Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Quezon City

EIGHTEENTH CONGRESS
Second Regular Session

HOUSE BILLNO. 7439

Introduced by HON. FERNANDO T. CABREDO

EXPLANATORY NOTE.

‘This measure seeks to develop the root crops industry in the Bicol Region through the
establishment of a Root Crops Research and Development Center in the City of Ligao in the
Province of Albay. The Center shall among others, undertake and conduct research and technical
studies on the development, production, management, marketing and promotion of root erops
and its by-products. It shall also provide technical assistance to root crops farmers and other

stakeholders in the Region

‘This bill also creates a Root Crops Subsidy Fund that shall be used to financially support
the root crops industry in the Bicol Region. The fund shall be directly and exclusively used for
root crops planting and cultivation, research and technical studies, and skills training and capital

development.

Root crops, like sweet potato or “kamote”, peanuts, cassava, taro, and others, have broad
adaptability that allows them to be produced even under unfavourable conditions such as
drought, poor soils and even typhoons. They are also a rich source of nutrition, are affordable,
and are a primary source of sustenance for many people, especially in developing countries. It
provides important sources of income through direct sale and value-addition via processing for

food and non-food uses

While coconut is one of the major produce in the Bicol Region, it is notable that root
crops such as sweet potatoes have shown resilience in recent typhoons, contributing directly to
food security during difficult times, particularly in Albay. Bicol Region, due to its locations,
frequently experiences typhoons, floods, and drought that it leads to severe damages of
properties and loss of livelihoods in agriculture.


Gaven the different climatic conditions in the country. the Department of Agriculture
adopted a crop diversification scheme wherein planting cash crops and permanent crops
increases farming productivity and generates higher yields

According to Secretary William Dar of the Department of Agriculture, there is a need to
versie crop production in the Philippines as about 80% of the country’s farmlands are devoted
ro only three (3) crops such as rice. com, and coconut, Thus, crop diversification is a strategic
plan to increase crop portfolio so that farmers will not solely depend on a single crop like
coconut to generate income DA Secretary Dar believes that aside from its economic benefits to
farmers. diversified crops will enhance natural biodiversity, strengthen agro-ecosystem, reduce
Fisk of total crop failures, and provide farmers with alternative source of income

Crop diversification means the simultaneous growing of cash crops or permanent crops
scherein a wide range of crops can be grown under a main crop Permanent crops like coffee,
cao, abaca, lanzones and other fruit trees can be established. Cash crops, on the other hand,
jade com, peanut, sweet potato, arrowroot, ramie and vegetables, among others. High-value
ops like cassava, sweet potato, radish also aid in crop diversification

1k is therefore high time that an alternative source of income such as root erops should be
developed in the Region that will provide higher profitability and stability in production.

In view of the foregoing, immediate passage of this bill is eamestly sought

FERNANDO T. CABREDO



Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Quezon City

EIGHTEENTH CONGRESS
Second Regular Session

Introduced by HON. FERNANDO T. CABREDO-

ANACT
DEVELOPING THE ROOT CROPS INDUSTRY IN THE BICOL REGION,
CREATING FOR THE PURPOSE THE ROOT CROPS RESEARCH AND
DEVELOPMENT CENTER AND THE ROOT CROPS SUBSIDY FUND, AND
APPROPRIATING FUNDS THEREFOR

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 “
Development Center in the Bicol Region Act”

Loot Crops Research and

SECTION 2. Declaration of Policy. - It is hereby declared the policy of the State to
promote, support, and strengthen the root crops industry in the Bicol Region, thus providing
livelinood opportunities to root crops farmers in the Region.

SECTION 3. Creation of the Root Crops Research and Development Center. -
Within a year from the approval of this Act, there shall be established the Root Crops Research
and Development Center in the City of Ligao, Province of Albay. The Center shall be attached to
the Bicol University

SECTION 4, Functions of the Root Crops Research and Development Center, - The
Root Crops Research and Development Center shall perform the following functions and duties

a Undertake and conduct research and technical studies on the development,
production, management, marketing and promotion of root crops and its by-products,


bb Publish research studies, papers, articles, and other works or writings on root crops on
‘a regular basis for the benefit of root crops farmers and other stakeholders

nationwide.

Provide technical assistance and support to root crops farmers and producers and
other stakeholders in the Bicol Region,

4. Develop improved production and harvesting techniques and effective cropping
systems for root crops,

© Develop high yielding, good quality, and pest resistant varieties of sweet potato,
cassava, gabi, and other root crops,

{Train faculty members and other research personnel who will undertake research and
development work on root crops,

& Develop a Root Crops Development Roadmap / Program:
Provide and develop marketing tools for root crops and its by-products,
Establish standards in grading, sampling and inspection, tests and analysis,

specifications, packaging, preservation, conservation, and transportation of roo! crops
and its by-products,

}} Coordinate with the Department of Agriculture (DA), Department of Trade and
Industry (DT), Department of Science and technology (DOST), Department of
Environment and Natural Resources (DEN), the Bicol University, local government
nits, other concerned government agencies, and other stakeholders in order to
Consolidate all policies, programs, and projects on root crops research and

development, and

xk Perform such other functions and duties necessary or incidental to the promotion and
development of the root crops industry

SECTION § Root Crops Subsidy Fund, - There is hereby created a Root Crops

Subsidy Fund that shall be used to financially support the root crops industry in the Bicol
Rewion, The fund shall be directly and exclusively used for

‘4 Root crops planting and cultivation,
b. Research and technical studies, and

<¢_ Skills raining and capital development for the oot erops industry.


SECTION 6. Implementing Rules and Regulations. - The DA and DENR, in
<allaboration with DTL. DOST, and the Bicol Univesity, shall issue and promulgate the
recessary rules and regulations to implement the provisions of the Act.

SECTION 7. Appropriations. - For effective implementation ofthis Act, the amount of
Two Haired Million Pesos (Php 200,000,000.00) is hereby appropriated frm the curent and
annual budgetary allocations of the DA, fly percent (50%) of which shall serve as the initial
aint for the Root Crops Subsidy Fund under Section $ of this Act, Thereafter. such sums ss
aie he necessary for its continued implementation shall be included inthe annual budget of the

DA and under the General Appropriations Act.

Jaws, decrees, executive issuances, rules and

SECTION 8 Repealing Clause. - All
the provisions of this Act are hereby deemed

regulations or parts thereof inconsistent with
repealed, amended or modified accordingly

‘This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after its

SECTION 9. Effectivity Clause. -
of general circulation,

publication in the Official Gazette or in at least wo (2) newspapers

Approved,