Republic of the Philippines
House of Representatives
Quezon City
NINETEENTH CONGRESS
First Regular Session
House Bill No.
8487
.-.--------..-.--------------------I---------------------------------------------------------------------------.-..
Introduced by Representative Albert S. Garcia
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------I--
EXPLANATORY NOTE
This bill aims to address two challenges: the need to continuously protect public health
and  promote environmenta[Iy sustainable industries to help address climate challenge and the
lack of policy support to the domestic coconut industry.
The    current    climate    crisis    necessitates    industrial    transformation    anchored    on
contributing    to    environmental    sustainability.    The    country    must    continuously    look    for
opportunities to  help firms  and  relevant stakeholders  gradually shift to  more  environmentally
sustainable practices.
Moreover,  there  is a  need to provide  policy support to the domestic coconut industry.
The Philippines is one of the biggest producers of coconut in the world. However, the domestic
coconut   industry   remains   challenged   and   underdeveloped   due  to  several   domestic  and
international   economic   trends.   While   industry   stakeholders   will   play   a   crucial   in   role   in
addressing these challenges, the appropriate policy infrastructure is necessary to provide them
with the foundational support to achieve industry growth and development.
Finally, it is important to ensure that the public is informed through mandated labeling of
food products that will indicate the same are made from coconut or coconut-derived products.
This way, the consumers shall acquire better awareness of the vitamins or nutrients contained
in said products and ultimately lead to the promotion of public health.
This representation hopes that the policy solutions included in this bill will contribute to
addressing the aforementioned challenges.  In view of the foregoing, approval of this measure
is earnestly sought from my colleagues.
-de-----i----3-:::i--:


Republic of the Philippines
House of Representatives
Quezon City
NINETEENTH CONGRESS
First Regular Session
House Bill No. 8 4 8 7
---...---.------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------....-.---..---
Introduced by Representative Albert S. Garcia
--.-------------------------------------.-----------------------------------------------------------------.--..--.
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
13
14
15
16
17
18
19
20
21
22
23
24
25
26
27
28
29
30
31
AN ACT TO PROMOTE THE SUSTAINABLE USE OF COCONUT AND COCONUT-
DERIVED PRODUCTS IN THE PHILIPPINES
Be it en.a.ctpd by the Senate and the House of Representatives of the Philippines in Congress
assembled..
Section 1. Title. This Act shall be known as "Susfai.nab/e Coconut /ndustry Act. "
Section 2. Declaration of Policy. It is hereby declared the policy of the State to:
(a)   Protect and advance the constitutional right of the people to a balanced and healthful
ecology in accord with the rhythm and harmony of nature.
(b)   Promote the manufacture and use of environmentally sustainable products in order to
maintain the country's natural environment and conserve natural resources to support
the wellbeing of current and future generations.
(c)   Encourage more consumers and suppliers to patronize ecologically sustainable
coconut-derived products and coconut-based raw materials, which will create a
demand for these products and ultimately lead to the growth of the industry.
(d)   Provide policy support that will enable the coconut industry to become more sustainable
and  competitive  in  the  global  market,  thus  providing  opportunities  for the  industry to
grow and create more job opportunities for Filipinos.
(e)   Strengthen   the  demand  for  coconut-based   surfactants  that  will   help   create   new
opportunities  for  coconut  farmers  and  processors,  as  well  as  contribute  to  a  more
sustainable and healthy future for the Philippines.
(f)    Highlight the safe  and  healthy  use  of coconut-based  products through  environmental
product labeling which will eventually encourage more consumers and suppliers to use
coconut-based surfactants, a natural and sustainable alternative to synthetic and other
vegetable oil-derived surfactants.
Section 3. Definition of Terms. For the purpose of this Act, the following terms shall mean:
(a)  Coconut -  refers to the fruit of the  coconut  palm  (Cocos  nucifera  L.),  including  its
meat, water, milk, and other by-products.
2


1                      (b)  Coconut-derived   products  -  refer  to   products  made  from   coconut  and   its  by-
2                               products,  including  but  not  limited  to  coconut  oil,  coconut  cream,  coconut  flour,
3                              coconut sugar, and coconut water.
4                      (c)   Surfactants  -refer to  surface-active  agents  that  are  commonly  used  in  cleaning
5                             products such as detergents, soaps, and shampoos.
6       Section  4.  Detergent/Surfactant  Requirements.  All  manufacturers  of soap  and  detergent
7        surfactants in the philippines shall  be subject to a rationalization program  requiring  increasing
8       local content in the usage of coconut oil to a  minimum of20°/o the first year, 40% the second
9       year,  up to a minimum of60% forthe third year and thereafter in their formulation.
10
11        Section 5. Labeling. All manufacturers offood products made from coconut or coconut-derived
12        products  shall  indicate  on  their  product  label  any  particular vitamin  or  nutrient  that will  be  of
13        benefit  to  public  health  and  environment  as  assessed  or  certified  by  the  Food  and  Drug
14       Authority  (FDA)  and  DENR,  in  addition  to  complying  with  the  requirements  set  forth  in  the
15        Consumer protection Act.
16
Section 6. Implementing Rules and Regulations. The DTI, in consultation with the DA, DOH,
PCA,  FDA,  DENR,  other relevant agencies,  civil society and  industry stakeholders shall  issue
the necessary IRR to ensure the effective implementation of this Act.
20
21        Section 7. Effectivity. This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after its publication in at least
22       two (2) newspapers of general circulation.
23       Approved
3