Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

Quezon City, Metro Manila

FIFTEENTH CONGRESS
First Regular Session

HOUSE BILL No. 3917

Introduced by: HON. LORETO LEO S. OCAMPOS

EXPLANATORY NOTE

‘The coconut industry is a dominant sector in Philippine agriculture. Coconut farms are
widely distributed nationwide. It contributes more than 1 percent of the Gross National Product.

Over the years, coconut farming has been difficult and has not been very lucrative.
‘The price of coconuts has fluctuated erratically, moving at extreme points, often very high and very
low. When the price of coconuts plunges, the coconut farmers lose or go out of business. Hence,
there is a need to protect them and lessen their financial burdens.

This bill seeks to provide a threshold price of coconuts so that when the price plunges,
the National Government will assume its role and alleviate the coconut farmers’ predicament.

RETO LEO S. OCAMPOS.
Representative

2™ District, Misamis Occidental


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

FIFTEENTH CONGRESS
First Regular Session

HOUSE BILLNo.__ 8917

Introduced by: HON. LORETO LEO S. OCAMPOS

AN ACT GRANTING SUBSIDY TO COCONUT FARMERS

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

SECTION 1. Title. ~ This Act shall be called the Coconut Farmers Subsidy of 2010.

SECTION 2. Declaration of Policy. ~ It shall be the policy of the State to provide price subsidy to
coconut farmers when the price level of coconuts go below the threshold. The State recognizes the vital
role of coconut farmers and coconut farming in the national economy.

SECTION 3. Coverage. — Small-scale coconut farmers and those coconut farmers with annual income
below the rural poverty threshold as determined by periodic census and by the Philippine Coconut
Authority.

SECTION 4. Annual Evaluation of the List of Small Scale Farmers. — The list of small-scale
coconut farmers and those coconut farmers with annual income below the rural poverty threshold shall
be evaluated every year through a procedure prescribed by the Philippine Coconut Authority.

SECTION 5. Threshold Level.
the Philippine Coconut Authority and subject to y

‘The threshold level for the price of coconuts shall be determined by
ly evaluation,

SECTION 6. Price Subsidy. — When the price of coconuts go below the threshold level, National
Government thru the Philippine Coconut Authority shall assume the difference between the prevailing
market price and the threshold price

‘The Authority shall ensure that only qualified small-scale rice coconut farmers and coconut farmers with
annual income below the rural poverty threshold will be entitled to the benefits of this act.

SECTION 7. Operating Fund. ~ The National Government shall include set aside a portion of its
budget to facilitate and implement the provisions of this act.

SECTION 8. Implementing Agency. - The Philippine Coconut Authority shall be the implementing
agencies for this Act. The above agency shall formulate the implementing rules and regulations for this
Act.

SECTION 9. Separability Clause. — If any provision or part thereof, is held invalid or
unconstitutional, the remainder of the law or the provision not otherwise affected shall remain valid and
subsisting.

SECTION 10. Repealing Clause. — Any law, presidential decree or issuance, executive order, letter of
instruction, administrative order, rule or regulation contrary to, or inconsistent with the provisions of
this Act is hereby repealed, modified or amended accordingly.

SECTION 11. Effectivity Clause. “This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after its publication in at
least pwo (2) newspapers of general circulation.

Approve,