Be it enacted by the Batasang Pambansa in session assembled:

Section 1. Section one of Republic Act Numbered Fifty-four hundred and seventy-four, as amended by Republic Act Numbered Sixty-one hundred and forty-five, is further amended to read as follows:

"SECTION 1. It shall be unlawful for any person, association or corporation to catch or cause to be caught, any of the fish specie called "gobiidae" or 'ipon' or to sell, offer to sell, purchase, or have in possession, except for propagation, scientific or educational purposes, any of such fish specie caught during such period or periods of the year as may be declared as a close season by the Minister of Natural Resources, upon the recommendation of the Director of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources, jointly with the Provincial Governor or City Mayor, as the case may be, and taking into account the spawning period and the need for conservation and ecological balance."

Any declaration of the close season under the provisions of this Act shall take effect only after, sixty days from publication thereof in at least two newspapers of general circulation in the place affected by the. declaration.

SEC. 2. The title of Republic Act No. 5474 is hereby amended to read as follows:

"AN ACT MAKING IT UNLAWFUL FOR ANY PERSON, ASSOCIATION OR CORPORATION TO CATCH OR CAUSE TO BE CAUGHT, SELL, OFFER TO SELL, PURCHASE, OR HAVE IN POSSESSION ANY OF THE FISH SPECIE CALLED 'GOBIIDAE' OR 'IPON' DURING A CLOSE SEASON."

SEC. 3. This Act shall take effect upon its. approval.

Approved, March 27, 1980.