Republic Act No. 11397

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

Section 1

There shall be established in the Province of Aklan, a provincial fisheries and aquatic resources training, development, and product center, under the supervision of the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources of the Department of Agriculture (BFAR-DA).

The BFAR-DA shall collaborate with, and tap the expertise, resources, and facilities of the state universities and colleges (SUCs) in the province in the establishment, management, and operation of the center.

Section 2

The provincial center shall, at a minimum, provide onsite and online access to the following:

(a) Applied technology for innovative and sustainable fish breeding and hatchery of high-value marine species;

(b) Training activities and technical assistance to provide sustainable development and production support and education to fisherfolk;

(c) Technical assistance for sustainable production and environmentally sound post-harvest development services;

(d) Technical assistance in the establishment, operation, enhancement, and maintenance of government-operated marine sanctuaries, seaweed nurseries, seaweed processing plants, and mariculture development park facilities;

(e) Catalog, display, and promote local fisheries and aquatic products, and provide marketing and product distribution assistance to fisherfolk: and

(f) Database of available insurance and credit assistance for fisherfolk, and local and international grants and scholarships for fisheries and aquatic resources studies and research.

Section 3

The Secretary of Agriculture shall include in the Department’s programs the establishment of the provincial fisheries and aquatic resources training, development, and product center, the funding of which shall be included in the annual General Appropriations Act. The local government units concerned shall set aside funds from any available local revenue in an amount deemed appropriate for the operationalization of this center.

Section 4

The Department of Agriculture, through the BFAR, shall issue rules and regulations necessary to carry out the purposes of this Act.

Section 5

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

Approved,

(Sgd) VICENTE C. SOTTO III President of the Senate

(Sgd) GLORIA MACAPAGAL-ARROYO Speaker of the House of Representatives

This Act which originated in the House of Representatives was passed by the House of Representatives and the Senate of the Philippines on May 28, 2019 and June 3, 2019, respectively.

(Sgd) MYRA MARIE D. VILLARICA Secretary of the Senate

(Sgd) DANTE ROBERTO P. MALING Acting Secretary General House of Representatives

(Sgd) RODRIGO ROA DUTERTE President of the Philippines

Approved: August 22, 2019.