Republic of the Philippines <5 : <
House of Representatives ZINDEX?

Constitution Hills, Batasan Complex, Quezon City

EIGHTEENTH CONGRESS
First Regular Session

House Bill No.__6429

Introduced by ALFEL M. BASCUG, Representative,
1ST Legislative District of Agusan del Sur.

“AN ACT ESTABLISHING CACAO RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT
CENTER IN THE MUNICIPALITY OF PROSPERIDAD, PROVINCE OF
AGUSAN DEL SUR AND APPROPRIATING FUNDS THEREFOR”

Explanatory Note

Agusan del Sur aims to help its small-time cacao farmers in the
Province to develop potential mechanisms in the growing cacao
industry. Henceforth, a Cacao Research and Development Center is
envisioned by the Province of Agusan del Sur in order to support the
thriving cacao communities and transform and empower them for
sustainable cocoa farming and livelihood.

While Agusan del Sur is still a protegee in cacao farming, the
province's rich agricultural lands made it suitable for cacao cultural
management with regards to soil requirement, propagation and climatic
requirement. More so, it is worthy to note that the neighboring Davao
Region which is the top-producer of cacao products is a key factor for
this envisioned program. It would be more accessible to small-time
cacao farmers in Agusan del Sur to tap the largest-producing cacao
region of Davao. True, the world demand situation today for cacao is in

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dire need in the sects of manufacturing, pharmaceutical and cosmetics
Hence, an establishment of a research and development center is a
helpful tool for Agusanon cacao farmers to develop real potentials of
cacao which can significantly and subsequently contribute to poverty
alleviation through livelihood and job generation among the people at
large.

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

ALFEL M. paar

v


Republic of the Philippines
House of Representatives
Constitution Hills, Batasan Complex, Quezon City

EIGHTEENTH CONGRESS
First Regular Session

House Bill No. Gee

Introduced by ALFEL M. BASCUG, Representative,
18" Legislative District of Agusan del Sur.

“AN ACT ESTABLISHING CACAO RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT
CENTER IN THE MUNICIPALITY OF PROSPERIDAD, PROVINCE OF
AGUSAN DEL SUR AND APPROPRIATING FUNDS THEREFOR”

Be it enacted by the Senate and the House of Representatives of
the Philippines in Congress assembled:

SECTION 1. There shall be established, under the supervision of
the Department of Agriculture-Bureau of Agricultural Research (DA-
BAR), Department of Science and Technology (DOST) a cacao research
and development center in the municipality of Prosperidad, Province of
Agusan del Sur.

SECTION 2. The Secretary of Agriculture shall include in the
Department's programs the establishment of the cacao research and
development center, the funding of which shall be included in the annual
General Appropriations Act. The local government of Prosperidad shall
set aside funds from any available local revenue in an amount deemed
appropriate for the operationalization of the center.

SECTION 3. Within sixty (60) days from the passage of this Act,

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the Secretary of Agriculture, through the Bureau of Agricultural Research
and the Secretary of Science and Technology shall issue rules and
regulations necessary to carry out the purposes of this Act.

SECTION 4. This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after its
publication in the Official Gazette or in a newspaper of general
circulation.

Approved,