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

EIGHTEENTH CONGRESS
First Regular Session
6234

House Bill No.

Introduced by Representatives Ria Christina G. Farinas
and Rudys Caesar G. Farifias |

EXPLANATORY NOTE

Piddig is a third-class municipality in the Province of Ilocos Norte. It
relies largely on agriculture, of which 80% of its population is dependent for their
livelinood. In order to boost its socio-economic status, the local government of
Piddig came up with development innovations in the area to utilize its resources
while promoting and sustaining them, including the Lammin Coffee Plantation
located in Sitio Lammin of Barangay Dupitac. This plantation aims to grow organic
Arabic coffee in 500 hectares of land.

The coffee project came to light from one of the programs of former Ilocos
Norte Governor Imee R. Marcos. In 2011, former Governor Marcos and the llocos
Norte mayors travelled to Vietnam and Indonesia to visit farm projects. It was
during those foreign trips wnen former Piddig Mayor Eddie Guillen realized the
potential of the unutilized public lands of the municipality for coffee production
since the climate in Sitio Lammin is perfect for Arabica coffee production. This
project aims to decrease importation of coffee considering that the country
imports about 80% of its coffee requirements. Through former Piddig Mayor
Guillen's efforts, the coffee plantation project started in 2014.

An estimated 500 families are currently employed in the coffee plantation.
Each farmer is allocated two hectares of land to grow coffee and is provided
1,600 seedlings. It is reported that 1.5 million seedlings are already growing and
being nurtured in the plantation's three nurseries.

Farmers are already working on their respective lands and are being paid
for tilling the land. The amount of P70 million was provided by the National


Greening Program of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources
(DENR) for the project.

Other government agencies have already provided funding on the project
for the following purposes:

* Department of Agriculture (DA) and Department of Tourism (DOT) - for the
construction of farm-to-market roads;

* Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) - for the construction of
a dam that aims to collect 3 million cubic meters of rainwater, to irrigate
the coffee, and to prevent flooding in the area;

* Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) — for the financial
assistance to families who are beneficiaries of the 4Ps program, as their
starting capital for vermicompost production; and

* Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) - for the financial assistance
to families who are not beneficiaries of the 4Ps program but also work on
the coffee plantation project.

Further, a Memorandum of Agreements (MOA) has been entereed into
between the Benguet State University and the local government of Piddig for the
provision of Arabica Seedlings. Project technical assistants and consultants from
the Cavite State University are helping farmers grow low elevation coffee varieties
— Robusta, Excelsa and Liberica.

It is estimated that at full development, the coffee project will produce
2,000 tons of coffee valued at more than P175 milion each year. This will help the
Philippines save an estimated amount of US$4 milion a year from importing coffee
alone. Further, it will generate more jobs for 2,000 individuals. in locos Norte alone,
it is estimated to contribute P400 million to its economy.

The Piddig Farmers’ Cooperative is assigned to manage and market the
produce of the plantation. However, despite all these ongoing efforts, it is still with
the best interest of the National Government to ensure the sustainability and
preservation of this project by preparing a comprehensive development plan to
ensure its promotion while preserving its natural beauty. It is projected that the
Municipality of Piddig will be an “Organic Coffee Bow! in the North".

This proposed bill seeks to declare the Lammin Coffee Plantation as a tourist
destination and requires the DOT and its attached agencies, in coordination with


the DA, DPWH, DSWD and DOLE, and in consultation with the local government
Of Piddig, to come up with a tourism development plan for the plantation.

In view of the foregoing, approval of this proposed measure is
earnestly sought.

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RIA CH INA G/ FARINAS Rul G. FARINAS |


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

EIGHTEENTH CONGRESS
First Regular Session

House Bill No. 6234 5

Introduced by Representatives Ria Christina G. Farifias
and Rudys Caesar G. Farifias |

AN ACT
DECLARING THE LAMMIN COFFEE PLANTATION LOCATED IN THE MUNICIPALITY OF
PIDDIG, PROVINCE OF ILOCOS NORTE, AS A TOURIST DESTINATION, PROVIDING FOR
ITS DEVELOPMENT, AND APPROPRIATING FUNDS THEREFOR

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

Section 1. The Lammin Coffee Plantation in Sitio Lammin, Barangay
Dupitac, Municipality of Piddig, Province of llocos Norte, is hereby declared a
tourist destination. As such, its development shall be prioritized by the Department
of Tourism (DOT) and shall be subject to the rules and regulations governing the

development of tourist destinations.

Sec. 2. Within one (1) year from the approval of this Act, the DOT, in
coordination with the concerned local government units and agencies of the
government, shall prepare a tourism development plan involving the
construction, installation, and maintenance of appropriate infrastructures and
facilities that enhance tourism in the area: Provided, That the development plan
ensures the preservation and conservation of the natural beauty and resources
of the area: Provided, further, That any activity and development to be carried

out in the area must conform with the concept of ecotourism as provided in the


national ecotourism strategy jointly issued by the Department of Environment and
Natural Resources and the DOT.

Sec. 3. The DOT and its concerned attached agencies shall take immediate
steps in implementing the tourism development plan that suits the natural
characteristics of the Lammin Coffee Plantation, and shall incorporate the same
in its tourism development program for the ensuing calendar year. It shall also
include Lammin Coffee Plantation in alll its national, regional, and local promotion
programs.

Sec. 4. The Secretary of Tourism shall include in the Department's program
the implementation of this Act, the funding of which shall be included in the
‘annual General Appropriations Act and from internally generated funds of the
DOT.

Sec. 5. Within sixty (60) days from the effectivity of this Act, the Secretary of
Tourism, in consultation with the Municipality of Piddig, shall promulgate the

necessary rules and regulations for the proper implementation of this Act.

Sec. 6. All laws, rules, regulations, proclamations, executive orders, or parts
thereof, inconsistent with this Act are hereby amended accordingly.

Sec. 7. This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after its publication in the
Official Gazette or in a newspaper of general circulation.

Approved,