ILOILO CITY (PIA) -- House Bill 74 which calls for the creation of a multi-species marine hatchery in Sitio Mambucog, Barangay Zone 16 in Talisay City, Negros Occidental was pushed in Congress.
Negros Occidental 3rd District Representative Jose Francisco Benitez has filed bill citing that the multi-species hatchery is necessary to support the aquaculture development and enhance seafood production in the district.
He added that this facility is crucial for the sustainability and growth of food production in the area, particularly in E.B. Magalona which is known as “The Blue Crab Capital,” where approximately five tons of “kasag” (crabs) per day in the said town are being produced and processed for export.
Likewise, E.B. Magalona is also popular to have high productivity of oysters, sardines, milkfish, threadfin breams and squid.
In the passage of the bill, the legislator recently sought the help of the Southeast
In response, SEAFDEC- AQD chief Dan Baliao, expressed full support for the project and recommended a site visit to be done by the Feasibility Study team as to determine the appropriate and suitable area for the establishment of hatchery.
Aside from House Bill 74, Benitez also obtained inputs from SEAFDEC on the House Bill No. 69 or the “Blue Economy Act,” which seeks to establish a framework to sustainably develop, manage and protect the Philippines’ marine and water resources.
He stressed the importance of transforming ocean-based industries into
