Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

. (Z
Quezon City, Metro Manila + ‘2

RECEIVED

SEVENTEENTH CONGRESS
First Regular Session

House Bill No._ 4214

£ A

Introduced by REP. CESAR V. SARMIENTO “Sa

EXPLANATORY NOTE

Abaca grows innately in Philippine soil. Known worldwide as “Manila
Hemp", abaca is superior over all fibers because of its great strength and its
resistance to water. Thus, it is known to be the world’s strongest natural fiber.
The Philippines is likewise thus known to be the “Abaca Capital of the World” as
it supplies eighty percent (80%) of the world’s total fiber requirement. If the
Philippines is the Abaca Capital of the World, then the province of Catanduanes
is the Abaca Capital of the Philippines producing by far the largest amount of
abaca with 30% of the national output as reported by the Catanduanes Tribune.

Unbeknownst to many, the abaca fiber is one of the longstanding export
commodities of the Philippines. The abaca fiber was already a significant industry
most especially in the Bicol region even before the Spaniards came to the
Philippines. It is used in tea bags, meat and sausage casings, cigarette papers
and filters among others. Throughout the years, abaca has been used in non-
traditional uses ranging from being a fiber composite of automobiles
manufactured by Mercedes Benz and BMW. Recently, designers have started
using abaca for gowns, garments, shoes, furniture, lamps and special paper
Abaca is also used as a component of various cosmetic products and medicine.

The versatility of abaca, and that the demand for it in the world market has
increased over the years. However, the abaca industry is currently in crisis. The
prevalence of abaca pests and disease has been plaguing the abaca plants

The establishment of an Abaca Biotechnology Laboratory will address the
issue of disease eradication in this industry and advance the further development
of abaca by increasing its quality and productivity. Through state of the art
facilities, experts will be able to control abaca pests and diseases through a
sustained rehabilitation and disease eradication program among others. Hence,

the passage of this bill is highly sought.
7 6

CESAR V. SARMIENTO.


Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Quezon City, Metro Manila

SEVENTEENTH CONGRESS
First Regular Session

House Bill No, 4214

Introduced by REP. CESAR V. SARMIENTO

AN ACT PROVIDING FOR THE ESTABLISHMENT OF AN ABACA
BIOTECHNOLOGY LABORATORY
AND APPROPRIATING FUNDS THEREFOR

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

Section 1. The State recognizes the vital importance of the abaca industry
to the integrated development of the national economy, particularly to the holistic
development of the agricultural sector. It shall be the policy of the State to
develop the abaca industry to enhance to the fullest its productive capability.
Toward this end, the State shall promote and support a strategic research and
training development program in order to make a sustainable abaca industry

Section 2. Pursuant to the above policy, there shall be established an
Abaca Biotechnology Laboratory (Laboratory), under the supervision of the
Philippine Fiber Industry Development Authority (FIDA), to be located inside the
Bureau of Animal Industry Compound, Visayas Avenue, Quezon City.

There shall likewise be established a Catanduanes Abaca Biotechnology
Laboratory, under the supervision of the FIDA, to be located in Catanduanes.

These laboratories shall provide diagnostic services, conduct research on
improving abaca crops, and perform other duties as may be necessary to
improve the fiber industry

Section 3. The Laboratory shall be established in compliance with the
guidelines set by the National Bio-safety Commission of the Philippines (NBCP)
for the construction of biotechnology buildings

Section 4. The Department of Agriculture through FIDA in coordination
with the Department of Science and Technology (DOST) shall issue such rules
and regulations as may be necessary to carry out the purpose of this Act


Section 5. The amount of Sixty Million Pesos (P60,000,000.00) needed to
carry out the provision of this Act shall be charged to the appropriations for the
Department of Agriculture. Thereafter, such sum as may be necessary for the
operation and maintenance of the laboratory shall be included in the Annual
General Appropriations Act.

Section 6. This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days following its
publication in a newspaper of general circulation.

Approved