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FOURTEENTH CONGRESS OF THE REPUBLIC 
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OF THE PHILIPPINES 
Second Regular Session 
1 
S E N A T E  
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Introduced by Senator Manuel “Lito” M. Lapid 
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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 data 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 €6, 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 B6 is desirable. 


This bill seeks to further improve the performance of the Philippine yam 
tuber or obe 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. 
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 


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FOURTEENTH CONGRESS OF THE REPUBLIC 
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3 P 1  a - * 
OF THE PHILIPPINES 
1 
Second Regular Session 
1 
S E N A T E  
‘3 M Y  26 , 
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S. No. m8 
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Introduced by Senator Manuel “Lito” M. Lapid 
AN ACT 
ESTABLISHING 
A 
HOLISTIC 
HEALTH 
RESEARCH 
AND 
DEVELOPMENT PROGRAM ON YAM TUBERS, AUTHORIZING THE 
APPROPRIATION OF FUNDS THEREFOR, AND FOR OTHER 
PURPOSES 
Be if enacfed by fhe Senate and fhe House of Representatives of the 
Philippines in Congress assembled: 
SECTION 1. Establishment of a Yam Tubers and Ofher 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. 
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b) 
“faciliy” 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 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 violef yam) is eaten as a sweetened dessert 
called halaya, and is also an ingredient in another Filipino dessert, halo halo; 
SEC. 4. Powers and Funcfions. - 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 promotionaf centers in oiher 
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. Commitfee on Yam Tubers and Other Root Crops Healfh 
Research and Development, and Promotion. - To assist the Secretary in 
receiving accurate and complete information on health properties and potentials 
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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. 
The Committee shall endeavor to: 
a) 
b) 
undertake research andlor collaborate with other entities on 
research activities on the health properties and potentials of yam tubers and 
other root crops in the Philippines; 
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; 
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. 
promote public awareness, education and information on issues 
about health breakthroughs concerning yam tubers and other root crops; 
c) 
d) 
SEC. 7. 
Composition. - The Committee shall be composed of the 
following members: 
One (1) representative from the Department of Science and 
Technology; 
One (1) representative from the Department of Agriculture; 
One (1) representative from the Department of Health (DOH); 
One (1) representative from duly accredited association of drug and 
vaccine manufacturers and distributors; 
One (1) representative from the duly accredited association of 
medical doctors in the Philippines; and 
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(f) 
One [I) 
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. 
Meefings. - 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 (Z3) 
of its members. 
The presence of at least four (4) members at the time of the meeting shall 
constitute a quorum: Provided, however, That the Chairman, in hisiher 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. I O .  
Prevention of Conflict of inferest in the Research 
Pmcess. - 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. 
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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 
(Php50,000,000.00) 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 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. Effecfjvjfy 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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