SEVENTEENTH CONGRESS OF THE )

REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES. )
Second Regular Session ) -
18 MAY 29 P4 50
SENATE

s.No._1832 ‘ i _

Introduced by Senator Cynthia A. Villar

AN ACT
ESTABLISHING A MULTI-SPECIES MARINE HATCHERY IN THE
MUNICIPALITY OF LIBMANAN, PROVINCE OF CAMARINES SUR AND
APPROPRIATING FUNDS THEREFOR

EXPLANATORY NOTE

Reports have it that over seventy percent (70%) of the world’s fish stocks are
fully exploited or are already overfished. 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 ‘virtual deserts’ by 2050 or barely
33 years from now‘.

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 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 that many of our traditional
fishing grounds are getting overfished.

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The waters of Camarines Sur show great potential for marine hatcheries
because of the abundance 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 proposed bill is the Senate counterpart of House Bill No. 6290 filed by
Representative Luis Raymund “LRay” F. Villafuerte Jr. of the 2™ District of Camarines

Sur in the House of Representatives.

I recommend the approval of this bill.

Loge WON


Bown

Caran

SEVENTEENTH CONGRESS OF THE )

REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES )
Second Regular Session ) .
18 MAY 29 P4550
SENATE
fk
s.No._1832 y —

Introduced by Senator Cynthia A. Villar

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.

Sec. 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.

Sec. 3. The Secretary of Agriculture shall include in the Department's
Programs the establishment of the multi-species marine hatchery in the Municpality
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 availabale local revenue deemed appropriate for the
operationalization of the hatchery.

Sec. 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.

Sec. 5. This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after its publication in the
Official Gazette or in a newspaper of general circulation.

Approved,