Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Quezon City

SIXTEENTH CONGRESS
Second Regular Session

HOUSE BILLNO. 4844

Introduced by: Hon. Angelina “Helen” D.L. Tan, M.D.

EXPLANATORY NOTE

Considered as the “golden fiber”, “bunot” or coco coir gives hope and holds so much
promise for countless coconut farmers in the country. Its many uses such as planting
medium additive, insulator, carpet, car seat stuffing, mat upholstery cushion, rope and
cordage, fishing net, flooring material, filtration pads, mattress fiber, pot liner, brush,
and coco nets for erosion control among many others have fostered its high export
demand.

In 2011, there was a 39.15% increase in the quantity of coco coir exports from 4.43
million kilograms worth US$974,586 in 2010 to 6.16 million kilograms worth US$2.01
million. As a result, the government aims to make heavy investments to further develop
the coconut industry and provide countryside development and employment.

In view thereof, this measure seeks to provide the construction of a coco coir tufting
plant facility in the Municipality of Alabat, Quezon Province for the processing of coco
coir fibers into exportable finished products.

Alabat, a fifth class municipality in the Province of Quezon, is located centrally on’ the
eponymous Alabat Island of the province, which is also known’ as one of the biggest
coconut-producing province in the country. Coconut is one of the major crops of the
town along with rice and calamansi.

is initiative will help raise coconut farm incomes and strengthen small coconut
farmer groups or small medium entrepreneurs in Alabat and its neighboring towns
through the provision of essential support facilities towards sustainable livelihood

program.

The construction of a coco coir tufting plant facility would help in accelerating rural
development by providing coconut farmers an opportunity for income-generating and
value-adding processes and would benefit the coconut industry in meeting and sustain
the increasing domestic and export demands for twines, geotextiles nets and other coir
products.

In view thereof, the passage of this bill is earnestly sought.

ANGELINA “HELEN” D.L. TAN, M.D.
4" District, Quezon.


Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Quezon City

SIXTEENTH CONGRESS
Second Regular Session

House Bit No._484 4

Introduced by: Hon. Angelina “Helen” D.L. Tan, M.D.

AN ACT
PROVIDING FOR THE CONSTRUCTION OF COCO COIR TUFTING PLANT
FACILITY IN THE MUNICIPALITY OF ALABAT, QUEZON PROVINCE AND
APPROPRIATING FUNDS THEREFOR

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

SECTION 1. There shall be established, under the supervision of the Department of
Agriculture, a Coco Coir Tufting Plant Facility in Alabat, Quezon for the processing of
coco coir fibers into exportable finished products such as mats, ropes, twines and other
coir products.

SEC. 2. The Philippine Coconut Authority, in consultation with the Department of
Trade and Industry, shall draw up a business plan that will include a detailed
production study, market study, financial study and management study to make sure
the viability and feasibility of the project.

SEC. 3. The local government unit shall mobilize small coconut farmers’ organizations
and cooperatives and shall put up counterpart funds for the operationalization and
enhancement of the facility.

SEC. 4. The Department of Agriculture and appropriate agencies shall promulgate the
necessary rules and regulations to implement this Act.

SEC. 5. The Secretary of Agriculture shall include in the Department's program the
construction and operationalization of the coco coir tufting plant facility in the
Municipality of Alabat, Quezon Province, the funding of which shall be included in the
annual General Appropriations Act.

SEC. 6. This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after its publication in two (2)
newspapers of general circulation.

Approved,