FIFTEENTH CONGRESS OF THE REPUBLIC 
OF THE PHILIPPINES 
First RegulClr Session 
SENATE 
S. No. 978 
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Introduced by Senator Manuel "Lito" M. Lapid 
EXPLANATORY NOTE 
Energy today has become a matter of national security. For many countries, the 
question of trying to achieve greater energy independence through the development of biofuels 
has become an issue of national importance. One of the greatest challenges to the widespread 
deployment and use of biofuels is developing a dedicated energy crops that are cost-effective, 
easy to sustain and can produce greater yields. Such energy crop that produces biofuels and 
holds particular promise for sustainable development and a sustainable environment is 
Jatropha. 
Jatropha can grow in various areas in the Philippines. It is known locally as tuba-tuba. 
Others call it tagumbao, tawa-tawa, ka/unay, kas/a and fangan-fangan. Botanist Carl Von Linne 
first classified the plant in 1753 and named it Jatropha curcas. Jatropha comes from the Greek 
words: jatros (doctor) and trophe (nutrition). It belongs to the family Euphorbiaceae. Jatropha 
curcus is a drought-resistant perennial, growing well in marginal or poor soil. It is easy to 
establish, grows relatively quickly and lives, producing seeds for 50 years. Jatropha produces 
seeds with an oil content of 37%. The oil can be combusted as fuel without being refined. It 
burns with clear smoke-free flame, tested successfully as fuel for simple diesel engine. The by-
products are press cake a good organic fertilizer, oil contains also insecticide. Currently the oil 
from Jatropha curcas seeds is used for making biodiesel fuel in Philippines. Likewise, jatropha 
oil is being promoted as an easily grown biofuel crop in hundreds of projects throughout other 
developing countries. 
In recent years, the Philippine government has shown a major interest in Jatropha, and 
alongside other developing countries, a number of international groups are now sharing this 
interest There have been substantial political and social pressures to promote the growing of 
jatropha crops in the Philippines, as a means of economic empowerment, social upliftment and 
poverty alleviation within marginalized communities. Jatropha is a valuable multi-purpose crop 
which can be used for bio-energy to replace petro-diesel, for soap production and climatic 
protection. When the seeds are crUShed, the resulting jatropha oil can be used in a standard 
, 
diesel car, while the residue can also be processed into biomass to power electriCity plants. 
This proposed measure envisions the creation of a Jatropha Research and Development 
(R&d) and Extension center that will be in the forefront of conducting relevant researches, 
scientific study and feasible marketing strategies for the use of jatropha by-products for bio-
diesel and alternative energy source. The Center shall educate and train all stakeholders of the 
jatropha farming industry, extend technical assistance and technology transfer to jatropha 
farmers, and provide linkages with international organizations and other jatropha development 
centers in other countries. 
In view of the foregOing, approval of this bill is earnestly requested . .-... _ ....... 
MANUrt<.e :. L ..... "'. 
Senator 


FIFTEENTH CONGRESS OF THE REPUBLIC 
OF THE PHILIPPINES 
First Regular Session 
SENATE 
S. No. 978 
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Introduced by Senator Manuel "lito" M. Lapid 
AN ACT 
ESTABLISHING AND INSTITUTIONALIZING THE JATROPHA RESEARCH 
AND DEVELOPMENT (R&D) AND EXTENSION CENTER, AUTHORIZING 
THE APPROPRIATION OF FUNDS THEREFOR, AND FOR OTHER 
PURPOSES 
Be it enacted by the Senate and the House of Representatives of the Philippines 
in Congress assembled: 
SECTION 1. 
Short Title. -
This Act shall be known as the "Jatropha 
Research and Development (R&D) and Extension Act of 2010", 
SEC. 2. 
Establishment of the Jatropha Research and Development and 
Extension Center. -
There is hereby established a Jatropha Research and 
Development and Extension Center (JRDEC), hereinafter referred to as the Center, 
which shall be under the supervision and control of the Secretary of the Department of 
Agriculture (DA), 
SEC. 2. 
Powers and Functions. - The Center shall have the following 
general powers and functions in line with the research, development and extension 
programs of the Department of Agriculture - Bureau of Agricultural Research (DA-BAR), 
Department of Science and Technology (DOST), Department of Trade and Industry 
(DTI), and the National Economic and Development Authority (NEDA). 
a. 
Educate and train all stakeholders of the jatropha farming industry; 
b. 
Conduct relevant researches, scientific study and feasible marketing 
strategies for the use of jatropha as alternative renewable energy source; 
c. 
d. 
Extend technical assistance and technology transfer to jatropha farmers; 
and 
, 
Provide linkages with international organizations and other jatropha 
development centers in other countries. 
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SEC. 3. 
The Center shall have the specific powers and functions: 
a. 
Develop productive, high yielding, good quality varieties of jatropha is the 
country; 
b. 
Develop 
efficient, 
economic 
and 
productive 
jatropha 
production 
technologies; 
c. 
Develop effective and feasible jatropha processing technologies for the 
production of alternative and renewable energy sources; 
d. 
Develop effective production systems for all jatropha varieties; 
e. 
Establish and maintain germplasm collection and gene bank for jatropha; 
f 
Develop effective and efficient marketing systems for jatropha by 
products; 
g. 
Develop and promote market efficient jatropha-based farming systems; 
h. 
Develop and implement appropriate and suitable technology packages 
and effective technology transfer schemes, especially the conduct of 
training programs; 
i. 
Upgrade the skills of development facilitators and farmers through 
trainings, seminars and workshop on jatropha production and postharvest 
handling and processing; 
j. 
Establish national and international linkages for jatropha research, 
development, extension and production activities; and 
k. 
Coordinate with other governmenUnon-government agencies involved in 
the development of the jatropha industry. 
, 
SEC. 4. 
Qualifications of the Executive Director. - The Center shall be 
headed .by an Executive Director who shall be responsible for the planning, 
implementation, and supervision of the Center's program of activities. 
The Executive Director shall possess the following qualifications: 
a. 
Must not be more than fifty (50) years of age; 
b. 
Must have completed substantial and relevant education and experience 
on jatropha research and development; and 
c. 
Must be of good moral character and has not been involved in a legal 
case involving moral turpitude. 
All other officers and employees of the Center shall be appointed by the 
Executive 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 of the Center shall be 
reviewed annually by the Advisory Board composed of: 
a. 
The Secretary of the Department of Agriculture (DA), as Chairman; 
b. 
The Secretary of the Department of Science and Technology (DOST), as 
Vice Chairman; 
c. 
The Secretary of the Department of Energy (DOE), as Member; 
d. 
The Secretary of the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI), as Member; 
e. 
One (1) representative from a non-governmental organization (NGO) 
working on jatropha production, 
research and development and 
, processing; 
f, 
One (1) representative from the group of jatropha processors; and 
g. 
One (1) representative from the group of jatropha marketers. 
SEC. 6. 
Quorum. - The presence of at least four (4) members at the time of 
the meeting shall constitute the quorum: Provided, however, That the Chairman, in 
his/her absence, the Vice Chairman, shall preside. 
SEC. 7. 
The Center is hereby authorized to plan, construct, develop, 
improve, acquire, or lease buildings, farms, fields and other facilities, to purchase 
machineries, equipment, materials and supplies locally or abroad as may be necessary 
to carry out its functions and objectives. 
Moreover, the Center shall enjoy exemption from taxes and other duties in the 
importation of such machineries, development and extension programs, subject to the 
provisions of Section 105(s) of the Tariff and Customs Code, Section 103(f) of the 
National Internal Revenue Code and to the provisions on Automatic Appropriations 
under the General Appropriations Act. 
SEC. 8. 
Comprehensive Research 
on 
Jatropha 
By-Products 
for 
Renewable Energy Source. - For purposes of this Act, the Secretary of the 
Department of Agriculture (DA) is hereby mandated to conduct a comprehensive 
research and information drive on Jatropha by-products applied for the production of 
bio-diesel as renewable energy source. 
It shall support research activities to expand the knowledge and understanding of 
jatropha by-products to be used in the production of bio-diesel as alternative and 
renewable energy source, including a renewed investment into advance technology 
, 
research in order to adopt state-of-the-art technologies to promote agricultural 
production jatropha in the country. 
3 


SEC. 9. 
Appropriation. 
The 
amount 
of 
Fifty 
Million 
Pesos 
(Php50,OOO,OOO.OO) is hereby authorized to be appropriated from the Social Fund of the 
President of the Republic of the Philippines, or from any other sources that may be 
identified for the purpose. Thereafter, such sum required for its operation, maintenance, 
research, development and extension activities shall be included in the annual General 
Appropriations of the Department of Agriculture (DA). 
SEC. 10. 
Revolving Fund . • 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. 
SEC. 11. 
Implementing Rules and Regulations (IRR). . Within six (6) 
months from the date of effectivity of this Act, the DA, in consultation with the 
Department of Science and Technology (DOST), shall promulgate the necessary 
implementing rules and regulations to implement the provisions of this Act. 
SEC. 12. 
Separability Clause· If any provision or part hereof is held invalid 
or unconstitutional, the remainder of the law or the prOVision not otherwise affected shall 
remain valid and subsisting. 
SEC: 13. 
Repealing Clause . • All laws, decrees, executive orders, rules and 
regulations' or parts thereof, which are inconsistent with this Act, are hereby repealed, 
amended or modified accordingly. 
SEC. 14. 
Effectivity Clause . . This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days of 
its complete publications in the Official Gazette or in at least two (2) newspapers of 
national Circulation. 
Approved, 
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