Law Summary

SECTION 1: Establishment of the Central Hatchery

• Legal Principle: This section mandates the establishment of a central multi-species marine hatchery.
• Key Definitions:
  • "Central multi-species marine hatchery" refers to a facility focused on the breeding and propagation of various marine species.
• Requirements: The hatchery will be located in the City Environmental Estate in Barangay Sta. Lucia, Puerto Princesa, Palawan.
• Supervision: The Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources of the Department of Agriculture (BFAR-DA) will supervise the hatchery.

SECTION 2: Management Transfer to Western Philippines University (WPU)

• Legal Principle: This section outlines the transition of management responsibilities.
• Requirements:
  • The BFAR-DA must transfer management to the WPU within five years after the hatchery's construction.
  • A memorandum of agreement will formalize the transfer.
• Training Program:
  • BFAR-DA, with the Southeast Asian Fisheries Development Center Aquaculture Division, will implement a training program for WPU personnel.

SECTION 3: Extension Program for Marginal Fisherfolk

• Legal Principle: The establishment of an educational program to support local fisherfolk.
• Key Definitions:
  • "Marginal fisherfolk" refers to local fishermen who rely on fishing for their livelihood but may lack resources or advanced techniques.
• Requirements:
  • The BFAR-DA and WPU are tasked with developing an extension program to educate fisherfolk on modern methods and technologies for propagating high-value marine species.

SECTION 4: Funding and Budget Allocation

• Legal Principle: This section addresses the financial aspects of establishing the hatchery.
• Funding Requirements:
  • The Secretary of Agriculture must include the establishment of the hatchery in the Department’s programs with funding in the annual General Appropriations Act.
  • The WPU is required to allocate funds from available revenues for the hatchery's operationalization.

SECTION 5: Issuance of Rules and Regulations

• Legal Principle: This section sets forth the requirement for regulatory frameworks.
• Requirements:
  • Within 60 days of the Act's passage, the Secretary of Agriculture must issue rules and regulations governing the hatchery's supervision, operation, monitoring, and management transfer to WPU.

SECTION 6: Effectivity of the Act

• Legal Principle: This section declares when the Act will take effect.
• Timeframe:
  • The Act shall take effect 15 days after its publication in the Official Gazette or a newspaper of general circulation.

Approval and Legislative Process

• Legislative Overview:
  • The Act was passed by both Houses of Congress on specified dates in 2020 and 2022.
• Approval:
  • Signed into law by President Rodrigo Roa Duterte on April 27, 2022.

Key Takeaways

• The Act establishes a multi-species marine hatchery in Puerto Princesa, supervised by BFAR-DA.
• Management will be transitioned to WPU within five years, with a training program in place.
• An extension program will support local fisherfolk in adopting new aquaculture techniques.
• Financial provisions must be included in the Department of Agriculture's budget.
• The Secretary of Agriculture has a 60-day deadline to issue necessary regulations.
• The Act takes effect 15 days post-publication.