Republic of the Philippines 
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES 
Quezon City 
NINETEENTH CONGRESS 
First Regular Session 
HOUSE BILL NO. ____ 
Introduced by HON. LUIS RAYMUND “LRAY” F. VILLAFUERTE, JR. 
EXPLANATORY NOTE 
Fruit-bearing trees are a resource that is universally present yet underutilized and 
underdeveloped, especially at the local level. Beyond aesthetic value, they can provide 
shade, prevent soil erosion, and provide a source of food that can be used and sold 
simply by the household and even turn such into a full-scale enterprise. 
By providing very localized access to technology and training, as well as the seeds 
and seedlings to grow fruit-bearing trees and plants, there is an opportunity for the 
local population to engage in enterprise and contribute to the strategy of the national 
government to create an additional six million jobs in the agricultural sector in the next 
six years. 
Moreover, in the Philippines, the fruits industry could be transformed into a booming 
industry, with great domestic as well as export market potential. It is therefore the 
intent of this bill to establish local community orchards that will serve as initial core 
training and research facilities and experimental plant stations with capabilities to 
disperse and distribute planting materials which are all designed to spark interest in 
the growth, harvest, and potential income generation provided by fruit-bearing trees 
and plants. 
Considering the merits of this bill, its early approval is earnestly requested. 
LUIS RAYMUND “LRAY” F. VILLAFUERTE, JR. 
November 10, 2022
2:54 pm
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Republic of the Philippines 
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES 
Quezon City 
NINETEENTH CONGRESS 
First Regular Session 
HOUSE BILL NO. ____ 
Introduced by HON. LUIS RAYMUND “LRAY” F. VILLAFUERTE, JR. 
AN ACT 
ESTABLISHING A COMMUNITY ORCHARD IN EVERY CITY OR MUNICIPALITY 
OF EVERY PROVINCE OF THE PHILIPPINES, ALLOCATING FUNDS 
THEREFOR, AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES 
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the Philippines in 
Congress assembled: 
SECTION 1. Declaration of Policy. – There is hereby authorized to be established a 
community orchard of not less than five thousand square meters (5,000 sqm.), 
preferably one (1) hectare or more, in every City of Municipality of every Province of 
the Philippines. 
The establishment of said community orchards shall be provided with technical 
assistance by the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR), and 
the latter shall also arrange to provide the said community orchards with the initial core 
of planting materials of different types of fruit-bearing trees and plants. 
The community orchards shall be located in such appropriate locations with 
appropriate topsoil conditions and climactic characteristics as shall be suitable for the 
growing of fruit-bearing trees and plants  
SECTION 2. Powers and Functions of the Community Orchards. – The community 
orchards established in every City and Municipality in every Province of the Philippines 
as herein specified shall have the following powers and functions: 
a.
Establish experimental plantations of different fruit-bearing trees and plants;
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b. 
Establish a center within the garden where the said trees and plants can be 
processed, packaged and sold, or where seeds, seedlings or cutting could be 
dispersed to barangays; 
c. 
Create information programs and seminars that will educate the local populace 
about the growing and harvest of fruit-bearing trees and plants for food and profit; 
and 
d. 
Provide technical and other advisory services to those already engaged or are 
interested in engaging in enterprises related to fruit-bearing trees and plants. 
 
SECTION 3. The cost of acquiring the land, constructing the appropriate building 
thereon and the complement of equipment and machinery, required to start the 
operation of the community orchards shall be provided by the respective Provincial 
Governments in which they are established, in cooperation with the respective Cities 
and Municipalities in which said community orchards are to be established. Acquisition 
of the land site for the community orchards may also be acquired by donation, 
bequeath, expropriation or through lease or usufruct. 
 
Thereafter, such sums as shall be necessary to operate and conduct the training 
programs and other projects of the community orchards shall be incorporated in the 
Annual General Appropriations Ordinances of the Provincial Governments and the 
respective Cities and Municipalities in which they shall be established. Other funding 
support to the community orchards may be provided from allocations of funds that may 
be provided by other executive departments of the National Government or any of its 
agencies and/or from such financial assistance as may be arranged by the District 
Representatives in Congress or other legislators. Grants from local or foreign sources 
may also be obtained or availed of. 
 
SECTION 4. Effectivity Clause. – This Act shall take effect in fifteen (15) days after 
publication in the Official Gazette or in one (1) newspaper of general circulation in the 
Philippines. 
 
Approved,