Republic of the Philippines
House of Representatives
Quezon City, Metro Manila

TWENTIETH CONGRESS

First Regular Session

House Bill No._627

INTRODUCED BY REPRESENTATIVE JURDIN JESUS M. ROMUALDO

EXPLANATORY NOTE

Republic Act No. 7900, otherwise known as the “High-Value Crops Development Act
of 1995,” recognizes the importance of traditional crops, including fruits and
vegetables—one of which is lanzones.

While incentives such as credit assistance, crop insurance, and farmer trainings have
been provided for high-value crops, there remains limited focus on dedicated research
facilities that can guide producers in areas such as crop development, harvest
optimization, pest protection, and by-product utilization. This gap hinders the full
potential of crops like lanzones, particularly in addressing seasonal limitations and
enhancing farmer income.

Globally, many of the Philippines’ high-value crops are lauded for their taste, quality,
and affordability. Major agricultural corporations have invested heavily in research
centers to ensure the consistent excellence and sustainable supply of crops like
coconut, banana, pineapple, cacao, and coffee. Despite lanzones being a significant
high-value fruit in the Philippines, there is no dedicated government-supported
research center for it—despite its commercial yield and importance in regions such as
Camiguin, Laguna, and parts of Mindanao and the Visayas.

A research center focused on lanzones is essential to conduct scientific studies on
pest control, shelf-life extension, productivity challenges, and climate adaptability. It
will also facilitate innovation in post-harvest processing, marketing, and international
trade.

Camiguin is widely regarded as producing the sweetest lanzones in the country. Its
unique variant, the “Camlong’—a cross between native lanzones and a seedless type

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similar to Thailand's Longkong—features latex-free, easy-to-peel fruit with little to no
seeds. Local producers, despite limited resources, are already developing by-products
such as vinegar, wine, dried candied-lanzones, and other value-added items, though
fesearch, packaging, and marketing support remain lacking.

Camiguin is an ideal site for the proposed research center, given its favorable soil
conditions—believed to be enhanced by volcanic fertility—and its extended harvest
window from early September to late January. However, production remains
vulnerable to changing weather conditions, which is similarly experienced in other
lanzones-producing areas. Through scientific validation and agricultural innovation,
this proposed center will benefit not only Camiguin but also other provinces cultivating
lanzones.

JURDII IS M. ROMUALDO


Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Quezon City, Metro Manila
TWENTIETH CONGRESS

First Regular Session

HOUSE BILL NO. 627

INTRODUCED BY REPRESENTATIVE JURDIN JESUS M. ROMUALDO

AN ACT
CREATING THE NATIONAL LANZONES RESEARCH CENTER TO PROMOTE THE
PRODUCTION, PROCESSING, MARKETING, AND DISTRIBUTION OF THE
PHILIPPINE LANZONES

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 National Lanzones Research Center
Act.

SEC. 2. Declaration of Policy. ~ It is hereby declared the policy of the State to propel the growth
of agriculture, especially the production and cultivation of high-value crops, in order to drive
inclusive growth in the country. Accordingly, the State shall develop and foster a globally
competitive lanzones industry in the Philippines by increasing propagation and quality production,
improving the livelihood of farmers and growers, instituting dynamic and innovative research and
development, technology transfer, training, and extension programs, modernizing post-harvest and

quality assurance processes, and developing effective marketing and promotion strategies.

SEC. 3. Creation of the Philippine Lanzones Research Center. ~ There is hereby created the
National Lanzones Research Center, hereinafter referred to as the Center, which shall be under the
administrative supervision of the Department of Agriculture. The Center shall be established in the

Municipality of Mambajao, Province of Camiguin.


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SEC. 4. Functions and Powers of the Center. - The National Lanzones Research Center shall have

the following functions and powers:

(a) Undertake, conduct, support, monitor, and evaluate lanzones research and development in
various fields of knowledge, science, and technology, such as germplasm collection,
conservation, breeding, genetic improvement, and biotechnology; natural resources
management and conservation and climate change adaptation and mitigation; socioeconomics,
impact assessment, and policy advocacy; pest detection and surveillance, early warning
systems, integrated pest management, biosecurity, and biological control methods; farming
systems and farm management improvement and experiment station development; post-
harvest management; product development and processing and quality assurance; and
packaging, distribution, promotions, marketing, and communications;

(b) Develop methods, measures, techniques, technologies, and innovations that will maximize the
productivity and quality of locally-grown lanzones varieties while reducing costs and ensuring

long-term and sustainable production;

(c) Establish international linkages and engage other government agencies, local government
units, state universities and colleges, private educational institutions, non-government

organizations, and the private sector on lanzones research, development, and extension;

(d) Serve as the national repository of lanzones, lanzones research, lanzones production, and

lanzones technology:

(e) Develop, offer, and conduct classes, trainings, workshops, and seminars on lanzones

production;

(f) Publish and disseminate research and __ extension findings, studies, and recommendations in
appropriate publications, traditional, electronic, and social media, and other communications

channels;

(@ Expropriate lands for purposes of experimental farming, on-farm research and development,
product development and processing, and the establishment of needed facilities;

(h) Solicit, receive, and utilize grants, concessions, assistance, or donations of such properties, real
or personal, including funds and valuable effects, as may be useful or proper to carry out its,

functions; and


(i) Establish satellite offices or facilities in other areas in the Philippines that are or may become
significant producers of lanzones, as may be proper for the accomplishment of the Center’s
mandate and functions.

SEC. 5. National Lanzones Research Center Advisory Board. - (a) There is hereby created the
National Lanzones Research Center Advisory Board, hereinafter referred to as the Advisory Board,

composed of the following:
(1) The Secretary of Agriculture, or his or her designated representative, as Chairperson;

(2) The Secretary of Science and Technology, or his or her designated representative, as
Co-Vice Chairperson;

(3) The Secretary of Trade and Industry, or his or her designated representative, as Co-
Vice Chairperson;

(4) The Director of the Bureau of Agricultural Research;

(5) The Executive Director of the Philippine Council for Agriculture, Aquatic, and Natural

Resources Research and Development;
(6) The Executive Director of the Philippine Trade Training Center; and

(7) The Provincial Governor of Camiguin.

(b) The Advisory Board, which shall meet regularly at least once every quarter of the year, shall
have the following functions:

(1) Guide the formulation of and recommend policies, plans, programs, and projects for
the development and improvement of lanzones propagation, production, processing,

marketing, and distribution and the proper operation and management of the Center;

(2) Review and recommend the appropriate organizational structure, staffing pattern,
position classification, operating and capital expenditures, and annual budget of the

Center; and

(3) Review and evaluate the implementation, effectiveness, and impact of the Center’s

programs, activities, and projects.


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SEC. 6. Executive Director and Other Officers. — (a) The Center shall be headed by an Executive
Director, who shall be appointed by the President of the Philippines, upon the recommendation of
the Secretary of Agriculture. The Executive Director must be of recognized competence and
expertise and must have had actual experience in the production and propagation of, or research

and development in lanzones.

(b) The Executive Director shall be assisted by a Deputy Executive Director and division heads,
who shall be appointed by the Secretary of Agriculture, upon the recommendation of the

Executive Director.

SEC. 7. Duties and Responsibilities of the Executive Director. - The Executive Director of the
Center shall have the following duties and responsibilities:

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

(b) Appoint the employees of the Center, subject to existing civil service rules and regulations;

(c) Represent the Center in dealing with external stakeholders; and

(d) Exercise such other powers and functions and perform such other duties or tasks as may be

authorized, delegated, or assigned by law or the Advisory Board and competent authority.

SEC. 8. Implementing Rules and Regulations. - Upon public consultation with the concemed
stakeholders, the Advisory Board shall, within sixty (60) days from the effectivity of this Act,

promulgate the Implementing Rules and Regulations for the effective implementation of this Act.

SEC. 9. Appropriations. ~ Such sums as may be necessary for the implementation of this Act shall
be taken from the current fiscal year appropriations of the Department of Agriculture. Thereafter,
the amount needed for the operation and maintenance of the Center shall be included in the annual

General Appropriations Act.

SEC. 10. Annual Report. ~ The Center shall submit to the President of the Philippines, the Senate,
through its President, and the House of Representatives, through its Speaker, an annual report on

the implementation of its programs, activities, and projects and its accomplishments.


SeerVNonnon os

SEC. 11. Separability Clause. - If any of provision of this Act is declared invalid or
unconstitutional, the other provisions not affected thereby shall remain in full force and effect.

SEC. 12. Repealing Clause. ~ All laws, decrees, executive orders and issuances, rules and
regulations, and other issuances, or parts thereof, that are inconsistent with the provisions of this

Act are hereby repealed or modified accordingly.

SEC. 13. Effectivity Clause. — This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after its publication in the

Official Gazette or in a newspaper of general circulation whichever comes earlier.

Approved,