v 
FIFTEENTH CONGRESS 
) 
CONGRESS OF THE PHILIPPINES 
) 
First Regular Session 
) 
SENATE 
Seuate Bill No. 2728 
Introduced by Senator Edgdrdo J. Angara 
EXPLANATORy'NOTE 
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'11 
MAR -2 P 6 :55 
International scientists have iden,ified the Philippines as the 
center of marine biodiversity in the "world. Our coastal waters 
spanning 226,000 square kilometers contain one of the richest 
ecosystems distinguished by expansive' beaches, corals, coral reefs, 
seagrass beds, estuaries, lagoons, foreshores and mangrove forests. 
This richness can be attributed to the Philippines' strategic 
location. We are at the heart of the, Coral Triangle, the global 
epicenter of marine life abundance and diversity. Within the Coral 
Triangle are 37 percent of all known coral reefs, 76 percent of all 
known coral species, the densest mangrove forests and the biggest 
tuna spawning and growth areas. 
As a result, the Philippines owns one of the largest reef nations 
in the world, 71 percent of all known coral species and numerous 
other marine life species. Aurora, which is endowed with abundant 
marine resources, wants to be instrumental in protecting the 
country's aquatic wealth through the Aurora Marine Research and 
Development Institute (AMRDI). 
This amendment to Republic Act No. 9441 more clearly defines 
the scope of the mandate of the AMRDI. Foremost among the 
AMRDI's functions is to conduct continuing research and 
experimentation on the propagation of marine species endemic to the 
waters of Aurora. This will help build up the local fishing industry and 
maximize technological capacity. 
The AMRDI will also create and maintain a database on the 
biodiversity, habitat, abundance, seasonality and status of Aurora's 
marine resources, which will be an invaluable policy tool. 
Furthermore, this amendment will ensure that the AMRDI can 
perform its mandate effectively with the expert guidance and 
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supervision of the University of the Philippines Marine Science 
Institute. 
This bill also tasks the Aurora State College of Technology to act 
as the primary government institution responsible for implementing 
and enforcing the local academic and technical aspects of R.A. No. 
9441. 
Our country's natural resources is the cornerstone of our 
progress. Hence, its protection must be our utmost priority. 
In view of the foregoing, the paSl'age of this bill is earnestly 
sought. 
" 


FIFTEENTH CONGRESS 
) 
CONGRESS OF THE PHILIPPINES 
) 
First Regular Session 
) 
'11 
MAR -2 P 6 :55 
SENATE , 
Senate Bill No, 2728 
Introduced by Senator Edgardo J, Angara 
AN ACT AMENDING REPUBLIC ACT NO. 9441, OTHERWISE KNOWN AS "AN ACT 
ESTABLISHING A MARINE RESEARCH AND BREEDING CENTER IN THE 
MUNICIPALITY OF BALER, PROVINCE OF AURORA, APPROPRIATING FUNDS 
THEREFORE AND FOR OTHfR PURPOSES" 
Be it enacted by the Senate and the House of Representatives in Congress assembled: 
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SECTION 1. Section 1 of Republic Act No. 944ris hereby amended to read as follows: 
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"SECTION 1. There is hereby established [under the supervision of the 
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Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources of the Department of Agriculture 1 a 
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marine research and breeding center in the Municipality of Baler, Province of 
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Aurora, TO BE KNOWN AS THE AURORA MARINE RESEARCH AND 
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DEVELOPMENT INSTITUTE (AMRDI)." 
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SECTION 2. A new provision is hereby inserted and shall read as follows: 
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"SECTION 2. THE UNIVERSITY OF THE PHILIPPINES MARINE 
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SCIENCE INSTITUTE SHALL SUPERVISE AMRDI IN ITS PERFORMANCE 
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OF THE FOLLOWING FUNCTIONS: 
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a. CONDUCTING 
CONTINUING 
RESEARCH 
AND 
EXPERIMENTATION 
ON 
THE 
CULTURE 
AND 
PROPAGATION OF NATIVE MARINE SPECIES IN THE 
PROVINCE OF AURORA FOR THE PURPOSE OF 
IMPROVING 
EXISTING 
TECHNOLOGY 
AND 
FOR 
MAXIMIZING INCOME POTENTIALS OF THE COASTAL 
COMMUNITY AND FISHING INDUSTRY; 
b. CONDUCTING RESEARCH AND DEVELOPING HIGH-
VALUE PRODUCTS FROM ENDEMIC MARINE AND 
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AQUA TIC SPECIES IN THE PROVINCE OF AURORA; 
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c. ENCOURAGING THE CULTURE OF NATIVE MARINE 
SPECIES 
IN THE PROVINCE' OF 
AURORA AND 
PROMOTING 
AND 
ATTRACTING 
INVESTMENTS 
THROUGH 
THE 
TRANSFER 
OF 
TECHNOLOGIES 
DEVELOPED BY AMRDI; 
d. ENSURING THE STEADY SUPPLY OF SPAWNERS, 
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FIRES 
AND 
FINGERLINGS 
TO 
THE 
FISHING 
COMMUNITY AND THOSE ENGAGED IN THE FISHING 
INDUSTRY; 
e. PROVIDING THE DATABASE ON MARINE RESOURCES 
• 
FOR POLICY FORMULATION THAT WILL STIMULATE 
ANS 
SUSTAIN 
THE 
PRODUCTION 
OF 
MARINE 
FISHERIES AND PRODUCTS; AND 
f. 
ORGANIZING, DEVELOPING AND IMPLEMENTING 
CONTINUING INFORMATION CAMPAIGN, TRAINlNG 
AND 
EDUCATION 
PROG~MS 
FOR 
ALL 
STAKEHOLDERS 
IN 
MARINE 
RESEARCH 
AND 
BREEDING TECHNOLOGY; 
SECTION 3. Section 2 of Republic Act No.9441 is hereby amended to read as follows: 
"SECTION [2] 3. The [Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources of the 
Department of Agriculture, in coordination with the Province of Aurora] 
AURORA STATE COLLEGE OF TECHNQLOGY (ASCOT) [is hereby 
authorized to] SHALL assist in the establishment and maintenance of such 
• 
facilities and equipment as may be necessary .to implement [the intents and 
purposes ofJ this Act. For this purpose, [the marine research and breeding center] 
AMRDI shall formulate such operating guidelines [as shall be recommended by 
the Department of Agriculture] for research alld experimentation on, and the 
breeding, propagation and distribution of spawners, fry or fingerlings of marine 
species endemic to the waters around the Pr,bvince of Aurora. FURTHER, 
ASCOT SHALL ACT AS THE PRIMARY GOVERNMENT INSTITUTION 
RESPONSIBLE FOR THE LOCAL ACADEMIC AND TECHNICAL 
ASPECTS OF THE IMPLEMENTATION AND ENFORCEMENT OF 
REPUBLIC ACT NO. 9441 AND ITS IMPLEMENTING RULES AND 
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REGULATIONS. FINALLY, ASCOT SHALL, ALLOT AN AREA OF LAND 
WHERE AMRDI SHALL BE ESTABLISHED." 
SECTION 4. Sections 3 and 4 of Republic Act No. 9441 are hereby deleted. 
[Section 3. The marine research and breeding center, with the technical 
assistance of the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources of the Department of 
Agriculture, and such other agencies involved in marine research, shall conduct 
continuing research and experimentation on the culture and propagation of native 
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marine species, especially as they apply to the peculiarities and characteristics of 
local conditions, for the purpose of improving existing technology and for 
maximizing income potentials of the fishing industry. 
Section 4. The marine research and breeding center, with the assistance of 
the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources pf the Department of Agriculture 
shall take such steps as may be necessary to yncourage the culture of marine 
species native to the province and thereby promote and attract investments in this 
field of economic endeavor by providing, through the facilities of the breeding 
, 
component of the center, the application of the technologies developed by the 
research component of the center and ensure the ready and steady supply of 
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spawners, fries, and fingerlings to those engaged,in the industry.] 
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SECTION 5. Section 5 of Republic Act No. 9441 is hereby amended to read as follows: 
"SECTION [5] 4. The Secretary of A:griculture shall include in the 
[Department's] BUREAU OF FISHERIES program the funding requirements for 
the establishment and operation of [the marine research and breeding center] 
AMRDI. Thereafter, the amount necessary for the continued operation and 
maintenance of [the center] AMRDI shall be included in the annual General 
Appropriations Act UNDER THE APPROPRIATION FOR THE BUREAU OF 
FISHERIES." 
SECTION 6. Implementing rules and regulations. - Within sixty (60) days from the 
approval of this Act, the Department of Agriculture, in coordination with the University of the 
Philippines Marine Science Institute and Aurora State College of Technology, shall fonnulate 
and adopt amendments to the existing rules and regulations implementing Republic Act No. 
9441. 
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SECTION 7. Section 6 of Republic Act No. 9441 is hereby amended as follows: 
"SECTION 6. [This act shall take effect upon its approval.] PENALTIES. 
- ANY VIOLATION OF THIS ACT OR OE ITS IMPLEMENTING RULES 
AND REGULATIONS SHALL BE PUNISHABLE IN ACCORDANCE WITH 
EXISTING LAWS, SUCH AS, BUT NOT LIMITED TO, REPUBLIC ACT NO. 
7586, 
OTHERWISE 
KNOWN 
AS 
THE, NATIONAL 
INTEGRATED 
PROTECTED AREAS SYSTEM ACT, OR PRESIDENTIAL DECREE NO. 
705, OTHERWISE KNOWN AS THE REVISED FORESTRY CODE, 
• 
WHENEVER APPLICABLE. 
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IF THE OFFENDER IS A JURIDICAL PERSON, ITS HEAD, 
PRESIDENT OR GENERAL MANAGER SHALL BE HELD LIABLE 
THEREFOR." 
SECTION 8. Transitory Provisions. - All exi6ting contracts entered into pursuant to 
Republic Act No. 9441 and its implementing rules and regulations shall remain valid and 
effective, provided that a new agreement conforming to this Act and to the amended 
implementing rules and regulations shall be entered into between the parties concerned. 
SECTION 9. Separability Clause -
Should any provision herein be declared 
unconstitutional, the same shall not affect the validity of the other provisions of this Act. 
SECTION 10. Repealing Clause - All laws, pr~sidential decrees, executive orders, rules 
and regulations inconsistent with the provisions of this Act are hereby repealed, amended or 
modified accordingly. 
SECTION 11. Effectivity - This Act takes effect fifteen (15) days after its publication in 
at least two (2) newspapers of general circulation. 
Approved, 
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