Senate
of tijf &rcrrtmp
EIGHTEENTH CONGRESS OF THE) 
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES ) 
First Regular Session 
)
SENATE
S.B. No. 1400
20 HAR -4 P4 55
RECE:, •) r-
Introduced by SENATOR IMEE R. MARCOS
AN ACT URGING THE COMPREHENSIVE PLANNING, DEVELOPMENT, AND 
EXPORT PROMOTION OF THE MORINGA {MORINGA OLEIFERA), LOCALLY 
KNOWN AS mMALUNGGAY", AND PROVIDING FUNDS THEREFOR
EXPLANATORY NOTE
Article II, Section 21 of the 1987 Constitution provides that, " The State shall 
promote comprehensive rural development "Moreover, Article II, Section 15 states that 
"The State shall protect and promote the right to health of the people and instill health 
consciousness among them."
Moringa {Moring a oleifera), locally known as malunggay, is a common green 
vegetable that grows in practically all soil types and weather conditions in the country. 
Known as the "miracle vegetable" and "nature's medicine cabinet" by researchers and 
health professionals around the world, moringa is a powerhouse of nutritional value. 
Moringa is used as natural maternal and childcare food supplement, as well as in the 
management of different ailments such as diabetes, hypertension, aging issues, and other 
lifestyle diseases. Last October 2018, the World Health Organization (WHO) has 
recognized the value of moringa in its efforts against malnutrition, promoting it as a low- 
cost health enhancer in poor countries around the world.


In addition to its nutritional value, moringa trees can also help stabilize the soil 
and reduce deforestation. As such, given the global potential of moringa, the country 
should enhance the promotion of planting moringa. There is a need to expand the local 
and foreign market of moringa and its products to enhance the agribusiness potential of 
the crop as part of the country's poverty-alleviation and health care program. The 
development of a moringa-based agro-industry can help address the nutritional deficiency 
problems in the countryside and urban slums, increase on-farm, off-farm and non-farm 
enterprise incomes, improve the utilization of idle lands and urban spaces, and help 
reduce poverty.
Given the abovementioned circumstances, the immediate passage of this bill is 
necessary.
IMEE R. MARCOS
Senator


EIGHTEENTH CONGRESS OF THE 
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES 
First Regular Session
SENATE
S.B. No. 1400
of tijf Secretary
20 mar-4 P4 55
RECc Div'
Introduced by SENATOR IMEE R. MARCOS
AN ACT URGING THE COMPREHENSIVE PLANNING^ DEVELOPMENT^ AND 
EXPORT PROMOTION OF THE MORINGA {MORINGA OLEIFERA), LOCALLY 
KNOWN AS "MALUNGGAY", AND PROVIDING FUNDS THEREFOR
Be it enacted by the Senate and the House of Representatives of the Philippines in- 
Cong ress assembled.
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Section 1. Short Tide. —This Act shall be known as the "Moringa Development Act."
Section 2. Declaration of Policy. - It is hereby declared the policy of the State to 
develop and promote a globally competitive moringa Industry with the objective of 
increasing moringa farmers, income, addressing the nutritional and health needs of 
our people, and encouraging trade and industry.
Section 3. Moringa Development—Vne Department of Agriculture (DA), in consultation 
with the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR), Department of 
Science and Technology (DOST), moringa growers' cooperatives and organizations, 
local government units, and the private sector, shall formulate a one-year framework 
to be validated and updated annually. Such framework shall serve as guide to the
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formulation and implementation of plans, programs and projects for the production, 
marketing, processing and distribution of moringa for food and commercial needs, as 
envisioned in this Act. The framework shall likewise provide for the following;
a. National Framework-The DA, DOST, state universities and colleges (SUCs) 
and other stakeholders shall strengthen the conduct of researches on 
moringa particularly on areas of crop improvement, crop protection, 
harvesting and postharvest handling, supply chain analysis, marketing and 
promotion.
b. Investment Promotion and Facilitation - The DA and DTI shall develop 
programs establishing links between stakeholders in the moringa industry 
and Government Financial Institutions (GFIs) and other financial 
cooperatives. The DA and DTI shall likewise develop and implement 
programs that would establish reasonable and innovative investment 
incentives to attract more players in the moringa industry.
c. Export Promotion Support. - An integrated and strategic export promotion 
program for moringa industry shall be created. The export promotion 
program shall be responsive to market conditions, needs of the exporters, 
and possibilities offered by new products and technologies. It shall likewise 
provide foreign trade and export promotion activities through trainings, 
technical assistance, capacity building, generating awareness on export 
opportunities, and export planning assistance.
d. Strengthen Trade Policies and Support Network. - The DA shall be 
responsible in coordinating a consultative approach for the various stages 
of the trade policy making process. The Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) 
shall lead the negotiation of Free Trade Agreements (FTAs) to provide a 
competitive environment for moringa exports abroad.
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e. Monitoring and Evaluation. - The DA shall continuously monitor, track, and
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analyze the progress and outcomes of the programs to be implemented to
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determine over-all effectiveness.
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Section 4. Appropriation of Funds. - An amount of one hundred million pesos
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(P100,000,000.00) is hereby appropriated from any funds in the National Treasury not
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otherwise appropriated for the initial implementation of this Act. Thereafter, such
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funds as may be necessary for the continued implementation of this Act shall be
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included in the annual General Appropriations Act.
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Section 5. Repeaiing Ciause. - All laws or parts thereof, decrees, orders, rules and 
regulations inconsistent with the provisions of this Act are hereby repealed or modified 
accordingly.
Section 6. Separabiiity Ciause. - If any of the provisions of this Act is declared invalid, 
the other provisions not affected thereby shall remain In full force and effect.
Section 7. Effectivity Ciause. - This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days following its 
publication in a newspaper of general circulation or in the Official Gazette, whichever 
comes first.
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Approved,