§J, \'11 Zl h' 
HiHh; f tlt tlli :r~fn rbr\t 
SIXTEENTH CONGRESS OF THE 
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES 
First Regular Session 
) 
) 
) 
'13 
JUL 1 B P 1 :50 
SENATE 
S, No. _9_1.6 
Introduced by Sen. A!1tonio "Sollny" F. Tl'illanes IV 
---------------~~~ 
Explanatory Note 
This bill seeks the creation of the Philippines Bamboo and Rattan Center (PBRC). 
The creation of this Center will boost the efforts towards the development of the bamboo and 
rattan industry which is expected to eventually contribute to the growth of the Philippine 
economy for its high potentials of generating additional revenues lor our fam1ers and processors. 
Said Center aims, among others, to promote bamboo and rattan as sources of food, furniture, 
light construction materials and other industrial products; to enable the farmers to avail 
themselves of high quality bamboo and rattan planting stocks at all times and at reasonable 
prices; to undertake training programs for fanners on the proper establishment procedure of 
bamboo and rattan plantations and its efficient processing thereafter; to encourage small farm 
owners to engage in bamboo and rattan plantation development and processing business; to 
undertake research activities in all disciplines leading to the improvement of the over-all 
productivity, of the bamboo and rattan. 
In sum, the Philippine Bamboo and Rattan Center (PBRC) shall pnorttlze to increase the 
productivity and efficiency of the bamboo and rattan plantations through employing the 
socioeconomic researches that ensure economic viability and the development of appropriate 
technologies that are cost-effective, simple and practical for the industry. With this bill, the 
implementation of a bamboo and rattan distribution and propagation program to primarily benefit 
the smallholder farmers will be facilitated while the fanner-participants will be encouraged to 
establish strong farmer's associations or cooperatives to serve as focal point for government 
assistance in this industry. 
In view of the foregoing, the approval of this measure is eamestly requested. 
ANESIV 
Senator 
1 


SIXTEENTH CONGRESS OF THE 
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES 
First Regular Session 
) 
) 
) 
SENATE 
S.No. 916 
£'l'l1arr 
ji}HI;f \If Hl,1 ~n'n'hlr~ 
'13 
JUL 18 P 1 :so 
(tEe 
\ U) By:-r, 
_______ ---'=In:;..t'-rc:..oduced by Sen. Antonio "Sonny" F. Trillanes IV _______ _ 
"""~ ~;; 
AN ACT 
PROPOSING THE CREATION OF THE PHILIPPINE BAMBOO AND RATTAN 
CENTER (PBRC) TO CONSER4
E, PROPAGATE AND PROMOTE BAMBOO AND 
RATTAN SPECIES 
Be it enacted by the Senate and the House of Representatives of the Philippines in 
Congress assembled: 
1 
SECTION 1. Title.- This Act shall be known as the "Bamboo and Rattan Act of 2013 ". 
2 
3 
SEC. 2. Declaratioll of Policy.- The Constitution provides that the State shall develop a 
4 
self-reliant and independent national economy effectively controlled by Filipinos. It also 
5 
provides that the State shall support indigenous, appropriate and self-reliant scientific and 
6 
technological capabilities, and their application to the country's productive systems and national 
7 
life. Towards this end, the State shall establish various programs to conserve, propagate and 
8 
promote bamboo and rattan as sources of food, furniture and light constnlction materials. 
9 
10 
SEC. 3. Definition of Terms.- As used in this Act, the following telms shall mean: 
11 
a) "Bamboo and Rattan Center" refers to the Philippine National Banlboo and Rattan Center at 
12 
the Pampanga Agricultural College in Magalang, Pampanga, the other bamboo and rattan centers 
13 
in Luzon, Visayas and Mindanao, and those that will be created pursuant to the enactment ofthis 
14 
Act; 
15 
b) "Rattan" refers to all members of the climbing palm belonging to Subfamily Calamoideae of 
16 
the Family Palmae or Arecaceae; 
17 
c) "Bamboo" refers to all members of the tall or shmbby grasses with woody culms under the 
18 
Subfamily Bambusoideae of the Family Graminae or Poaceae; 
1 


1 
d) "Smallholder Farmer" refers to a farmer owning or cultivating a farmland of less than or equal 
2 
to five (5) hectares; 
3 
e) "Semi-Commercial Production" refers to a farmer owning or cultivating a t1mnland of more 
4 
than five (5) hectares. 
5 
6 
SEC. 4. Creation of the Philippine Bamboo and Rattan Center.- There is hereby created 
7 
a Philippine Bamboo and Rattan Center, hereinafter referred to as the PBRC, which shall be 
8 
under the supervision and control of the Department of Agticulture. 
9 
10 
SEC. 5. Powers and Functions of the PBRC.- The pBRC shall have the following 
11 
powers and functions: 
12 
a) Conserve, propagate and promote bamboo and rattan as sources of food, furniture and light 
13 
construction materials and other industrial products; 
14 
b) Enable the fmmers, particularly smallholder farmers and CARP beneficiaries to avail 
15 
themselves of high quality bamboo and rattan planting stocks at all times and at reasonable 
16 
prices through an organized program of propagation, breeding, training and distribution; 
17 
c) Undertake training programs for farmers, particularly smallholder farn1ers wd CARP 
18 
beneficiaries, designed to transfer technology on the proper processing of bamboo and rattan 
19 
products; 
20 
d) Encourage small fanns owners to engage in bamboo wd rattan plantation development and 
21 
processing business to improve their living conditions; 
22 
e) Undertake research activities in all disciplines that lead to the improvement of the over-all 
23 
productivity of the bamboo and rattan; 
24 
f) Increase the existing plantation of bamboo and rattan to keep with human population growth; 
25 
and 
26 
g) Enter into memoranda of agreement and receive donations through the Department of 
27 
Agriculture from local and foreigt1 sources. Upon the recommendation of the pBRC Advisory 
28 
Board, the individual bamboo and rattan centers may enter into agreements directly with funding 
29 
agencies through their respective board of regents of head of agency. 
2 


1 
SEC. 6. Priorities.- The PBRC shall give priority to the following activities: 
2 
a) Expand bamboo and rattan plantations and improve them per unit area productivity; 
3 
b) Development of bamboo and rattan plantation establishment procedure for backyard and semi-
4 
commercial production, improving planting materials production efficiency, physiology and 
5 
schemes to reduce losses caused by pests and diseases; 
6 
c) Propagation, breeding, site species matching and plant nutrition; 
7 
d) Socio-economic researches to ensure economic viability and acceptance of technology by 
8 
fanners; and 
9 
e) Development of appropriate technologies that are cost-effective, simple and practical. At least 
10 
five (5) hectares bamboo selum and five (5) hectares rattan gene bank shall be established by 
11 
each bamboo and rattan center to ensure the preservation of the existing bamboo and rattan 
12 
genetic materials in the Philippines and provide option to the farmerso 
13 
14 
SEC. 7. PBRC Advisory Board.- The PBRC Advisory Board shall be composed of the 
15 
following: 
16 
a) Secretary of the Department of Agriculture or his representative, as Chairman; 
17 
b) Undersecretary for Regional Operations, Department of Agriculture, as Vice Chainnan; 
18 
c) Executive Director, Philippine Council for Agricnlture, Forestry and Natural Resources, 
19 
Research and Development (PCARRD); 
20 
d) Director, Bureau of Agricultural Research, Department of Agticulture; 
21 
e) President of the Pampanga Agt°icultural College (PAC) in Magalang, Pampanga; Chancellor 
22 
of the UP Los Banos (UPLB) in Laguna; and the Presidents of Tarlac College of Agriculture 
23 
(TCA) in Camiling; Tarlac; Ramon Magsaysay Technological University (RMTU) in San 
24 
Marcelino, Zambales; Mariano Marcos State University (MMSU) in Batac, IIocos norte; Leyte 
25 
State University (LSU) in Baybay, Leyte; West Visayas State University (WVSU) in Iloilo; 
26 
Central Mindanao University (CMSU) in Bukidnon; Sultan Kudarat Polytechnic College 
27 
(SKPSC) in Tacurong, Sultan Kudarat; and Western Philippine University (WPU) in Aborlan, 
28 
Palawan; andothe president of the state college or university where a rattan and bamboo center 
29 
may be established pursuant to this Act; 
3 


1 
t) Director ofthe Bureau of Plant Industry; 
2 
g) Ecosystem Research and Development Bureau; 
3 
h) Executive Director ofpBRe; and 
4 
(i) Farmers' representative to be appointed by the Board. 
S 
6 
SEC. 8. Functions of the PBRC Advisory Board.· The PBRC Advisory Board shall 
7 
perform the following functions: 
8 
a) Formulate policies, programs, and projects for the development of the bamboo and rattan 
9 
industry; 
10 
b) Review and recommend the annual budget of the PBRC; 
11 
c) Evaluate the implementation, efficiency, and effectiveness of the programs and projects of the 
12 
PBRC; and 
13 
d) Recommend the establishment or abolition of bamboo and rattan centers as may be deemed 
14 
necessary. 
15 
16 
SEC. 9. Executive Director of the PBRC.- The Executive Director of the PBRC shall be 
17 
appointed by the Secretary of the Department of Agriculture. The Executive Director of the 
18 
PBRC shall perform the following functions: 
19 
a) Oversee the implementation of the policies, programs, and projects ofthe PBRC; 
20 
b) Assist the PBRC Advisory Board in the review, evalnation and monitoring of the Bamboo and 
21 
Rattan Program; and 
22 
c) Perform such other functions as may be assigned by the PBRC Advisory Board. 
23 
24 
SEC. to. Appointment of Directors or Center Chiefs of Other Bamboo and Rattan 
25 
Center~~- The Directors or Center Chiefs of other bamboo and rattan centers shall be appointed 
26 
by the respective board of regents or head of agency. 
4 


1 
SEC. 11. Functions oj the Directors or Center Chiej~' oj Other Bamboo and Rattan 
2 
Centers.- Subject to the policies of the PBRC, the Directors or Center Chiefs of other bamboo 
3 
and rattaIl centers shall perform the following functions: 
4 
a) Administer the policies, programs, and projects of the PBRC in their respective centers and 
5 
areas of responsibility; 
6 
b) Recommend the creation of divisions and sections including the staffing pattern of the centers; 
7 
c) Prepare the annual budget of their centers; 
8 
d) Approve the expenditures of their respective budgets; 
9 
e) Recommend to their respective heads of ageney the appointment of personnel or consultants; 
10 
f) Recommend policies, programs, and projects to the Executive Director of the PBRC; and 
11 
g) Perform such other fimctions as may be assigJiled by the Executive Director of the PBRC, 
12 
13 
SEC. 12. Implementation and Coordination oj the Program.- The PBRC Advisory 
14 
Board through the Executive Director shall coordinate, monitor, and evaluate the implementation 
15 
of the bamboo and rattan programs, It shall identity, through the Directors of bamboo aIld rattan 
16 
centers aIld Center Chiefs from the varions implementing stations, the programs and projects in 
17 
the aI'eas of propagation, breeding, distribution, soil requirement plant nutrition, and processing 
18 
of bamboo and rattan raw materiaL It shall fonnniate strategies relative to the propagation and 
19 
distribution cif the bamboo and rattan, Luzon, Visayas, and Mindanao shall initially have a total 
20 
of ten (10) bamboo and rattaIl centers. The centers in Luzon shall be located at Pampanga 
21 
Agricultural College (PAC) in Magalang, Prunpanga; UP Los Banos (UPLB) in Laguna; Tarlac 
22 
College of Agriculture (TA) in Camiling, Tarlac; Ramon Magsaysay Technological University 
23 
(RMTU) in San Marcelino, Zambales; Mariano Marcos State University (MMSU) in Ilocos 
24 
Norte. The centers in Visayas shall be at Leyte Sate University (LSU) in Baybay, Leyter; and 
25 
West Visayas State University (WVSU) in Iloilo. The centers in Mindanao shall be at Central 
26 
Mindanao University (CMU) in Bukidnon; Sultan Kudarat Polytechnic State College (SKPSC) 
27 
in Tacurong, Sultan Kudarat; aIld Western Philippine State University (WPSU) in Aborlan, 
28 
Palawan. These centers shall specialize -in the development of technology on propagation, 
5 


1 
breeding, plant nutrition, site species matching, and processing of bamboo and rattan raw 
2 
materials. 
3 
4 
SEC. 13. Farmer's Participation.- The farmer-participants shall be encouraged to 
5 
establish strong farmers' association or cooperatives to serve as focal point for government 
6 
assistance in the propagation and distribution of bamboo and rattan and the dissemination of 
7 
technology on bamboo and rattan. 
8 
9 
SEC. 14. Benejiciaries.- The beneficiaries of the CARP and other smallholder farmers 
10 
shall be given priority in the bamboo and rattan distribution program. 
11 
12 
SEC. 15. Participation of the Department of Agriculture and Local Government Units.-
13 
The bamboo and rattan centers, the regional and provincial offices of the Department of 
14 
Agriculture, specifically the Bureau of Plant Industry, and the local government units shall 
15 
implement a bamboo and rattan distribution and propagation program within their respective 
16 
areas in accordance with the national policy and program of the pBRC. The PBRC shall adopt a 
17 
national dispersal program to primarily benefit the smallholder farmers and CARP beneficiaries. 
18 
Any income from the sale ofbmnboo and rattan shall be placed in a revolving fund to be used in 
19 
the propagation and distribution of bamboo and rattan. 
20 
21 
SEC. 16. Use ofFunds.- Not more than filly percent (50%) of funds allocated under this 
22 
Act and in subsequent annual appropriations shall be used for personal services, and maintenance 
23 
and operating expenses, ten percent (10%) for research and development, forty percent (40%) for 
24 
bamboo and rattan dispersal and distribution. All income generated by the PBRC, as well as 
25 
donations, shall be used to augment the budget of the center with an annual expenditure .program 
26 
to be recommended mld approved by the Board. The Office of the President, through P AGCOR, 
27 
shall also allocate 1'50 million yearly for Bamboo and Rattan Processing and entrepreneurship 
28 
assistance to fannersl!,,'l'Owers; bamboo processors and for research/development and extension 
29 
activities. 
6 


1 
SEC. 17. Annual Report - The PBRC shall submit an annual report to the Office of the 
2 
President, the Senate, and the House of Representatives indicating among others hectarage of 
3 
established bamboo and rattan plantations, the number of bamboo and rattan distributed, and the 
4 
names of the beneficiaries. 
5 
6 
SEC. 18. Transfer of Bamboo and Rattan Programs to the PBRC.- Upon approval of 
7 
(his Bill, the extending Bamboo and Rattan programs and projects implemented by various 
8 
agencies shall be transferred to the PBRC. 
9 
10 
SEC. 19. Appropriation.- The amount necessary to carry out the provisions of this Act 
11 
shall be included in the General Appropriations Ac( of (he year following its enactment into law 
12 
thereafter. 
13 
14 
SEC. 20. SeparabiUty Clause. - If any part, section, or provision of this Act shall be held 
15 
invalid or unconstitutional, the rest of the provisions shall not be affected thereby. 
16 
17 
SEC. 21. Repealing Clause.- All laws, executive orders, rules and regulations, or pm1s 
18 
thereof which are inconsistent with this Act are hereby repealed or modified accordingly: 
19 
Provided, however, That nothing in this Act shall amend, modify or repeal the provision of 
20 
Republic Act No. 160, othe!Wise known as the Local Government Code. 
21 
22 
SEC. 22. Effectivity.- This Act shall take effect fifteen (IS) days TI'Om the date of its 
23 
publication in the Official Gazette or in at least two (2) newspapers of general circulation. 
Approved, 
7 


1 
7) Gym area, to include parallel bars, mtrror, weights and assistive devices (canes, 
2 
crutches and walker); 
3 
8) Evaluation tools; 
4 
9) Adequate utilities (water, electricity and consumables); 
5 
10) First aid kit with basic CPR equipment. 
6 
c) A secondary Rehabilitation Medicine facility shall have the following: 
7 
I) At least one PBRM Board certified physiatrist; 
8 
2) At least one licensed Physical therapist and Occupational therapist; 
9 
3) Rehabilitation Medicine Consultation and Management, Physical Therapy and 
10 
Occupational Therapy services; 
11 
4) Compliance with the primary category set-up plus deep heating modality, manual 
12 
traction and therapeutic exercise equipment for the gym area. 
13 
d) A tertiary Rehabilitation Medicine facility shall have the following: 
14 
1) At least one PBRM Board certified physiatrist; 
15 
2) At least one licensed Physical therapist and Occupational therapist; 
16 
3) Rehabilitation Medicine Consultation and Management, Physical, Occupational 
17 
Therapy, Prosthetist/Orthotist in house or referral services, speech therapy in house or referral 
18 
services; 
19 
4) Compliance with the secondary category set-up and equipment, with additional two 
20 
superficial heating modalities, medium frequency modality, mechanized traction, ultraviolet or 
21 
cold laser intermittent compression unit, 1nechanized intermittent traction and tilt table with 
22 
additional gym equipment; 
23 
5) A Training/Service and Research facility, which shall fulfill all the requirements as a 
24 
residency training institution in accordance with PBRM guidelines; 
25 
6) A specialized facility which should cater to subspecialty conditions in Rehabilitation Medicine 
26 
(Cardiac, Pain, Pediatric, Pulmonary, Sports, among others) shall be hospital-based facility with 
27 
a multi-disciplinary set-up. 
8 


1 
SEC. 10. Management (lnd Operation of a Rehabilitation Medicine Facility.- A 
2 
Rehabilitation Medicine Facility shall be headed by a Rehabilitation Medicine specialist who is 
3 
either a Philippine Board of Rehabilitation Medicine Certified or Eligible Rehabilitation 
4 
Medicine specialist who must assume technical and administrative supervision and control of the 
5 
activities in the said facility. An adequate and effective system of documentation, recording and 
6 
records keeping must be maintained for all consultations and services in the facility. The rates for 
7 
consultation and services shall be in accordance with the standards of the Philippine Medical 
8 
Association and PhilHealth. 
9 
10 
SEC. 11. Application for Registration and Issuance of License.- Applications for 
11 
registration and issuance of a license shall be filed by the owner or his duly authorized 
12 
representative with the DOH-Bureau of Health Facilities and Services together with an 
13 
Information sheet to be filled up by the physiatrist-in-charge. Upon receipt of the said application 
14 
together with the license fee, a technical committee team will inspect the facility within sixty 
15 
(60) days. Certificates of licenses shall be issued and approved by the Head of the Bureau of 
16 
Health Facilities and Services. A provisional license may be granted to facilities with insufficient 
17 
requirements for special cases for a period of one (J) year. 
18 
19 
SEC. 12. Terms and Validity of License.- The license to operate will only be valid for a 
20 
period of two (2) years. Application for renewal of the license shan be made during the last six 
21 
(6) months of validity. The license must be placed in a conspicuous place within the facility. A 
22 
copy of the' rules and regulations should also be readily available. Upon violation of the 
23 
standards provided, a license may be revoked. Investigation of all charges or complaints against 
24 
a Rehabilitation Medicine facility or any of its personnel shan be made to the PBRM (when 
25 
complaint is against the physiatrist) and to the Department of Health- Bureau of Healfh Facilities 
26 
and Services for appropriate investigation. 
27 
28 
SEC. 13. Penalties. - Any person, partnership, association, or corporation who 
29 
establishes, operates, conducts, manages or maintains a rehabilitation medicine facility within the 
9 


1 
meaning of this Act without first obtaining a license or violates any provision of this Act or its 
2 
Implementing Rules and Regulations shall be liable to a fine of n~t less than Twenty Thousand 
3 
Pesos (P20,000.00) but not to exceed Fifty Thousand Pesos (P50,000.00) for the first offense, 
4 
and not less than Fifty Thousand Pesos (PSO,OOO.OO) but not to exceed One Hundred Thousand 
5 
Pesos (P I 00,000.00) for the second offense, and not less than One Hundred Thousand Pesos 
6 
(PlOO,OOO.OO), but not to exceed Two Hundred Thousand Pesos (P200,OOO.OO) for the third and 
7 
each subsequent offense. Each day that a facility or other related facility shall operate after the 
8 
first violation shall be considered a subsequent offense. In addition to the penalties specified in 
9 
the preceding paragraph, the Bureau, upon the approval of (he Secretary, may summarily order 
10 
the closure of any rehabilitation medicine facility found operating without a license. 
11 
12 
SEC 14. Implementing Rules and Regulations (IRR).- To implement the provisions of 
13 
this Act, the Department of Health - Bureau of Health Facilities and Services (DOH-Bl-Il~S), in 
14 
coordination with the national professional organization duly recognized by the Professional 
15 
Regulation Commission, shall promulgate the rules and rel,'lliations, including the technical 
16 
standards and requirements for the registration, operation and maintenance of rehabilitation 
17 
medicine facilities, within ninety (90) days after the effectivity of this Ac(. 
18 
19 
SEC. 15. Separability Clause.- If any part or provision of the Act shall be held 
20 
unconstitutional or invalid, other provisions hereof which are not affected hereby shall continue 
21 
to be in full force and effect. 
22 
23 
SEC. 16. Repealing Clause.- All laws, decrees, rules and regulations inconsistent with 
24 
the provision ofthis Act are hereby repealed or modified accordingly. 
25 
26 
SEC. 17. Effectivity.- This shall take effect after fifteen (15) days from its publication in 
27 
two (2) national newspapers of general circulation. 
Approved, 
10