CREATING FISHERIES AND AQUATIC RESOURCE MANAGEMENT COUNCILS (FARMCs) IN BARANGAYS, CITIES AND MUNICIPALITIES, THEIR COMPOSITION AND FUNCTIONS

WHEREAS, it is a declared policy of state to ensure that management and
control over fisheries and aquatic resources shall be effected by the
Government through the active and extensive participation of people directly
affected thereby;

WHEREAS, the subsistence fisherfolks have been seeking the enhancement of
their empowerment through meaningful participation in the management,
development and protection of fisheries and aquatic resources for sustainable
productivity;

NOW, THEREFORE, I, FIDEL V. RAMOS, President of the Philippines,
by virtue of the powers vested in me by the law do hereby order:

Section 1. Creation of
FARMCs. To institutionalize the major role of the local fisherfolks
and other resource users in the community-based planning and implementation of
policies and programs for the management, conservation, development and
protection of fisheries and aquatic resources of the municipal waters as
defined by the Local Government Code there is hereby created FARMCs in all
barangays, municipalities and cities abutting municipal waters. In bays, gulfs,
lakes, rivers and dams bounded by two or more barangays or
municipalities/cities, Integrated FARMCs shall be created.

Section 2. Regular
Members. At least 3/4 of the regular members of the Fisheries and
Aquatic Resources Management Councils, hereinafter referred to as FARMCs, shall
be representatives of the local municipal fisherfolk.

Section 3. Functions.
The FARMCs shall have among their primary functions the following:

a. Prepare and recommend the
fisheries and aquatic resources management policies and plans for integration
into the Local Development Plan. Such policies and plans should be based on
sound assessment and bio-economic characteristics of the resources.

b. Recommend to the local
government units and special agencies referred to in Section 7 guidelines on
the development and implementation of projects, and issuance of permits and
licenses for the appropriate use of fisheries and aquatic resources, and to
ensure that resource use limits and controls are imposed. Such guidelines may include
the evaluation of all projects and applications by FARMCs prior to the approval
of appropriate offices.

Section 4. Technical
Assistance. The Department of Agriculture (DA), Department of
Environment and Natural Resources (DENR), Department of Interior and Local
Government (DILG), Department of Justice (DOJ), Commission on Human Rights
(CHR), and other government agencies are instructed to extend technical
assistance to FARMCs.

Section 5. Law
Enforcement. The PNP-Maricom, the Philippine Coast Guard and/or other
law enforcement agencies are hereby instructed to take the lead in the
enforcement of environmental laws in collaboration and coordination with the
FARMCs.

Section 6. Deputation of
FARMC Members. The members of the FARMCs shall undergo training and be
deputized as fish wardens, and environment and natural resources officers. The
appropriate government units are hereby instructed to issue deputation papers
to the FARMC members and officers.

Section 7. Special
Agencies. Government agencies or offices having jurisdiction over
municipal waters by virtue of special laws such as, but not limited to, the
Laguna Lake Development Authority shall integrate the plans formulated by the
FARMCs into their agency/corporate policies and plans of operation for implementation.

Section 8. Implementation.
The Department of Agriculture, jointly with the Department of Interior and
Local Government, the special agencies referred to in Section 7, and
representatives of fisherfolk organizations are hereby directed to prepare the
implementing guidelines and ensure the implementation of this Executive Order.

Section 9. Appropriations.
There is hereby appropriated at least Five Million Pesos (P5,000,000.00) from
the Fisheries Sector Program of the Department of Agriculture (DA) for the
implementation of this Executive Order.

Section 10. Effectivity.
This Executive Order shall take effect immediately.

Done in the City of Manila, this
28th day of April in the year of our Lord, Nineteen Hundred and Ninety-Five.

(Sgd.) FIDEL
V. RAMOS
President of the Philippines

By the President

(Sgd.) TEOFISTO T. GUINGONA, JR.
Executive Secretary

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