HOUSE OF REPR:
Quezon City, ¥

ENTATIVES
etre Masia

Fifteenza Congress
First Regular Session

0.4243

Introduced oy Honerabie Sharon 5. Garin

AN ACT
CREATING THE PHILIPPINE COCONUT RESEARCH INSTITUTE TO DEVELO? THE PHILIPPINE
COCOMUT INDUSTRY AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES

‘ed by the Senate and the House of Representatives of the Philippines in Congress

Section 2. Title. - TI

of 2012.

is Act shail be known as the 'Phitippine Coconut Research institute Act

Section. 2. Declaration of Policy. —.t's 2 vaciarad selicy of tne State to deveiop a g.cvatiy
seci've, productive, ard ccolegicaliy sussarrable cocenut industry supporea oy 2
well coordinated, and sdequacaly funded research and development orcgre™,
entee by highly skilled manpowe-.

In support of this, the estabiishmens of the Pnulapine Coconut Research Institute alms to
develor a rationa! coconut research anc deveinp™ment initiative so as to further improve
coconut production, utilization, and propagation, increase the income and econo:

cozsition of coconut farmers, and expand amiaioyment opportunities in rural areas

Section 3. Creation of Philippine Coconut Rasearch Insiituie. — There is hereby created 3
Phitippine Coconut Research Institute, hereinafter referred to as PCRI, which shall 5e under
the supervision ef the Department of Agricutture (DA).



nationai smear
s. The

For the past decades, coconut 0 has suffered due to an inte
campaign on its health and madicinai benefits orchestrated by soya oi! produ
Philippines, which is the biggest supplier of coconut olf in the world, has f
the allegations because we have not funded scientific and medicinal researc!
the allegations. What we only have as “evidence” on the benefits and patency of coconut
are hearsay and anecdotes,

led to debunk

es to disprove

PCRit with a distinct mandate, separate funding, and sufficient manpower,

Present constraints to coconut R & & inciude uncoordinated and fragmenced
es with short-term perspectives, iow and discontinuous R & D funding

manpower and equipment, and lirritea pudlic-private partnership. All these basic problems
ll be addressed by creating the PCR! “With an institutionalized and strong R & 5 een, the
government can then expect enhanced and expanded knowledge,
techniques and biotechnologies on cocoauts, creating a domino effect on the resolution of
other constraints In the industry.

sate,

Ht must also be stressed that the proposed institute Is administratively separate and
managed differently from the Philippine Coconut Authority {PCA} so as to branch out from
the regutatory and developmental mangate af PCA and direct Its vision, goals. and aczions
wholly on research and development, Accerdingly, institutionalizing an agency solely for the
said purpose would cultivate a culture of scientific excellence and professionalism, entice
and pool the bright minds in the research and scientific communities, and establish
credence to the initiatives, findings, and innovations of the institute.

in view of the foregoing, passage of this measure is earnestly sought.

Aambis-Owa Party List


Republic of the Pi

HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Quezon City, Metro Manila

Fifteenth Congress

First Regular Session

House BILL No. 4243

introduced by Honorable Sharon S. Garin

ANACT
CREATING THE PHILIPPINE COCONUT RESEARCH INSTITUTE TO DEVELOP THE PHILIPPINE
COCONUT INDUSTRY AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES,

Be it enacted by the Senate and the House of Representatives of the Philippines in Congress
assembled:

Section 1. Title. - This Act shall be known as the "Philippine Coconut Research Institute Act
of 2011."

Section 2. Declaration of Policy. ~ It is a declared policy of the State to develop a globally
competitive, productive, and ecologically sustainable coconut industry supported by a
unified, well coordinated, and adequately funded research and development program,
complemented by highty skilled manpower.

In support of this, the establishment of the Philippine Coconut Research Institute aims to
develop a national coconut research and development initiative so as to further improve
coconut production, utilization, and propagation, increase the income and economic
condition of coconut farmers, and expand employment opportunities in rural areas.

Section 3. Creation of Philippine Coconut Research Institute, — There is hereby created a
Philippine Coconut Research Institute, hereinafter referred to as PCRI, which shall be under
the supervision of the Department of Agricutture (DA).


Section 4. Headquarters and Satellite Offices of PCAI. — The headquarters of PCR! shalt be
based in Zamboanga City with satellite offices in the Municipality of Guinobatan in the
Province of Albay, and in Davao City.

Section §. Powers and Functions of PCR

neziens:

Tae PCRI shall have the foilowing powers and

a.) Conduct research on coconut and cn aii its phases of production, management,
distribution, and utilization, towards maximizing Its nutritive, economic, and
ecological potentials;

®.) Publish and disseminate reseaccn findings of PCRI and to promote the exchange
and distribution of research methods and maierials to research centers where
they may be of significance;

c.) Develop, package, utilize, promote, and transfer viable techniques and technologies:

Provided however, that an appropriate royalty or technological transfer fee shatl be

imposed, the amount of which shall be determined oy the PCRI Advisory Beard;

Organize and develop strong traising programs for scientists, research managers,

and extension workers, especially in the fields of coconut production, post-harvest

technology, and other related subjects beneficial to the coconut industry;

®.) Operate an information center, inciuding a library, which will provide interested
scientists and scholars access to ar updated collection of the worid’s literature on
coconut;

.) Foster collaboration and cooperation among different research institutions in the
academe and private sector: grovided however, that PCRI acts as the official and
central research institute on cocenus in the country;

8B.) Acquire o7 obtain from any governmental authority, whether national or locai,
foreign or domestic, or from any person, corporation, partnership, association or
other entity, such charters, franchisas, ticenses, rights, privileges, assistance,
financial or otherwise, and concessions as are conducive to and necessary or
proper for the attainment of the purpose of PCRI;
Receive and acquire from any person and/or government and private entities,
whether foreign or domestic, grants, donations and contributions consisting of
such properties, real or personal, including funds and valuable effects or things, as
may be useful, necessary or proper to carry cut its purposes and objectives and
administer the same in accordance with the terms of such grants, donations and
contributions, as may be useful or necessary in carrying out the purpose and
objectives of PCRI;

Conduct conferences, workshogs, seminars, and capacity-bullding programs for

coconut farmers, producers, processors, and cooperatives in order to increase

groduction of quality coccnut grocuets and raise the income of the stakenoiders,
especially small cocoaut farmers.

Enter into memoranda of agreement and receive grants from locat and foreign

funding agencies througn DA upon tne recommendation of the PCRI Advisory

Board; or through respective academic boards and non-government organizations

upon the recommendation of the PCRi Board;

k.) Enter into, make, or execute contracts of any kind as may be necassary or
incidental to the attainment of the PCRi's purposes; and

4) Do and perform all acts and things as are necessary, expedient, suitable or proper,
for the furtherance or attainment of the purpose of PERI.

a

hi



Section 6. Executive Director of PCRI. — The PCRI shall be headed by an Executive Director
who shall be responsible for the planning, implementation and supervision of the programs
and activities of the PCRI, He shall be appointed by the President of the Philippines for a
term of six {6} years, upon recommendation of the DA. All other officers and employees
shall be appointed by the Executive Director of the PCRI, in accordance with the rules and
regulations of the Civil Service Commission.

The Executive Director must possess high degree of educational, technical and managerial
competencies in research and development, as well as of integrity and proven probity in
public service.

Section 7. Functions and Powers of the PCRI Executive Director. - The following are the
functions and powers of the Executive Director of the PCRI:

a.) Exercise over-all supervision and direction over the implementation of all
research and development programs of PCRI, and in general to supervise and
direct the management, operation and administration of PCRI;

b,) Execute contracts, incur obligations, acquire assets and deliver documents on
behalf of PCRI within the limits of the authority delegated by the PCRI Advisory
Board;

¢.) implement and enforce policies, decisions, orders, rules and regulations adopted
by the PCRI Advisory Board; and

4.) Recommend the creation of divisions and sections including the staffing pattern
of the PCRI;

€.) Recommend to the PCRI Advisory Board the appointments of personnel and
consultants;

f.) Prepare and consolidate the overall budget of the PCRI; and

8.) Perform such other functions as may be assigned by the PCRI Advisory Board.

Section 8. Appointments of Division Chiefs and Unit Heads of the PCRI. - Division chiefs,
unit heads, coordinators, project leaders and other positions in the PCRI shall be
recommended by the Executive Director, and appointed by the Secretary of the DA.
Appointments to various positions in the PCRI are subject to corresponding qualification
standards established by the ®CRI, and to rules and regulations set by the Civil Service
Commission,

Section 9. Creation of the PCRI Advisory Board. - There is hereby created an Advisory
Board, hereinafter referred to as the Board, composed of nine (9) Members, to wit:

a) Secretary of the DA or his representative as Chairman;

b.) Undersecretary for Policy, Planning, Research and Development of the DA as Vice-
Chairman;

¢.) Undersecretary for Research and Development of the Department of Science and
Technology;

d.} Executive Director of the Bureau of Agricultural Research;

€.) Administrator of the Philippine Coconut Authority;

£) Executive Director of the PCRI; and



8.) One (1) representative from the coconut farmers and two {2) representatives from
the coconut industry, as members, to be appointed by the President of the
Philippines, upon recommendation of the DA, for a term of six (6) years.

Section 10, Functions and Powers of the PCR Advisory Soard, - The Advisory Board shall
perform the following functions and powers:

2.) Define, evaluate and approve the research programs, plans, policies, procedures
and guidelines of PCAI in accordance with its purposes and objectives;

b.) Evaluate the implementation, efficiency, and effectiveness of the programs and
projects of the PCRI;

©) Determine the research priorities of PCRi consisieni with the framework of its
purposes and objectives,

4.) Approve PCRI’s organizationai structure, staffing pattern, operating and capitai
expenditure, and financial budgets, prepared in accordance with the purposes of
PCRI;

€) Approve salary ranges, benefits, privileges, bonuses, and other terms and
conditions of service for all officers and employees of PCRI, upon secommenaation
of the Executive Director;

£) Create committee, division, or office, and appoint members thereof, or designate
officers as may be necessary for the proper management of PCRl;

8.) Recommend the establishment or abolition of satellite units or branches as may be
deemed necessary; and

h) Exercise such other powers and functions and pesform such other acts as may be
necessary or proper for the atvainment of the purposes and objectives of PCR.

Section 11, Coordination among Stakeholders of PCRI and Linkages with other Research
Institutions. - The PCR! shall monicor and evaluate the coconut research programs and
identify the immediate neads and essential concerns of the coconut industry in consonance
with the 1ocal and nazionai economic ceveigeraant. it shail Jikewise coordinate with other
government agencies in order to formulate strategies that would further the growth of the
coconut industry.

‘The PCRI and the local government units where there ara suitable areas for the planting of
coconut trees shail jointly implement projects and programs necessary to achieve the goals
of this Act.

Section 12. Transfer of Agencles and Personnel. - All offices, services, units, divisions, and
personne’ in the Philippine Coconut Authority, Department of Agriculture, and Department
of Sciance and Technology which directly undertake research and development initiatives,
activities, and programs on coconut production, distribution, utilization, techniques,
technology, and products shall be transferred and absorbed by the PCRI.

The foregoing transfer of powers and functions shail include all applicable appropriations,
funds, records, equipment, property, facilities, rights, other assets, and personnel as may be
necessary: provided however, that there shali be no gap er adjustment in tenure or service
record, and no diminution of salary, saiary step or salary level

Section 13, Transitory Provision. ~ The creation of PCR) shall be carried out in such a
manner that the personnel of the offices, services, units, or divisions absorbed into PCRI


shall continue to perform their respective duties and responsibilities in a holdover capacity
so as not to unduly delay programs and activities on coconut research and development.

Section 14, implementing Rules and Regulations. — The PCRI and PCRI Advisory Board, in
consultation with the Department of Agriculture, the Philippine Coconut Authority, the
Department of Science and Technology and other concerned agencies of the government
shall formutate the impiementing rules and regulations of this Act within one hundred and
twenty days (120) days after its approval. Such rules and regulations shall take effect fifteen
(15) days after their publication in a newspaper of general circulation in the Philippines,

Section 15. Allocation of Funds. - Not more than forty percent (40%) of funds allocated
under this Act and in subsequent annual appropriations shall be used for personnel services,
and maintenance and operating expenses; thirty-five percent (35%) for research and
development as welt as training and information; and twenty-five percent (25%) for seedling
propagation and dispersal of coconut trees.

Section 16. Annual Report. - The PCRI shall submit an annual report to the Office of the
President, the Senate and the House of Representatives indicating among others, the
administration and institutional development of the PCRI, and the progress of programs and
projects on coconut research and development.

Section 17. Appropriations. - An amount of One Billion Pesos (P1,000,000,000.00) is hereby
appropriated for the initial implementation of this Act. Thereafter, the amount necessary
for the operations of PCRI shall be included in the General Appropriations Act.

Section 18, Separability Clause. - - If any provision, or part hereof, is held invalid or
‘unconstitutional, the remainder of the law or the provision not otherwise affected shall
remain valid and subsisting.

Section 19. Repealing Clause. - All laws or parts thereof, decrees, orders, rules and
regulations inconsistent with the provisions of this Act are hereby repealed or modified
accordingly.

Section 20. Effectivity Clause. - This Act shall take effect immediately following its
Publication in a newspaper of general circulation or in the Official Gazette, whichever comes
first.

Approved,