HB02684: AQUA-NEGOSYO PROGRAM ACT
This bill aims to institutionalize the "AquaNegosyo" program of the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR) by establishing "Aqua-Negosyo Centers" in National Technology Centers and Technology Outreach Stations. The program seeks to promote sustainable fisheries development, improve food value chains, and manage production clusters to transform the fisheries sector into a vibrant Blue Economy. The explanatory note highlights the ongoing threat to food security in the Philippines due to population growth, climate change, and underdeveloped food production technologies.
The significance of this bill lies in its potential to address food security issues and improve the livelihoods of fisherfolk and individuals interested in the fisheries sector. By providing technical knowledge, skills, access to facilities, research outputs, and training programs, the AquaNegosyo Centers will empower "Aquapreneurs" and encourage aquaculture businesses as a source of sustainable livelihood, contributing to countryside development and global competitiveness of the Philippine aquaculture industry.