Research and Development Functions
- Continuous research and experimentation on breeding and production of freshwater species.
- Emphasis on adapting methods to local environmental and ecological conditions.
- Aim to discover new technologies to benefit the freshwater aquaculture industry.
Local Advisory Council Composition and Role
- Establishment of a Local Advisory Council to provide direction and facilitate communication.
- Council composition includes:
- BFAR Director for Region 10 as Chairperson.
- President of the Municipal Mayors League of Lanao del Norte.
- Mayor of Balo-i Municipality.
- Three representatives from the local fisheries sector appointed by the Governor.
Distribution and Commercialization of Hatchery Products
- The Center to distribute fry and fingerlings into public bodies of water according to schedules recommended by the Local Advisory Council.
- Authorized to sell fry and fingerlings to organized individual fish farmers at prevailing market prices.
Management Transfer to Local Government
- Mandates BFAR-DA to transfer management of the Center to the local government of Balo-i within two years after establishment.
- Transfer to be formalized through a memorandum of agreement.
- BFAR-DA responsible for training and phasing-in local government personnel on Center operations and management.
Funding and Budgetary Provisions
- Inclusion of the Center's establishment and operational funding in the Department of Agriculture’s annual program and budget.
- Funding shall be incorporated in the General Appropriations Act.
- Local government units directed to allocate appropriate local revenue for the Center’s operationalization.
Issuance of Rules and Regulations
- Secretary of Agriculture tasked to promulgate rules within 60 days of the Act’s approval.
- Regulations to cover breeding, propagation, distribution of fry and fingerlings.
- Rules also to address supervision, monitoring, and the eventual transfer process to local government management.
Effectivity of the Act
- The Act shall take effect 15 days after its publication in the Official Gazette or a newspaper of general circulation.