HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
RECEIVED

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Tae:
BY:

Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Quezon City

RECISTRATION UNIT
BULS AND INDEX SERVICE

SEVENTEENTH CONGRESS,

First Regular Session

1863

HOUSE BILL NO.

Introduced by Rep. Christopher De Venecia

This bill seeks to declare Malunggay as the national vegetable of the Philippines
and the month of November as the “National Malunggay Month

Malunggay (Moringa) is a fast growing tree in the Philippines. Known as a
‘miracle vegetable or “nature’s medicine cabinet” by scientists and health care workers
from around the world, Malunggay is loaded with vitamins and minerals that can be an
effective remedy against many kinds of ailments. It has been promoted by the World
Health Organization (WHO) for the past 20 years as a low-cost health enhancer in many
poor countries

From the root trunk and branches to the leaves, flowers, fruits and seeds, all parts
of the Malunggay tree are usable for nutritional and medicinal purposes. According to the
Biotechnolo; am Office of the Department of Agriculture, the Malung
been found by biochemists and molecular anthropologists to be rich in vitamins C and A.
iron, and high density lipoprotein or good cholesterol. It is also considered as an effective
cure for illnesses such as diabetes, hypertension, inflammations, infections, cancer and

issues.

The Malunggay leaves alone contain a powerhouse of nutritional value: seven
times the vitamin C in oranges, four times the calcium in milk, four times the vitamin A
in carrots, two times the protein in milk and three times the potassium in bananas.
Malunggay contains more than 90 nutrients and 46 types of antioxidants. It has 18 amino
acids, plenty of omega 3 oils and chlorophyll, plus 45 compounds with antioxidant
properties and 36 anti-inflammatory properties.

Because of its enormous benefits, planting Malunggay plants is encouraged by the
Department of Agriculture. Our country is presently expanding the local market for
Malunggay and its products with the aim of enhancing the agribusiness potent
various crops as part of the government's poverty-alleviation and health cari

For the past years, Malunggay in the Philippines has been considered as a
backyard tree. Now, we can say that Malunggay can save lives, increase incomes.



uitural lands, make the

generate millions of jobs, utilize vast tracts of idle agri
Philippines globally competitive, impact local and international markets, and help attain
socioeconomic equity. The Malunggay tree is one of the most important plants that
deserve national and international promotion due to the many bio-medical endowments

and numerous socio-economic benefits that can be derived from it

In line with the foregoing considerations, Malunggay deserves recognition by

declaring it as “The National Vegetable of the Philippines” and the month of November
y Month,”

of every year as “The National Malung

nmediate passage of this bill is earnestly sought

In view of the foregoin

REP. C



Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Quezon City

SEVENTEENTH CONGRESS
First Regular Session

1863

HOUSE BILL NO,

Introduced by Rep. Christopher De Venecia

AN ACT
DECLARING MALUNGGAY (MORINGA) AS THE NATIONAL VEGETABLE
OF THE PHILIPPINES” AND THE MONTH OF NOVEMBER OF EVERY
YEAR AS “THE NATIONAL MALUNGGAY MONTH”
Be it enacted by the Senate and the House of Representatives of the Philippines in
Congress assembled:

SECTION 1. Malunggay scientifically known as Mori
“The National Vegetable of the Philippines” and the whole month of November of every
year as “The National Malunggay Month.”

is hereby declared as

SEC. 2. The Secretary of A, ulture, in coordination with the Secretary of
Education, Secretary of Health and the Chairman of the National Commission for Culture
and the Arts shall promulgate the rules and regulations ne
of this Act within sixty (60) days from approval thereof

essary for the implementation

SEC. 3. This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after its publication in the
Official Gazette or in a newspaper of general circulation.

Approved,