FIFTEENTH CONGRESS OF THE REPUBLIC 
OF THE PHILIPPINES 
Second Regular Session 
SENATE 
S. No. 2893 
) 
) 
) 
'11 
JUL 19 P 2 :1 0 
Introduced by Senator Manuel "Lito" M. Lapid 
EXPLANATORY NOTE 
The coconut industry is a dominant sector of Philippine agriculture. Data from the 
Department of Agriculture (DA) indicate that out of the 12 million hectares of farmlands 
in the country, 3.1 million hectares are devoted to coconut production. The data also 
indicate that there are about 25 million Filipinos who are directly or indirectly dependent 
on the coconut industry. 
Our country's coconut industry supplies amounts to 59% share in the world's 
coconut exports market and is considered to be among the top 5 net foreign exchange 
earners, averaging to about US$760M per year. Coconut farms are widely distributed 
nationwide, largely in regions of Southern Luzon in the north and Mindanao in the south. 
There are around 324 million coconut trees in the country, about 85% of which are 
considered productive. 
One of the most recent by-products discovered by experts that the coconut tree 
can provide is "coco sugar". Coconut sugar is a by-product from coconut sap (tuba) 
obtained by boiling freshly harvested sap until it evaporates and thickens then allowed 
to cool and become granular. Chemical analysis shows that it contains higher amount of 
nutrients compared to brown and refined cane sugar. Coco sugar has higher amount of 
nitrogen, phosphorus, potassium, chlorine, magnesium, sulfur and micronutrients levels. 
Health experts indicate that coco sugar can help in the proper management and control 
of diabetes mellitus by lowering the total cholesterol level. 
Health experts reveal that coconut sugar is good for people with diabetes since it 
has low glycemic index (GI) of 35 compared to cane sugar's glycemic index of 50. The 
glycemic index is the indicator used to measure and rank various food substances in 
relation to how they affect blood glucose. 
This proposed measure seeks to further boost the coconut industry in the country 
by providing the mechanisms to fund the research and development (R&D) of coco 
sugar in order for this product to conform with internationally accepted standards for 
food and safety. It is hoped that this measure will help alleviate the lives of millions of 
Filipino families who are directly and indirectly dependent on the coconut industry. 
In view of the foregoing, early passage of this bill is earnestly so~ __ ....... 
EL "LITO" M. LAPI~\ 
Senator 
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FIFTEENTH CONGRESS OF THE REPUBLIC 
OF THE PHILIPPINES 
Second Regular Session 
SENATE 
S. No. 2893 
) 
) 
) 
'11 
JUL 19 P2 :09 
Introduced by Senator Manuel "Lito" M. Lapid 
AN ACT 
PROVIDING THE ENABLING MECHANISMS FOR RESEARCH AND 
DEVELOPMENT (R&D) OF COCONUT SUGAR IN THE COUNTRY, 
APPROPRIATING 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. 
Short Title. - This Act shall be known as the "Coconut Sugar 
Research and Development (R&D) Act of 2011 ". 
SEC. 2. 
Declaration of Policy. - It is hereby declared the policy of the State 
to promote the right to health and health consciousness of its people. 
Towards this end, the State shall provide the enabling mechanisms to promote 
the production of coconut sugar in order to help and boost the coconut industry in the 
country. 
SEC. 3. 
Definition of Terms. - For purposes of this Act, the term 
"coconut sugar" shall refer to the product derived from coconut sap or "tuba" (as it is 
known locally) obtained by boiling freshly harvested sap until it evaporates and thickens, 
and thereafter solidifying to become honey syrup or granular sugar. Coconut sugar is 
100% natural, free from additives and artificial flavoring. 
SEC. 4. 
Promoting Research and Development (R&D) on Coconut 
Sugar. - The Department of Science and Technology (DOST), in coordination 
with the Philippine Coconut Authority (PCA), Department of Agriculture (DA) and 
the Food and Nutrition Research Institute (FNRI), shall conduct an extensive 
research and development (R&D) on the health benefits and nutritional value of 
coconut sugar in order to develop it and comply with internationally accepted 
standards on food and safety. 
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The DOST shall facilitate and support interdisciplinary, multidisciplinary 
and 
international· research 
activities 
to 
advance 
the 
knowledge 
and 
understanding on the health and nutritional benefits of using coconut sugar, and 
disseminate their findings to various stakeholders involved in the production and 
promotion of coco sugar. 
The DOST, in coordination with the Philippine Coconut Authority, Department of 
Agriculture and the Food and Nutrition Research Institute, shall conduct a year-round 
information, education and communication (IEC) campaign to inform and educate the 
general public on the various health benefits of utilizing coco sugar. It shall also publish 
the latest research findings, studies and materials on the nutritional value of coco sugar; 
SEC. 5. 
Coconut Sugar Credit Facifity and Loan Package. - The Land 
Bank of the Philippines (LBP) is hereby mandated to formulate a Coconut Sugar Credit 
Facility and Loan Package Window which shall provide low interest loans for sma" and 
medium enterprises (SMEs) seeking to venture into the business of promoting the 
consumption and utilization of coconut sugar. 
Within six (6) months from the date of effectivity of this Act, the Land Bank of the 
Philippines is mandated to formulate the necessary guidelines, procedures and 
requirements for the various stakeholders to avail of the Coconut Sugar Credit Facility 
and Loan Package, as provided under this Section. 
SEC. 6. 
Annual Appropriation. -
The Department of Science and 
Technology (DOST) shall include in its annual programming and annual appropriation 
the amount necessary to fully implement the objectives of this Act. 
SEC. 7. 
Implementing Rules and .Regulations (lRR). - Within six (6) 
months from the date of effectivity of this Act, the Department of Science and 
Technology, in coordination with the Philippine Coconut Authority, Department of 
Agriculture and the Food and Nutrition Research Institute, shall promulgate the 
necessary implementing rules and regulations to implement the provisions of this Act. 
SEC. 8. 
Repealing Clause. - A" laws, decrees, executive orders, rules and 
regulations or parts thereof not consistent with the provisions of this Act are hereby 
repealed or modified accordingly. 
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SEC. 9. 
Separability Clause. - If any provision or part of this Act, or the 
application thereof to any person or circumstance, is held unconstitutional or invalid, the 
remainder of this Act shall not be affected thereby. 
SEC. 10. 
Effectivity Clause. - This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days 
from the date of its complete publication in the OffiCial Gazette or in at least two (2) 
newspapers of general circulation. 
Approved, 
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