TWENTIETH CONGRESS OF THE 
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES 
First Regular Session
S. No.
)
SENATE
843
25 AUG-4 P5:07
RKEIVED BY;
Introduced by Senator Jinggoy Ejercito Estrada
AN ACT
URGING THE COMPREHENSIVE PLANNING, DEVELOPMENT, AND EXPORT 
PROMOTION OF THE MORINGA {MORING A OLEIFERA), LOCALLY KNOWN 
AS "MALUNGGAY", AND PROVIDING FUNDS THEREFOR
EXPLANATORY NOTE
Moringa oieifera, popularly known to Filipinos as malunggay, is a common 
green vegetable characterized by small, round leaves and long pods. It is considered 
as a "miracle tree" and "tree of life" for its high nutritional value, medicinal properties 
and non-medicinal benefits.
Studies confirm that malunggay leaves can provide seven times more vitamin 
C than oranges, ten times more vitamin A than carrots, seventeen times more calcium 
than milk, nine times more protein than yoghurt, fifteen times more potassium than 
bananas and twenty-five times more iron than spinach. Malunggay also contains anti­
oxidants, anti-inflammatory properties and other useful plant compounds which assist 
in the management of blood pressure, cholesterol, and glucose levels, and can prevent 
cancer.
In a study presented by the Food and Nutrition Research Institute - 
Department of Science and Technology (FNRTDOST), there was evidence showing


that Malunggay Leaf Powder (MLP) intake nnay prevent, delay, or reverse colorectal 
cancer, the third most common cancer in the world.1
Due to its immense health benefits, malunggay is usually served in viands and 
soups, and has found its way in many consumer goods such as pan de sal (bread), 
noodles and drinks. Powdered moringa leaves are also packed in pouches and sold in 
the export market as a health supplement, dried moringa leaves are used in the cattle 
feed industry, while moringa oil can be a source of biodiesel.2
Its immense nutritional content and a conscious shift of the consuming public 
to healthier options have driven the high demand for malunggay. The moringa industry 
is expected to soar in the coming years, as rosy estimates are seen for future of the 
"wonder plant" with global market size of USD 14 billion in 2028 up to more than USD 
30 billion by the end of 2034.
The proposed ''"Moringa Development Act' seeks to take advantage of this 
international multi-billion industry to enhance our economic productivity, generate 
jobs, and increase the wealth of our local farmers, by encouraging its propagation and 
supporting the growth of domestic enterprises through investment facilitation, 
provision of incentives, export promotion, conduct of scientific researches, among 
others.
This measure was reported out by the Senate Committee on Agriculture, Food 
and Agrarian Reform during the 19th Congress.
In view of the foregoing, the passage of this bill is recommended.
INGGOY EJERCITO ESTRADA
1 https://www.pchrd.dost.gov.ph/news and updates/malungRav-flRhts-colorectal-cancer-studv-savs/
2 https://dtinegosvocenter.online/sites/default/files/2021-03/MORINGA%20LEAVES%20PRODUCTION.pdf


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of r.;
TWENTIETH CONGRESS OF THE 
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES 
First Regular Session
)
SENATE
S. No. 843
25 AUG-4 P5 :07
RHcevEDm.
Introduced by Senator Jinggoy Ejercito Estrada
AN ACT
URGING THE COMPREHENSIVE PLANNING, DEVELOPMENT, AND EXPORT 
PROMOTION OF THE MORINGA {MORINGA OLEIFERA), LOCALLY KNOWN 
AS "MALUNGGAY", AND PROVIDING FUNDS THEREFOR
Be it enacted by the Senate and the House of Representatives of the Philippines in 
Congress assembled:
Section 1. Short Title. -This Act shall be known as the "Moringa Development
Act'.
Sec. 2. Declaration of Policy. - It is hereby declared the policy of the State to 
develop and promote a globally competitive moringa industry with the objective of 
increasing moringa farmers, income, addressing the nutritional and health needs of 
our people, and encouraging trade and industry.
Sec. 3. Development of Moringa. - The Department of Agriculture (DA), in 
consultation with the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR), 
Department of Science and Technology (DOST), moringa growers' cooperatives and 
organizations, local government units, and the private sector, shall formulate a one- 
year framework to be validated and updated annually. Such framework shall serve as 
guide to the formulation and implementation of plans, programs and projects for the 
production, marketing, processing and distribution of moringa for food and commercial 
needs, as envisioned in this Act. The framework shall likewise provide for the 
following:


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a) National Framework - The DA, DOST, state universities and colleges (SUCs)
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and other stakeholders shall strengthen the conduct of researches on
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moringa particularly on areas of crop improvement, crop protection,
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harvesting and postharvest handling supply chain analysis, marketing and
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promotion;
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b) Investment Promotion and Facilitation - The DA and DTI shall develop
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programs establishing links between stakeholders in the moringa industry
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and Government Financial Institutions (GFIs) and other financial
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cooperatives. The DA and DTI shall likewise develop and implement
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programs that would establish reasonable and innovative investment
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incentives to attract more players in the moringa industry;
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c) Export Promotion Support - An integrated and strategic export promotion
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program for moringa industry shall be created. The export promotion shall
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be responsive to market conditions, needs of the exporters, and possibilities
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offered by new products and technologies. It shall likewise provide foreign
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trade and export promotion activities through trainings, technical assistance
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capacity building, generating awareness on export opportunities and export
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planning assistance;
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d) Strengthen Trade Policies and Support Network - The DA shall be
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responsible in coordinating a consultative approach for the various stages
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of the trade policy making process. The Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA)
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shall lead the negotiation of Free Trade Agreements (FTAs) to provide a
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competitive environment for moringa exports abroad; 
and
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e) Monitoring and Evaluation - The DA shall continuously monitor, track, and
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analyze the progress and outcomes of the programs to be implemented to
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determine overall effectiveness.
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Sec. 4. Designating the Department of Agricuiture - High Vaiue Crops
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Deveiopment Program (DA-HVCDP) as the Office in Charge in the Deveiopment of the
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Moringa Industry. -The DA-FIVCDP is hereby tasked to implement the development
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of the Moringa Industry. The Department of Agriculture shall allocate an annual
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budget to said office pursuant to its additional task of developing the Moringa Industry.


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Sec. 5. Appropriations. - The amount necessary to implement this Act shall be
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included in the annual General Appropriations Act (GAA). Thereafter, such funds as
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may be necessary for the continued implementation of this Act shall be included in the
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succeeding annual GAA.
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Sec. 6. Repealing Clause. - All provisions of existing laws, orders and
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regulations contrary to or inconsistent with this Act are hereby repealed or modified
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accordingly.
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Sec. 7. Separability Clause. - If any part or provision of this Act shall be deemed
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unconstitutional or invalid, the other sections or provisions hereof not affected shall
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remain in force and effect.
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Sec. 8. Effectivity. - This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after its
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publication in the Official Gazette or in a newspaper of general circulation.
Approved,