Republic of the Philippines 
House of Representatives 
Quezon City, Metro Manila 
NINETEENTH CONGRESS 
First Regular Session 
House Bill No. _______ 
INTRODUCED BY REP. PM VARGAS 
AN ACT 
PROVIDING FOR THE ORGANIZATION OF COOPERATIVES FOR FRY 
GATHERERS, SMALL SCALE FISHERMEN AND FISHFARMERS 
EXPLANATORY NOTE 
Recent developments have pointed out the inadequacy of the local fish 
market to supply the increasing demand of a growing populace. Such is the 
situation that the low supply has contributed to the historically high inflation 
rate. 
On the supply side, we have, scattered along coastal communities in the 
country, large numbers of small scale fisher folk, subsistence fisherman died fry-
gatherers, whose individual and collective efforts are dwarfed by the more 
organized work of big and commercial fishing operations. 
Empowering theses marginal fishermen must be an urgent objective of the 
national government. As is the situation today, these small fishermen have 
inadequate and substandard fishing gear and equipment that could only allow 
them to fish limited distances using dilapidated bancas and overused fishing 
nets. On worse days when inclement weather prevents them from venturing out 
to sea, their families suffer. On better days when catch is abundant, they have 
no access to cold storage facilities that would enable them to preserve their catch 
to sell for better prices. 
This bill seeks to provide for the organization of cooperatives for fry 
gatheres, small scale fishermen and fishfarmers. 
July 11, 2022
8:00 am
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Organizing theses marginal fishermen into cooperatives would help 
tremendously. Having strength in members they could, through small gradual 
individual contributions and pool resources to acquire the needed fishing gear 
and equipment. Governmental action can also facilitate for them the acquisition 
of motorized bancas, cold storages, and market linkages one they are organized. 
In view of the foregoing, the immediate passage of this bill is earnestly 
sought. 
 
 
 
REP. PM VARGAS   
 
Fifth District, Quezon City 
 
 


Republic of the Philippines 
House of Representatives 
Quezon City, Metro Manila 
NINETEENTH CONGRESS 
First Regular Session 
House Bill No. _______ 
INTRODUCED BY REP. PM VARGAS 
AN ACT 
PROVIDING FOR THE ORGANIZATION OF COOPERATIVES FOR FRY 
GATHERERS, SMALL SCALE FISHERMEN AND FISHFARMERS 
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the Philippines in 
Congress assembled: 
SECTION 1. Short Title. -  This Act shall be known as the “Small Scale 
Fishfarmers Cooperatives Act”. 
SECTION 2. Declaration of Policy - It is policy of the State to promote the 
growth of cooperatives among fry gatherers, small-scale fishermen, and small 
fish farmers to enable them to receive an equitable share in the benefits delivered 
from the fishing industry. Such cooperatives shall receive the support and 
assistance of the government. 
SECTION 3. Definition – For purposed of the Act, the following definitions shall 
apply. 
a) Fry gatherer- shall refer to an individual, usually self-employed who is
engaged in the catching, gathering or collecting of fish, utilizing for the
purpose fishing boats of three gross tons or less or using gear without the
use of such boats.
b) Small scale fishermen – shall refer to an individual, either self-employed
or employed by others who is engaged in fishing, utilizing for the purpose
fishing boats of three gross tons or less or using gear without the use of
such boats.
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c) Small fish farmer – shall refer to an individual who owns not more than 
one of fishpond or leases not more than three hectares or fishponds or 
owns not more than one-half hectare of fish pens. 
 
d) Cooperative – shall mean an association of fry gatherers, small farmers 
organized and registered pursuant to Presidential Decree Numbered One 
Hundred Seventy-Five, as amended. 
 
e) Organization of Cooperative – fry gatherers, small-scale fishermen and 
small farmers shall be organized as cooperatives and be registered under 
Republic Act No. 6939 under the supervision of the Cooperative 
Development Authority. 
 
SECTION 4. Cooperative Development Programs. The Bureau of Fisheries and 
Aquatic Resources of the Department of Agriculture and the Cooperative 
Development Authority under the Office of the President shall initiate and 
develop programs to promote, encourage, and assist the organization of such 
cooperatives. 
 
SECTION 5. Privileges of Cooperatives – In addition to the privileges granted 
to cooperatives under Presidential Decree Numbered One Hundred Seventy-Five, 
as further amended by Republic Act Numbered Six Thousand Nine Hundred 
Thirty-Nine, fishery cooperatives organized under this Act shall have the 
following fishery privileges: 
 
a) Availment of the privilege of constructing and operating oyster culture 
beds; gathering fish fry in municipal waters; operating fish fry in 
municipal water operating fishing boats of three gross or less in municipal 
waters, or fishing in municipal waters with nets, traps or other fishing 
gear not prohibited by Republic Act No. 8500, as provided in Section 
Twenty-Nine of Presidential Decree Numbered Seven Hundred Four, 
subject to the conditions imposed thereof; 
 
b) Availment of training programs, measures and studies conducted by the 
Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources and other government 
agencies and instructions; and 
 
c) Availment of technical assistance provided by government agencies and 
private institutions. 
 
SECTION 6. Implementing Rules and Regulations – The Cooperative 
Development Authority shall, in coordination with the Bureau of Fisheries and 
Resources promulgate the necessary rules and regulations for the effective 
implementation of this Act. 
 


SECTION 7. Repealing Clause. - All laws, decrees, executive orders, rules and 
regulations or parts thereof contrary to, or inconsistent With this Act, are hereby 
modified or repealed accordingly. 
SECTION 8. Separability Clause. - If any provision of this Act is held as invalid 
or unconstitutional, the remaining provisions of this not otherwise affected shall 
remain valid and subsisting. 
SECTION 9. Effectivity. - – This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days following 
its complete publication in any national newspaper of general circulation or in 
the Official Gazette. 
Approved,