Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Quezon City

18 Congress
Second Regular Session

HOUSE BILLNO._8730

Introduced by Honorable Erico Aristotle C. Aumentado

EXPLANATORY NOTE

The coconut provides nutritious source of meat, juice, milk and oil and rich in fiber,
vitamins and minerals it is classified as a functional food because of health benefits beyond its
nutritional content. Coconut oil is of special interest because it possesses healing properties far
beyond that of any other dietary oil and is extensively used in traditional medicine.

Modern medical science is now confirming the use of cococnut in treating many
conditions. Published studies in the medical journals shows that coconut may provide a wide range
of health benefits. It can kill viruses that cause influenza, herpes, measles, hepatitis C, SARS,
AIDS, and other illnesses. It also kills bacteria that cause ulcers, throat infections, gum disease
and cavities, pneumonia, gonorrhoea and other diseases.

To help improve the coconut industry in Bohol and the entire Central Visayas Region, this
Dill seeks to establish the Coconut Research Center and Development in Ubay, Bohol. The Center
will provide the research, technology and training not only for Bohol but also for the entire Central
Visayas with the hope that it will open more job, markets and opportunities and eventually improve
their quality of life. The establishment of the Center will not only make the people of Central
Visayas interested in the scenic spots of Bohol but also in the technical know-how, the research
center has to offer.

This bill also seeks to revitalize coconut production and enterprise development through
the establishment of a cococnut research center in Ubay, Bohol which is also the location of five
hectares of coconut plantation of the Philippine Coconut Authority.

In view of the foregoing, early approval of this bill is earnestly sought.

ERI AUMENTADO.


Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Quezon City

18" Congress
Second Regular Session

HOUSE BILL No. _ 8730

Introduced by Honorable Erico Aristotle C. Aumentado

AN ACT
ESTABLISHING A COCONUT RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT CENTER IN THE
MUNICIPALITY OF UBAY, PROVINCE OF BOHOL AND APPROPRIATING FUNDS
THEREFOR

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

SECTION 1. Establishment of the Coconut Research and Development Center.-
there is hereby established the Coconut Research and Development Center, hereinafter
referred to as the Center, which shall be under the management of Philippine Coconut
Authority (PCA) the Center shall be constructed and based in the Municipality of Ubay,
Province of Bohol and shall seve as the learning hub of various Universities and Colleges
in the Visayas.

Section 2. Objectives — The Center shall have the following objectives and functions:

a. To conduct applied research and verify generated technology on coconut and
all its phases of production, processing, management and utilization towards
maximazing its nutritive, health, economic and ecological potentials;

b. To develop and produce experts, students, coconut farmers and farmers’
organizations and cooperatives on various disciplines related to coconut
production, utilizatio, marketing nad business;

c. To provide database of generated research information and library center of
technologies in various facets of coconut farming, processing and coconut
based enterprise development;

d. To design and implement coconut-base farming extension programs to transfer
modern farming technology, good agricultural practices to coconut farmers,
students, the private sector and interested clients; and


e. To perform all act necessary, suitable or proper for the furtherance or
attainment of the Center's objectives.

Section 3. Multi-Partite Cooperation Agreement — The Office of the President through
the Philippine Coconut Authority, the Department of Agriculture through the Bureau of
Agriculture Research, the Department of Trade and Industry and Philippine Council for
Agriculture Resarch and Resources Development (PCARRD) of the Department of
Science and Technology, shall enter into a multi-partite agreement to provide the design
of the facility, its operations and services, and shall prepare the organizational structure
and personnel complement, the proposed furniture and fixtures, equipment components.
of the Center and estimated cost thereof.

Section 4. Appropriations — The amount necessary for the establishment, operation
and maintenance of the Center shall be included in the General Appropriations Act of the
year following its enactment into law and subsequently thereafter

Section 5. Solicitation of Financial Assistance from Foreign Donors — the Center
may seek financial assistance from foreign donors such as but not limited to Japan
International Cooperation Agency (JICA), United States Agency for International
Development (USAID), Australian Agency for International Development (AusAID),
Internatiobal Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD) and its similar institutions for the
establishment and improvement of its infrastructures, laboratory facilities, field
experiment stations development, and training of or scholarship for qualified personnel.

Section 6. Separability Clause — If any part or section of this Act is declared
unconstitutional, such as declaration shall not affect the other parts or sections of this Act.

Section 7. Repealing Clause — All laws, decrees, rules and regulations and other
issuances which are inconsistent with the provisions of this Act are hereby repealed or
modified accordingly.

Section 7. Effectivity Clause - The Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after its
publication in the Official Gazette or its publication in a newspaper of general circulation.

Approve.