Republic Act No. 10857

AN ACT ESTABLISHING MANGROVE CRAB SEED BANKS, NURSERIES AND GROW-OUT PRODUCTION FARMS IN THE MUNICIPALITIES OF VIRAC, BATO, BARAS, GIGMOTO, VIGA, PANGANIBAN, BAGAMANOC, SAN ANDRES, CARAMORAN AND PANDAN, PROVINCE OF CATANDUANES AND APPROPRIATING FUNDS THEREFOR

Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the Philippines in Congress assembled:

SECTION 1. There shall be established, under the supervision of the Department of Agriculture, mangrove crab seed banks, nurseries and grow-out production farms in the municipalities of Virac, Bato, Baras, Gigmoto, Viga, Panganiban, Bagamanoc, San Andres, Caramoran and Pandan, Province of Catanduanes.

SECTION 2. The Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR), the Provincial Government of Catanduanes, the concerned local government units (LGUs), and the Catanduanes State University shall, in the identification of areas where these seed banks, nurseries and grow-out production farms will be established shall place priority to the utilization of abandoned, undeveloped or underutilized fishponds covered by fishpond lease agreements.

SECTION 3. The BFAR and the Provincial Government of Catanduanes, in collaboration with the Catanduanes State University, shall issue guidelines and provide technical assistance to fishermen and their association, in the establishment, operation, maintenance, supervision and monitoring of mangrove crab seed banks, nurseries and grow-out production farms.

SECTION 4. The Secretary of Agriculture shall include in the Department’s programs the establishment of the mangrove crab seed banks, nurseries and grow-out production farms, the funding of which shall be included in the annual General Appropriations Act. The LGUs concerned shall set aside funds from any available local revenue to fund their establishment, supervision and monitoring.

SECTION 5. This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after its publication in the Official Gazette or in a newspaper of general circulation.

Approved,

(Sgd.) FRANKLIN M. DRILON

President of the Senate

(Sgd.) FELICIANO BELMONTE JR.

Speaker of the House of Representatives

This Act which originated in the House of Representatives was passed by the House of Representatives on June 9, 2014, amended by the Senate on February 1, 2016, and which amendments were concurred in by the House of Representatives on February 1, 2016.

(Sgd.) OSCAR G. YABES

Secretary of the Senate

(Sgd.) MARILYN B. BARUA-YAP

Secretary General

House of Representatives

Approved: MAY 23 2016

(Sgd.) BENIGNO S. AQUINO, III

President of the Philippines