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>0;iifi’ ul r-1 --
TWENTIETH CONGRESS OF THE ) 
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES ) 
First Regular Session 
)
25 JUL 15 P3 :24
RtCEiVtDBY;
S.B. No
SENATE
660
Introduced by SENATOR IMEE R. MARCOS
AN ACT
URGING THE COMPREHENSIVE PLANNING, DEVELOPMENT, AND EXPORT 
PROMOTION OF THE MORINGA (MORINGA OLEIFERA), LOCALLY KNOWN 
AS "MALUNGGAY", AND PROVIDING FUNDS THEREFOR
EXPLANATORY NOTE
Article II, Section 21 of the 1987 Constitution provides that, " The State shall 
promote comprehensive rural development' Moreover, Article II, Section 15 states that 
" The State shall protect and promote the right to health of the people and instill health 
consciousness among them."
Moringa (Moringa oleifera), locally known as malunggay, is a common green 
vegetable that grows in practically all soil types and weather conditions in the country. 
Known as the "miracle vegetable" and "nature's medicine cabinet" by researchers and 
health professionals around the world, moringa is a powerhouse of nutritional value. 
Moringa is used as natural maternal and childcare food supplement, as well as in the 
management of different ailments such as diabetes, hypertension, aging issues, and 
other lifestyle diseases. Last October 2018, the World Health Organization (WHO) has 
recognized the value of moringa in its efforts against malnutrition, promoting it as a 
low-cost health enhancer in poor countries around the world.
In addition to its nutritional value, moringa trees can also help stabilize the soil 
and reduce deforestation. As such, given the global potential of moringa, the country 
should enhance the promotion of planting moringa. There is a need to expand the local 
and foreign market of moringa and its products to enhance the agribusiness potential 
of the crop as part of the country's poverty-alleviation and health care program. The 
development of a moringa-based agro-industry can help address the nutritional 
deficiency problems in the countryside and urban slums, increase on-farm, off-farm 
and non-farm enterprise incomes, improve the utilization of idle lands and urban 
spaces, and help reduce poverty.


For the abovementioned reasons, the immediate passage of this bill is earnestly
sought.


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Oititr Ot l‘..r
TWENTIETH CONGRESS OF THE ) 
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES ) 
First Regular Session 
)
25 JUL15 P3:24
RECE.VcD BY;
SENATE
S.B. No. 6GQ
Introduced by SENATOR IMEE R. MARCOS
AN ACT
URGING THE COMPREHENSIVE PLANNING, DEVELOPMENT, AND EXPORT 
PROMOTION OF THE MORINGA (MORINGA OLEIFERA), LOCALLY KNOWN 
AS "MALUNGGAY", AND PROVIDING FUNDS THEREFOR
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the Philippines in Congress 
assembled:
Section 1. Short Title. - This Act shall be known as the "Moringa Development Act."
Sec. 2. Development of Moringa - The Department of Agriculture (DA), in consultation 
with the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR), Department of 
Science and Technology (DOST), moringa growers' cooperatives and organizations, 
local government units, and the private sector, shall formulate a one-year framework 
to be validated and updated annually. Such framework shall serve as guide to the 
formulation and implementation of plans, programs and projects for the production, 
marketing, processing and distribution of moringa for food and commercial needs, as 
envisioned in this Act. The framework shall likewise provide for the following:
a) National Framework - The DA, DOST, state universities and colleges (SUCs), and 
other stakeholders shall strengthen the conduct of researches on moringa 
particularly on areas of crop improvement, crop protection, harvesting and 
postharvest handling, supply chain analysis, marketing and promotion;
b) Investment Promotion and Facilitation - The DA and DTI shall develop programs 
establishing links between stakeholders in the Moringa Industry and Government 
Financial Institutions (GFIs) and other financial cooperatives. The DA and DTI 
shall likewise develop and implement programs that would establish reasonable 
and innovative investment incentives to attract more players in the Moringa 
Industry;
c) Export Promotion Support - An integrated and strategic export promotion 
program for Moringa Industry shall be created. The export promotion program 
shall be responsive to market conditions, needs of the exporters, and possibilities 
offered by new products and technologies. It shall likewise provide foreign trade


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and export promotion activities through trainings, technical assistance, capacity 
building, generating awareness on export opportunities, and export planning 
assistance;
d) Strengthen Trade Policies and Support Network. - The DA shall be responsible 
in coordinating a consultative approach for the various stages of the trade policy 
making process. The Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) shall lead the 
negotiation of Free Trade Agreements (FTAs) to provide a competitive 
environment for moringa exports abroad; and
e) Monitoring and Evaluation. - The DA shall continuously monitor, track, and 
analyze the progress and outcomes of the programs to be implemented to 
determine over-all effectiveness.
SEC. 3. Designating the Department of Agriculture-High Value Crops Development 
Program (DA-HVCDP) as the Office in Charge in the Development of the Moringa 
Industry. - The DA-FIVCDP is hereby tasked to implement the development of the 
Moringa Industry. The Department of Agriculture shall allocate an annual budget to 
said office pursuant to its additional task of developing the Moringa Industry.
Sec. 4. Appropriations. - The amount necessary to implement this Act shall be included 
in the annual General Appropriations Act (GAA). Thereafter, such funds as may be 
necessary for the continued Implementation of this Act shall be included in the 
succeeding annual GAA.
Sec. 5, 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. 6. Repealing Clause. - Any law, presidential decree or issuance, executive order, 
letter of instruction, administrative order, rule or regulation contrary to or inconsistent 
with, the provisions of this Act is hereby repealed, modified, or amended accordingly.
Sec. 7. Effectivity Clause. - This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after its 
publication in at least two (2) newspapers of general circulation.
Approved,