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Republic of the Philippines 
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES 
Quezon City, Metro Manila 
NINETEENTH CONGRESS 
First Regular Session 
House Bill No. _________ 
Introduced by Representative Richard I. Gomez 
EXPLANATORY NOTE 
As an island, the Province of Leyte relies heavily on fishing. Its coastal communities enjoy 
the diverse aquatic resources that surround the island. The fisheries in coastal municipalities do 
not only contribute to the development of the agriculture sector in the province, but also to the 
Philippine economy, at large.  
Although Leyte leads in fishery production in Eastern Visayas, environmental hazards–
especially during inclement weather conditions– hinder fisherfolks from maximizing the available 
aquatic resources. Coastal communities are also subjected to lack of livelihood when it is out of 
season. Furthermore, with the growing demand in food supply, extracting fishery juveniles may 
not be sustainable for the industry and the environment.  
Thus, this bill seeks to establish a multi-species marine hatchery in the Municipality of 
Merida in the Province of Leyte. A multi-species hatchery will not only increase food production 
but it will also contribute to the economic development and poverty alleviation in the Municipality 
of Merida. With the marine hatchery, consistent supply of fish from the facilities would be 
guaranteed. Furthermore, it will reduce the dependence of fisherfolks on wild-caught juveniles, 
thereby allowing for a more sustainable aquaculture. Finally, this will promote the policy of the 
State under the Constitution to provide extensive support to fisherfolks through appropriate 
technology and research, adequate financial, production, and marketing assistance.  
In view of the foregoing, the approval of this bill is earnestly sought. 
RICHARD I. GOMEZ 
August 16, 2022
1:30 pm
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Republic of the Philippines 
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES 
Quezon City 
NINETEENTH CONGRESS 
First Regular Session 
House Bill No. _________________ 
______________________________________________________________________________ 
Introduced by Representative Richard I. Gomez 
AN ACT ESTABLISHING A MULTI-SPECIES MARINE HATCHERY IN THE 
MUNICIPALITY OF MERIDA, PROVINCE OF LEYTE, AND APPROPRIATING 
FUNDS THEREFOR  
Be it enacted by the Senate and the 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 Merida, Province of Leyte.  
Sec. 2. Prior to the establishment of the multi-species marine hatchery, the BFAR-DA 
shall conduct a full-scale feasibility study in support of its construction to comply with the 
requirements of the Department of Budget and Management. 
Within two (2) years after the construction of the multi-species marine hatchery, the 
BFAR-DA, through a memorandum of agreement, shall transfer its management to the local 
government of the Municipality of Merida. It shall implement a training and phasing-in program 
for local government personnel on the management and operation of the multi-species hatchery. 
Sec. 3. The BFAR-DA shall conduct continuing research and experimentation on the 
breeding and production of marine species, especially as they apply to local conditions, to 
discover new methods and technologies that will enhance the fishing industry.  
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Sec. 4. The Secretary of Agriculture shall include in the Department’s program the 
conduct of the feasibility study and the consequent establishment of the multi-species marine 
hatchery in the Municipality of Merida, Province of Leyte, the funding of which shall be 
included in the General Appropriations Act. The local government unit shall set aside funds 
from any available local revenue in an amount deemed appropriate for the operationalization of 
the hatchery.  
Sec. 5. Within sixty (60) days from the effectivity of this Act, the Secretary of 
Agriculture shall issue the rules and regulations on the supervision, operation, monitoring, and 
the eventual transfer of the multi-species marine hatchery to the local government of the 
Municipality of Merida.  
Sec. 6. Separability Clause. If any provision of this Act is held invalid or unconstitutional, 
the other provisions not so declared shall remain in force and in effect. 
Sec. 7. Repealing Clause. Any other law, issuance or part thereof inconsistent with this Act 
are hereby repealed or modified accordingly.  
Sec. 8. Effectivity Clause. — This Act shall take fifteen (15) days after its publication in the 
Official Gazette or in two (2) newspapers of general circulation.  
 
Approved,