Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Quezon City

EIGHTEENTH CONGRESS
First Regular Session

HOUSE BILL No. 1306

Introduced by HONORABLE LUIS RAYMUND F. VILLAFUERTE, JR.

EXPLANATORY NOTE

Fruit-bearing trees are a resource that is ubiquitous yet underutilized and
underdeveloped, especially in the local level. Beyond aesthetic value, they can
provide shade, prevent soil erosion, and provide a source of food that can be
used simply by the household or sold or even tumed into a full-scale enterprise.

By providing a very localized access to technology and training, as well as
the seeds and seedlings to grow fruit-bearing trees and plants, there is an
opportunity for the local population to engage in enterprise and contribute to the
strategy of the National Government to create an additional six million jobs in the
agricultural sector in the next six years.

Moreover, in the Philippines, the fruits industry could be transformed into
a booming industry, with great domestic as well as export market potential. It is
therefore the intent of this bill to establish local community orchards that will
serve as initial core training and research facilities and experimental plant
stations with capabilities to disperse and distribute planting materials which are
all designed to spark interest in the growth, harvest, and potential income
generation provided by fruit-bearing trees and plants.

Considering the merits of this Bill, its early approval is earnestly
requested.

LUIS MU! . VILLAFUERTE, JR.


Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Quezon City

EIGHTEENTH CONGRESS
First Regular Session

HOUSE BILL NO.1306

Introduced by HONORABLE LUIS RAYMUND F. VILLAFUERTE, JR.

AN ACT ESTABLISHING A COMMUNITY ORCHARD IN EVERY
CITY OR MUNICIPALITY OF EVERY PROVINCE OF THE
PHILIPPINES, ALLOCATING FUNDS THEREFOR, AND FOR
OTHER PURPOSES

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

SECTION 1. Declaration of Policy. There is hereby authorized to be established
a community orchard of not less than five thousand square meters (5,000 sq.m.),
preferably one (|) hectare or more, in every City of Municipality of every Province of
the Philippines.

The establishment of said community orchards shall be provided with
technical assistance by the Department of Environment and Natural Resources
(DENR), and the latter shall also arrange to provide the said community
orchards with the initial core of planting materials of different types of fruit-
bearing trees and plants.

The community orchards shall be located in such appropriate locations with
appropriate topsoil conditions and climactic characteristics as shall be suitable for the
growing of fruit-bearing trees and plants

SECTION 2. Powers and Functions of the Community Orchards. The
community orchards established in every City and Municipality in every


Province of the Philippines as herein specified shall have the following powers
and functions:

a. establish experimental plantations of different fruit-bearing trees and plants;

b. establish a center within the garden where the said trees and plants can
be processed, packaged and sold, or where seeds, seedlings or cutting
could be dispersed to barangays;

. create information programs and seminars that will educate the local
populace about the growing and harvest of fruit-bearing trees and
plants for food and profit; and

d. provide technical and other advisory services to those already engaged or are
interested in engaging in enterprises related to fruit-bearing trees and plants.

SECTION 3. The cost of acquiring the land, constructing the appropriate building
thereon and the complement of equipment and machinery, required to start the
operation of the community orchards shall be provided by the respective Provincial
Governments in which they are established, in cooperation with the respective Cities
and Municipalities in which said community orchards are to be established. Acquisition
of the land site for the community orchards may also be acquired by donation,
bequeath, expropriation or through lease or usufruct.

Thereafter, such sums as shall be necessary to operate and conduct the
training programs and other projects of the community orchards shall be
incorporated in the Annual General Appropriations Ordinances of the Provincial
Governments and the respective Cities and Municipalities in which they shall be
established. Other funding support to the community orchards may be provided
from allocations of funds that may be provided by other executive departments of
the National Government or any of its agencies and/or from such financial
assistance as may be arranged by the District Representatives in Congress or
other legislators. Grants from local or foreign sources may also be obtained or
availed of.

SECTION 4. This Act shall take immediate effect upon its approval.

Approved,