NINETEENTH CONGRESS OF THE ) 
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES ) 
First Regular Session 
)
SENATE
S.B. No. 1304
of Jilt #>rr. ptflTf
‘22 SEP 12 P1.-26
RECEIVED BV
Introduced by SENATOR IMEE R. MARCOS
AN ACT
URGING THE PLANNING, EVALUATION, AND PROMOTION OF BANANA FOR
INTERNATIONAL EXPORT, ESTABLISHING THE BANANA EXPORT 
DEVELOPMENT COUNCIL, AND PROVIDING FUNDS THEREFOR
EXPLANATORY NOTE
Bananas are one of the primary agricultural exports of the Philippines. The 
Philippines started exporting bananas in 1968, with Japan being the primary 
destination. As of 2021, the Philippines, previously the second largest exporter In the 
world, is now third, trailing Ecuador and Costa Rica. This is due to a reduction In the 
banana exports, from USD 1.93 billion in 2019 to USD 1.12 billion in 2021. The country's 
largest export markets are China, Japan, and Korea.
Looking at the Industry trend, production Is decreasing due to the prevalence of 
the Panama disease or Fusariumm\i. From 2018 to 2021, total production decreased 
by more than 260 thousand metric tons due to a decrease in total acreage, from 445 
thousand hectares in 2018 to 444 thousand hectares in 2021. As such, there is a need 
for government to provide assistance to the sector in order to address the Panama 
disease outbreak in the country.
The banana export sector of the country has several disadvantages. On the 
processed sector, the lack of processing equipment for the production of banana chips 
and other processed products hinder the growth of the sector. There is a need for the


Department of Agriculture to organize the small farmers, provide them with access to 
processing facilities, and link them with exporters.
The Philippines also has difficulties complying on the stringent regulations of the 
major markets in the region. In particular, complying with Sanitary and Phytosanitary 
(SPS) permit and Good Agricultural Practice (GAP) remains problematic. There is a need 
for the Department of Agriculture to provide the farmers with the necessary training 
and assistance needed to comply with SPS and GAP standards. The Department of 
Foreign Affairs also need to negotiate with our trade partners in order to facilitate the 
process of granting of the said permits.
The biggest disadvantage of the banana export sector Is the Free Trade 
Agreements that the other exporters are signing with our trade partners. Japan already 
offers zero tariff rates on bananas imported from Viet Nam, Peru, Ecuador, and 
Indonesia. Korea already offers or is scheduled to offer zero tariff rates on bananas 
imported from Peru, Costa Rica, El Salvador, Honduras, Nicaragua, Panama, Columbia 
and Viet Nam, reducing the competitiveness of our banana exports. There is a need for 
the Department of Foreign Affairs and the Department of Agriculture to negotiate with 
our trade partners to preserve the competitiveness of Philippine Banana exports in the 
region.
Given the abovementioned circumstances, the immediate passage of this bill Is 
necessary.
IMEE R. MAfeoS


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NINETEENTH CONGRESS OF THE ) 
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES ) 
First Regular Session 
)
SENATE
S.B. No. 1304
v J r‘'t©f‘irp of 5" r a I'ta g-
'22 SEP 12 PI :26
RliCElVifD BV;
Introduced by SENATOR IMEE R. MARCOS
AN ACT
URGING THE PLANNING, EVALUATION, AND PROMOTION OF BANANA FOR 
INTERNATIONAL EXPORT, ESTABLISHING THE BANANA EXPORT 
DEVELOPMENT COUNCIL, AND PROVIDING FUNDS THEREFOR
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the Philippines in Congress 
assembled:
SECTION 1. Short Title. -This Act shall be known as the "Banana Export Act of
2022."
SEC. 2. Declaration of Policy. - It is hereby declared the policy of the State to 
develop and promote a globally competitive banana industry with the objective of 
increasing banana farmers' income, encouraging the production of export-quality fruits, 
and promoting international trade and industry.
SEC. 3. Establishment of the Banana Export Promotion Council (BEPC). - A 
council, composed of the Secretary of the Department of Agriculture (DA) or his 
representative as the Chairperson, the Secretary of the Department of Foreign Affairs 
(DFA) or his representative, the Secretary of the Department of Trade and Industry 
(DTI) or his representative, and one (1) each from the banana growers and commercial 
processors' sectors to be designated by the Secretary of the DA shall be created 
immediately upon the effectivity of this Act to ensure the government's, support, and 
assistance to banana exporters. The Bureau of Plant Industry (BPI) under DA, through 
the office which implements the High-Value Crops Development Program, shall be 
designated as the BEPC'S Secretariat.


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SEC. 4. Functions of the BEPC -The BEPC, in consultation with the Department 
of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR), Department of Science and Technology 
(dost;, state universities and colleges, banana growers' and processors cooperatives 
and organizations, local government units, and the private sector, shall formulate a (10) 
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, processing and marketing of banana for export worldwide, as envisioned in 
this Act. The Framework shall likewise provide for the following:
a. National Expansion Plans and Programs - The DA, DOST, state universities 
and colleges (SUCs) and other stakeholders shall encourage the conduct of research on 
banana, particularly In the areas of crop improvement (development of new varieties), 
crop protection, harvesting and postharvest handling, supply chain analysis, marketing 
and promotion. Model farm shall also be established in key banana growing areas of 
the country to showcase the latest technologies in banana propagation, production. 
Integrated Pest Management (IPM), Good Agricultural Practice (GAP) post-harvest 
handling, and processing, packaging and branding.
b. Investment Promotion and Facilitation - The DA and DTI shall establish 
linkages between stakeholders in the banana industry. Government Financial 
Institutions (GFIs) and private financial entitles. Programs to invite the private sector to 
banana production and processing shall likewise be developed.
c. Export Promotion Support - An integrated export strategy shall be created, to 
include branding, advertising, market research and analyses, and updated phyto- 
sanitary guidelines. Foreign trade and export promotion activities such as training, 
technical assistance, capacity building, information on export opportunities, export 
planning assistance, and participation in international agriculture food and events shall 
be facilitated.
d. Formulation of Trade Policies - The BEPC shall a consultative approach at 
every stage of the trade policy-making process, inviting all banana stakeholders. The 
DFA shall lead the negotiation of Free Trade Agreements (FTAs) to provide a 
competitive environment for Filipino banana exports overseas.
e. Monitoring and Evaluation - The BEPC shall continuously monitor, and 
evaluate the results programs implemented by the various stakeholders and


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