SIXTEENTH CONGRESS OF THE 
) 
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES ) 
First Regular Session 
) 
"'13 
JUL HJ 
F'1 :;6 
SENATE 
S. NO. ---,9",--0""-,,,-4_ 
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Introduced by Senator Antonio "Sonny" F. Trillanes IV 
EXPLANATORY NOTE 
Banana and platains are grown in every humid tropical region. Being the fourth (4th) largest food 
crop, this fruit constitutes a vital role for the household food security and is the mainstay in the 
crop production of one hundred thirty (130) developing economies particularly for small and 
marginalized fanners worldwide. 
In the country, banana, is an important dollar-earning export crop. The Philippines has the 
biggest hectarage of banana plantations (about 339,196 hectares) in the Asian region, 80% of 
which are owned by small fanners. In tenns of trade, the country is the fifth largest exporter of 
banana with 1.1 million metric tons total export yearly. It is the only Asian country among the 
world's top 10 banana suppliers and dominates the Japanese market.' The Philippines contributed 
with almost 10% of the world supply in years 1996-2005. Two-thirds of the "bananas exported are 
grown in Mindanao Island. The country is also the main world exporter of banana chips and the 
demand is increasing. Chips are exported to 30 countries with US and EU being the major 
importers.2 
Senator 
l BAR, UNDP link up to preserve Philippine endemiC crops. InformatlOn retrieved from httruilw:ww baq.'QY-JlhL£,Ill:nTllck:hv..nl.l::/afJ:;h~y.(;'.s.: 
1ls.tl3fi.3.:.1lliI..Lru:2Jlll!i:-lsBlr..LZ.111.:!Ja r-llll.dn:-link -up-to-n rcse I've-phil IDlllllc-endenllc-crons. on 6/25/ ZO 13. 
2 Banana: Postharvest Situationel', Information retneved from httn;.U..www ..... n.bJlfnech.gov.ph/t.lhm.ilil.1t.1:JlLllilllnna.htmon 6/25/2013. 


SIXTEENTH CONGRESS OF THE 
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES 
First Regular Session 
) 
) 
) 
SENATE 
904 
S.NO. ___ _ 
L 
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Introduced by Senator Antonio "Sonny" F. Trillanes IV 
AN ACT 
TO ESTABLISH THE NATIONAL RESEARCH, nEVELOPMENT ANn EXTENSION 
CENTER FOR UANANA, AUTHORIZING THE APPROPRIATION OF FUNDS 
THEREFOR, ANn FOR OTHER PURPOSES 
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the Philippines in Congress 
assembled: 
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SECTION 1. The National Research Center for Banana (hereinafter referred to as 
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NRDECB) which shall be based in the University of Southeastern Philippines (USEP) in Davao 
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City, is hereby established. 
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SEC. 2. The Center shall have the following general powers and functions in line with 
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the research, development and extension programs of the Department of Agriculture ~ Bureau of 
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Agricultural Research (DA-BAR), Department of Science and technology (DOST), Department 
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of Trade and Industry (DTI), National Economic and Development Authority (NED A) and 
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USEP: 
lOa. Educate and train all stakeholders of the banana industry; 
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b. To undertake basic and strategic research for developing technologies to enhance 
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productivity and utilization of banana; 
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c. To develop improved cultivars through traditional and biotechnological methods and 
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conserve the diversity; 
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d. To serve as national repository of gerniplasm and information related to banana and 
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plantain and also disseminate the knowledge for production and productivity; 
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e. To provide leadership and coordinate the network research for generating location 
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specific varieties, technology and for :lolving specific constraints of banana and plantain 
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production; and 
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f. To collaborate with relevant national and international agencies in achieving the above 
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objectives. 
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SEC. 3. The Center shall have the specific powers and functions: 
lOa. Develop productive, high yielding, good quality varieties of banana; 
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b. Develop efficient, economic and productive banana production technologies; 
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c. Develop effective and sound banana processing technologies for outstanding varieties 
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of banana; 
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d. Develop effective production systems for all banana varieties; 
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e. Establish and maintain germplasm collection and gene bank for banana; 
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f. 
Develop effective and efficient marketing systems for banana; 
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g. Evolve productive banana-based farming systems; 
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h. Develop and implement appropriate and suitable technology packages and effective 
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technology transfer schemes, especially the conduct of training programs; 
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i. Upgrade the skills of development facilitators, estensionists and farmers through . 
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trainings, seminars and workshop on banana production and postharvest handling and 
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processing; 
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j. Establish national and international linkages for banana research, development, 
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extension and production activities; and 
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k. Coordinate with other government/non-government agencies involved in the 
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development of banana industry. 
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SEC. 4. The Center shall be headed by an Executive Director who shall be responsible 
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for !he planning, implementation, and supervision of the Center's program of activities. The 
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Executive Director: 
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a. Must have completed substantial and relevant education and experience on banana 
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research and development; and 
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b. Must be of good moral character and has not been involved in a legal case involving 
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moral turpitude. 
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All other officers and employees of the Center shall be appointed by the Executive 
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Direct~r consistent with the pr()visions of the Civil Service laws, rules and regulations. 
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SEC. 5. The plans and programs of the Center shall be reviewed annually by the 
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Advisory Board which shall be composed of: 
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a. The Secretary of the Department of Agriculture as Chairman; 
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b. The University President of the University of Southeastern Philippines as Vice 
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Chairman; 
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c. The Secretary of the Departml~nt of Trade and Industry as member; 
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d. One (1) representative from a non governmental organization (NOO) working on 
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banana production, research and development and processing; 
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e. One (1) representative from the group of banana traders; 
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f.' One (1) representative from the group of banana processors; and 
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g. One (1) representative from the group of banana growers. 
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SEC. 6. The presence of at least five (5) members at the time of the meeting shall 
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constitute the quorum: Provided, however, That the Chairman, in his absence, the Vice 
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Chairman shaH preside. 
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SEC. 7. The Center is hereby authorized to plan, construct, develop, improve, acquire, or 
lease buildings, farms, fields and other facilities, to purchase machineries, equipment, materials 
and supplies locally or abroad as may be necessary to carry out its functions and objectives. 
Moreover, the Center shall enjoy exemption from taxes and other duties in the importation of 
such machineries, development and extension programs, subject to the provisions of Section 
105(s) of the Tariff and Customs Code, Section 103(t) of the National Internal Revenue Code 
and to the provisions on Automatic Appropriations under the General Appropriations Act. 
SEC. 8. The main offic,es, experimental area and nursery of the Center shall be located at 
the University of Southeastern Philippines in Davao City. The Center may hereafter establish 
similar facilities in its other service areas in order to promote the development of the banana 
industry in the country. 
SEC 9. To carry out the provisions of this Act, the amount of two million pesos 
(P2,OOO,OOO.OO) is hereby appropriated from the funds of the National Treasury. Thereafter, such 
sums as may be necessary to maintain the operations of the Board shall be included in the 
General Appropriations Act. 
SEC. 10. Any and all savings and income of the Center shall constitute a revolving fund 
which shall not be reverted to the General Fund and which shall be used by the Center in the 
furtherance ofits goals and objectives. 
SEC. 11. Implementing Rules and Regulations. The Advisory, Board shall jointly 
promulgate rules and regulations to implement the provisions of this Act. 
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SEC. 12. Repealing Clause. All laws, decrees, orders, rules and regulations inconsistent 
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with or contrary to the provisions of this Act are hereby amended or repealed accordingly. 
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SEC. 13. Effectivity Clause. This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days following its 
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complete publication in the National Gazette or in at least two (2) newspapers of general 
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circulation, whichever comes earlier. 
Approved, 
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