TWENTIETH CONGRESS 
) 
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES ) 
First Regular Session 
) 
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES 
Introduced by Representative Rufus B. Rodriguez and 
Representative Maximo B. Rodriguez, Jr. 
House Bill No.  _____ 
EXPLANATORY NOTE 
The coconut industry remains one of the backbone sectors of Philippine agriculture. It provides 
livelihood to approximately 3.5 million coconut farmers and contributes significantly to export 
earnings. However, the industry continues to face longstanding issues of low farm productivity, 
aging trees, lack of replanting programs, and supply chain inefficiencies — all of which 
compromise its long-term sustainability. 
One overlooked challenge is the disconnect between the processing capacity of large-scale 
coconut processing facilities and the available and sustainable supply of raw coconuts within 
their sourcing zones. While investments in high-capacity processing plants are encouraged 
as part of rural industrialization, the unregulated proliferation of these facilities can lead to 
unsustainable competition over raw nuts, depletion of local supply, and price instability for 
farmers. This creates artificial shortages, contributes to poor farm-gate pricing, and 
discourages smallholders from replanting or maintaining their farms. 
This proposed measure aims to promote strategic alignment between coconut production and 
processing by requiring large-scale coconut processing facilities to implement or support 
coconut planting or replanting programs proportionate to their rated capacities. This 
rationalization will ensure that, among others, processing facilities have sustainable supply 
sources that match their operational capacities. 
In view of the foregoing, immediate approval of this measure is earnestly requested. 
RUFUS B. RODRIGUEZ 
  MAXIMO B. RODRIGUEZ, JR. 
August 18, 2025
3:16 pm
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TWENTIETH CONGRESS 
) 
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES ) 
First Regular Session 
) 
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES 
Introduced by Representative Rufus B. Rodriguez and 
Representative Maximo B. Rodriguez, Jr. 
House Bill No.  _____ 
AN ACT 
PROMOTING THE SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT OF THE COCONUT INDUSTRY BY 
REQUIRING LARGE-SCALE COCONUT PROCESSING FACILITIES TO RATIONALIZE 
COCONUT PLANTING BASED ON THEIR RATED PROCESSING CAPACITIES, AND FOR 
OTHER PURPOSES 
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the Philippines in Congress 
assembled: 
Section 1. Purpose and Objective. – This Act aims to promote sustainable development of 
the coconut industry in the Philippines by requiring large-scale coconut processing facilities 
to rationalize planting of coconut trees based on their rated capacities.  
Section 2. Requirements for Large-Scale Coconut Processing Facilities. – Large-scale 
coconut processing facilities shall: 
a. Rationalize planting of coconut trees based on their rated capacities within the next
three (3) years;
b. Invest in buying coconut seed nuts from accredited suppliers, with technical assistance
from the Department of Agriculture (DA) and Philippine Coconut Authority (PCA) to
determine suitable varieties for each area; and
c.
Utilize the DA-PCA established digital monitoring system to track the growth of coconut
trees planted, in collaboration with the LGUs and coconut farmers to facilitate annual
monitoring and reporting system of the planted coconuts to the office of the DA
secretary.
Section 3. Inter-Agency Collaboration. – The DA, PCA, Department of Agrarian Reform 
(DAR), and Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) shall: 
a. Identify areas for planting and replanting of coconut trees, prioritizing public and private
lands with senile or old coconut trees (more than 30 years or beyond 20 meters in
height);
b. Provide technical assistance to large-scale coconut processing facilities on suitable
coconut varieties and planting techniques; and
c.
Develop a geolocation mapping system to monitor coconut tree plantations.
Section 4. Mobilization of Resources. – The DA, PCA, and Local Government Units (LGUs) 
shall: 
a. Mobilize State Colleges and Universities (SCUs) and colleges in the country to require
graduating students to plant at least 10 coconut trees in identified areas.
b. Leverage resources to support the coconut industry development program.
Section 5. Monitoring and Evaluation. – The DA-PCA shall monitor the progress of coconut 
tree planting and growth Using the digital monitoring and reporting system, and evaluate the 
impact of this policy on poverty reduction and sustainable development of the coconut 
industry. 
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Section 6. Implementing Rules and Regulations. – The DA-PCA, in consultation with relevant 
agencies and stakeholders, shall develop the implementing rules and regulations (IRR) for 
this Act within six (6) months from its enactment. 
 
Section 7. Appropriations. – The funds necessary to implement this Act shall be included in 
the annual General Appropriations Act. 
 
Section 8. Separability Clause. - If any provision of this Act is held unconstitutional or invalid, 
the other provisions not so affected shall remain in full force and effect. 
 
Section 9. Effectivity. – This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after its publication in the 
Official Gazette or in a newspaper of general circulation. 
 
Approved,