Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Quezon City

EIGHTEENTH CONGRESS
First Regular Session

House Bill No. Babs

Introduced by Representative SHAREE ANN 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 banigwhich may in turn be used as a
material for the production and creation of other products.

‘The weaving of Tikog, a special reed plant, intoBanig 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 thenapparent 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 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.

ANN T. TAN
Second District, Samar


Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Quezon City

EIGHTEENTH CONGRESS
First Regular Session

House Bill No. 9566

Introduced by Representative SHAREE ANN T. TAN

“AN ACT DEVELOPING THE TIKOG INDUSTRY, CREATING FOR
‘THEPURPOSE 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:


. Undertake and conduct researches and technical studies on the
development, production, management, and marketing of Tikog,
Tikogand Banigproducts and its other by-products;

. 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;

. Train faculty members and other research personnel who will
undertake research and development work on Tikog, Banig and its
other by-products;

. Formulate aTikogand Banig Development Roadmap/Program;

. Formulate and develop innovations in Tikogand Banigproduction and
developmentas well as provide for the transfer and improvement of
appropriate technologies and techniques;

. Provide technical support and assistance for sustainable Tikogand
Banigproduction and development activities as well as promote and
provide adequate training to farmers and individuals and other
stakeholders engaged in Tikog and Banigpropagation, production,
processingand distributionin the Province of Samar;

. Provide and develop marketing tools and intellectual property
protection framework for Tikog, Tikog and Banig products and its
other by-products;

. Establish standards in. grading, sampling and inspection, tests and
analysis, specifications, packaging, preservation, conservation and
transportation of Tikog, Tikog and Banig productsand its other by-
products;

. Assist and coordinate with the Department of Trade and Industry and
other concerned government agencies for the participation of Tikog
and Banigfarmers, weavers, traders and exporters in local and
international conferences, trade fairs, expositions and exhibits;

. 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,