Republic of the Philippines 
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES 
Quezon City 
TWENTIETH CONGRESS 
First Regular Session 
House Bill No. 881 
Introduced by Representative REYNOLDS MICHAEL T. TAN 
EXPLANATORY NOTE 
The Province of Samar, particularly the Municipality of Basey, is well-known for 
its colorful and woven tikog-based products and handicrafts most especially the 
multi-purpose mats called banig which may in turn be used as a material for the 
production and creation of other products.  
The weaving of Tikog, a special reed plant, into Banig is a century-old practice 
which has been passed down from generation to generation. It is of great 
significance to the history and culture of Samar and its people, more so in   Basey 
town wherein the same has developed into a flourishing household industry and 
became a prime source of livelihood, most especially among women weavers. 
Basey’s tikog and banig products have garnered great market attention not only 
within the country but also worldwide. 
However, the growth of the industry has stagnated primarily due to the lasting 
effects of Super Typhoon Yolanda (Haiyan) which struck the region on December 
2013. Basey was one of the most heavily affected areas by the typhoon which 
destroyed tikog from naturally growing as well as damaged most homes and work 
areas used for banig weaving. In spite of rehabilitation efforts undertaken by the 
local government as well as by various organizations, the lack of capital 
investment, lagging technology, lack of engagement from the youth, among 
others, all contribute in stifling the industry from reaching its full potential. It is 
then apparent that more funding and support is required in order to fully 
rehabilitate, develop and augment the industry into a commercially competitive 
endeavor for the purpose of providing greater economic upliftment for the people 
as well as to preserve its historic and cultural legacy. 
Wherefore, there is a need to protect, develop and support the tikog industry 
through the creation of a Banig Subsidy Fund and Tikog Research and 
July 1, 2025
2:36 pm


Development Center as well as the recognition of Basey, Samar as the Banig 
Capital of the Philippines for the overall benefit of all stakeholders. 
The early recognition and approval of this bill is respectfully and earnestly 
sought.    
REYNOLDS MICHAEL T. TAN 
   Second District of Samar 


Republic of the Philippines 
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES 
Quezon City 
TWENTIETH CONGRESS 
First Regular Session 
House Bill No. 881 
Introduced by Representative REYNOLDS MICHAEL T. TAN 
“AN ACT DEVELOPING THE TIKOG INDUSTRY, CREATING FOR THE 
PURPOSE THE BANIG SUBSIDY FUND AND THE TIKOG RESEARCH AND 
DEVELOPMENT CENTER, AND DECLARING THE MUNICIPALITY OF BASEY 
IN THE PROVINCE OF SAMAR AS THE BANIG CAPITAL OF THE 
PHILIPPINES” 
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the Republic of 
the Philippines in Congress assembled: 
SECTION 
1. SHORT TITLE. - This Act shall be known as the “TIKOG 
DEVELOPMENT ACT.” 
SECTION 
2. DECLARATION OF POLICY. - It is the policy of the State 
to instill patriotism and nationalism among the people as well as to promote the 
preferential use of locally manufactured goods that utilize local resources, adopt 
measures that help make them competitive and thus generate wider employment 
and greater benefits to the country. 
It is likewise the policy of the State to promote and accelerate the 
development and growth of the Province of Samar, within the context of national 
policies for economic, social, and cultural well-being. 
SECTION 
3. 
CREATION 
OF 
THE 
TIKOG 
RESEARCH 
AND 
DEVELOPMENT CENTER. - Within a year from the approval of this Act, there 
shall be created a Tikog Research and Development Center in the Province of 
Samar attached to the Samar State University in Catbalogan City. 
SECTION 
4. 
FUNCTIONS 
OF 
THE 
TIKOG 
RESEARCH 
AND 
DEVELOPMENT CENTER. - The Tikog Research and Development Center shall 
perform the following functions: 


 
A. Undertake and conduct researches and technical studies on the 
development, production, management, and marketing of Tikog, Tikog 
and Banig products and its other by-products; 
 
B. Publish research studies, papers, articles, and other works or writings 
relating to Tikog and Banig research and development with the end goal 
of benefitting farmers, weavers, traders and other stakeholders; 
 
C. Train faculty members and other research personnel who will 
undertake research and development work on Tikog, Banig and its 
other by-products; 
 
D. Formulate a Tikog and Banig Development Roadmap/Program; 
 
E. Formulate and develop innovations in Tikog and Banig production and 
development as well as provide for the transfer and improvement of 
appropriate technologies and techniques; 
 
F. Provide technical support and assistance for sustainable Tikog and 
Banig production and development activities as well as promote and 
provide adequate training to farmers and individuals and other 
stakeholders engaged in Tikog and Banig propagation, production, 
processing and distribution in the Province of Samar; 
 
G. Provide and develop marketing tools and intellectual property 
protection framework for Tikog, Tikog and Banig products and its other 
by-products; 
 
H. Establish standards in grading, sampling and inspection, tests and 
analysis, specifications, packaging, preservation, conservation and 
transportation of Tikog, Tikog and Banig products and its other by-
products;  
 
I. Assist and coordinate with the Department of Trade and Industry and 
other concerned government agencies for the participation of Tikog and 
Banig farmers, weavers, traders and exporters in local and 
international conferences, trade fairs, expositions and exhibits; 
 
J. Assist and coordinate with the Department of Education and other 
concerned government agencies in developing and implementing a 
Banig Weaving Program in the curriculum of select Senior High Schools 
in the Province of Samar; 
 


K. Coordinate with the local government units as well as concerned 
government agencies and offices to consolidate all policies, programs 
and projects relating to Tikog and Banig research and development; 
and, 
 
L. Perform such other functions and duties necessary or incidental to the 
promotion and development of the Tikog and Banig Industry and in the 
accomplishment of the goals and purposes of this Act. 
 
SECTION 
5. BANIG SUBSIDY FUND. - A Banig Subsidy Fund shall be 
established to financially support and provide capital development to Banig 
production, weaving, trading, skills training and such other activities related and 
incidental thereof. 
 
SECTION 
6. BANIG CAPITAL OF THE PHILIPPINES. - Pursuant to 
abovementioned public policy, the Municipality of Basey, Samar is hereby 
declared or granted the official designation as the Banig Capital of the 
Philippines. 
 
SECTION 
7. IMPLEMENTING RULES AND REGULATIONS. - The 
Department of Agriculture (DA) and Department of Environment and Natural 
Resources (DENR) in collaboration with the Department of Trade and Industry 
(DTI), Department of Science and Technology (DOST) and Samar State 
University, shall formulate and prescribe the necessary implementing rules and 
regulations to carry out the provisions of this Act.  
 
SECTION 
8. APPROPRIATIONS. - For the initial implementation of this 
Act, an amount of TWENTY MILLION PESOS (P20,000,000.00) shall be provided 
from the General Appropriations Act. Thereafter, the amount necessary for the 
continued implementation of this Act shall be included in the General 
Appropriations Fund. 
 
 
The amount to be appropriated shall be used primarily for development of 
the Tikog industry, the Banig Subsidy Fund as well as to support the operation 
of the Tikog Research and Development Center. 
 
SECTION 
9. SEPARIBILITY CLAUSE. - If any part of this Act is declared 
unconstitutional, the remaining parts not affected thereby shall continue to be 
valid and operational. 
 
SECTION 
10. REPEALING CLAUSE. - All laws, decrees, orders, 
circulars, rules or regulations and other issuances which are inconsistent with 
this Act are hereby repealed, amended, or modified accordingly. 
 


SECTION 
11. EFFECTIVITY. - This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days 
from the date of its publication in the Official Gazette or at least two (2) 
newspapers of general circulation. 
 
 
Approved,