05 AUG 2014

Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES,
Quezon City

SIXTEENTH CONGRESS
Second Regular Session

HOUSE BILL NO, 48 il

Introduced by: Hon. Angelina “Helen” D.L. Tan, M.D.

EXPLANATORY NOTE

‘The coconut industry is a major agriculture industry in the country. Coconut is among
the Philippine's top export produce and one of the most important crops in the country.
According to the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations, the country
is the second largest coconut producer in the world, accounting for 26.6% of global
production,

One of the recent products that can be manufactured from the coconut tree is "coco
sugar". Coconut sugar is a by-product of coconut sap or tuba and is obtained by boiling
freshly harvested sap until it evaporates and thickens. It is then allowed to cool to
become granular.

Chemical analysis shows that coco sugar contains higher amounts of nutrients
compared to brown and refined cane sugar. Coco sugar has higher levels of nitrogen,
phosphorus, potassium, chlorine, magnesium, sulfur, and micronutrients.

Health experts indicate that coco sugar can help in the proper management and control
of diabetes mellitus because it helps in lowering the total cholesterol level. Coconut
sugar is good for people with diabetes since it has a low glycemic index (GI)- coco
sugar only has a GI of 35 compared to cane sugar's GI of 50.

This bill seeks to further boost the coconut industry in the country by providing the
mechanisms to fund the research and development of coco sugar to ensure this
products conformity with internationally accepted standards for food and safety. It is
hoped that this measure will help improve the lives of Filipino families who are directly
and indirectly dependent on the coconut industry.

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

{| (i by
anceuna unien Oi, TAN, M.D.
4 District, Quezon


Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES,
Quezon City

SIXTEENTH CONGRESS
Second Regular Session

House BILLNo._ 4811

Introduced by: Hon. Angelina “Helen” D.L. Tan, M.D.

AN ACT
PROVIDING THE ENABLING MECHANISMS FOR RESEARCH AND
DEVELOPMENT OF COCONUT SUGAR IN THE COUNTRY AND
APPROPRIATING 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 “Coconut Sugar Research and
Development Act”.

SEC. 2. Declaration of Policy. - It is hereby declared the policy of the State to promote
domestic materials and locally produced goods, and to adopt measures to make such
locally produced goods competitive in both the local and international market.

Towards this end, the State shall provide the enabling mechanisms to promote the
production of coconut sugar in order to help and boost the coconut industry in the
country.

SEC. 3, Definition of Terms. - For purposes of this Act, the terms "coconut sugar" and
"coco sugar" shall refer to the product derived from coconut sap and obtained by
boiling the same until it evaporates, thickens, and thereafter solidifies turning into
honey syrup or granular sugar.

SEC. 4. Promoting Research and Development (R&D) on Coconut Sugar. - The Department
of Science and ‘Technology (DOST), in coordination with the Philippine Coconut
Authority (PCA), Department of Agriculture (DA), and the Food and Nutrition
Research Institute (FNRI), shall conduct an extensive research and development (R&D)
study on the health benefits and nutritional value of coconut sugar in order to develop
the same and ensure its compliance with internationally accepted standards on food
and safety.

The DOST shall facilitate and support interdisciplinary, multidisciplinary, and
international research activities to advance knowledge on and understanding of the
health and nutritional benefits of using coconut sugar, and to disseminate this
information to stakeholders involved in the production and promotion of coconut
sugar.

The DOST, in coordination with the PCA, DA, and the FNRI, shall conduct a year
round information, education and communication campaign to inform and educate the
general public on the various health benefits of utilizing coco sugar. It shall also publish
the latest research findings, studies and materials on the nutritional value of coco sugar;

SEC. 5. Coconut Sugar Credit Facility and Loan Package. - ‘The Land Bank of the Philippines
(LBP) is hereby mandated to formulate a Coconut Sugar Credit Facility and Loan
Package Window, which shall extend low interest loans to small and medium
enterprises seeking to venture into the business of promoting the consumption and
utilization of coconut sugar.


Within six (6) months from the date of effectivity of this Act, the LBP is mandated to
formulate the necessary guidelines, procedures, and requirements for the various
stakeholders to avail of the Coconut Sugar Credit Facility and Loan Package, as
provided under this Section.

SEC. 6. Annual Appropriation. - The Department of Science and Technology (DOST) shall
include in its annual programming and annual appropriation the amount necessary to
fully implement the objectives of this Act.

SEC. 7. Implementing Rules and Regulations (IRR). - Within six (6) months from the date of
effectivity of this Act, the DOST, in coordination with the PCA, DA, and the FNRI shall
promulgate such implementing rules and regulations necessary to implement the
provisions of this Act.

SEC. 8. Repealing Clause. - All laws, decrees, executive orders, rules and regulations, or
parts thereof not consistent with the provisions of this Act are hereby repealed or
modified accordingly.

SEC. 9. Separability Clause. - If any provision or part of this Act shall be held
unconstitutional or invalid, the other provisions of this Act not otherwise affected
thereby shall remain in full force and effect.

SEC, 10. Effectivity Clause. - This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days from the date of its
publication in at least two (2) newspapers of general circulation.

Approved,