FIFTEENTH CONGRESS OF THE 
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REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES) 
First Regular Session 
) 
SENATE 
S.NO. 342 
n .;: ~ 
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Introduced by Senator Antonio "Sonny" F. Trillanes IV 
EXPLANATORY NOTE 
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The Philippines is among the top producers of pineapple fruit in the world. Data from the Bureau 
of Postharvest Research and Extension (BPRE) confirms that the 1999 total world production 
was 13,146,989 metric tons, of which the Philippines was the third largest contributor (II %). For 
the ASEAN group, the Philippines accounted for 34 % (1,495,120 Mt) of total production, 
second only to Thailand. 
From 1995 to 1999, the total average production was 1,522,660 Mt from an average total area of 
4 I ,890 hectares. Bukidnon and South Cotabato account for at least 90% of the country's total 
pineapple production due to the existence of Dole and Del Monte plantations. Cavite and 
Carnarines Sur are noteworthy producers in areas where no contract -growing is present. 
Camarines Sur contributes at least 34% while Cavite contributes 30% to aggregate production. 
"Formosa" variety is mostly grown in Carnarines Sur, while "Hawaiian" variety is planted in 
Cavite. 
Pineapple market is worldwide and highly competitive. Pineapple is the third most important 
tropical fruit next to banana and mango. However, in many countries, resources for pineapple 
research have notably declined in these most recent years possibly due to poorer earnings. 
Moreover, there is a gap between public research and private needs for pineapple development. 
The legislatit'ln envisions the creation of a National Research, Development and Extension 
Center for Pineapple to bridge this gap, inasfar as the Philippine pineapple industry is concerned. 
This cent",r is tasked to undertake' comprehensive research on the advancement of pineapple 
cultivation and postharvest handling. Its powers and functions shall be in line with the research, 
development and extension programs of concerned government agencies which include the 
Department of Agriculture - Bureau of Agricultural Research (DA-BAR), Department of Science 
and Technology (DOST), Department of Trade and Industry (DTI), National Economic and 
Development Authority (NEDA) and Central Mindanao University. 
In view of the foregoing, the approval of this bill is earnestly sought. 
I 


FIFTEENTH CONGRESS OF THE 
) 
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES) 
First Regular Session 
) 
SENATE 
S. NO. 342 
10 
Introduced by Senator Antonio "Sonny" F. TriIlanes IV 
AN ACT 
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TO ESTABLISH THE NATIONAL RESEARCH, DEVELOPMENT AND EXTENSION 
CENTER FOR PINEAPPLE, AlJTHORIZING THE APPROPRIATION OF FUNDS 
THEREFOR, AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES 
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the Philippines in Congress 
assembled: 
SEC. 1. Nat;ollal Researe". Developmellt alld ExtellSioll CeJlter for Pilleapple. -
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The National Research, Development and Extension Center for Pineapple (hereinafter referred to 
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as NRDECP), which shall be based in the Central Mindanao University in Musuan, Bukidnon, is 
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hereby established, 
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SEC. 2. Gelleral Powers alld FUllctiolls of tile Cellter. - The Center shall have the 
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following general powers and functions in line with the research, development and extension 
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programs of the Department of Agriculture - Bmeau of Agricultural Research (DA-BAR), 
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Department of Science and Technology (DOST), Department of Trade and Industry (DTI), 
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National Economic and Development Authority (NEDA) and Central Mindanao University; 
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a) to educate and train all stakeholders of the pineapple industry; 
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b) to undertake basic and strategic research for developing teclmologies to enhance 
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productivity and utilization of pineapple; 
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c) to explore various approaches such as, but not limited to hybridization, utilization of 
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clonal variability and induced mutation in suckers, in vitro culture and hybrid seeds, 
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in developing new varieties in pineapple; 
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d) to provide leadership and coordinate the network research for generating location 
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specific varieties, technology and for solving specific constraints of pineapple 
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production; 
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e) to 'standardize the management practices and to provide farm advisory services in all 
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aspects of pineapple production; and 
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f) to collaborate with relevant national and international agencies in achieving the above 
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objectives. 
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SEC. 3. Specific Powers and Functions of tile Cellter. - The Center shall have the 
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specific powers and functions: 
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a) to develop productive, high yielding, good quality varieties of pineapple; 
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b) to develop efficient, economic and productive pineapple production technologies; 
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c) to develop effective and sound pineapple processing technologies for outstanding 
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varieties of pineapple; 
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d) to develop effective production systems for all pineapple varieties; 
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e) to establish and maintain germplasm collection and gene bank for pineappple; 
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f) to develop effective and efficient marketing systems for pineapple; 
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g) to evolve productive pineapple-based farming systems; 
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h) to develop and implement appropriate and suitable technology packages and effective 
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technology transfer schemes, especially the conduct of training programs; 
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i) to upgrade the skills of development facilitators, estensionists and farmers through 
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trainings, seminars and workshop on pineapple production and postharvest handling 
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and processing; 
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j) to establish national and international linkages for pineapple research, development, 
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extension and production activities; and 
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k) to coordinate with other governmentlnon-govemment agencies involved 1Il the 
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d«velopment of pineapple industry. 
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SEC. 4. Executive Director of tile Center. - The Center shall be headed by an Executive 
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Director who shall be responsible for the planning, implementation, and supervision of the 
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Center's program of activities. The Executive Director: 
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a) must have completed substantial and relevant education and experience on pineapple 
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research and development; and 
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b) must be of good moral character and has not been involved in a legal case involving 
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moral turpitude. 
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All other officers and employees of the Center shall be appointed by the Executive 
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Director consistent with the provisions of the Civil Service laws, rules and regulations. 
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SEC. 5. Advisory Board. - The plans and programs ofthe Center shall be reviewed 
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annually by the Advisory Board which shall be composed of 
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a) the Secretary of the Department of Agriculture as Chainnan; 
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b) the University President of the Central Mindanao University as Vice Chairman; 
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c) the Secretary of the Department of Trade and Industry as member; 
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d) one (I) representative from a non-governmental organization (NGO) working on 
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pineapple production, research and development and processing; 
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e) one (I) representative from the group of pineapple traders; 
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f) one (l) representative from the group of pineapple processors; and 
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g) one (1) representative from the group of pineapple growers. 
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SEC: 6. Quorum. - The presence of at least five (5) members at the time of the meeting 
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shall constitute the quorum: Provided, however, That the Chairman, in his absence, the Vice 
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Chairman shall preside. 
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SEC. 7. Autllorization anti Exemption. - The Center is hereby authorized to plan, 
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construct, develop, improve, acquire, or lease buildings, farms, fields and other facilities, to 
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purchase machineries, equipment, materials and supplies locally or abroad as may be necessary 
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to carry out its functions and objectives. Moreover, the Center shall enjoy exemption from taxes 
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and other duties in the importation of such machineries, development and extension programs, 
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subject to the provisions of Section 105(s) of the Tariff and Customs Code, Section 103(1) ofthe 
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National Internal Revenue Code and to the provisions on Automatic Appropriations under the 
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General Appropriations Act. 
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SEC. 8. Location of tile Center. - The main offices, experimental area and nursery of the 
Center shall be located at the Central Mindanao University in Musuan, Bukidnon. The Center 
may hereafter establish similar facilities in its other service areas in order to promote the 
development of the pineapple industry in the country. 
SEC. 9. Appropriations. - To carry out the provisions of this Act, the amount of two 
million pesos (Php 2,000,000.00) is hereby appropriated from the funds of the National Treasury. 
Thereafter, such sums as may be necessary to maintain the operations of the Board shall be 
included in the General Appropriations Act. 
SEC. 10. Revolving Funds. - Any and all savings and income of the Center shall 
constitute a revolving fund which shall not be reverted to the General Fund and which shall be 
used by the Center in the furtherance of its goals and objectives. 
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SEC. 11. Implementing Rules and Regulations. - The Advisory Board shall jointly 
promulgate rules and regulations to implement the provisions of this Act. 
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SEC. 12. Repealing Clause. - All laws, decrees, orders, mles and regulations 
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inconsistent with or contrary to the provisions of this Act are hereby amended or repealed 
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accordingly. 
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SEC. 13. Effectivity Clause. - This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days following its 
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complete publication in the National Gazette or in at least two (2) newspapers of general 
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circulation, whichever comes earlier. 
Approved, 
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