MANILA, Philippines — A bill seeking to create a new department focusing on the conservation of marine resources has been filed in the House of Representatives.

If approved, the bill would abolish the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources established by Republic Act 8550.

AGHAM party-list Rep. Angelo Palmones said the bill would transfer all functions, appropriations, records, properties, equipment and personnel to the proposed new department.

“I really would like to commend the Committee on Fisheries and Aquatic Resources under the chairmanship of Cebu Rep. Benhur Salimbangon for supporting the creation of the Department of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources,”
Palmones said.

“The country must have a strong regulatory body to guard, conserve and sustainably manage our aquatic resources,” he stressed.

The party-list lawmaker expressed confidence that “the 15th Congress will pass this bill into law and see the transformation of affected seven million families.”

He, however, clarified the need for the Department of Budget Management (DBM) to support the initiative, which is expected to create opportunities for more employment and income for both fisherfolk and farmers.

“The government should not be limited to just abolishing non-performing agencies as it streamlines the bureaucracy, but must also be prudent enough to create agencies that are timely and needed in the exigency of public service,” Palmones said.

Under the substitute bill, the State’s policy shall adopt the precautionary principle to protect and conserve the nation’s marine wealth in its archipelagic waters, territorial sea and exclusive economic zone and reserve their use and enjoyment exclusively for Filipinos.

“Municipal waters shall remain under the jurisdiction of local government units in accordance with the national fisheries policies, laws, rules and regulations,” Palmones said.

The bill shall authorize the department to supervise and regulate the production and capture of fish and fisheries products within its jurisdiction, as well as the processing and marketing of all aquaculture, fisheries and other aquatic products in the country.

To reach out to the remotest farmers and fishermen, the measure shall create 16 regional field offices and six National Technology Centers that will provide technical support and services to the regional fisheries offices, will serve as conduit/network to bridge the technology gap among the research institutions, the academe, and the fisheries industry and verify, package economically-viable and socially acceptable technologies for technology transfer.