FIFTEENTH CONGRESS OF THE REPUBLIC) 
OF THE PHILIPPINES 
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First Regular Session 
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JUL -8 
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SENATE 
S.No. 976 
Introduced by Senator Manuel "Lito" M. Lapid 
EXPLANATORY NOTE 
Section 10, Article XIV of the 1987 Constitution provides that science and 
technology are essential for national development and progress, and that the State shall 
give priority to research and development, invention, innovation, and their utilization. 
Yam is the common name for some species in the genus Dioscorea (family 
Dioscoreaceae). It is a perennial herbaceous that is cultivated for the consumption of 
its starchy tubers in Africa, Asia, Latin America and Oceania. The tubers can be stored 
up to six months without refrigeration, which make them a valuable resource for the 
yearly period of food scarcity in Africa at the beginning of the wet season. Here in the 
Philippines, the violet ube variety of yam (Dioscorea a/ata also called called "water 
yam", "winged yam" or "purple yam") is used as an ingredient in many sweet desserts 
such as halaya and the famous Filipino dessert, halo halo. Ube was first cultivated in 
Southeast Asia. Although not grown in the same quantities as the African yams, it has 
the largest distribution world-wide of any cultivated yam, being grown in Asia, the Pacific 
Islands, Africa, and the West Indies. In the United States, it has become an invasive 
species in some Southern states. 
Just recently, Filipino researchers unraveled a myriad of medicinal benefits that 
can be derived from ube (yam). It is said to improve metabolism and provide energy 
and antioxidant defenses. Dr. Edgardo Tulin, a PhilRootcrops scientist and chemistry 
professor of the Visayas State University, further unraveled the yam's other medicinal 
properties in his research titled "Isolation and Functional Characterization of Mimetic 
Protein (PRP-1) from Yam". 
He stressed that PRP-1, a naturally derived ACE 
(angiotensin converting enzyme) inhibitor from yam, can be used safely as a potential 
anti-hypertensive drug and because it is a natural protein, it could be a valuable 
molecule in today's health-conscious society. He also recommended that a follow-up 
study be conducted to determine the anti-diabetic property of PRP-1. 
Yam can also support the female endocrine system and the tubers' complex 
carbohydrates and fiber are beneficial because they lower the rate at which sugars are 
released and absorbed into the bloodstream. It also provides manganese, a trace 
mineral that helps with carbohydrate metabolism; and is a cofactor in a number of 
enzymes. Specifically, it is important in the production of vitamin 86, which is needed by 
the body to break down homocysteine, which is an amino acid that can directly damage 
blood vessel walls. Since high homocysteine levels are significantly associated with 
increased risk of heart attack and stroke, having a good supply of vitamin 86 is 
desirable. 
This bill seeks to further improve the performance of the Philippine yam tuber or 
ube and other root crops industry by appropriating the necessary funding and 
administering yam tuber and other root crops promotion and research and development, 
specifically on the medical benefits, potentials and properties of the same, by bringing 
together in one organization responsibility for promotion and responsibility for research 
and development, thus enabling better coordination of activities and more efficient use 
of resources. 
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The legislation envisions the creation of a facility that will have general powers and 
functions in line with the research and development of the Department of Science and 
Technology, -
Philippine Council for Agriculture, Forestry and Natural Resources 
Research, and Development (DOST-PCARRD), Department of Agriculture - Bureau of 
Agricultural Research (DA-BAR), Department of Health - Bureau of Food and Drugs 
(DoH-BFAD), Department of Trade and Industry (DTI), and National Economic and 
Development Authority (NEDA). 
The Facility will be in the forefront of conducting 
medical researches, scientific study and feasible marketing strategies; extending 
technologies; and creating linkages with international organizations and other yam 
tubers and other root crops development centers in other countries. 
In view of the foregoing, early passage of this bill is earnestly sought. 
Senator 


FIFTEENTH CONGRESS OF THE REPUBLIC) 
OF THE PHILIPPINES 
First Regular Session 
SENATE 
S. No. 976 
) 
) 
Introduced by Senator Manuel "Lito" M. Lapid 
AN ACT 
10 ,R -8 fill :29 
ESTABLISHING A HOLISTIC HEALTH RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT 
PROGRAM ON YAM TUBERS, AUTHORIZING THE AUPROPRIATION 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. Establishment of a Yam Tubers and Other Root Crops Health 
Research and Development Facility. - The Yam Tubers Health Research and 
Development Facility is hereby established. 
SEC. 2. Declaration of Policy. -
It is the policy of the State to give priority to 
research and development, invention, innovation and their utilization. As such, the State 
shall promote an environment conducive to the development of all its citizens to 
become, to the best of their potentials, independent, self-reliant and productive 
members of society. 
Towards this end, the State commits itself to the establishment of institutional 
mechanisms to provide quantitative and qualitative research on Philippine yam tubers 
and other root crops that are responsive to the country's health needs. 
SEC. 3. Definition of Terms. - For purposes of this Act, the following terms 
shall be defined as follows: 
a) 
"Committee" refers to the Committee on Yam Tubers and Other Root 
Crops Health Research and Development, and Promotion. 
b) 
"Facility" refers to the Yam Tubers and Other Root Crops Health Research 
and Development and Promotion Facility. 
c) 
"Secretary" shall refer to the Secretary of the Department of Science and 
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Technology. 
d) 
"Yam" refers to the perennial herbaceous vines cultivated for the 
consumption of their starchy tubers in Africa, Asia, Latin America and Oceania. It is the 
common name for some species in the genus Dioscorea (family Dioscoreaceae). The 
tubers can be stored up to six months without refrigeration, which makes them a 
valuable resource for the yearly period of food scarcity in Africa at the beginning of the 
wet season. In the Philippines, the purple ube variety of yam (Dioscorea alata or violet 
yam) is eaten as a sweetened dessert called halaya, and is also an ingredient in 
another Filipino dessert, halo halo; 
SEC. 4. Powers and Functions. - The Facility shall have the following general 
powers and functions in line with the research and development programs of the 
Department of Science and Technology - Philippine Council for Agriculture, Forestry 
and Natural Resources Research and Development (DOST-PCARRD), Department of 
Agriculture - Bureau of Agricultural Research (DA-BAR), Department of Health - Bureau 
of Food and Drugs (DoH-BFAD), Department of Trade and Industry (DTI), and National 
Economic and Development Authority (NEDA): 
a) Conduct researches relating to health properties and potentials of yam tubers 
and other root crops, scientific study and feasible marketing strategies; 
b) Extend technologies; and 
c) Linkage with international organizations and other yam tubers and related root 
crops research and development, and promotional centers in other countries. 
SEC. 5. Comprehensive Research on Yam Tubers and Other Root Crops. -
The Secretary is hereby mandated to conduct a comprehensive research, information 
and promotional drive on the health properties and potentials of yam tubers and other 
root crops in the country. 
SEC. 6. Committee on Yam Tubers and Other Root Crops Health Research 
and Development, and Promotion. -
To assist the Secretary in receiving accurate 
and complete information on health properties and potentials of yam tubers and other 
root crops, there is hereby established a Committee, to be known as the Committee on 
Yam Tubers and Other Root Crops Health Research and Development, and Promotion, 
to ensure the strategic management, communication, and oversight of the policy 
formation, research, and activities of the government regarding yam tubers and related 
root crops. 
2 


The Committee shall endeavor to: 
a) 
promote public awareness, education and information on issues about 
health breakthroughs concerning yam tubers and other root crops, 
b) 
undertake research and/or collaborate with other entities on research 
activities on the health properties and potentials of yam tubers and other root crops in 
the Philippines; 
c) 
receive donations and grants from international donor institutions, 
foundations, 'and multilateral and bilateral foreign donor agencies involved in research of 
the health properties and potentials of yam tubers and other root crops; 
d) 
provide the avenue for exchange of information and exchange programs 
on issues relating to health properties and potentials of yam tubers and other root crops; 
and 
e) 
ensure that materials concerning findings linked to health properties and 
potentials of yam tubers and other root crops are available, and up to date, and that 
timely aggregate data concerning such reports shall be made available to the public 
upon request and consistent with existing confidentiality standards. 
SEC. 7. Composition. - The Committee shall be composed of the following 
members: 
(a) 
One (1) representative from the Department of Science and Technology; 
(b) 
One (1) representative from the Department of Agriculture; 
(c) 
One (1) representative from the Department of Health (DOH); 
(d) 
One (1) representative from duly accredited association of drug and 
vaccine manufacturers and distributors; 
(e) 
One (1) representative from the duly accredited association of medical 
doctors in the Philippines; and 
(f) 
One (1) representative from non-governmental organizations (NGOs) 
involved in the advocacy for the health potentials of yam tubers and other 
root crops. 
The Secretary shall be the Chairperson of the Committee. 
SEC. '8. 
Meetings. - The Committee shall meet at least once a month upon 
three-day notice signed by the Chairperson or as often as necessary upon the written 
request signed by two-thirds (2/3) of its members. 
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The presence of at least four (4) members at the time of the meeting shall 
constitute a quorum: Provided, however, That the Chairman, in his/her absence, the 
Vice Chairman, shall preside. 
The meetings of the Committee shall be open to the public and witnesses shall 
be given the opportunity to speak and make presentations at such meetings. 
Each member shall make a presentation to the full Committee at each meeting 
concerning the activities conducted by such member. 
SEC. 9. The Facility 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 Facility shall enjoy exemption from taxes and 
other duties in the importation of such machineries, development and extension 
programs, subject to the provisions of the Tariff and Customs Code, the National 
Internal Revenue Code and the provisions on Automatic Appropriations under the 
General Appropriations Act. 
SEC. '10. 
Prevention of Conflict of Interest in the Research Process. • 
Within six (6) month from the date of effectivity of this Act, the Department of Science 
and Technology shall issue the necessary standards, guidelines and regulations in 
order to ensure that there is no conflict of interest between the research agenda of the 
researchers or government agencies promoting the health properties and potentials of 
yam tubers and other root crops. 
The Department of Science and Technology shall ensure the timely publication 
and dissemination of information of these guidelines and regulations in order to ensure 
that people all over the country are adequately informed. 
SEC. 
11. 
Appropriations. 
The 
amount 
of 
Fifty 
Million 
Pesos 
(Php50,OOO,OOO.OO) is hereby authorized to be appropriated from the Special Activities 
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, and development shall be included in the annual General 
Appropriations Act. 
SEC. 12. Revolving Fund. - Any and all savings and income of the Facility shall 
4 


constitute a revolving fund which shall not be reverted to the General Fund and which 
shall be used by the Facility in the furtherance of its goals and objectives. 
SEC. 13. Repealing Clause. -All existing laws, rules and regulations or part 
thereof inconsistent with the provisions of this Act are hereby repealed, superseded or 
, 
modified accordingly: Provided, however, That nothing in this Act shall amend, modify 
or repeal· the provisions of Republic Act No. 7160, otherwise known as the Local 
Government Code. 
SEC. 14. Effectivity Clause. - This Act shall take effect after fifteen (15) days of 
its complete publication in the Official Gazette or in at least two (2) newspapers of 
national circulation. 
Approved, 
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