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Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Constitution Hills, Quezon City

SEVENTEENTH CONGRESS
First Regular Session

HOUSE BILL No,__ 5658

Introduced by
REPRESENTATIVE PANTALEON D. ALVAREZ

AN ACT
GRANTING FILIPINO CITIZENSHIP TO MR. PHILLIP LEACH

EXPLANATORY NOTE

This bill seeks to grant Philippine citizenship to PHILLIP LEACH,
an American national who has planted his roots and contributed much to
the Philippines as a businessman and a philanthropist.

Leach first came to the Philippines seven (7) years ago as a pilot.
During his stay here, he saw the potential of one of our prime resources -
coconuts. He founded Pacific Rim Natural Foods, a company that sells
higher value coconut products, uplifting countless farmers and
encouraging a healthier way of life. Further, the company directly
employs regular and part-time employees. Just last year, the company
launched their Radical Organics brand of Organic Toasted Coconut
Chips. Several retailers carry these products. The company also exports
the same to Europe, the Middle East, and parts of Asia.

Pacific Rim Natural Foods has found a way to forego the use of
Preservatives by using nitrogen to package its products, effectively
extending the shelf life of coconut products two to three times longer than
usual. In fact, the Department of Agriculture has invited Pacific Rim
Foods to foreign venues as its guest to further promote quality Philippine


exports using the latest in technology to ensure that the image of products
produced in the Philippines continues to improve and become a
recognized standard of quality worldwide.

Sometime in the year 2014, Leach invested approximately sixty
million pesos (Php 60,000,000.00) in the local economy by establishing a
tourism company in Boracay. This business employs around fifteen (15)
full-time regularized employees and pays twenty-five percent (25%)
above minimum wage plus commissions. Leach has been on the right
track towards becoming a model employer, which is further evidence of
his desire to contribute to the Philippines, a country that he has
considered home.

Following his footsteps, his oldest son, Phillip Eric, is here with his
family and has been his right hand in all these endeavors. He founded the
Disaster Aid Response and Rebuilding Team (“DARRT”), an NGO that is
helping build eco-friendly, disaster-resistant homes using earthbag
technology for those affected by Typhoon Yolanda.

Leach and his family have dedicated their lives to helping the
Filipino people whether through building up agricultural exports, being
an exemplary employer, or through philanthropy.

In view of the foregoing, approval of this bill is highly and earnestly

sought.
4

PANTALEON D: ‘AREZ

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Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Constitution Hills, Quezon City

SEVENTEENTH CONGRESS
First Regular Session

HOUSE BILL NO. 5658

Introduced by
REPRESENTATIVE PANTALEON D. ALVAREZ

AN ACT
GRANTING FILIPINO CITIZENSHIP TO MR. PHILLIP LEACH

Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the Philippines in
Congress assembled:

SECTION 1. Phillip Leach is hereby granted Philippine citizenship
with all the rights, privileges and prerogatives appurtenant thereto.

After the taking and registration of the oath of allegiance to the
Republic of the Philippines, Phillip Leach shall enter into the full
enjoyment of Philippine citizenship.

SEC. 2. This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after its publication
in the Official Gazette or at least two (2) newspapers of general
circulation.

Approved,

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