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Republic of the Philippines 
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES 
Quezon City, Metro Manila 
NINETEENTH CONGRESS 
First Regular Session 
HOUSE BILL NO. ___________ 
______________________________________________________________________ 
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 which includes vegetables and 
fruits, one of which is Lanzones. 
There have been incentives such as credit assistance, crop insurance and trainings for 
high value crops. However, there is limited attention given to a research facility that will 
provide producers of these high value crops to be guided on its planting, harvest, 
protection and use of by-products of these crops to ensure increase production and 
explore the non-seasonal harvest potential of these crops which will improve the income 
of our farmers. 
In the world, many of our high value crops are recognized due to its excellent quality, 
taste and affordability. Big corporations have invested in research facilities to ensure the 
excellent quality of their produce and assure the sustainable supply of superior quality 
of these crops such as coconut, bananas, pineapples, cacao, coffee, etc.  
However, there is no concrete research center for Lanzones which is a high yielding 
crop particularly in the Provinces of Camiguin, Laguna and some parts of Mindanao and 
Visayas. There is a need to have a research center responsible for the scientific study 
and analysis of this crop and address vital issues on avoidance of pest infestation, low 
production, short shelf life, and climate change. 
It is the intention of this bill to establish a Philippine Lanzones Research Center to 
promote its production, processing, marketing, and distribution to the local and 
international market. 
Camiguin’s Lanzones is regarded as the sweetest of all lanzones producing provinces 
in the Philippines and it has a cross-breed of the native lanzones and the no-seed 
variety akin to the Longkong of Thailand and is now called as “Camlong”. It is easy to 
peel because they are latexless and mostly, have no seeds at all. The by-products of 
lanzones such as vinegar, wine and other products are being explored in Camiguin 
despite limited resources including its packaging and marketing. 
The ideal location for this research facility is Camiguin where Lanzones is harvested 
between early September up to late January of each year but the harvest volume differ 
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depending on the weather and this is a common occurrence in other producing areas, 
too. Also, the distinct sweetness of our Lanzones they say is attributable to our volcanic 
or fertile soil. This can only be validated with proper research and this will not only help 
the Lanzones producers and traders in Camiguin but also in other areas that are 
producing Lanzones.  
In view of the foregoing, the strong support of the Members of Congress is earnestly 
sought. 


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Republic of the Philippines 
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES 
Quezon City, Metro Manila 
NINETEENTH CONGRESS 
First Regular Session 
HOUSE BILL NO. ___________ 
______________________________________________________________________ 
INTRODUCED BY REPRESENTATIVE JURDIN JESUS M. ROMUALDO 
AN ACT 
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CREATING THE NATIONAL LANZONES RESEARCH CENTER TO PROMOTE THE 
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PRODUCTION, PROCESSING, MARKETING, AND DISTRIBUTION OF THE 
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PHILIPPINE LANZONES 
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Be it enacted by the Senate and the House of Representatives of the Philippines in 
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Congress assembled: 
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SECTION 1. Short Title. – This Act shall be known as the National Lanzones Research 
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Center Act. 
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SEC. 2. Declaration of Policy. – It is hereby declared the policy of the State to propel the 
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growth of agriculture, especially the production and cultivation of high-value crops, in 
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order to drive inclusive growth in the country. Accordingly, the State shall develop and 
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foster a globally competitive lanzones industry in the Philippines by increasing 
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propagation and quality production, improving the livelihood of farmers and growers, 
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instituting dynamic and innovative research and development, technology transfer, 
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training, and extension programs, modernizing post-harvest and quality assurance 
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processes, and developing effective marketing and promotion strategies.  
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SEC. 3. Creation of the Philippine Lanzones Research Center. – There is hereby 
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created the National Lanzones Research Center, hereinafter referred to as the Center, 
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which shall be under the administrative supervision of the Department of Agriculture. 
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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 
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Center shall have the following functions and powers: 
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(a) 
Undertake, conduct, support, monitor, and evaluate lanzones research and 
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development in various fields of knowledge, science, and technology, such as 
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germplasm collection, conservation, breeding, genetic improvement, and 
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biotechnology; natural resources management and conservation and climate 
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change adaptation and mitigation; socioeconomics, impact assessment, and 
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policy advocacy; pest detection and surveillance, early warning systems, 
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integrated pest management, biosecurity, and biological control methods; 
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farming systems and farm management improvement and experiment station 
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development; post-harvest management; product development and processing 
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and quality assurance; and packaging, distribution, promotions, marketing, and 
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communications; 
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(b) 
Develop methods, measures, techniques, technologies, and innovations that will 
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maximize the productivity and quality of locally-grown lanzones varieties while 
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reducing costs and ensuring long-term and sustainable production; 
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(c) 
Establish international linkages and engage other government agencies, local 
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government units, state universities and colleges, private educational institutions, 
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non-government organizations, and the private sector on lanzones research, 
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development, and extension; 
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(d) 
Serve as the national repository of lanzones, lanzones research, lanzones 
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production, and lanzones technology; 
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(e) 
Develop, offer, and conduct classes, trainings, workshops, and seminars on 
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lanzones production; 
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(f) 
Publish and disseminate research and extension findings, studies, and 
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recommendations in appropriate publications, traditional, electronic, and social 
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media, and other communications channels; 
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(g) 
Expropriate lands for purposes of experimental farming, on-farm research and 
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development, product development and processing, and the establishment of 
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needed facilities; 
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(h) 
Solicit, receive, and utilize grants, concessions, assistance, or donations of such 
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properties, real or personal, including funds and valuable effects, as may be 
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useful or proper to carry out its functions; and 
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(i) 
Establish satellite offices or facilities in other areas in the Philippines that are or 
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may become significant producers of lanzones, as may be proper for the 
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accomplishment of the Center’s mandate and functions. 
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SEC. 5. National Lanzones Research Center Advisory Board. – (a) There is hereby 
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created the National Lanzones Research Center Advisory Board, hereinafter referred to 
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as the Advisory Board, composed of the following: 
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(1) 
The Secretary of Agriculture, or his or her designated representative, as 
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Chairperson; 
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(2) 
The Secretary of Science and Technology, or his or her designated 
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representative, as Co-Vice Chairperson; 
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(3) 
The Secretary of Trade and Industry, or his or her designated 
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representative, as Co-Vice Chairperson; 
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(4) 
The Director of the Bureau of Agricultural Research; 
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(5) 
The Executive Director of the Philippine Council for Agriculture, Aquatic, 
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and Natural Resources Research and Development; 
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(6) 
The Executive Director of the Philippine Trade Training Center; and 
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(7) 
The Provincial Governor of Camiguin. 
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(b) 
The Advisory Board, which shall meet regularly at least once every quarter of the 
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year, shall have the following functions: 
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(1) 
Guide the formulation of and recommend policies, plans, programs, and 
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projects for the development and improvement of lanzones propagation, 
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production, processing, marketing, and distribution and the proper 
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operation and management of the Center; 
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(2) 
Review and recommend the appropriate organizational structure, staffing 
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pattern, position classification, operating and capital expenditures, and 
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annual budget of the Center; and 
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(3) 
Review and evaluate the implementation, effectiveness, and impact of the 
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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 
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Executive Director, who shall be appointed by the President of the Philippines, upon the 
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recommendation of the Secretary of Agriculture. The Executive Director must be of 
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recognized competence and expertise and must have had actual experience in the 
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production and propagation of, or research and development in lanzones. 
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(b) 
The Executive Director shall be assisted by a Deputy Executive Director and 
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division heads, who shall be appointed by the Secretary of Agriculture, upon the 
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recommendation of the Executive Director. 
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SEC. 7. Duties and Responsibilities of the Executive Director. – The Executive Director 
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of the Center shall have the following duties and responsibilities: 
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(a) 
Exercise overall supervision and direction over the implementation of all research 
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and development programs of the Center, and in general, supervise and direct its 
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management, operation, and administration; 
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(b) 
Appoint the employees of the Center, subject to existing civil service rules and 
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regulations; 
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(c) 
Represent the Center in dealing with external stakeholders; and 
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(d) 
Exercise such other powers and functions and perform such other duties or tasks 
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as may be authorized, delegated, or assigned by law or the Advisory Board and 
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competent authority. 
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SEC. 8.  Implementing Rules and Regulations.  – Upon public consultation with the 
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concerned stakeholders, the Advisory Board shall, within sixty (60) days from the 
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effectivity of this Act, promulgate the Implementing Rules and Regulations for the 
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effective implementation of this Act. 
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SEC. 9. Appropriations. – Such sums as may be necessary for the implementation of 
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this Act shall be taken from the current fiscal year appropriations of the Department of 
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Agriculture.  Thereafter, the amount needed for the operation and maintenance of the 
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Center shall be included in the annual General Appropriations Act. 
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SEC. 10. Annual Report. – The Center shall submit to the President of the Philippines, 
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the Senate, through its President, and the House of Representatives, through its 
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Speaker, an annual report on the implementation of its programs, activities, and projects 
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and its accomplishments.  
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SEC. 11. Separability Clause. – If any of provision of this Act is declared invalid or 
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unconstitutional, the other provisions not affected thereby shall remain in full force and 
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effect. 
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SEC. 11. Repealing Clause. – All laws, decrees, executive orders and issuances, rules 
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and regulations, and other issuances, or parts thereof, that are inconsistent with the 
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provisions of this Act are hereby repealed or modified accordingly. 
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SEC. 12. Effectivity Clause. – This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after its 
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publication in the Official Gazette or in a newspaper of general circulation whichever 
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comes earlier. 
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Approved, 
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