Republic Act No. 12108

AN ACT ESTABLISHING A COASTAL AQUACULTURE CENTER TO SUPPORT AND REHABILITATE THE BUREAU OF FISHERIES AND AQUATIC RESOURCES NORTHERN MINDANAO BRACKISH WATER AQUACULTURE FARM IN THE MUNICIPALITY OF LALA, PROVINCE OF LANAO DEL NORTE, 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 Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources of the Department of Agriculture (DA-BFAR), a coastal aquaculture center to further enhance the operations of the BFAR Northern Mindanao Brackish Water Aquaculture Fish Farm in the Municipality of Lala, Province of Lanao del Norte.

Section 2

Prior to the establishment of the coastal aquaculture center, the DA-BFAR shall conduct a full-scale feasibility study in support of its construction to comply with the requirements of the Department of Budget and Management.

The DA-BFAR shall conduct continuing technological verification and experimentation on coastal aquaculture, especially as they apply to local conditions, and to discover new methods and technology that will rejuvenate the fishing industry.

Section 3

The Secretary of Agriculture shall include in the Department's programs the conduct of the feasibility study and the consequent establishment of the coastal aquaculture center, and the rehabilitation of the BFAR Northern Mindanao Brackish Water Aquaculture Fish Farm in the Municipality of Lala, Province of Lanao del Norte, the funding of which shall be included in the annual General Appropriations Act.

Section 4

Within sixty (60) days from the effectivity of this Act, the Secretary of Agriculture shall issue the rules and regulations on the supervision, operation, monitoring, and the eventual transfer of the management of the multi-species marine hatchery to the local govenrment of the City of Baybay.

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.) FRANCIS "CHIZ" G. ESCUDERO President of the Senate	(Sgd.) FERDINAND MARTIN G. ROMUALDEZ 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 March 6, 2023 and September 16, 2024, respectively.

(Sgd.) RENATO N. BANTUG, JR. Secretary of the Senate	(Sgd.) REGINALD S. VELASCO Secretary General House of Representatives

Approved: DEC 13 2024

(Sgd.) FERDINAND ROMUALDEZ MARCOS JR. President of the Philippines