Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Quezon City

SEVENTEENTH CONGRESS
First Regular Session

HOUSE BILL nof590

Introduced by Honorable Michael L. Romero

EXPLANATORY NOTE

The Philippine Rice Research Institute (PHILRICE) is a government corporate
entity attached to the Department of Agriculture created through Executive
Order 1061 on 5 November 1985 (as amended) to help develop high-yielding
and cost-reducing technologies for farmers.

The Institute accomplishes this mission through research and development work
in our central and six branch stations, coordinating with a network that
comprises 57 agencies and 70 seed centers located nationwide.

The Philippine Rice Research Institute has numerous interdisciplinary programs
which develops and promotes technologies that are ecosystem-based
location- and problem-specific, and profitable to the Filipino farmers. The
interdisciplinary programs were as follows: Direct-seeded irrigated lowland rice,
Transplanted irrigated lowland rice, Hybrid rice, Rice for adverse environments,
Rice-based farming systems, Rice and rice-based products, Policy research and
advocacy, and Technology promotion.

The Research Institute also carried the seven R&D program structure from 1987
to 1998. These were Rice Varietal Improvement, Planting and Fertilizer
Management, Integrated Pest Management, Rice-based Farming Systems, Rice
Engineering and mechanization, Rice Chemistry and Food Science, and Social
Science and Policy Research. A change to its R&D slructure was implemented
from 1998 to 2005.


Each multidisciplinary R&D program was carried by the different discipline-
based divisions and each division participated in each R&D programs, as
follows: Policy Research and Advocacy, Technology Promotion, Rice and Rice-
based Products, Rice-Based Farming systems for Fragile Environment, Hybrid
Rice, Transplanted Irrigated Lowland Rice, Direct Seeded Irrigated Lowland Rice,
and Environmental Sustainability & Management.

This House Bill seeks to provide PHILRICE additional funding to fully perform its
functions in accordance fo its mandate.

Eamest approval of this bill is hereby requested.

“a

MICHAL L. ROMERO Ph.D.

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Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Quezon City

SEVENTEENTH CONGRESS
First Regular Session

House ait No4 890

Introduced by Honorable Michael L. Romero

AN ACT

MANDATING THE DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE (DA) TO PROVIDE THE
PHILIPPINE RICE RESEARCH INSTITUTE (PHILRICE) WITH ADDITIONAL
FUNDING, ENSURING CONTINUING APPROPRIATIONS, AND FOR OTHER

PURPOSES .

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

SECTION 1. Declaration of Policy - the Depariment of Agriculture shall
hereby provide an additional funding of Fifty million pesos (P50,000,000.00) to
the Philippine Rice Research Institute (PHILRICE] lo implement the provisions of
this Act,

The PHILRICE is hereby authorized to re-align its appropriations, in the
current year of the date of the effectivity of this Act to conform with its

mandate.

SECTION 2. Powers and Functions - The PHILRICE shall hereby develop a

national rice research program so as to sustain and further improve the gains


already made in rice production, improve the income and economic condition
of small rice farmers, expand employment opportunities in the rural areas, and
ultimately promote the general welfare of the people through self-sufficiency in
rice production.

SECTION 3. Continuing Appropriation.- The Department of Agriculture
(DA) in coordination with the Department of Budget and Management (DBM) is
hereby mandated to include annually in the next six (6) years, in the President's
Program of expenditures for submission to Congress, and release, an additional
amount of Fifty million pesos (P50,000,000.00) for the implementation of this Act.

The Director of Agriculture and Food and the Director of the Budget are hereby
authorized and directed to set aside out of the existing funds of the Ministry of
Agriculture and Food. Thereafter, the government contribution to the PHILRICE
shall be provided for in the annual General Appropriations Act (GAA). The
appropriations herein provided shall be subject to the fiscal control and

management procedures.

All funds, savings and income of the PHIRICE shall constitute a revolving fund
which shall be considered part of the funds automatically released to the latter,
subject to the fiscal control and management procedures, Such funds, savings
and income shall be used to achieve the purposes and objectives for which the
PHILRICE was established.

SECTION 4. Periodic Reports- The Oversight Committee shall submit
periodic reports on its findings and make recommendations on actions to be
taken by Congress and Senate and the appropriate department, and in order
to carry out the objectives and mandates of this Act, an additional amount of
Fifty million pesos (PS0,000,000.00) is hereby appropriated.


SECTION 5, Automatic Review - Every three (3) years after the effectivity of
this Act, an independent review committee composed of Subject Matter
Experls (SMEs) to be appointed by the President shall review the policies and
programs of the PHILRICE and shall hereinafter make recommendations, based

on its findings, to the President and to both Houses of Congress.

SECTION 6. Repealing Clause. All laws, executive orders, issuances, rules
and regulations inconsistent with this Act are hereby amended, repealed or
modified accordingly.

SECTION 7. Separability Clause. If, for any reason or reasons, any portion
or provision of this Act shall be held unconstitutional or invalid, the remaining

provisions not affected thereby shall continue to be in full force and effect.

SECTION 8. Effectivity Clause. This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days

after its publication in any newspaper of general circulation,

Approved,