•r-
V>v.y.'©tt!te c! ‘!j.‘ S>I :n
EIGHTEENTH CONGRESS OF THE 
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES 
Second Regular Session
SENATE
S. B. No. 1978
21 M 11 PI2:14
s:r.: -n.
INTRODUCED BY SENATOR CYNTHIA A. VILLAR
AN ACT DECLARING THE PROVINCE OF CATANDUANES AS THE ABACA CAPITAL OF
THE PHILIPPINES
EXPLANATORY NOTE
Section 1, Article XII of the 1987 Constitution of the Philippines provides that the State shall 
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. Pursuant to such pronouncement, the State 
recognizes that one of the means by which socio-economic advancement can be attained is through 
agricultural development.
The Philippines is the top abaca producer in the world, producing at least 87.17% of global 
output, with exports being made to countries such as Germany, UK, France, Japan, and US. Reportedly, 
the local fiber harvested in the province of Catanduanes is even higher than the production of Ecuador, 
the second- biggest abaca producer in the world after the Philippines.
According to the Philippine Fiber Industry Development Authority (PhilFIDA), the Philippines has 
produced a total of 496,069.10 bales (1 bale = 125 kilograms) of abaca in 2016. One bale is equivalent to 
125 kilograms. Statistics from the Department of Agriculture. (DA) show that from 2009 to 2013, the 
Bicol Region is the top producer of abaca fiber having produced 22,987 metric tons which comprise 39% 
of the national produce. The region contributes about 40 percent of the roughly $130.3 million annual 
abaca exports to major global markets.
Bicol Region was still the top abaca fiber producer with 8.71 thousand metric tons or 43.7 
percent of the total production from July to September 2020. Eastern Visayas and Davao Region came 
next with 16.5 percent and 13.4 percent shares, respectively. Abaca has been traditionally turned into 
twine, cordage, textiles, and handicrafts. Its more modern applications now include manufacturing 
various items such as automotive parts, paper and currency notes, ropes, textile and many fashion and 
lifestyle products and now handmade face masks. Aside from its economic contributions, fiber


production from abaca also has great environmental benefits. The plant, which is a species of banana 
native to the Philippines, is considered to be zero-waste.
In this regard this bill seeks to establish Catanduanes Province as the "Abaca Capital of the 
Philippines" considering that it is the top abaca producer of the country and the world, and it 
contributes 90% abaca production in the Bicol Region.The bill seeks to promote and support the abaca 
industry in the province, while safeguarding it from destruction caused by plant diseases and calamitous 
events. Likewise, it seeks for the province to garner additional government support and budget 
allocation not only to maintain, promote, and protect the country's abaca industry, but most 
importantly, to ensure Its sustainability for the benefit of the farmers and other stakeholders.
Abaca is the main source of livelihood of most of the population living in Catanduanes 
whichshall directly benefit about 12,679 farmers who are tending 33,097 hectares of land in 11 abaca- 
producing municipalities of the province.Also known as "Manila Hemp," abaca is superior over all fibers 
because of its great strength and resistance to water.
In view of the foregoing, the immediate passage of this bill Is earnestly sought.
CYNTHIA A. VILLAR
This is a counterpart of HB 6149 filed by TGP Party-list Rep. Jose Teves, Jr. this 18thCongress


i , 
r;ir,.I 1 ~i
ij. • V .; 
• ^ / L 1 •. 11
y.\
cf tljf -'•fI ■ lat-;-
EIGHTEENTH CONGRESS OF THE 
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES 
Second Regular Session
S. B. No.
SENATE
1978
21 JAN 11 P12 :14
REc:;
Introduced by Senator Cynthia A. Villar
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8 
9
10
11
12
13
14
15
16
17
18
19
20 
21 
22 
23
AN ACT DECLARING THE PROVINCE OF CATANDUANES AS THE ABACA CAPITAL OF
THE PHILIPPINES
Be it enacted by the Senate and the House of Representatives of the Republic of the Philippines in 
Congress assembled:
SECTION. 1. Declaration of Policy. Section 1, Article XII of the 1987 Constitution provides that the Senate 
shall promote the industrialization and full employment based on sound agricultural development and 
agrarian reform, through initiatives that make full and efficient use human and natural resources, which 
are competitive in both domestic and foreign markets.
Towards this end, the State hereby recognized the importance of abaca industry and development as a 
driver of rural development not only because of its singular potential as a raw material that can increase 
the country's export earnings tremendously, and put the name of the country in the map in the world 
for producing the biggest volume of abaca fiber, but for having provided livelihood to many small 
farmers in the countryside.
Sec. 2. Abaca Capital of the Philippines. In recognition of the status of the country*s biggest producer of 
abaca and making the Philippines world renowned as "Manila Hemp" in the fiber industry, and in 
support to agricultural development of the province, it is hereby declared that Catanduanes be the 
Abaca Capital of the Philippines.
SEC. 3. Effectively Clause. Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after its publication in the Official 
Gazette or in at least two (2) newspapers of general circulation.
Approved,