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

NINETEENTH CONGRESS
First Regular Session

3087

House Bill No.

Introduced by Hon. ALAN 1 B. ECLEO

EXPLANATORY NOTE

It is the policy of the State to promote and accelerate the development of the
seed industry. Pursuant to Republic Act 7308, the government is mandated to
conserve, preserve and develop the plant genetic resources of the nation, encourage
and hasten the organization of all sectors engaged in the seed industry, integrate all
their activities and provide assistance to them, consider the seed industry as a
preferred area of investment, encourage the private sector to engage in seed
research and development and in mass production and distribution of good quality
seeds, and provide the local industry protection against unfair competition from
imported seeds.

In this time of COVID-19 pandemic, the Philippine Seed Industry Association
has warned of food shortages should the movement of seeds and farm inputs and
personnel continue to be hindered. It further noted that there are reported difficulties
in transporting agricultural commodities and in moving necessary farm manpower
domestically, despite the government declaring that food, seeds, and farm inputs
were exempted from movement restrictions. Dinagat Islands is among the provinces
having difficulty receiving enough quality seeds for its agricultural productivity due to
it being a remote and geographically challenged area. Regrettably, this jeopardizes
food adequacy to the detriment of the Dinagatnons.

Moreover, as presented in the 3° National Seed Summit of 2014, heavy
rainfall hinders seed delivery and limits seed production and so breeding new
varieties of seeds is recommended to combat climate change. This finds propriety in
the province of Dinagat Islands. Located north of mainland Mindanao, Dinagat has
an average daily rainfall total of 11.97 mm and a monthly average rainfall of 370.99
mm in January, causing it to experience landslides as a result. Hence, a provincial
seed bank which can safely store varieties of quality seeds against hazard of
frequent heavy rainfall and which can conserve biodiversity is an appropriate
adaptation measure in the province.



Despite these blatant difficulties, the Province of Dinagat Islands still strives to
provide adequate, accessible, and affordable food for its people, in keeping with the
Department of Agriculture's Plant, Plant, Plant Program. However, extension of
assistance is still irrefutably necessary in order for the province to continue its aim.
Hence, the establishment of a Provincial Seedling Bank in the Municipality of Libjo,
Province of Dinagat Islands is hereby requested with the end goai of increasing our
farmers’ accessibility to high quality seeds and ensuring food adequacy for the
Dinagatnons.

In view of the foregoing, the approval of this bill is earnestly sought.

Al B. ECLEO
Representative, Ldn¢ District of Dinagat Islands


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

NINETEENTH CONGRESS
First Regular Session

3087

House Bill No.

Introduced by Hon. ALAN 1 B. ECLEO

AN ACT ESTABLISHING THE PROVINCIAL SEEDLING BANK IN THE
MUNICIPALITY OF LIBJO, PROVINCE OF DINAGAT ISLANDS AND
APPROPRIATING FUNDS THEREFOR

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

SECTION 1. There shall be established and maintained, under the direct
supervision of the Bureau of Plant Industry, a provincial Seedling Bank in the
Municipality of Libjo, Province of Dinagat Islands to be known as Dinagat Seedling
Bank for the purpose of ensuring the stable and continuous availability of quality
seeds and the safety of plant food, with the end in view of safeguarding the plant
industry.

SEC. 2. The Secretary of Department of Agriculture shall immediately include
in the agency's programs the operationalization of Dinagat Seedling Bank, the
funding of which shall initially come from the savings of Department of Agriculture
Thereafter, such sum as may be necessary for the efficient operation and
maintenance of said office shall be included in the annual General Appropriations
Act.

SEC. 3. Implementing Rules and Regulations. Within six (6) months following
the effectivity of this Act, the Secretary of Agriculture shall promulgate the necessary
rules and regulations for the effective implementation of this Act.

SEC. 4. Separability Clause. Should any part or provision of this Act be held
unconstitutional or invalid, the provisions which are not affected thereby shall
continue to be in full force and effect.

SEC. 5. Repealing Clause. Any other law, issuance or part thereof
inconsistent with this Act are hereby repealed or modified accordingly.


SEC. 6. Effectivily. This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after its
publication in the Official Gazette or in two (2) newspapers of general circulation.

Approved,