Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Quezon City

Fifteenth Congress
Second Regular Session

HOUSE BILL No._ 5478

Introduced by Honorable Antonio F, Lagdameo, Jr

EXPLANATORY NOTE
This bill seeks to establish the National Banana Research Center in the Philippines.

‘The banana industry is a very important source of income, employment and export
earnings in the Philippines, The country's banana industry is worth $720 million a year,
provides employment to 240,000 workers and contributes P830 million in taxes to local
government units,

According to the Mindanao Development Authority (MinDA), there are now 13
out of 26 provinees in Southern Philippines, including the Muslim areas, which are
dedicated to banana production. The industry employs 240,000 workers and thereby pays
at least Php21 Billion in wages every year. The industry pays almost Php1 Billion in local
taxes yearly for business permits, real estate taxes, and other fees on top of Php900 Million
in taxes paid by contractors and suppliers. The Philippine banana industry also supports
30,000 Agrarian Reform Beneficiaries (ARB'S) and from small landowners under various
contract-growing arrangements or lease arrangements.

For over 44 years, the banana industry has been integral to the socio-economic
development of Southern Philippines and of the whole country as well. Mindanao is home
to about 81 percent of the country’s banana production and generates export income
largely from banana exports. Although Mindanao continues to dominate the Philippine
banana industry, local banana growers and producers have voiced their concerns on the
industry's sustainability.

More importantly, there is a pressing need to put up a banana research institute that
will take scientific research and analysis to further develop the industry. This will address
the vital issues on food security and stability of the banana industry.

‘The industry has suffered from the recent setbacks of economic embargo of the US
over Iran, El Nifo phenomenon and the recurrence of the uncontrollable spread of Panama
disease. Also known as fusarium wilt, Panama disease has been dormant for about 50.
years, but a virulent strain has now reappeared in plantations in the Philippines, having
spread from Australia to countries in Southeast Asia and Taiwan. This type of disease
could also spread to other banana varieties, threatening the livelihoods of thousands of
farmers in the country.



This bill therefore seeks to establish a specialized banana research center which
hall be responsible for the conduct of comprehensive studies and scientific approaches to
tainable banana farming, The establishment of a banana research center is the first
conerete remedy towards addressing concems such as prevention of diseases that infest
banana farms, improved farming techniques and post-harvest practices as well us the
exploration of potential banana varieties.

in view Of the foregoing, immediate passage of this bill is earnestly sought

Ee St

ANTONIO F, LOC IR.

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Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Quezon City

Fifteenth Congress
Second Regular Session

House BIERNo._ 5478

Introduced by Honorable Antonio F. Lagdameo, Jr.

AN ACT
ESTABLISHING THE PHILIPPINE NATIONAL BANANA
RESEARCH CENTER AND APPROPRIATING FUNDS THEREFOR

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

SECTION |. Declaration of Policy. — \t is hereby declared the
policy of the State to promote industrialization and full employment based
on sound agricultural development and agrarian reform, through industries
that make full and efficient use of human and natural resources, and which
are competitive in both domestic and foreign markets. Toward this end, the
establishment of a banana research center is necessary in order to develop a
more balanced and integrated program on banana industry that will resolve
problems and issues in banana plantations.

SEC. 2. Philippine National Banana Research Center. — The
Philippine National Banana Research Center. hereinafter referred to as the
Banana Center, is hereby established under the Department of Agriculture to

provide research and development techniques for the production, post-harvest


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handling and maintenance of germplasm collection and gene bank that are
capable of producing good quality varieties of banana,

SEC. 3. Duties and Functions, The Banana Center shall

exercise the following duties and functions:

a) Integrate, collate and support studies on the banana industry:

b) Intensify research that may result in developing productive, high
yielding, good varieties of banana;

¢) Conduct comprehensive studies and scientific approaches to
sustainable banana farming and enhance research on problems associated
with the prevention of diseases that infest banana farms in order to lessen
risks to health and the environment;

d) Establish and maintain germplasm collection and gene bank for
banana:

e) Upgrade the skills of development facilitators and banana
farmers through trainings, seminars and workshop on farming techniques,
banana production and postharvest handling and processing;

+3) Establish national and intemational linkages for banana research,
development and production activities:

g) Coordinate with local government units (LGUs), non-
government organizations (NGOs) and companies involved in the

development of banana industry; and



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h) Receive and manage grants, aid, donations or any kind of
assistance for achieving its objectives.

SEC. 4. Executive Director. — The Banana Center shall be headed
by & Executive Director who shall be appointed by the President of the
Philippines upon the recommendation of the Secretary of Agriculture. The
Executive Director shall be a recognized agriculturist with experience in
banana research development or a specialist banana grower actively involved
in banana farming and production technologies.

SECIS: Duties and Responsibilities. — The Executive Director
shall exercise the following duties and responsibilities:

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

b) Execute contracts, incur obligations, acquire and dispose of
assets and deliver documents on behalf of the Banana Center;

c) Approve the organizational structure, staffing pattern, operating
and capital expenditures of the Banana Center;

d) Recommend the officers and employees of the Banana Center on
the basis of the highest possible standards of merit and fitness for public

servants subject to the civil service laws, rules and regulations;

e) Implement and enforce policies, decisions, orders, rules and



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regulations issued by the Department of Agriculture; and

f Exercise such other powers and functions and perform such
other duties as may be authorized, delegated, or assigned by law.

"see. 6. Annual Report. — The Executive Director shall submit to
the President of the Philippines, through the Secretary of Agriculture. an
annual report generally dealing with-the activities and operations of the
Banana Center, together with the audit report on the relevant accounts.

SEC. 7. Appropriations. The amount necessary for the
implementation of this Act shall be charged to the appropriations for the
Department of Agriculture. Thereafter, such sum as may be necessary for the
operation and maintenance of the Banana Center shall be included in the
annual General Appropriations Act.

SEC.8. Implementing Rules and Regulations, — Within sixty (60)
days from the effectivity of this Act, the Secretary of Agriculture shall issue
the necessary rules and regulations for the effective implementation of this
Act.

SEC.9.  Separability Clause. — \f any provision or part of this Act
is declared invalid or unconstitutional, the remaining parts or provisions not
affected shall remain in full force and effect.

SEC. 10. Repeating Clause. — All laws, decrees, orders, rules and

regulations and other issuances, or parts thereof, which are inconsistent with

the provisions of this Act are hereby repealed or amended accordingly.


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SEC. 11. — Effectivity. — This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days
after its publication in the Official Gazette or in two (2) national newspapers
of general circulation.

“Approved,