Republic of the Philippines  
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES 
Quezon City 
18th CONGRESS 
Third Regular Session 
HOUSE BILL NO.  10615 
___________________________________________________________________________ 
Introduced by REP. EVELINA G. ESCUDERO 
___________________________________________________________________________ 
AN ACT ESTABLISHING A MULTI-SPECIES MARINE HATCHERY  
IN THE MUNICIPALITY OF GUBAT, PROVINCE OF SORSOGON, AND 
APPROPRIATING FUNDS THEREFOR 
EXPLANATORY NOTE 
Fishing continues to be one of the primary sources of income and livelihood of Sorsoganons. 
In the first quarter of 2019, the overall fisheries production in the province of Sorsogon was recorded 
at 14,815 metric tons, including Aquaculture production at 390 metric tons, which was a 61% decrement 
compared in 2018. 
During the period, the top species produced in Aquaculture environments were Mudcrab which 
accounted for 53% of the total Aquaculture production, followed by mussels with 26%, Seaweeds with 
13%, and Tiger prawn with 4%, Milkfish with 3%, and lastly, Tilapia with 1%. 1 
In order to improve fisheries productivity and boost the local aquaculture sector in the province, 
this bill seeks to establish a marine hatchery in the province located in the municipality of Gubat, 
Sorsogon. 
Gubat is a second-class municipality in Sorsogon, Philippines, with 42 barangays. Based on the 
2020 Census, it has a population of 69,2502. The municipality is considered one of the fastest-growing 
tourist economies in the province.  
The marine hatchery shall empower stakeholders, particularly the local fisherfolks. It shall also 
serve as a training facility that will showcase innovations developed through years of operation. 
In view of the foregoing, the passage of this bill is earnestly sought. 
EVELINA ESCUDERO 
1 http://rsso05.psa.gov.ph/sites/default/files/content/Fisheries%20Situationer%201st%20Qtr%202019_Sorsogon.pdf 
2 https://www.nnc.gov.ph/phocadownloadpap/userupload/nnc-ro5/Region_5%20Population%20Projections%20CY%20%20%20%202017-2021.pdf
December 13, 2021
11:43 am


     Republic of the Philippines  
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES 
Quezon City 
18th CONGRESS 
Third Regular Session 
HOUSE BILL NO.  ____ 
___________________________________________________________________________ 
Introduced by REP. EVELINA G. ESCUDERO 
___________________________________________________________________________ 
AN ACT ESTABLISHING A MULTI-SPECIES MARINE HATCHERY  
IN THE MUNICIPALITY OF GUBAT, PROVINCE OF SORSOGON, AND 
APPROPRIATING FUNDS THEREFOR 
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the Philippines in Congress assembled: 
Section l. 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 Gubat, Province of Sorsogon 
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 Municipality of Gubat, Province of Sorsogon, 
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 in an amount 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, monitoring, and the eventual transfer of the 
management of the multi-species to the local government unit of the Municipality of Gubat, Sorsogon. 
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, 
10615