13th 
Congress of the Republic 
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of the Philippines 
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'04 AN 30 P%f :(!a 
First Regular Session 
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IntroFuced by Senator Aquilino Q. Pimentel, Jro 
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EXPLANATORY NOTE 
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This bill proposes the creation of the Department of Fisheries 
and Aqdatic Resources to ensure the preservation and proper 
developdent of the country's archipelagic waters and marine 
resourcesi. The DFfiR shall have the power to manage, develop, 
protect, cbnserve and utilize all fisheries and aquatic resources of the 
country, except for' municipal waters, which shall remain under the 
jurisdiction of locdl government units. The DFAR shall likewise 
regulate the producoon, capture, processing and marketing of fisheries 
and marine products in the country. This is to make sure that the 
country's marine wealth is to be exclusively used for the benefit of the 
Filipino people. 
The creation of the RFAR will be a significant breakthrough in 
providing utmost protection to Philippine waters and marine 
resources. 
It will correct the traditional bias of government for 
land-based agriculture and provide the long-delayed attention local 
fishermen and Philippine water resource need. It will give impetus to 
the government!s continuing efforts to 
meet the demands of the country's fast 
The immediate approval of this bill is earnestly sought. 


13th Congress of the Republic 
) 
of the Philippines 
1 
"134 JlJM 30 py 1 :02 
First Regular Session 
) 
Introduced by Senator Aquilino Q. Pimentel, Jr. 
AN ACT 
CREATING A DEPARTMENT OF FISHERIES AND AQUATIC RESOURCES, 
PROVIDING FOR ITS POWERS AND FUNCTIONS, AND FOR OTHER 
PURPOSES 
SECTION 1. Title. - This Act shall be known as the "Department of 
Fisheries and Aquatic Resources Act of 2004". 
SEC. 2. Creation. - The Department of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources, 
hereinafter referred to as the Department, is hereby created structurally and 
functionally in accordance with the provisions of this Act. 
SEC. 3. Declaration ofPolicies. - It is hereby declared the policy of the State 
to promote the sustainable development and management of all fisheries and 
marine resources in Philippine waters including the exclusive economic zone 
(EEZ) and in the adjacent high seas, consist with the primordial objective of 
maintaining a sound ecological balance, protecting and enhancing the quality of 
the environment. 
It is the policy of the State to protect and conserve the nation's marine 
wealth in its archipelagic waters, territorial sea and exclusive economic zone and 
reserve its use and enjoyment exclusively to Filipino citizens. It is the policy of the 


State to adopt the precautionary principle and to prioritize conservation of the 
country's marine and aquatic resources. 
It is also the policy of the,State to protect the rights of small-scale fishermen 
in the preferential use of communal marine, fisheries and aquatic resources. 
Towards this end, it shall provide such fishermen with the appropriate technical 
and financial support. 
SEC. 4. Jurisdiction of the Department. - The Department shall have 
primary jurisdiction over the management, conservation, development, protection, 
utilization and disposition of all fishery and aquatic resources of the country, 
including the habitats of fish and all other marine life and over activities which 
impact on these habitats, except for municipal waters, which shall remain under 
the jurisdiction of local government units. The latter shall manage their municipal 
waters in accordance with national fishery policies, laws, rules and regulations. 
The Department shall have the authority to supervise and regulate the 
production and capture of fish and fishery products within its jurisdiction, as well 
as the processing and marketing of all fisheries and aquatic products in the 
country. 
The Department shall have the responsibility of rationalizing all ocean 
sector initiatives which impact on fish and marine resources or their habitat 
including, but not limited to: marine energy exploration and development; coastal 
and marine tourism; designation of shipping lanes; protected areas and marine 
industry development areas. The regulation of these marine activities, once 
rationalized by the Department, shall reside with the parent agency for the 
appropriate sector involved. 
SEC. 5. Powers and Functions. - To accomplish its mandate, the 
Department shall have the following powers, functions and responsibilities: 
(a) Exercise authority and responsibility over oceans use on fisheries 


and their habitat; 
(6) Coordinate the implementation of fisheries and ocean sector 
policies, plans and laws for all maritime components; 
(c) Promulgate and enforce fisheries and oceans habitat regulations, 
which clarify and amplify the aforementioned departmental mandate in 
accordance with the published fisheries and oceans management plans within 
its territorial jurisdiction; 
(d) Prepare and implement a comprehensive Fisheries Management 
Plan, based on the precautionary principle and the principle of sustainable 
development, using scientifically-generated information or best available 
evidence on the status of the fisheries and marine resources; 
(e) Formulate and implement, consistent with the developmental 
framework of the National Economic Development Authority, a fishery 
industry development program and set policies and standards for the efficient 
and economic operation of the fishing industry in accordance with the 
objectives of food security and rational and sustainable development; 
(f) Promulgate laws, rules and regulations governing the conservation 
and proper utilization of fisheries and aquatic resources except in municipal 
waters; 
(9) Issue licenses for the operation of commercial fishing vessels and 
permits for the conduct of fishery activities subject to the specific carrying 
capacities of the resource as determined by scientific studies or best available 
evidence with preference given to resource users in the local communities 
living adjacent or nearest to the municipal waters; 
(h) Issue fishworker licenses and identification cards free of charge to 
fishworkers engaged in commercial fishing; 
(i) Implement the provisions of Republic Act No. 8550 and the relevant 
provisions of Republic Act No. 8435 and enforce all fishery laws, rules and 
regulations through its fishery officers and guardians who shall be vested 


with full police powers including arrest, search and seizure and through 
deputized government officials and employees, punong barangays and 
officers and members of fisherfolk associations who have undergone training 
on law enforcement; 
(j) Perform quasi-judicial and allied functions and settle conflicts of 
resource use and allocation in consultation with the National Fisheries and 
Aquatic Resources Management Council and the local government units 
concerned; 
(k) Prescribe rules and regulations including visitorial powers, 
procedures and guidelines concerning the classification, establishment, 
construction, maintenance and operation of all fishing ports, landing sites and 
fish markets and the operation of business therein except those that are 
owned and operated by local government units; 
(1) Establish and maintain a Philippine Fisheries and Aquatic Resources 
Information System (PFARIS) that will function as the principal depository 
and information server of all fisheries and ocean-related information in the 
country, including but not limited to the status of fisheries and marine 
resources and their habitat, all matters pertaining to fisheries production, 
processing, marketing and research results and technology advances; 
(m) Develop and implement a Monitoring Control and Surveillance 
System (MCSS) for Philippine fisheries and oceans at the national and 
regional levels to ensure that the fisheries and marine resources in Philippine 
waters are judiciously and wisely utilized and managed on a sustainable 
basis; 
(n) Actively engage in the conservation, protection and rehabilitation 
of rare, threatened and endangered marine species as it may determine, 
including their habitats; 
(0) Implement relevant provisions of international treaties and 
agreements such as, but not limited to, the Convention on the International 


Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Flora and Fauna, United Nations 
Convention on the Law of the Sea, Convention on Biological Diversity, and 
formulate rules and regulations for the conservation and management of 
straddling fish stocks and highly migratory species; 
(p) Designate marine areas as protected areas for the special purposes 
stated in the notice of declaration; 
(q) Formulate and enforce the Code of Practice for Aquaculture and 
Code of Conduct for Responsible Fisheries; 
(r) Promote international economic and technical cooperation in the 
fisheries and oceans sectors and in integrated oceans management, especially 
within the ASEAN region; 
(s) Impose administrative sanctions, including fines for minor fisheries 
, and ocean infractions, in accordance with the schedules and limits as agreed 
upon by the Department of Justice and embodied in fisheries regulations; 
(t) Acquire, maintain, operate, purchase, lease or dispose, through the 
Philippine Fisheries Development Authority (PFDA), equipment and facilities 
such as shipyards, fishing vessels, fishing gears, and refrigerated trucks, ice 
plants and cold storages, communication, and aquaculture facilities; 
(u) Fix, assess and collect reasonable fees, tolls, charges, rentals and the 
like, through the PFDA, for the use, sale of properties, equipment, facilities 
and services to support the Department's projects and to adjust the same as 
warranted; 
(v) Provide, through the PFDA, infrastructure support such as 
municipal fishing ports and markets, farm-t6-market roads, quality 
laboratories in fish ports, marketing facilities, local fiiiheries ship-building and 
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repair facilities, and post-harvest facilities, in cooperation with concerned 
agencies; 
(w) Establish and implement, through the PFDA, a National Mark7ting 
Assistance Program, aimed at ensuring the generation of the highest possible 


income for fisherfolk and fishery-related enterprises, matching supply and 
demand in both domestic and foreign markets; 
(x) Administer a fisheries modernization credit program to finance 
fishery projects of fisherfolk, fish farmers, fish processors, commercial fishers 
and other qualified borrowers; and 
(y) Perform all other functions consistent with this Act and as may be 
provided by law. 
SEC. 6. Structural Organization. - The Department shall consist of the 
Office of the Secretary and three Undersecretaries for Fisheries Production and 
Utilization, Fisheries Conservation and Management, and for Operations; one 
council, the National Fisheries and Aquatic Resources Management Council, one 
institute, the National Fisheries Research and Development Institute, one office, 
the Office of Ocean and Marine Affairs and the following services: the Philippine 
Fisheries and Aquatic Resources Information Service, Policy Analysis and 
Planning Service, as well as Personnel, Finance, Legal and Property and General 
Services. 
The Office of Ocean and Marine Affairs shall have authority and 
responsibility over ocean use. It shall be the Department's primary agency tasked 
with the implementation of the National Marine Policy and the relevant provisions 
of the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea. Any and all use of the 
ocean shall require the assessment and clearance by this Office, which shall 
rationalize initiatives that will negatively impact on fisheries or their habitat. It 
shall coordinate the implementation of fisheries and ocean sector policies, plans 
and laws for all maritime components. It shall be headed by a Director and shall 
have the following divisions: 
(a) Oceans Use Assessment and Clearance Division; 
(b) National and International Oceans Law and Policy Division; 
(c) Special Projects Division; and 


(d) Technical Division. 
The Philippine Fisheries Development Authority created by Presidential 
Decree No. 977 as amended, shall be an attached agency of the Department of 
Fisheries and Aquatic Resources under the Office of the Secretary. 
SEC. 7. Functions of the Secretary of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources. - The 
Secretary of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources, hereinafter referred to as the 
Secretary, shall be appointed by the President with the consent of the Commission 
on Appointments, and shall have the following functions: 
(a) Supervision and control of the Department and the Bureaus, Offices and 
Institutes under it; 
(b) Exercise authority and assume responsibility for the performance of the 
powers and functions of the Department; 
(c) Advise the President on the promulgation of policies, rules and 
regulations, and other issuance relative to the sustainable development and 
management of fisheries and oceans resources; 
(d) Establish management policies and standards for the efficient and 
effective operation of the Department in accordance with the programs of the 
government; 
(e) Promulgate rules, regulations and other issuance in carrying out the 
Department's mandate, objectives, policies, plans, programs and projects; and 
(f) Perform such other functions as may be provided by law or assigned by 
the President. 
SEC. 8. Functions of the Undersecretaries of the Department of Fisheries 
and Marine Resources. - There shall be three (3) Undersecretaries: the 
Undersecretary for Fisheries Production and Utilization; the Undersecretary for 
Fisheries Conservation and Management; and the Undersecretary for Operations; 
who shall be appointed by the President upon the recommendation of the 


Secretary. 
The Undersecretaries for Fisheries Production and Utilization and for 
Fisheries Conservation and Management shall have the following functions: 
(a) Advise the Secretary on the formulation of policies, programs, plans, 
rules and regulations, as well as on the promulgation of Department Order, 
Administrative Orders, and other issuance with respect to his/her area of 
responsibility; 
(b) Exercise supervision and control over the bureaus, offices, services and 
operating units under his/ her responsibility; 
(c) Coordinate the functions and activities of the units under his/her 
responsibility with those of the other units in the Department; 
(d) Liaise with concerned government departments, agencies, and offices to 
ensure effective coordination in the management of the fisheries and oceans sector; 
and 
(e) Perform such other functions as may be provided by law or assigned by 
the Secretary. 
The Undersecretary for Operations shall have the following functions: 
(a) Exercise supervision and control over the regional offices; 
(b) Coordinate, harmonize and package the policies, plans, programs and 
projects of all the Bureaus, Services, Offices and Units of the Department, for the 
proper implementation by the regional offices; 
(c) Advise the Secretary in the formulation of policies, plans and programs 
as well as on the promulgation of rules, regulations and orders with respect to 
his/ her area of responsibility; 
(d) Exercise supervision and cdntrol over the Fisheries Inspection and 
Quarantine Service and the Bureau of Fishery Economics and Statistics; 
(e) Establish linkage with local government units, local fisherfolk 
associations and organizations, non-government organization and peoples' 
organization and supervise support and extension services at the regional, 


provincial and municipal levels; and 
(f) Perform other functions as may be provided by law or assigned by the 
Secretary. 
SEC. 9. Qualifications of the Undersecretaries. - No person shall be 
appointed Undersecretary of the Department unless he is a Filipino citizen; at least 
a degree holder in fisheries, public administration, management, economics, law or 
other equivalent relevant disciplines; has actual experience in administration and 
management for at least ten (10) years; and has general practical knowledge of 
fisheries. 
SEC. 10. Organizational Structure of the Department. - The functions of the 
Department under this Act shall be carried out by the bureaus, agencies and. 
services created in the Department. 
Under the supervision and control of the Undersecretary for Fisheries 
Production and Utilization, the following bureaus, services and offices are hereby 
created: 
(a) Bureau ofAquaculture and Inland Fisheries (BAIF) - The BAIF shall, among 
others, be responsible for: regulating aquaculture operations in line with the 
International Code of Conduct for Aquaculture, promoting the intensification of 
aquaculture operations in existing areas; formulating aquaculture development 
programs; establishing and maintaining model aquaculture farms and ponds; 
providing technical assistance to cooperatives and fishpond operators in the 
development of a viable fishmeal and fishfeeds industry, undertaking inland 
fishery resources evaluation, and recommending management and conservation 
measures. 
The Bureau shall be headed by a Director and shall be composed of the 
following divisions: 
(i) Aquaculture Management and Development Division; 


(ii) Inland Fisheries Resource Assessment and Conservation Division; 
(iii) Inland Fishery Development and Extension Division; and the 
(iv) Environmental Impact Assessment and Monitoring Division. 
(b) Bureau of Postharoest and Fishevies Product Standards (BPFPS) -The fishery 
component of the Bureau of Agriculture and Product Standards created under 
Section 61 of RA 8435 shall be transferred to the BPFE which shall formulate and 
enforce standards of quality in the processing, preservation, packaging, labeling, 
importation, exportation, distribution, and advertising of fishery products; conduct 
research on product standardization, alignment of the local standards with the 
international standards; promote and strengthen serni-processing and handling; 
and develop valued-added fishery products for domestic consumption and export. 
The Bureau shall have a Director, two Assistant Directors, one for Product 
Standards and Technical Services and the other for Industry Compliance and 
Consumer Protection and the following divisions: 
Under the Assistant Director for Product Standards and Technical Services - 
(i) Standards Development and Promotion Division; 
(ii) Technical Services Division; 
(iii) Value-added Products Development and Promotion Division; and the 
(iv) Fish Processing Technology Division. 
Under the Assistant Director for Industry Compliance and Consumer 
Protection - 
(i) Industry Compliance Division; 
(ii) Consumer Affairs Division; and the 
(iii) Arbitration and Dispute Resolution Division. 
(c) Bureau of Fisheries Extension, Training, and Support Sevoice (BFETSS) - The 
BFETSS shall coordinate all development activities with respect to fisheries and 
oceans technology, and shall have a development section for all components 


including inland and oceans fishing, and fishing fears and methods. It shall 
formulate a National Extension System for Fisheries, which shall be composed of 
thee (3) subsystems: the national government subsystem, the local government 
subsystem and the private sector subsystem. It shall deliver the following major 
services: training services; credit and financing support services, business advisory 
services; demonstration services, and information and communication support 
services through tri-media. It shall have the following divisions: 
(i) Training and Skills Development Division; 
(ii) Technology Transfer and Demonstration Division; 
(iii) Business Advisory and Information Support Division; 
(iv) Training Centers; 
(d) The Bureau of Fishing Technology and Capture Fisheries (BFTCF) - The 
BFTCF shall have direct supervision and control over the utilization of marine 
resources including commercial, international and small-scale fisheries. It shall 
formulate development programs for the expansion of the marine fishery industry, 
explore new fishery resources and development environment friendly but efficient 
fishing gears. It shall be headed by a Director and two Assistant Directors and 
shall have the following divisions: 
(i) Municipal Fisheries Division; 
(ii) Commercial Fisheries Division; 
(iii) High Seas Fisheries Division; and the 
(iv) Fishing Technology Division. 
(e) The Fisheries Modernization Credit and Financing Agency (FMCFA) - The 
FMCFA shall administer the funds under Sections 108 to 113 of RA 8550 as well as 
the fisheries-related provisions of Sections 20 to 25 of RA 8435, harmonizing and 
integrating the two so as to package and deliver various credit assistance programs 
for the following: 
(i) Fisheries production including processing of fisheries products and 
inputs; 


(ii) Acquisition or construction of fishery equipment, machinery, fishing 
vessels and fishing gears; 
(iii) Acquisition of fry, fingerlings, fertilizers, feeds and similar item; 
(iv) Procurement of fisheries products for storage, trading, processing and 
distribution; 
(v) Construction, acquisition and repair of facilities for production, 
processing, storage, transportation, communication, marketing and such other 
facilities in support of fisheries; 
(vi) Working capital for fisheries graduates to enable them to engage in 
fisheries-related economic activities; 
(vii) Activities which support marine and freshwater bodies conservation 
and ecology-enhancing activities such as but not limited to mangrove 
reforestation, promotion of whaleshark and manta ray and other endangered 
marine species watching and eco-tourism; and 
(viii) Development of appropriate technology, both in fishery and ancillary 
industries that are ecologically sound, locally source based and labor intensive, 
based on the requirements of the Fisheries and Aquatic Management Councils. 
Under the supervision and control of the Undersecretary for Fisheries 
Conservation and Management, the following bureaus, units, board and services 
are hereby created: 
f) Marine Resources Consemation and Management Bureau. - The Marine 
Resources Conservation and Management Bureau is a line bureau tasked with the 
formulation and implementation of a Comprehensive Fisheries Management Plan. , 
It shall undertake marine fishery resources assessment and biological and 
environmental investigations and formulate conservation measures. 
In 
coordination with the National Fisheries Research and Development Institute, it 
shall determine and establish the carrying capacity and total allowable catch (TAC) 
for a particular resource. It shall set the allowable fishing effort based on the 
carrying capacity of the resource and TAC and accordingly issue commercial 


fishing licenses and permits. It shall be headed by a Director and two Assistant 
Directors and shall have the following divisions: 
(i) Coastal Resources Management Division; 
(ii) Oceanography Division; 
(iii) Fisheries Licensing Division; 
(iv) Biotechnology, Biosafety and Bioprospecting Division; and the 
(v} Fisheries Law Enforcement Division. 
The Fisheries Law Enforcement Division shall operate the National and 
Zonal Monitoring Surveillance System. It shall establish fishery air and ocean 
patrol as well as conduct law enforcement trainings and ,recommend to the 
Secretary the deputation of government employees and members of fisherfolk 
associations as fishery guardians. It shall have the supervision and control of 
fishery officers and guardians and the corps of specialists responsible for the 
enforcement of fishery laws, rules and regulations and the efficient monitoring and 
surveillance of fishing activities within Philippine territorial waters. It shall have 
the following units: 
(i) The National and Fisheries Zone Monitoring and Surveillance Center 
which shall have a National Coordinating Center and several Fisheries Zones 
Monitoring and Surveillance Centers. It is further subdivided into the Vessel 
Tracking and Remote Sensing Office, and the Database and Information Center; 
(ii) The Fisheries Air Patrol and Oceans Patrol, and the Regulatory Staff 
composed of Fishery Officers, Deputized Fisheries Guardians and the corps of 
specialists from the DND, PNP-MARICOM, DILG, DFA and DOJ. The Fishery 
Officers shall have full police powers relative to the enforcement of fishery laws, 
rules and regulations including arrest, search and seizure, and shall have the 
authority to directly file complaints for violation of fishery laws, rules and 
regulations. 
(g) The Bureau of Marine Protected Areas and WiZdZ@ (BMPAW) - The BMPAW is a 
line bureau responsible for establishing and maintaining marine protected areas 


and wildlife sanctuaries. It shall lead in the conduct of scientific researches on the 
proper strategies for the conservation and protection of marine wildlife and their 
habitat including breeding or propagation. It shall also establish Marine Wildlife 
Rescue Centers to take custody of all confiscated, stranded or abandoned marine 
wildlife. It shall have the authority to issue Committee on International Trade on 
Endangered Species (CITES) Permits and shall be both the CITES Management and 
Scientific Authorities of the Philippines. It shall be the lead agency in the 
fulfillment of the country’s obligations under CITES, the Convention on Biological 
Diversity and other treaties and international agreements. It shall have the 
following divisions: 
(i) Marine Protected Areas Division; 
(ii) Marine Wildlife Rescue Centers; 
(iii) Endangered Marine Species Captive Breeding Centers; 
(iv)CITES Management Authority; 
(v)Endangered Marine Wildlife Research Center shall be the Depar 
CITES Scientific Authority which shall coordinate with academic insb 
designated as scientific authorities; and the 
(vi) Biodiversity Division. 
The Undersecretary for Operations shall have direct contrc 
supervision over all regional offices and the following unit and bureau: 
(h) The Fisheries Inspection and Quarantine Inspection Service (FIQIS, 
FIQIS shall have the line functions and shall be responsible for the inspectj 
quarantine of all fishery related activities including the conduct of quarant 
quality inspection of all fish and fishery/aquatic products coming into an( 
out of the country by air or water transport to detect the presence of fish p 
diseases, the regular inspection of processing plants, storage facilities, abatl 
well as public and private markets in order to ensure freshness, safety and 
of products and to ensure that these products conform to the standards pre 
by the Department; and the quarantine of aquatic animals and fishery p: 
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determined or suspected to be with fishery pest and diseases and prevent the 
movement or trade from and/or into the country of these products so prohibited 
or regulated under existing laws, rules or regulations and international agreements 
of which the Philippine is a State Party. It shall have the following units: 
(i) Regional fishery Inspection and Quarantine Offices; 
(ii) Cyanide Detection Centers; 
(iii) Regional Fish Health Centers; and the 
(iv) Product Standards Enforcement Division. 
(i) The Bureau of Fishery Economics and Statistics (BFES) - The BFES shall be a 
line bureau responsible for establishing benchmark data on the structure of the 
fishery industry. It shall conduct research and studies on the socio-economics of 
various fishery operations, collect data on fishery production, and establish a 
network of fishery information, documentation and dissemination. It shall have 
the following divisions: 
(i)Fishery Statistics Division; 
(ii)Socioeconomic Division; and the 
(iii) Fishery Information Division. 
SEC. 11. Regional Oflices and Functions. - The Department shall have such 
department-wide regional offices as may be necessary in the administrative 
regions, each to be headed by a Regional Director, who shall be assisted by an 
Assistant Regional Director, each regional office shall have support staffs as may 
be necessary and four line divisions which shall have the following duties and 
responsibilities: 
(a) Provide efficient and effective front-line service to the fishery and 
aquatic industry sector, particularly to the municipal fishermen; 
(b) Implement in its area of jurisdiction, the laws, policies, plans, programs, 
projects, rules and regulations of the Department; 
(c) Coordinate with the Regional Office of the other departments, offices 


and agencies in the region; and 
(d) Perform other functions as may be provided by law or assigned by the 
Secretary. 
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SEC. 12. Appointment and Qualification of Directors. - The Directors of the 
Bureau, Offices and Agencies and the Regional Directors shall be appointed by the 
Secretary, upon recommendation of the Undersecretaries concerned. 
The 
Directors must have a degree in law or master of science degree in marine 
fisheries, oceanography, fisheries biology, marine biology, fisheries technology, 
microbiology or related sciences, or public administration and at least five years of 
experience either in the public or private sector, in marine fisheries research and 
development, or in the fisheries industry. 
SEC. 13. Abolition, Transfer and Merger. - The Bureau of Fisheries and 
Aquatic Resources reconstituted by Republic Act No. 8550, is hereby abolished and 
its relevant functions, appropriations, records, properties, equipment and 
personnel are hereby transferred to the Department of Fisheries and Aquatic 
Resources: Provided, however, That no official or employee of the BFAR shall be 
laid off in the implementation of this section. 
The National and Municipal Fisheries and Aquatic Resources Management 
Councils created by Republic Act No. 8550 shall be transferred to the Office of the 
Secretary of the Department of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources. 
The National Fisheries Research and Development Institute created by 
Republic Act No. 8550 is transferred to the department and shall serve as its 
principal research arm. 
The Philippine Fisheries Development Authority created by Presidential 
Decree No. 977 including its relevant functions, appropriations, records, 
properties, equipment and personnel, is hereby transferred to the Department of 
Fisheries and Aquatic Resources as an attached agency under the Office of the 


Secretary: Provided, however, That the Secretary of the Department of Fisheries 
and Aquatic Resources shall be the new chairman of the Board: Provided, further, 
That no official or employee of the PFDA shall be laid off in the implementation of 
this Section. 
The Philippine Technical Advisory Committee of 
the SEAFDEC 
Aquaculture Department created under Executive Order No. 834 dated October 4, 
1982, including its relevant functions, appropriations, records, properties, 
equipment and personnel, is hereby transferred and attached to the Department of 
Fisheries and Aquatic Resources: Provided, That no official or employee of the 
Board shall be laid off in the implementation of this section. 
The fisheries related functions of the Laguna Lake Development Authority, 
including its relevant appropriations, records, and personnel, are hereby 
transferred to the Department of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources: Provided, 
however, That no official or employee of the LLDA shall be laid off in the 
implementation of this Section. 
The Philippine Council for Aquatic and Marine Research and Development 
is abolished and all its personnel, records, appropriations, property and equipment 
are transferred to the National Fisheries Research and Development Institute of the 
Department of Fisheries and Marine Resources. 
The Marine Research and Conservation Division and the different Sections 
thereunder and the Coastal Environment Program including its relevant 
appropriations, personnel, records, property and equipment, all marine and 
coastal related projects and programs of the Department of Environment and 
Natural Resources, and all fisheries related functions of the DENR under Executive 
Orders No. 192 and 292, except the functions of the enforcement of water pollution 
laws, rules and regulations, are hereby transferred to the Department of Fisheries 
and Aquatic Resources. 
I 
The fisheries-related sections of the Bureau of Agricultural Research, the 
Bureau of Agricultural Statistics and the Agricultural Training Institute of the 


Department of Agriculture are hereby abolished and all its personnel, records, 
appropriations, property and equipment are transferred to the Department of 
Fisheries and Marine Resources. 
SEC. 14. Transitory Provisions. - In accomplishing the acts of organizing 
the department as herein prescribed, the following provisions shall be complied 
with: 
(a) The transfer of a government unit or agency shall include the functions, 
appropriations, funds, records, equipment, facilities, chooses in action, rights, other 
assets and liabilities, if any, of the transferred unit or agency as well as the 
personnel thereof, as may be necessary, who shall, pending reappointment, 
continue to perform their respective duties and responsibilities and receive the 
corresponding salaries and benefits in a hold-over capacity. 
(b) The transfer of functions which results in the abolition of the 
government unit or agency that has exercised them, shall include the 
appropriations, funds, records, equipment, facilities, chooses in action, rights, other 
assets and personnel as may be necessary to the proper discharge of the 
transferred functions. Its liabilities, if any, shall likewise be treated in accordance 
with the Government Auditing Code and other pertinent laws, rules and 
regulations. Its personnel shall, pending reappointment, continue to perform their 
duties and responsibilities and receive the corresponding salaries and benefits in a 
holdover capacity. 
SEC. 15. Organization Committee. - The duly appointed Secretary of 
Fisheries and Aquatic Resources shall immediately create an organization 
committee which shall study and formulate the staffing pattern, qualification 
standards, and placement of personnel in the Department, its services, bureaus, 
and offices. The Committee shall be composed of representatives from the 
Department of Budget and Management, Civil Service Commission, the fishery 


industry and the academe. 
SEC. 16. Appropriations. - For the effective implementation of this Act, the 
amount of f 5  billion pesos is hereby appropriated from the unappropriated funds 
of the National Treasury and the current budgetary appropriations of the Bureau 
of 
Fisheries and Aquatic Resources, including its regional offices, the 
appropriations of the Philippine Fishing Development Authority, and the 
budgetary provision of the Philippine Council for Aquatic and Marine Research 
Development. The amount necessary for the construction of a national office of the 
Department of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources equivalent to ~500,000,000.00 is 
hereby appropriated from the unappropriated funds of the National Treasury. 
The revenues which the Department will generate from its licensing 
operations, the fees collected from the proprietary services delivered by the 
Department, and the administrative fines imposed by the National Fisheries 
Regulatory and Adjudication Board shall constitute the Department's revolving 
fund from which amounts necessary to carry out the special research projects, 
management and conservation programs, staff development programs, and the 
acquisition of equipment, vessels, and airplanes, helicopters of the Monitoring and 
Surveillance Center shall be taken: Provided, however, That the fishpond rentals 
shall accrue to the National Fisheries Research and Development Institute as 
provided under Section 46 (c) of Republic Act No. 8550. The use of such funds 
shall be project to COA rules and regulations. 
SEC. 17. Separability Clause. - If any provision of this Act is declared 
unconstitutional inoperative, the other provisions not so declared shall remain in 
force and effect. 
SEC. 18. Repealing CZause. - All laws, decrees, orders, rules and regulations 
or parts thereof inconsistent with the Act or the rules and regulations promulgated 


pursuant thereto are hereby repealed or amended accordingly. 
SEC. 19. Effectivity Clause. - This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after 
publication in two (2) national newspapers of general circulation. 
Approved,