Republic of the Philippines 
House of Representatives 
Quezon City 
Nineteenth Congress 
First Regular Session 
HOUSE BILL NO._________ 
___________________________________________________________________ 
Introduced by REP. RAYMOND DEMOCRITO C. MENDOZA 
___________________________________________________________________ 
EXPLANATORY NOTE 
The most promising agriculture-based industry that has a great potential to boost 
rural development, particularly in Mindanao, where the poverty rate is high is the 
export banana industry.  Since its inception 44 years ago, and up until now, the 
Philippine export banana industry continues to provide livelihood to three hundred 
twenty thousand (320,000) workers and their families. The industry pays an average 
of P30 billion per year for workers’ salaries and wages excluding benefits. 
The industry pays an estimated total of PhP1.78 Billion in local taxes per year. This 
is in addition to the estimated PhP1.2 Billion in annual tax payments of industry 
contractors and suppliers. 
Because of the banana industry the peace and order situation has improved and 
better governance became possible where people’s livelihood is sustainable. 
Presently, only 80,000 hectares of croplands in Mindanao are being utilized for 
export bananas. This is only 0.8% of Mindanao’s total land area of 10,204,300 
hectares. Yet, the export banana industry is the country's’ second biggest dollar-
earning agricultural enterprise next to the coconut industry which uses 4.5 million 
hectares. Annually, the industry’s average foreign exchange earnings is US$720 
million. 
Moreover, the export banana industry also provides huge income opportunities for 
some 30,000 agrarian reform beneficiaries. The Government's Comprehensive 
Agrarian Reform Program has nowhere found a more progressive and hospitable 
ally than the export banana industry. 
Needless to say, the industry has become a potent instrument of development and 
empowerment for almost two million residents of Mindanao who depend on it. They 
were able to improve the quality of their lives with the help of the industry. Truly, the 
export banana industry is a great blessing to many people in Mindanao. 
October 6, 2022
1:15 pm
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Now, it is ironic that the strategic value of the industry was built with little or no 
assistance from Government. The industry’s global competitiveness must be 
strengthened with the assistance from the Government in the area of research and 
development. This is what the small growers need most.  
 
Funds must be allotted for the research and development programs of the industry. 
A National Research, Development and Extension Center for Banana (NRDECB) 
can be created to assist the industry for more advanced and scientific farm 
operations in such areas such as land preparation, plant breeding, planting, crop-
protection, harvesting and processing. 
 
Most importantly, a banana research institute is necessary in addressing banana 
pests and diseases that threatens the viability of Philippine bananas. Black sigatoka, 
banana bunchy top or bugtok and the most dreaded notorious infection called 
Fusarium wilt or Panama Disease are just some of the diseases that could cripple 
both the small growers and corporate farms.  
 
There is, we feel, an urgent need for research and development facilities, scientific 
and environment-friendly interventions, to enable the banana industry to cope with 
global standards for productivity and food safety without sacrificing people’s health 
and the environment.  
 
In view of the foregoing, approval hereof is highly recommended. 
  
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
___________________________________      
 
  RAYMOND DEMOCRITO C. MENDOZA   
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 


Republic of the Philippines 
House of Representatives 
Quezon City 
Nineteenth Congress 
First Regular Session 
HOUSE BILL NO._________ 
___________________________________________________________________ 
Introduced by REP. RAYMOND DEMOCRITO C. MENDOZA 
AN ACT 
TO ESTABLISH THE NATIONAL RESEARCH DEVELOPMENT AND EXTENSION 
CENTER FOR BANANA, AUTHORIZING THE APPROPRIATIONS OF FUNDS 
THEREFORE, AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES 
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the Philippines 
on Congress assembled: 
Section 1. Establishment of the Center. – The National Research Development 
and Extension Center for Banana (hereinafter referred to as the Center) which shall 
be based in the University of Southeastern Philippines (USEP) in Davao City, is 
hereby established. 
Section 2. Purpose. – The Center shall have the following general powers and 
functions in line with the research, development and extension programs of the 
Department of Agriculture-Bureau of Agricultural Research (DA-BAR), Department of 
Science and Technology (DOST), National Economic and Development Authority 
(NEDA) and the USEP: 
a. To undertake basic and strategic research for developing technologies to
enhance the productivity and utilization of banana;
b. Educate and train all stakeholders of the banana industry;
c. To serve as national repository of germplasm and information related to
banana and plantain and also disseminate the knowledge for production and
productivity;
d. To provide leadership and coordinate the network research for generating
location specific varieties, production and postharvest technologies and for
solving specific constraints in banana production; and
e. To collaborate with relevant national and international agencies in achieving
the above objectives.
Section 3. Specific Powers and Functions. – The Center shall have the specific 
powers and functions: 
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a. Develop improved cultivars through traditional and biotechnological methods; 
b. Develop productive, high yielding, good quality varieties of banana; 
c. Develop efficient, economic and productive banana production technologies; 
d. Develop effective and sound banana processing technologies for outstanding 
banana varieties; 
e. Develop effective and efficient production systems for all banana varieties; 
f. Establish and maintain germplasm collection and gene bank for banana; 
g. Assist in the development of effective and efficient marketing systems for 
banana; 
h. Evolve productive banana-based farming systems; 
i. Develop and implement appropriate and suitable technology packages and 
effective technology transfer schemes, especially the conduct of training 
programs; 
j. Upgrade the skills of development facilitators, extension workers and farmers 
through trainings, seminars and workshops on banana production and 
postharvest handling and processing; 
k. Establish 
national 
and 
international 
linkages 
for 
banana 
research, 
development, extension and production activities; and 
l. Coordinate with other government/ non-government agencies involved in the 
development of the banana industry. 
 
Section 4. The Executive Director. – The Center shall be headed by an Executive 
Director who shall be responsible for the planning, implementation, and supervision 
of the Center’s program of activities. The Executive Director: 
 
a. Must have completed substantial and relevant education and experience on 
banana research and development; and 
b. Must be of good moral character and has not been involved in a legal case 
involving moral turpitude. 
c. All other officers and employees of the Center shall be appointed by the 
Executive Director consistent with the provisions of the Civil Service laws, 
rules and regulations. 
 
Section 5. The Advisory Board. – The plans and programs of the Center shall be 
reviewed annually by the Advisory Board which shall be composed of: 
 
a. The Secretary of the Department of Agriculture as Chairman; 
b. The Secretary of the Department of Science and Technology as Vice 
Chairman; 
c. The Secretary of the Department of Trade and Industry as Member; 
d. The Secretary of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources as 
Member; 
e. The University President of the University of Southeastern Philippines as 
Member; 
f. One (1) representative from a non-governmental organization (NGO) working 
on banana production, research and development and processing;  
g. One (1) representative from the industry group of the banana exporters; and 
h. One (1) representative from the labor unions or cooperatives present in the 
industry. 
 


 
 
Section 6.  Quorum. – The presence of at least five (5) members of the Advisory 
Board at the time of the meeting shall constitute a quorum: Provided however, that in 
case of the absence of the Chairman, the Vice Chairman shall preside the meeting. 
 
Section 7. Authorization. – The Center is hereby authorized to plan, construct, 
develop, improve, acquire or lease buildings, farms, fields, and other facilities, to 
purchase machineries, equipment, materials and supplies locally or abroad as may 
be necessary to carry out its functions and objectives. Moreover, the Center shall 
enjoy exemption from taxes and other duties in the importation of machineries, 
development and extension programs, subject to the provisions of Section 105(s) of 
the Tariff and Customs Code, Section 103(f) of the National Internal Revenue Code 
and to the provisions on Automatic Appropriations under the General Appropriations 
Act. 
 
Section 8. Office Location. – The main offices, experimental area and nursery of 
the Center shall be located at the University of Southeastern Philippines in Davao 
City. The Center may hereafter establish similar such facilities in its other service 
areas in order to promote the development of the banana industry in the country. 
 
Section 9. Appropriations. – To carry out the provisions of this Act, the amount of 
THREE HUNDRED MILLION PESOS (Php300,000,000.00) is hereby appropriated 
from the funds of the National Treasury. Thereafter, such sums as may be necessary 
to maintain the operations of the Center shall be included in the General 
Appropriations Act. 
 
Section 10. Savings. –  Any and all savings and income of the Center shall 
constitute a revolving fund which shall not be reverted to the General Fund and 
which shall be used by the Center in the furtherance of its goals and objectives. 
 
Section 11. Implementing Rules and Regulations. The Advisory Board shall 
promulgate rules and regulations to implement the provisions of this Act.   
 
Section 12. Repealing Clause. All laws, decrees, orders, rules and regulations 
inconsistent with or contrary to the provisions of this Act are hereby amended or 
repealed accordingly.  
 
Section 13. Effectivity Clause. This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days following 
its complete publication in the National Gazette or in at least two (2) newspapers of 
general circulation, whichever comes earlier. 
 
Approved,