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

EIGHTEENTH CONGRESS
First Regular Session

House Bill Nae 143

INTRODUCED BY TGP PARTY-LIST REP. JOSE “BONG” J. TEVES, JR.

“AN ACT DECLARING THE PROVINCE OF CATANDUANES AS THE ABACA.
CAPITAL OF THE PHILIPPINES”

EXPLANATORY NOTE

This bill seeks to declare the province of Catanduanes as the Abaca Capital of the
Philippines, giving the province its proper title by being the largest producer of Abaca fiber in
the country. According to the data released by the Philippine Fiber Industry Development
Authority (PHILFIDA) in 2019, Catanduanes remained the top producer of the natural fiber in

the entire country.

Considering Catanduanes as the top producer of Abaca product in the Philippines, it
highly contributed in the standing of the country as the world’s largest producer of Abaca,
supplying 87% of the world’s requirement in natural fiber.

Abaca ig also considered as the primary product of Catanduanes as the Catandunganons
are widely known in producing high quality fibers which are patronized not only in the
Philippines but also internationally. In fact, the province is celebrating every fourth week of
May of every year the Catanduanes Abaca Festival.


‘The main [source of livelihood of the greater population living in Catanduanes is
farming and production of Abaca, which constitutes 12,679 Abaca farmers of total 33,097
hectares of Abaca lands in eleven (11) Abaca-producing municipalities.

Being a native of Catanduanes, a former three-term mayor of the municipality of Baras
in the province of Catanduanes, and vice governor of the same province, the objective of this

bill is important to us all Catandunganons.

In the 17 Congress, a similar bill (House Bill No. 8282) was already passed on third
reading in this august chamber which was authored by Representative Cesar V. Sarmiento;
however, it was not acted upon in the Senate,

Given that House Bill No. 8282 was already passed on 3 reading in 17* Congress,

which is similar to this bill, this representation seeks the immediate passq iis bill.

Representatives
‘TGP Partylist


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

EIGHTEENTH CONGRESS
First Regular Session

6149

House Bill No.

INTRODUCED BY TGP PARTY-LIST REP. JOSE “BONG” J. TEVES, JR.

“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 Philippines in

Congress assembled:

SECTION 1. - Section 1, Article XII of the 1987 Philippine Constitution 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, which are competitive in both domestic and foreign markets.

Towards this end, the State hereby recognizes the importance of Abaca as driver of
rural development not only because of its singular potential as a raw material of various
products that can increase the country’s export earnings tremendously, but for having provided
livelihood to many small farmers in the countryside, especially in the province of Catanduanes.

SECTION 2. - In recognition of its status as the country’s biggest producer of Abaca
and its vital contribution in making the Philippines the largest producer of Abaca fiber by
supplying 87% of the world’s Abaca requirement, the province of Catanduanes is hereby
declared the Abaca Capital of the Philippines.


SECTION 3. - This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days following its publication in

the Official Gazette or in a newspaper of general circulation.

Approved,