AUG 21, 2015

NR # 3933

House okays bill reverting fishponds unutilized for three years to

forestlands
The House of Representatives has approved on third and final reading a
measure reverting fishponds that have been unutilized or abandoned for three years to
forestlands.
House Bill 5845 authored by Rep. Linabelle Ruth R. Villarica (4th District,
Bulacan) shortens the process of reverting the unutilized fishponds to forestlands, which
could spur socio-economic development in the countryside.
"Environmental laws must be attuned to the demands of climate change as well as
the socio-economic needs of the increasing number of people living in our communities,"
Villarica said.
Villarica said the bill amends Section 43 of Presidential Decree No. 705, otherwise
known as the Revised Forestry Reform Code of the Philippines.
The measure substituted House Bill 5289 and was endorsed for plenary approval by
the House Committee on Natural Resources, chaired by Rep. Francisco T. Matugas (1st
District, Surigao Del Norte).
Villarica said under PD 705, mangrove and other swamps released by Bureau
of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR) for fishpond purposes that have been
unutilized and abandoned for a period of five years from the date of such release should
revert to the category of forestland.
The bill seeks to shorten the period of reverting to forestlands the fishponds, which
have been unutilized or abandoned from five to three years, Villarica said.
The fishponds could be utilized for mangrove propagation or promotion of ecotourism activities to jumpstart the economy of communities wanting in socio-economic
development, according to Villarica.
Villarica, chairperson of the House Committee on Women and Gender Equality,
said under PD 705, strips of mangrove forest bordering numerous islands, which protect
the shoreline, the shoreline roads, and even coastal communities from the destructive force
of the sea during high winds and typhoons, shall be maintained and shall not be alienated.
Villarica said such strips must be kept free from artificial obstruction so that
floodwater will flow unimpeded to the sea to avoid flooding or inundation of cultivated
areas in the upstream.

Under the bill, all mangrove swamps set aside for coast-protection purposes shall
not be subject to clear-cutting operation.
The Department of Agriculture (DA) and the Department of Environment and
Natural Resources (DENR) are mandated to prepare a set of joint guidelines to determine
abandoned, undeveloped or under-utilized fishponds covered by Fishpond Lease
Agreements (FLAs). (30) lvc