Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Constitution Hills, Quezon City

FIFTEENTH CONGRI
First Regular Session

HOUSE BILL No. 198"?

Introduced by: REP. MEL SENEN S. SARMIENTO

EXPLANATORY NOTE

In complying with the provisions of R.A. 8550, it has been experienced and proven
by the commercial boat operators that the 15 km area is too far/wide for their operation
considering that majority of the fishing vessels are small and medium in scale. Thus, they
could not make the most of their fishing operations given the seaworthiness and capability of
their vessels to exploit the area.

It should be noted also that the government has yet to implement financial support!
incentives for improvement of fishing vessels, acquisition of equipments and tax and duty
exemptions as mandated by the Code (Sec. 34 and 35).

Considering these facts, it would be appropriate for commercial fishing boats/vessels
to operate at fishing grounds 7.1 to 15 km area from the shoreline within municipal waters if
ever the concerned LGU permits/allows thru enactment of Municipal Fishery Ordinance.

Approval of this bill is therefore eamestly requested.

MEL oo

Page 1 of 4


10

un

12

23

Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Constitution Hills, Quezon City

FIFTEENTH CONGRESS
First Regular Session

HOUSE BILL NO._{98'7

Introduced by: RI

P. MEL SENEN S. SARMIENTO

AN ACT
AMENDING SECTION 18 AND RULE 18.1 OF REPUBLIC ACT 8550,
OTHERWISE KNOWN AS THE PHILIPPINE FISHERIES CODE OF 1998

Be _it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the Philippines in
Congress assembled:

SECTION 1. Section 18 of RA 8550 is hereby amended and shall read as follows:

Sec. 18 Users of Municipal Waters — All fishery related activities in municipal
waters, as defined in this Code, shall be utilized by municipal fisherfolks and their

cooperatives! organizations who are listed as such in the registry of municipal fisherfolk.

The municipal or city government, however, may, through its local chief executive and
acting pursuant to an appropriate ordinance, authorize to permit small and medium
commercial fishing vessels to operate within the [ten point one (10.1) to fifteen (15)}
SEVEN POINT ONE (7.1) TO FIFTEEN (15) kilometer area from the shoreline in
municipal waters as defined herein, provided, that all the following are met:

@. no commercial fishing in municipal waters with depth less than seven (7) fathoms as

certified...
Page 2 of 4


=

23

24

25

26

27

28

29

30

31

b. xxx

c. XXX

SECTION 2. Rule 18.1 is hereby amended and read as follows:

Rule 18.1 Guidelines ~ The municipality/city government which intend to allow the entry

of commercial fishing boats in [10.1 to 15] 7.1 TO 15 km shoreline:

a xXx

b. xxx
(1) xxx
(2) xxx
(3) xxx

Cameocg

SECTION 3. Repealing Clause. — All laws, decrees, executive orders, proclamations, rules
and regulations, or parts thereof inconsistent herewith are hereby repealed or modified

accordingly.

SECTION 4. Separability Clause. — If any provision of this Act is held invalid or

unconstitutional, the other provisions not affected hereby shall remain valid and subsisting.

SECTION 5. Effectivity Clause. - This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days afer its

Publication in at least two (2) national newspapers of general circulation.

Page 3 of 4


Approved,

Page 4 of 4