Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Quezon City, Metro Manila

NINETEENTH CONGRESS
First Regular Session
391

House Bill No.

EXPLANATORY NOTE

The Philippines’ geographic location allows for unique and diverse ecological
systems that yield abundant products and delicacies that cannot be found elsewhere
in the world. Pili, which is indigenous to the country and especially found in the Bicol
Region, is one of them. Pili could be transformed into various food products and can
be used in numerous dishes, which makes it a favorite Filipino snack. In a world that
is now shifting to healthier snacking alternatives, the demand for the pili nut and its by-
products in the global market continues to grow.

The Philippines is the only country to produce pili in commercial quantities
therefore giving it a huge advantage over other foreign markets. The Bicol Region
supplies 80% of the whole country’s output volume. Although the region is a known
pathway of typhoons and is home to at least five active volcanoes, growing pili trees
does not pose a problem to farmers. In fact, the rich volcanic soil and the generous
amount of rainfall the region receives make the land conducive for growing the sturdy
trees, which came to be known as “stress trees” - the more it is shaken and beaten by
storms, the more it blooms and bears better fruit. Added to that, pili
maintenance crop. Farmers say that growing the trees require minimal fertilizer and

a low-

pruning and could start bearing fruit in just three years. Therefore, pili production in
the region continues to boom; and this has opened up a lot of opportunities for trade
and income for Bicolanos.


Further innovations in the Pa areas to ensure that opportunities are
maximized and the competitive edge is kept. During the Seventeenth Congress, Rep.
Salvador B. Belaro, Jr. and | proposed the creation of a research center focusing on
the pili production industry to serve as the catalyst of advancement and development.
| am hereby refiling the bill with the purpose of ensuring the flourishing success of the
pili industry in the region and in the country.

Labat bbed
i GABRIEL H. RDADO, JR -
Third District, Camarines Sur


NW ousenre

10
1
2
13
14
15
16
wv
18
19
20
21
22
23

Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Quezon City, Metro Manila

NINETEENTH CONGRESS

First Regular Seay

House Bill No.

Introduced by Representative Gabriel H. Bordado, Jr.

AN ACT
PROMOTING THE CULTIVATION, PRODUCTION, PROCESSING, MARKETING
AND DISTRIBUTION OF PILI NUT AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES

Be it enacted by the Senate and the House of Representatives of the Philippines in
Congress assembled:

SECTION 1. Title. This Act shall be known as the Pili Research and Promotion Act of
2022.

SEC. 2. Declaration of Policy. It is the policy of the State to give priority to research and
development, as well as to science and technology education, training and services.

SEC. 3. Creation of Pili Research Institute (PilRI). The Pili Research Institute is hereby
created, as an attached office to the Department of Agriculture. PilR! shall conduct
researches in an all-out promotion of both the small-scale and commercial cultivation of
Pili nut in suitable areas of the country and shall provide the lead in harnessing the
technology in cultivating Pili, and the efficient processing, marketing and distribution of
Pili nut products.

SEC. 4, Objectives. PilRI shall have the following objectives
a) Conduct agricultural, industrial and economic research for the
development of the Pili industry;
b) Acquire, develop and propagate improved plant materials and technology;


25
26
27
28
29
30
31
32
33
34
35
36
37
38
39
40
41
42
43
44
45
46
47
48
49
50
51
52
53
54

c) Train professionals, students and Pili farmers on necessary disciplines
felated to Pili production , utilization and marketing;

Design and implement, in coordination with institutions of higher learning
local and foreign scholarships and fellowship programs on academic fields
that will enhance Pili industry development;

Organize local regional and international conferences, gatherings, for a
and seminars on the current trends and developments of the Pili industry;
f) Consolidate all researches bt the other institutions, as well as to establish,
maintain and operate an information and library center;

Design and implement a farm extension program to effectively transfer
modern farm technology to Pili farmers; and

Publish and disseminate research findings and make appropriate
recommendations to interested parties.

qd)

e)

g

h}

SEC. 5. Implementing Rules and Regulations. The department of Agriculture (DA), in
coordination with the Commission on Higher Education (CHED), Department of Science
and Technology (DOTC) and Department of Trade and Industry (DTI), is herein tasked to
formulate the implementing rules and regulations.

SEC. 6. Funding. An initial amount of One Hundred Million Pesos (P100,000,000.00)
necessary for the implementation of this Act shall be included in the Annual General
Appropriations Act.

SEC. 7. Separability Clause. Any provision held invalid or unconstitutional, the
remainder of the law or provision not otherwise affected shall remain valid and subsisting.

SEC. 8. Repealing Clause. All laws, presidential decrees, executive orders, rules and
regulations contrary to or inconsistent with the provisions of this Act are hereby repealed
or modified accordingly.


55 SEC. 9. Effectivity Clause. This Act shall take effect after 15 days from complete
56 publication in the Official Gazette or in a newspaper of general circulation.

Approved,