Question & AnswerQ&A (Republic Act No. 11401)
The main purpose of Republic Act No. 11401 is to establish a freshwater multispecies hatchery and research center known as the Lanao del Norte Freshwater Aquaculture Center in the Municipality of Balo-i, Province of Lanao del Norte.
The Center shall be established under the supervision of the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources of the Department of Agriculture (BFAR-DA).
The Center, along with the BFAR-DA, shall conduct continuing research and experimentation on the breeding and production of freshwater species, especially adapted to local conditions, to discover new methods and technology benefiting the freshwater aquaculture industry.
The Local Advisory Council shall be composed of the BFAR Director for Region 10 as Chairperson, the President of the Municipal Mayors League of Lanao del Norte, the Mayor of the Municipality of Balo-i, and three representatives from the local fisheries sector appointed by the Governor.
The Council shall provide direction for the Center, facilitate exchange of information among the Center and stakeholders, and recommend intervals for dispersing fry and fingerlings in public bodies of water.
Yes, the Center may sell fry and fingerlings to individual organized fish farmers at prevailing market prices.
The BFAR-DA shall transfer the management of the Center to the local government of the Municipality of Balo-i within two (2) years after its establishment through a memorandum of agreement.
BFAR-DA shall implement a training and phasing-in program for local government personnel on the management and operation of the Center.
The Secretary of Agriculture shall include the Center in the Department's program with funding included in the annual General Appropriations Act. Local government units concerned shall also set aside funds from available local revenues deemed appropriate for the Center's operationalization.
The Act took effect fifteen (15) days after its publication in the Official Gazette or in a newspaper of general circulation.