FOURTEENTH CONGRESS OF THE ) 
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES 
) 
First Regular Session 
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Introduced by Senator Loren Legarda 
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EXPLANATORY NOTE 
This bill seeks to spur the production, processing, marketing, and distribution of malunggay 
in suitable areas of the country in order to acquire the benefits of the exceptionally nutritious and 
productive but underutilized tropical crop locally known as malunggay. 
Monnga oleifira Lam/(, commonly known in the Philippines as "malunggay" belongs to an 
onogeneric family of shrubs and tree, Moovingaceae and is considered to have its origin in Agra and 
Oudh, in the northwest region of India, south of the Himalayan Mountains. It is a fast growing, 
perennial tree which can reach a maximum height of 7-12 m and a diameter of 20-40 cm at chest 
height. It is cultivated throughout the Middle East, and in almost the whole tropical belt. It was 
introduced in Eastern Africa from India at the beginning of 20th century. In Nicaragua, the Marango 
(local nume for Morirzga olefera) was introduced in the 1920s as an ornamental plant and for use as a 
live fence. 
Malunggay is one of the most useful tropical trees. The relative ease with which it propagates 
through both sexual and asexual means and its low demand for soil nutrients and water after being 
planted makes its production and management easy. The paper entitled "The potential of Movinga 
OIez@a for Agricultural and Industrial Uses" written by Foidl N., Makkar H.P.S. and Becker K. from 
Nicaragua, in 2001, outlines important uses of various parts of the plant. Among others, malunggay's 
young leaves are edible and are commonly cooked and eaten like spinach or used to make soups and 
salads. They are an exceptionally good source of provitamin A, vitamins B, and C, minerals (in 
particular iron), and the sulphur-containing amino acids methionine and cystine. The dry seeds can 
be ground to a powder and used for seasoning sauces. The roots from young plants can also be dried 
and ground for use as a hot seasoning base with a flavor similar to that of horseradish. This is why 
the Moringa tree has been given the name "Horseradish Tree" (Delaveau and Boiteuu, 1980). The 
flowers can be eaten after being lightly blanched or raw as a tasty addition to salads. 
For industrial purposes, the oil content of de-hulled seed (kernel) of malunggay is 
approximately 42%. The oil is brilliant yellow. It is used as a lubricant for fine machinery such as 
timepieces because it has little tendency to deteriorate and become rancid and sticky [Ferrao and 
Ferrao, 1970; Ranzacl~andvan et al., 1980). It is also useful as vegetable cooking oil. The oil is known for 
its capacity to absorb and retain volatile substances and is therefore valuable in the perfume industry 
for stabilizing scents. The free fatty acid content varies from 0.5 to 3%. Moringa seeds contain 
between 30-42 % oil and the press cake obtained as a by-product of the oil extraction process contains 
a very high level of protein. Some of these proteins (approximately 1%) are active cationic 
polyelectrolytes which neutralize the colloids in muddy or dirty water. This protein can therefore be 
used as a non-toxic natural polypeptide for sedimenting mineral particles and organics in the 
purification of drinking water, for cleaning vegetable oil, or for sedimenting fibers in the juice and 
beer industries. 
The extract obtained from the leaves of Moringa in 80 % ethanol contains growth enhancing 
principles (Le. hormones of the cytokinine type). The extract can be used in the form of a foliar spray 
to accelerate the growth of young plants, cause the plants to be firmer and more resistant to pests and 
disease, cause the plants to produce more and larger fruit and higher yield at harvest time. The 
extract produces an overall increase in yield of between 20-35 % based on data such as the stem 
diameter, number of nodules, number of axels, number of flower buds, and number of fruits per 
flower bud 
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At Biomasa, a Technical University based in Nicaragua, studies have been conducted using 
the seeds from Moringa for the final treatment in wastewater treatment units. To avoid eutrophication 
of rivers or lakes, the seeds can be used to coagulate algae and remove them by sedimentation. Up to 
98 % of the algae can be removed by this treatment. The treatment also reduces the oxygen demand 
of the water by approximately 70 % and its content of both phosphorous and nitrogen by 60 %. The 
algae recovered by sedimentation after drying and pulverization have a protein content of about 46 % 
and can be used as a protein supplement for cows, pigs, chickens and even shrimps thereby reducing 
the cost of feeding substantially. One hectare of wastewater in an oxidation lagoon in the tropics can 
produce up to 80 metric tons of dry algae in a year. For the final treatment of wastewater in a town of 
10,000 inhabitants, approximately 960 kg of Moringa flour is required per day. 
In the Philippines, aside from the abovementioned benefits that can be derived from 
cultivating malunggay for agricultural and industrial purposes, studies have been made that bolster 
the use of malunggay for medicinal purposes. According to the Department of Agriculture 
BioTechnology Program, malunggay leaves are good for headache, bleeding from a shallow cut, 
bacterial and fungal skin complaints, anti-inflammatory gastric ulcers and diarrhea, malnutrition. On 
the other hand, malunggay pods are dewormers, good for treating.liver and spleen problems, pain of 
tlie joints, and malnutrition. Likewise, malunggay seeds treat arthritis, rheumatism, gout, cramp, 
STD, boils and urinary problems, and a relaxant for epilepsy. Seed producers can amass a net income 
of approximately Php 218,000-521,000 per hectare/year at Php 20/kg of seeds, if the malunggay trees 
are planted 2x2 or 3x3 meters apart. Leave producers can have an estimated income of Php h.43 
nullion per hectare/year at Php 5/kg of leaves. Overall, the malunggay cultivation for commercial 
use can' generate an estimated P10,OOO jobs/3,000 hectares for Filipinos. 
So far, efforts have been launched for the development of package of technology using the 
Nicaraguan experience as model and of a biotechnology protocol for rapid propagation of 
malunggay. Likewise, Biotechnology Information and Organization Network (BIONet) for 
Malunggay in Laguna, Quezon, Negros Oriental, CARAGA, Tarlac, CAR, Region 3 and Ilocos Region 
and Malunggay nurseries and reporsitories in strategic locations have been established. There are also 
efforts to link up growers with market through contract to buy arrangements, and aavocate the use of 
malunggay for government feeding and nutrition programs. 
Despite these efforts, there is a need for legislation to institutionalize the production, 
processing, marketing, and distribution of malunggay through a sustainable framework for 
development. This bill seeks to do just that by tasking the Department of Agriculture, in consultation 
with the Department of Trade and Industry, Department of Environment and Natural Resources, 
farmer's group, local government units, and the private sector, to formulate a five-year Framework 
for Development that shall serve as guide to the formulation and implementation of plans, programs 
and projects for the production, 'marketing, processing and distribution of malunggay for food, 
medicinal, health, and commercial needs. 
Moreover, this bill establishes a Malunggay Development Fund (MDF) to provide for the 
funding requirements for the production, marketing, and processing of malunggay, with an initial 
amount of One billion pesos (Pl,OOO,OOO,OOO) 
to be taken from the existing budget of the Department 
of Agriculture. 
Finally, this bill tasks the Department of Agriculture, in coordination with the Department of 
Environment and Natural Resources, and the municipal government concerned, to identify the broad 
areas suitable for the planting and propagation of malunggay, within six (6) months after the 
effectivity of this proposed measure. 
In view of the benefits that will be gained by maximizing the yield and use of malunggay for 
agricultural, industrial, commercial and medicinal purposes, the imniediate passage of this bill is 
earnestly requested. 
Senator 


FOURTEENTH CONGRESS OF THE ) 
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES 
) 
First Regular Session 
) 
Introduced by Senator Loren Legarda 
AN ACT 
TO PROMOTE THE PRODUCTION, PROCESSING, MARKETING AND 
DISTRIBUTION OF MORINGA OLEIFERA LAMK, OTHERWISE KNOWN AS 
MALUNGGAY, MANDATING THE CREATION OF A FRAMEWORK FOR 
DEVELOPMENT PLAN, PROVIDING FUNDS THEREFOR, 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 "Malunggay Development Act 
of 2007." 
Section 2. Declaration of Policy. - It is hereby declared the policy of the State to 
accelerate the growth and development of the rural areas, improve investment climate, 
competencies and efficiency of agribusiness, address the nutritional and health needs of 
our people, and promote the planting of malunggay as a source of livelihood, a means 
of attaining food security, and as an effective approach to poverty alleviation, through 
an all-out promotion of the production, processing, marketing, and distribution of 
malunggay in suitable areas of the country. 
Section 3. Site Identification. - The Department of Agriculture, in coordination 
with the Department of Environment and Natural Resources, and the municipal 
government concerned, shall identify the broad areas suitable for the planting and 
propagation of malunggay, within six (6) months after the effectivity of this Act: 
Provided, That such site identification shall be reviewed at appropriate intervals to 
ensure consistency with the agrarian reform program and the national land use policy. 
Section 4. Malunggay Framework for Development. - The Department of 
Agriculture, in consultation with the Department of Trade and Industry, Department of 
Environment and Natural Resources, farmer's group, local government units, and the 
private sector, shall formulate a five-year Framework for Development, 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, marketing, 
processing and distribution of Malunggay for food, medicinal, health, and commercial 
needs, as envisioned in this Act. The Framework shall likewise provide for the 
following: 
a. The Department of Agriculture and the Department of Trade and Industry, 
shall link-up agribusiness cooperatives directly with consumers cooperatives, 
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b. To ensure health and proper trading, the Department of Agriculture shall 
establish and enforce standards in grading, sampling and inspection, tests 
and analysis, specifications, nomenclature, units of measurement, code of 
practice and. packaging, preservation, conservation and transportation of 
malunggay; 
c. Technical support on research and extension, infrastructure development, 
financial and market information shall be provided by the Department of 
Agriculture, Department of Trade and Industry, Department of Science and 
Technology, Cooperative Development Authority, state universities and 
colleges and other relevant government agencies; 
d. Access to post harvest facilities, storage and distribution/transport facilities 
of existing government agencies shall be facilitated. Assistance shall be given 
to qualified and viable farmers/growers cooperatives in the availment of soft 
loans or grants for the construction of post-harvest, processing and storage 
facilities; 
e. The Department of Agriculture, in coordination with the state universities 
and colleges, the Department of Trade and Industry, and farmers 
organizations shall make good seeds and materials readily available to 
farmers/farmers' cooperatives to ensure high yield and good quality of 
malunggay; and 
f. The Department of Agriculture shall establish Malunggay Information Center 
in areas identified pursuant to Section 3 of this Act 
Section 5. Malunggay Development Fund (MDF). - To provide for the funding 
requirements for tlie production, marketing, and processing of malunggay, there is 
hereby created a Malunggay Development Fund (MDF), with an initial amount of five 
hundred million pesos (P500,000,000.00) to be taken from the existing budget of the 
Department of Agriculture. Thereafter, the MDF shall be sourced from the amounts be 
appropriated in the General Appropriations Act in the year following its enactment into 
law. Other sources of funds, including but not limited to borrowings from local and 
international financial institutions, shall also be considered to further support the Fund. 
Section 6. Inter-Agency Committee. - A Committee, composed of 
a 
representative from the Department of Agriculture, the Department of Agrarian 
Reform, the Department of Finance, the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas, the Land Bank of 
the Philippines, the Development Bank of 
the Philippines, the Cooperative 
Development Authority, the Department of Science and Technology, the Department of 
Trade and Industry, the Department of Environment and Natural Resources, and tlie 
Department of the Interior and Local Government and one (1) each from the small 
farmers and commercial producers sectors to be designated by the Secretary of 
Agriculture, shall formulate and prescribe, after public hearing and publication as 
required by law, the implementing rules and regulations in order to carry out the 
provisions of this Act. The representatives from the Department of Agriculture and the 
Department of Trade and Industry shall be the chairman and the vice-chairman, 
respectively, of the Committee. 
The representatives from the government agencies must have a rank of at least 
an Assistant Secretary. 
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The Secretary of the Department of Agriculture shall report to both Houses of 
Congress on the status of the implementation of this Act bi-annually. 
Section 7. 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: Provided, however, That nothing in this Act shall be construed or 
applied as amending the CARL and other laws on agrarian reform. 
Section 8. Separability Clause. - If any of the provisions of this Act is declare% 
invalid, the other provisions not affected thereby shall remain in full force and effect. 
Section 9. 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, 
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