.

The approval of this Bill would help increase the income of fisher folks who,
together with farmers, remained among the poorest in the country. Latest study on the
Poverty statistics for basic sectors showed that fishermen posted the highest poverty
incidence for nine basic sectors in the Philippines at 41.4 percent, and this had remained
unchanged since 2006.

In view thereof, approval of this Bill is earnestly sought.

RAUL -so fc, urns


32

SEVENTEENTH CONGRESS OF THE)
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES )
First Regular Session )

HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
H.No. 4456

Introduced by Representative Raul C. Tupas

AN ACT ESTABLISHING A MULTI-SPECIES MARINE HATCHERY IN THE
MUNICIPALITY OF BAROTAC VIEJO, PROVINCE OF ILOILO AND APPROPRIATING
FUNDS THEREFOR

SECTION 1. Title. - This Act shall be known as the “Establishment of Multi-Species
Marine Hatchery in the Municipality of Barotac Viejo Act.”

SECTION 2. Establishment of Multi-Species Marine Hatchery - 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 Barotac Viejo, Province of Iloilo.

SECTION 3. Supervision of the BFAR - Within three (3) years after the construction of
the multi-species marine hatchery, the BFAR-DA shall transfer its management to the
Northern lloilo Polytechnic State College (NIPSC). It shall implement a training and
phasing-in program for NIPSC personnel on the management and operation of the multi-
species marine hatchery.

SECTION 4. Continuing Research- The BFAR-DA and NIPSC shall conduct continuing
research and development on the multi-species marine hatchery to discover new
methods that will enhance the fishing industry.

SECTION 5. Budget Allocation. The Secretary of Agriculture shall include in the
Department of Agriculture's programs the establishment of the multi-species marine
hatchery in the Municipality of Barotac Viejo, lloilo, the funding of which shall be included
in the General Appropriations Act. The NIPSC shall set aside funds from any available
revenue in an amount deemed appropriate for the operationalization of the hatchery.

SECTION 6. Implementing Rules and Regulations. - The BFAR-DA and the NIPSC
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 7. Effectivity.- This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after its publication
in the Official Gazette or in at least two (2) national newspapers of general circulation.

Approved,