EIGHTEENTH CONGRESS OF THE) 
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES ) 
Second Regular Session 
)
SENATE
S. B. No. 2172
3:40 p.m.
Introduced by SENATOR IMEE R. MARCOS
AN ACT DECLARING THE PROVINCE OF ILOCOS NORTE AS THE 
GARLIC CAPITAL OF THE PHILIPPINES
EXPLANATORY NOTE
Article XII, Section 1 of the Constitution provides that, "the State shall promote 
the Industrialization and full employment based on sound agricultural development and 
agrarian reform, through initiatives that make full and efficient use human and natural 
resources, which are competitive in both domestic and foreign markets." In 
consonance with this Constitutional mandate, the state recognizes that agricultural 
development is one of the means by which socioeconomic advancement can be 
achieved.
According to the Department of Agriculture, Ilocos Region is the Philippines 
leading garlic producer, accounting for 65 percent of the country's total production and 
has 79.10 percent total hectarage planted to garlic. The region has the best 
comparative advantage in garlic production due to its agroclimatic suitability. Ilocos 
garlic is preferred by Filipino consumers over imported varieties found in the local 
market because of its more pungent aroma.
Ilocos Norte has consistently produced more than 4,000 metric tons of garlic 
every year since recovering from the 2016 downfall in production due to pest and 
disease infestations. Moreover, the Ilocos Integrated Agricultural Research Center 
[IUARC]-Satellite Station II, Batac City developed a package of technology on garlic 
in which the produce is comparative with that of the Taiwan variety in terms of size, 
with similar aroma and pungency as that of the original Ilocos garlic.
Thus, in recognition of its status as the biggest producer of garlic in the country, 
this bill seeks to declare Ilocos Norte as the garlic capital of the Philippines. Such 
declaration will serve as an inspiration to boost garlic production in the country and 
ensure competitiveness in both domestic and foreign markets.
In view of the foregoing, the immediate passage of this measure earnestly 
sought.
IMEE R. MARCOS


EIGHTEENTH CONGRESS OF THE) 
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES ) 
Second Regular Session 
)
SENATE
S. B. No. 2172
Introduced by SENATOR IMEE R. MARCOS
AN ACT DECLARING THE PROVINCE OF ILOCOS NORTE AS THE 
GARLIC CAPITAL OF THE PHILIPPINES
Be it enacted by the Senate and the House of Representatives of the Phiiippines in Congress 
assembled:
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SECTION 1. Declaration of Policy. - It is hereby declared the policy of the State
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to promote and support the garlic industry in the country and ensure competitiveness
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in both domestic and foreign markets.
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Towards this end, the State shall recognize the importance of sustaining and
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enhancing garlic production as a driver of economic development because garlic self-
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sufficiency can tremendously increase the country's export earnings and provide
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livelihood to our farmers.
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SEC. 2. Hocos Norte as the Garlic Capital of the Philippines. - In recognition of
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its status as the country's biggest producer of garlic, the Province of Ilocos Norte is
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hereby declared the Garlic Capital of the Philippines.
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SEC. 3. Repealing Clause. - Any law, presidential decree or issuance, executive
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order, letter of instruction, rule or regulation inconsistent or contrary to the provisions
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of this Act is hereby repealed or modified accordingly.
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SEC. 4. Effectivity. - This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after its
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publication in the Official Gazette or in a newspaper of general circulation in the
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Philippines.
Approved,