Republic of the Philippines

HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Quezon City, Metro Manila

Fifteenth Congress
Third Regular Session

6
House Bit no._6 755

Introduced by Honorable Sharon S. Garin

Explanatory Note

The growth of the coconut industry is vital to our national development as it is a major
contributor to our economy. However, the national government barely provides for its
development. Recurring problems had been left ignored for decades, thus, pushing the
industry from bad to worse.

Part of the problem is the lack of a mechanism that will coordinate and unify all efforts
of all Local Coconut Industry Development Councils (LCIDCs) nationwide. There is
therefore a need for an effective and efficient mechanism to coordinate the formulation
and implementation of policies and programs affecting coconut industry, including
immediate resolution of issues and concerns related thereto. In addition, the lack of a
participatory broad-based decision making in the coconut industry which is vital in
attainment in the growth and development objectives of the industry complicates the
problem. Moreover, the development of the coconut industry requires collective and
coordinated efforts among and between government and the private sectors.

This bill seeks to create the National Coconut Industry Development Coordinating
Council in order coordinate and unify all efforts from planning to implementation of all
development projects for the improvement of quality of life of coconut farmers and for
the upliftment of the coconut industry as a whole.

The NCIDCC is envisioned to become an effective and efficient body and partner of the
Philippine Coconut Authority (PCA) in planning and development of sound public-
private-sector projects, cooperation, commitment and participation in development the
coconut industry in all its aspects. it is believed that the broad-based planning and


implementing mechanism under the NCIDCC will be able to mobilize advocacy, expertise
and other resources to heal the ailing coconut industry.

In view of the foregoing, the passage of this measure is earnestly sought.

ATTY. SHI
Represent
AAMBIS-Owa Party List


Republic of the Philippines

HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Quezon City, Metro Manila

Fifteenth Congress
Third Regular Session

House Bittno._6755

ANACT
ESTABLISHING THE NATIONAL COCONUT INDUSTRY DEVELOPMENT COORDINATING
COUNCIL, DEFINING ITS DUTIES AND FUNCTIONS AND ALLOCATING FUNDS THEREFOR

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 Coconut Industry
Development Coordinating Council of 2012.”

Section 2. Declaration of Policy. ~ It is hereby declared the policy of the State to promote
industrialization and full employment based on sound agricultural development and
agrarian reform, through industries that make full and efficient use of human and natural
resources, and which are competitive in both domestic and foreign markets. To this end
and recognizing coconut as a major contributor to our economy and an important source of
livelihood, the State shall promote the integrative and sustainable development and growth
of the coconut industry from the local to the national level, involving coordinated efforts
among and between government and the private sectors.

Section 3. National Coconut Industry Development Coordinating Council. - There is hereby
created the National Coconut Industry Development Coordinating Council, hereinafter
referred to as the “NCIDCC,” administratively attached to the Department of Agriculture (DA),
to serve as the coordinating body to unify all efforts of all Local Coconut Industry
Development Councils (LCIDCs) nationwide, in the planning and implementation of all
development projects for the improvement of quality of life of coconut farmers and for the
upliftment of the coconut industry as a whole.

Section 4. Composition. - The NCIDCC shall be composed of the following:
a. Secretary of the Department of Agriculture as Chairperson;
b. Administrator of the Philippine Coconut Authority (PCA) as Vice Chairperson
c. Undersecretary for Local Government, Department of the Interior and Local
Government (DILG) as member;


d. Undersecretary for Research and Development, Department of Agriculture as
Head of the NCIDCC Secretariat;

e. Undersecretary for Regional Operations and Development Group, Department of
Trade and Industry (DTI) as member;

f. Two (2) Representatives each for Luzon, Visayas and Mindanao of the Regional
Coconut Industry Development Councils (RCIDCs), as members.

Section 5. Duties and Functions. - The NCIDCC shall exercise the following duties and
functions:

a. Actas the overall advisory and coordinating body to all LCIDCs;

b. Assist the PCA in its advocacy, monitoring and evaluation of coconut
development programs the different local government units with the
ineffective or unlawful practices are remedied;

c. Formulate support systems for coconut industry development resources
generation in the LCIDCs;

d, Recommend policies and programs for the advancement of the coconut industry,
including their implementing strategies, to best interest of the coconut farmers;

e. Ensure that sustainable and effective programs are continuously suggested and
offered by the stakeholders for the development of the coconut industry;

f. Provide stakeholders access to responsive and sustainable projects for coconut
industry development;

g. Institute effective and efficient support mechanism for coordination,
complementation, and collaboration between the public and private
stakeholders in the development of the coconut industry as well as in resolution
of issues and concerns affecting the industry; and

h. Perform such other functions may be necessary in the furtherance of this Act.

Section 6. Meetings. — The NCIDCC shall regularly meet every two (2) months. Special
meetings may be held as often as may be deemed necessary: Provided, That in the absence
or in the incapacity of the members to attend any regular or special meeting of the Council,
the duly designated representative of the member shall attend and be vested with the same
power and authority as a regular member.

‘A quorum of the NCIDCC shall consist 6 members holding office at the time of meetin
Provided, however, That the NCIDCC Chairperson is among those present in the meeting.

Section 7. Compensation. - The member of the NCIDCC shall be entitled to per diems and
honoraria as may be approved by the NCIDCC. They shall serve without service credit,
benefit or pay except the approved per diems and honoraria.

Section 8, Secretariat. -- The NCIDCC Secretariat shall be headed by the DA Undersecretary
for Research and Development. Technical support shall be provided by the PCA through its
Administrator.

The Secretariat and technical staff shall be detailed from the existing personnel of DA
and/or PCA without prejudice to the designation by the NCIDCC of such additional staff
members as it may deem necessary for the proper discharge of its function and
responsibilities.


Section 9. Barangay, Municipal, Provincial Coconut Industry Development Councils — Local
Government Units (LGUs) which have been identified and certified by the PCA as principally
coconut-producing shall facilitate the establishment of a LCIDC as a sectoral or functional
committee within its Local Development Council (LDC) to be the central body which will
coordinate, propose, initiate and generate policies and programs for coconut industry
development in the LGU concerned.

The LCIDCs, as a sectoral or functional committee of the LDC, shall have the following basic
functions as provided under paragraph (g), Article 182 of the Rules and Regulations
Implementing Republic Act No. 7160, otherwise known as Local Government Code of 1991:

a. Provide the LDC with data and information essential to the formulation of plans,
programs and activities;

b. Define sectoral or functional objectives, set targets, and identify programs, projects,
and activities for the particular sector or function;

¢. Collate and analyze information and statistics and conduct related studies;

d. Conduct public hearings on vital issues affecting the section or functions;

e. Coordinate planning, programming, and implementation of programs, projects, and
activities within each sector;

f. Monitor and evaluate programs and projects; and

g. Perform such other functions as may be assigned by the LDC.

Thus, there shall be constituted a Barangay Coconut Industry Development Council (BCIDC),
Municipal’ Coconut Industry Development Council (MCIDC), Provincial Coconut Industry
Development Council (PCIDCs) at the different levels of these principally coconut-producing
LGUs.

In accordance with the provisions of Republic Act No. 7160 and consistent with the basic
principle of local autonomy, the Local Chief Executive or Local Sanggunian concerned will
provide the LCIDC’s composition, duties and functions not otherwise provided in the
abovementioned rule: Provided, that, majority of the coconut farmers, farm workers and
other industry stakeholders should be properly represented in the said councils.

Section 10, Regional Coconut Industry Development Council - At the regional level, there
shall be constituted a Regional Coconut Industry Development Council (RCIDC) which shall
be composed of representatives from the various PCIDCs of the region.

The RCIDC shall perform similar functions as the NCIDCC as appropriate, including other
functions that may be provided in the implementing Rules and Regulations of this Act. It
shall coordinate the delivery of services and support from the NCIDCC.

The RCIDC Secretariat and technical staff, which shall be headed by the DA Assistant
Regional Director, shall be detailed from the existing personnel of the Regional Office of the
DA and/or PCA without prejudice to the designation by the RCIDC of such additional staff
members as it may deem necessary for the proper discharge of its function and
responsibilities.

Section 11. Implementing Rules and Regulations. - The NCIDCC shall formulate and
prescribe the necessary implementing rules and regulations to carry out the provisions of
this Act.


Section 12. Appropriations. - The funds necessary to carry out the provisions of this Act
shall be taken from the current appropriations of the Department of Agriculture.
Thereafter, such amount as may be necessary to implement shall be included in the General
Appropriations Act.

Section 13. Repealing Clause. - All laws or parts thereof, decrees, orders, rules and
regulations inconsistent with the provisions of this Act are hereby repealed or modified
accordingly.

Section 14. Separability Clause. - If any of the provisions of this Act is declare invalid, the
other provisions not affected thereby shall remain in full force and effect.

Section 15. Effectivity Clause. - This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days following its
publication in at least two (2) newspapers of general circulation.

Approved,