FOURTEENTH CONGRESS OF THE 
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REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES 
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First Regular Session 
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Introduced by Senator Antonio “Sonny” F. Trillanes IV 
EXPLANATORY NOTE 
Banana and plantains are today grown in every humid tropical region. Being the fourth (4*) 
largest food crop, this fruit constitutes a vital role for the household food security and is the main 
stay in one hundred thirty (130) developing economies particularly for small and marginal 
farmers worldwide. 
Aside from being an important agricultural commodity, bananas and plantains generate foreign 
exchange for the country and allow a large majority of Filipinos to earn a living. Further, banana 
leaves are widely used as plates and for lining cooking pits and for wrapping food for cooking or 
storage. Improved processes have made it possible to utilize banana fiber for many purposes 
such as rope, table mats and handbags. Dried banana peel, because of its thirty (30) to forty 
percent (40%) tannin content, is used to blacken leather. The Pinatubo Negritos cut off a banana 
plant close to the ground, make a hollow in the top of the stump, which then fills with watery sap 
drunk as an emergency thirst quencher. 
In 1997, the Philippines was the lone Asian country who made it to the world’s top 10 major 
suppliers of banana. However, in 1998, the country produced 3.56 million tons of bananas down 
by 5.6% from its 1997 volume production of 3.77 million tons. Top two (2) banana-producing 
provinces in Luzon also reported a decline in production in 2006. Only favorable development 
policies may thus save the banana industry from continual “sagging”. 
In view of the foregoing, the approval of this bill is earnestly sought. 
ANT W-wL 
NI “SONNY ’ F. TRILLANES IV 
Senator 


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FOURTEENTH CONGRESS OF THE 
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REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES 
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:3 M'; 2 1 
First Regular Session 
) 
SENATE 
S.NO. 
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Introduced by Senator Antonio "Sonny" F. Trillanes IV 
AN ACT 
TO ESTABLISH THE NATIONAL RESEARCH, DEVELOPMENT AND EXTENSION 
CENTER FOR BANANA, AUTHORIZING THE APPROPRIATION OF FUNDS 
THEREFOR, AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES 
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the Philippines in Congress 
assern bled: 
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SECTION 1. The National Research, Development and Extension Center for Banana 
(hereinafter referred to as NRDECB) which shall be based in the University of Southeastern 
Philippines (USEP) in Davao City, is hereby established. 
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USEP: 
SEC. 2. The Center shall have the following general powers and functions in line with 
the research, development and extension programs of the Department of Agriculture - Bureau of 
Agricultural Research @A-BAR), Department of Science and technology (DOST), Department 
of Trade and Industry @TI), National Economic and Development Authority (NEDA) and 
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conserve the diversity; 
a. Educate and train all stakeholders of the banana industry; 
b. To undertake basic and strategic research for developing technologies to enhance 
productivity and utilization of banana; 
c. To develop improved cultivars through traditional and biotechnological methods and 
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d. To serve as national repository of germplasm and information related to banana and 
plantain and also disseminate the knowledge for production and productivity; 
e. To provide leadership and coordinate the network research for generating location 
specific varieties, technology and for solving specific constraints of banana and plantain 
production; and 
E To collaborate with relevant national and international agencies in achieving the above 
objectives. 
SEC. 3. The Center shall have the specific powers and functions: 
a. Develop productive, high yielding, good quality varieties of banana; 
b. Develop efficient, economic and productive banana production technologies; 
c. Develop effective and sound banana processing technologies for outstanding varieties 
of banana; 
d. Develop effective production systems for all banana varieties; 
e. Establish and maintain germplasm collection and gene bank for banana; 
E Develop effective and efficient marketing systems for banana; 
g. Evolve productive banana-based farming systems; 
h. Develop and implement appropriate and suitable technology packages and effective 
technology transfer schemes, especially the conduct of training programs; 
i. Upgrade the skills of development facilitators, estensionists and farmers through 
trainings, seminars and workshop on banana production and postharvest handling and 
processing; 
j, Establish national and international linkages for banana research, development, 
extension and production activities; and 
k. Coordinate with other governmenthon-government agencies involved in the 
development of banana industry. 
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SEC. 4. The Center shall be headed by an Executive Director who shall be responsible 
for the planning, implementation, and supervision of the Center’s program of activities. The 
Executive Director: 
a. Must have completed substantial and relevant education and experience on banana 
research and development; and 
b. Must he of good moral character and has not been involved in a legal case involving 
moral turpitude. 
All other officers and employees of the Center shall be appointed by the Executive 
Director consistent with the provisions of the Civil Service laws, rules and regulations. 
SEC. 5. The plans and programs of the Center shall be reviewed annually by the 
Advisory Board which shall be composed of: 
a. The Secretary of the Department of Agriculture as Chairman; 
b. The University President of the University of Southeastern Philippines as Vice 
Chairman; 
c. The Secretary of the Department of Trade and Industry as member; 
d. One (1) representative from a non governmental organization (NGO) working on 
banana production, research and development and processing; 
e. One (1) representative from the group of banana traders; 
f. One (1) representative from the group of banana processors, and 
g. One (1) representative from the group of banana growers. 
SEC. 6. The presence of at least five (5) members at the time of the meeting shall 
constitute the quorum: Provided, however, That the Chairman, in his absence, the Vice 
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Chairman shall preside. 
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SEC. 7. The Center 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 Center shall enjoy exemption from taxes and other duties in the importation of 
such machineries, development and extension programs, subject to the provisions of Section 
105(s) of the Tariff and Customs Code, Section 103(f) of the National Internal Revenue Code 
and to the provisions on Automatic Appropriations under the General Appropriations Act. 
SEC. 8. The main offices, experimental area and nursery of the Center shall be located at 
the University of Southeastern Philippines in Davao City. The Center may hereafter establish 
similar facilities in its other service areas in order to promote the development of the banana 
industry in the country. 
SEC 9. To carry out the provisions of this Act, the amount of two million pesos 
(P2,000,000.00) is hereby appropriated from the funds of the National Treasury. Thereafter, such 
sums as may be necessary to maintain the operations of the Board shall be included in the 
General Appropriations Act. 
SEC. 10. Any and all savings and income of the Center shall constitute a revolving fund 
which shall not be reverted to the General Fund and which shall be used by the Center in the 
furtherance of its goals and objectives. 
SEC. 11. Implementing Rules and Regulations. The Advisory Board shall jointly 
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promulgate rules and regulations to implement the provisions of this Act. 
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circulation, whichever comes earlier. 
SEC. 12. Repealing Clause. All laws, decrees, orders, rules and regulations inconsistent 
with or contrary to the provisions of this Act are hereby amended or repealed accordingly. 
SEC. 13. Effectivity Clause. This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days following its 
complete publication in the National Gazette or in at least two (2) newspapers of general 
Approved, 
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