AN ORDINANCE TO REGULATING FISH FRY AND FISH FINGERLING BUYING,
SELLING, AND TRADING IN THE CITY OF ILOILO
Introduced By:
WHEREAS, RA 8550 as amended, the city government is vested with the jurisdiction
over its territorial waters and is responsible for the management, conservation, development,
protection, utilization, and disposition of all fish and fishery/ aquatic resources within its municipal
waters.
WHEREAS, relative to the above stipulation, RA 7160 otherwise known as the Local
Government Code of 1991 gives autonomy to its Local Chief Executive in order to be self-reliant
and independent in the management of available resources to contribute towards the attainment of
national goals
WHEREAS, Region 6 is a major producer of fishery / aquatic products and Iloilo City
serves as the center of trade and transshipment area of the products derived from aqua culture or
capture fisheries.
WHEREAS, in the course of the implementation of coastal and fisheries resources
management programs and based upon scientific research studies, it has been established that the
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WHEREAS, it has been well-known that the city aims to achieve food security, alleviate
poverty in the fishing sector which is best attained by supporting and strengthening the inherent
responsibilities of the fisher folks, and by promoting and strengthening the responsibilities of
individuals engaged in the buying, selling, and / or trading of fish products on a day-to-day basis.
WHEREAS, to assist in the attainment of the above premises imposes the formulation of
a Fish Fry Trading Ordinance to serve as the primary basis for the effective management,
conservation, enhancement, protection, buy and sell, and trade of fish and fishery resources,
specifically fish fries.
ARTICLE I
TITLE AND DECLARATION OF POLICY
Section 1. TITLE. ~ This ordinance shall be known as “The 2019 Fish Fry and Fish
Fingerling Trading Code of Iloilo City”.
Section 2. DECLARATION OF POLICIES. ~ It is hereby declared the policy of the Local
Government of the City of Iloilo to develop and protect the fisheries and aquatic resources
declaring therefore to be unlawful for any person or entity to violate the rules and regulations stated
in this ordinance.
ARTICLE II
DEFINITION OF TERMS
Section 3. DEFINITION OF TERMS~ For the effective implementation of the ordinance
the terms used in the ordinance are as follows:
1. Banned Products – includes fishery products that are prohibited to be sold,
bought, or traded in this ordinance
2. BFAR – refers to the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources Regional
Office No. 6.
3. City - refers to the Local Government Unit of Iloilo City and the composition
of its administrative, executive and legislative body.
4. City ENRO – refers to the Iloilo City Environment and Natural Resources
Office.
5. City Fishermen – refers to persons or group of persons that undertake fishing
activities without fishing boat or using fishing boat that is lower than three (3)
metric tons gross weight within the City Waters equipped with a valid license
issued by the City.
6. City Waters – refers to streams, estuarine, creeks, rivers, tidal zones,
swamplands, mangrove areas, and marine waters included between two (2)
lines drawn perpendicularly to the general coastline from points where the
boundary lines of the city touch the sea at low tide and a third line parallel to
the general coastline that equally divides the shore opposite of the Island of
Guimaras contained within the landmark bounding the City and its neighboring
municipalities as describe in Article_________
7. Commercial Fishing – the taking of fishery species by passive or active gear for
trade, business or profit beyond subsistence and above gross weight.
8. FAO – means Fisheries Administrative Orders
9. Fish Fingerling – refers to a stage in the life cycle of the fish, measuring to about
6 – 13 cm., depending on the species.
10. Fish Fry – refers to a stage in the life cycle of the fish usually with sizes from 1
– 2.5 cm.
11. Fish Worker – refers to a person regularly or not regularly employed in
commercial fishing or related industries, whose income is either in wage, profit
sharing or stratified sharing basis, including those working in fish pens, fish
cages, fish corrals, traps, fishponds, sea farms, and/or packing plants. Excluded
from this category are administrators, and security guards.
12. Fish Vendor – refers to person/s engage in fishery activities such as selling,
value adding and/or processing of products derived from fishing and fishery
resources
13. Illegal Fishing – an act to perform fishing other than for consumption and
pleasure without a valid fisher license or permit and the intention or
performance of fishing activities that are non-tolerable or prohibited by existing
laws within the city as well as possession and selling or activities relative hereto
of fishery products that were illegally derived.
14. License/ Permit – refers to the document issued by the city government
allowing an applicant to fish or to use the city territorial water as regulated in
this ordinance.
15. Marginal Fishermen – refers to an individual engaged in subsistence fishing
which shall be limited to sale, barter or exchange of marine products caught or
produced by himself and his immediate family, whose annual net income from
fishing does not exceed Fifty Thousand Pesos (Php 50,000.00).
16. PNP-MARIG – refers to the Philippine National Police – Maritime Group
17. Private Sector – refers to persons or entities that operate business not related to
fishing and fishery, but which interests may influence, effect or utilize fisheries
resources (e.g. restaurants and resort operators, tourist attractions, hotels).
18. Sports Fishing – refers to the performance of fishing activity as a hobby and
intended for recreation and leisure
19. Subsistence Fishing – refers to the performance of fishing not intended for
commercial reason but for purposes of self-consumption
20. Supermarket – refers to large retail store operated on a self-service basis, selling
groceries, fresh produce, meat, fish, and other nonfood products.
21. Wet Market – refers to an open market selling fresh fish, seafood, meat, grains,
and fresh produce.
ARTICLE III
SELLING AND TRADING OF FISHERY/AQUATIC RESOURCES
ARTICLE IV
SPECIE CLASSIFICATIONS AND PROHIBITIONS
ARTICLE V
LICENSING SYSTEM
ARTICLE VI
PROHIBITIONS AND PENALTIES
ARTICLE VII
ENFORCEMENT
Section __. PERSONS AUTHORIZED TO ENFORCE THIS ORDINANCE. ~ The Office
of the City Agriculturist shall be responsible as the lead department of the City in carrying out
effective enforcement of rules and regulations stated in this ordinance. They shall seek assistance
from the BFAR, CENRO, PNP-MARIG, and other agencies that may be deemed necessary.
Provided that the City Mayor or his duly authorized representative shall have the authority
to prosecute or file appropriate complaint to the proper court or judicial body against any violators
of this ordinance.
ARTICLE VII
PENAL PROVISION
Section __. PENAL PROVISION. ~ Any person who violates any section of this ordinance
other than the previously stated shall be fined:
First Offense TWO THOUSAND FIVE HUNDRED PESOS
(PHP2,500.00) per person per violation
Second Offense FIVE THOUSAND PESOS (PHP5,000.00) per
person per violation
Third Offense EIGHT THOUSAD PESOS (PHP8,000.00) per
person per violation and/or imprisonment of not
exceeding six (6) months at the discretion of the
court
ARTICLE IX
FINAL PROVISION
Section __. APPROPRIATION. ~ To effectively carry out the provisions of this Ordinance,
a sum of ONE HUNDRED THOUSAND PESOS (PHP100,000.00) shall be appropriated from the
funds of the City. A fix amount will be incorporated in the Annual Budget upon determination of
the required funds to support implementation of this Ordinance.
Section __. REPEALING CLAUSE. ~ All city ordinance, city executive orders,
administrative regulations, or parts thereof which are inconsistent with any of the provision of this
ordinance are hereby repealed or amended accordingly.
Section __. SEPARABILITY CLAUSE. ~ If, for any reason, or reasons any part or
provision of this ordinance shall be declared unconstitutional or invalid, other parts or provisions
hereof which are not affected thereby shall continue to be in force and effect.
