• 
SIXTEENTH CONGRESS OF THE ) 
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES ) 
First Regular Session 
) 
SENATE 
S.B. No. _....:3=-O~O_ 
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Introduced by SENATOR CYNTHIA A. VILLAR 
EXPLANATORY NOTE 
This bill seeks the creation of the Philippine 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 for our 
farmers 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 
farmers 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 that lead to the improvement of the over-all productivity of th~ 
bamboo and rattan. In sum, the Philippine Bamboo and Rattan Center (PBRC) shall 
prioritize to increase the productivity and efficiency of the bamboo and rattan plantations 
through employing the socio-economic 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 farmer-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 earnestly requested. 
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~Y~;~I:~. VI~ 


SIXTEENTH CONGRESS OF THE ) 
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES ) 
First Regular Session 
) 
SENATE 
S.B. No. 
300 
Introduced by SENATOR CYNTHIA A. VILLAR 
1 
AN ACT 
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2 
PROPOSING THE CREATION OF THE PHILIPPINE BAMBOO AND RATTAN 
3 
CENTER (PBRC) TO CONSERVE, PROPAGATE AND PROMOTE BAMBOO AND 
4 
RATTAN SPECIES 
5 
6 
Be enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the Philippines in 
7 
Congress assembled: 
8 
SECTION 1. Title. - This bill shall be known as the "Bamboo and Rattan Bill of 
9 20tJ". 
10 
SEC. 2. Declaration of Policy. - The Constitution provides that the State shall 
11 
develop a self-reliant and independent national economy effectively controlled by 
12 
Filipinos. It also provides that the state shall support indigenous, appropriate, and self-
13 
reliant scientific and technological capabilities, and their application to the country's 
14 
productive systems and national life. Towards this end, the State shall establish various 
15 
programs to conserve, propagate and promote bamboo and rattan as sources of food, 
16 
furniture and light construction materials. 
17 
SEC. 3. Definition of Terms. - As used in this Bill, the following terms shall mean: 
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a) "Bamboo and Rattan Center" refers to the Philippine National Bamboo and 
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Rattan Center at the Pampanga Agricultural College in Mapalang, Pampanga, the other 
20 
bamboo and rattan centers in Luzon, Visayas and Mindanao, and those that will be 
21 
created pursuant to the enactment of this Bill; 
22 
b) "Rattan" refers to all members of the climbing palm belonging to Subfamily 
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Calamoideae of the Family Palmae or Arecaceae 
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c) "Bamboo" refers to all members of the tall or shrubby grasses with woody 
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culms under the Subfamily Bambusoideae of the Family Graminae or Poaceae. 
26 
d) "Smallholder farmer" refers to a farmer owning or cultivating a farmland of less 
27 
than or equal to five (5) hectares; 
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1 
e) "Semi-Commercial Production" refers to a farmer owning or cultivating a 
2 
farmland of more than five (5) hectares. 
3 
SEC. 4. Creation of the Philippine Bamboo and Rattan Center. - There is hereby 
4 
created a Philippine Bamboo and Rattan Center, hereinafter referred to as the PBRC 
5 
which shall be under the supervision and control of the Department of Agriculture. 
6 
SEC. 5. Powers and Functions of the PBRC. - The PBRC shall have the 
7 
following powers and functions: 
8 
a) 
Conserve, propagate and promote bamboo and rattan as sources of food, 
9 
furniture and light construction materials and other industrial products; 
10 
b) 
Enable the farmers, 
particularly smallholder farmers and 
CARP 
11 
beneficiaries to avail themselves of high quality bamboo and rattan planting stocks at all 
12 
times and at reasonable prices through an organized program of propagation, breeding, 
13 
training and distribution; 
14 
c) 
Undertake training programs for farmers, particularly smallholder farmers 
15 
and CARP beneficiaries, designed to transfer technology on the proper establishment 
16 
procedure of bamboo and rattan plantations and effiCient processing of bamboo and 
17 
rattan products; 
, 
18 
d) 
Encourage small farm owners to engage in bamboo and rattan plantation 
19 
development and processing business to improve their living conditions; 
20 
e) 
Undertake research activities in all disciplines that lead to the 
21 
improvement of the over-all productivity of the bamboo and rattan; 
22 
f) 
Increase the existing plantation of bamboo and rattan to keep pace with 
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human population growth; and 
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g) 
Enter into memoranda of agreement and receive donations through the 
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Department of Agriculture from local and foreign sources. Upon the recommendation of 
26 
the PBRC Advisory Board, the individual bamboo and rattan centers may enter into 
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agreements directly with funding agencies through their respective board of regents or 
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head of agency. 
29 
SEC. 6. Priorities. - The PBRC shall give priority to the following activities: 
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a) 
Expand bamboo and rattan plantations and improve the per unit area 
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productivity; 
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b) 
Development of bamboo and rattan plantation establishment procedure for 
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backyard and semi-commercial production, improving planting materials production 
34 
efficiency, Physiology and schemes to reduce losses caused by pests and diseases; 
35 
c) 
Propagation, breeding, site species matching.and plant nutrition; 
36 
d) 
Socio-economic researches to ensure economic viability and acceptance 
37 
of technology by farmers; and 
2 


1 
e) 
Development of appropriate technologies that are cost-effective, simple 
2 
and practical. At least five (5) hectares bamboo setum and five (5) hectares rattan gene 
3 
bank shall be established by each bamboo and rattan center to ensure the preservatio(1 
4 
of the existing bamboo and rattan genetic materials in the Philippines and provide 
5 
option to the farmers. 
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SEC. 7. PBRC Advisory Board. - The PBRC Advisory Board shall be composed 
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of the following: 
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a) Secretary of the Department of Agriculture or his representative, as Chairman; 
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b) Undersecretary for Regional Operations, Department of Agriculture, as Vice 
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Chairman; 
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c) Executive Director, Philippine Council for Agriculture, Forestry and Natural 
12 
Resources, Research and Development (PCARRD); 
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d) Director, Bureau of Agricultural Research, Department of Agriculture 
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e) President of the Pampanga Agricultural College (PAC) in Magalang, 
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Pampanga; Chancellor of the UP.Los Banos (UPLB) in Laguna; and Presidents of 
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Tarlac College of Agriculture (TCA) in Camiling Tarlac; 
Ramon Magsaysay 
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Technological University (RMTU) in San Marcelino, Zambales; Mariano Marcos State 
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University (MMSU) in Batac, lIocos Norte; Leyte State University (LSU) in Baybay, 
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Leyte; West Visayas State University (WVSU) in Iloilo; Central Mindanao University 
20 
(CMU) in Bukidnon; Sultan Kudarat Polytechnic State College (SKPSC) in Tacurong, 
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Sultan Kudarat; and Western Philippine University (WPU) in Aborlan Palawan; and the 
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president of the state college or university where a rattan and bamboo center may be 
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established pursuant to this Act; 
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f) Director of the Bureau of Plant Industry; 
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g) Ecosystem Research and Development Bureau; 
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h) Executive Director of PBRC; and 
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i) Farmers' representative to be appointed by the Board. 
, 
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SEC. 8. Functions of the PBRe Advisory Board. - The PBRC AdVisory Board 
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shall perform the following functions: 
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a) Formulate policies, programs and projects for the development of the bamboo 
31 
and rattan industry; 
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b) Review and recommend the annual budget of the PBRC; 
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c) Evaluate the implementation, efficiency and effectiveness of the programs and 
34 
projects of the PBRC; and 
35 
d) Recommend the establishment or abolition of bamboo and rattan centers as 
36 
may be deemed necessary. 
3 


1 
SEC. 9. Executive Director of PBRC. - The Executive Director of the PBRC shall 
2 
be appointed by the Secretary of the Department of Agriculture. The Executive Director 
3 
of the PBRC shall perform the following functions: 
4 
a) 
Oversee the implementation of the policies, programs and projects of the 
5 
PBRC; 
6 
b) 
Assist the PBRC Advisory Board in the review, evaluation and monitoring 
7 
of the Bamboo and Rattan Program; and 
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c) 
Perform such other functions as may be assigned by the PBRC Advisory 
9 
Board. 
10 
SEC. 10. 
Appointment of Directors or Center Chiefs of Other Bamboo and 
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Rattan Centers. - The Directors or Center Chiefs of other bamboo and rattan centers 
12 
shall be appointed by the respective board of regents or head of agency. 
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SEC. 11. Functions of the Directors or Center Chiefs of Other Bamboo an? 
14 
Rattan Centers. - Subject to the policies of the PBRC, the Directors or Center Chiefs of 
15 
other bamboo and rattan centers shall perform the following functions: 
16 
a) 
Administer the policies, programs and projects of the PBRC in their 
17 
respective centers & areas of responsibility; 
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b) 
Recommend the creation of divisions and sections including the staffing 
19 
pattern of the centers; 
20 
c) 
Prepare the annual budget of their centers; 
21 
d) 
Approve the expenditures of their respective budgets; 
22 
e) 
Recommend to their respective heads of agency the appointment of 
23 
personnel or consultants; 
24 
f) 
Recommend policies, programs and projects to the Executive Director of 
25 
the PBRC; and 
26 
g) 
Perform such other functions as may be assigned by the Executive 
27 
Director of the PBRC. 
28 
SEC. 12. Implementation and Coordination of the Program. - The PBRC Advisory 
29 
Board through the Executive Director shall coordinate, monitor and evaluate the 
30 
implementation of the bamboo and rattan programs. It shall identify, through the 
31 
Directors of bamboo and rattan centers and Center Chiefs from the various 
32 
implementing stations, the programs and projects in the areas of propagation, breeding, 
33 
distribution, soil requirement, plant nutrition, and processing of bamboo and rattan raw 
34 
material. It shall formulate strategies relative to the propagation and distribution of the 
35 
bamboo and rattan. Luzon, Visayas and Mindanao shall initially have a total of ten (10) 
36 
bamboo and rattan centers. The centers in Luzon shall be located at Pampanga 
37 
Agricultural College (PAC) in Magalang, Pampanga; UP.Los Banos (UPLB) in Laguna; 
38 
Tarlac College of Agriculture (TCA) in Camiling, Tarlac; Ramon Magsaysay 
4 


1 
Technological University (RMTU) in San Marcelino, Zambales; Mariano Marcos State 
2 
University (MMSU) in lIocos Norte. The centers in Visayas shall be at Leyte State 
3 
University (LSU) in Baybay, Leyte; and West Visayas State University (WVSU) in Iloilo. 
4 
The centers in Mindanao shall be at Central Mindanao University (CMU) in Bukidnon; 
5 
Sultan Kudarat Polytechnic State College (SKPSC) in Tacurong, Sultan Kudarat; and 
6 
Western Philippine State University (WPSU) in Aborlan Palawan. These centers shall 
7 
specialize in the development of technology on propagation, breeding, plant nutrition, 
8 
site species matching, and processing of bamboo and rattan raw materials. 
9 
SEC. 13. Farmer's Participation. - The farmer-participants shall be encouraged to 
10 
establish strong farmers' associations or cooperatives to serve as focal point for 
11 
government assistance in the propagation and distribution of bamboo and rattan and 
12 
the dissemination of technology on bamboo and rattan. 
13 
SEC. 14. Beneficiaries. - The beneficiaries of the CARP and other smallholder 
14 
farmers shall be given priority in the bamboo and rattan distribution program. 
15 
SEC. 15. PartiCipation of the Department of Agriculture and Local Government 
16 
Units. - The bamboo and rattan centers, the regional and provincial offices of the 
17 
Department of Agriculture, specifically the Bureau of Plant Industry, and the local 
18 
government units shall implement a bamboo and rattan distribution and propagation 
19 
program within their respective areas in accordance with the national policy and 
20 
program of the PBRC. The PBRC shall adopt a national dispersal program to primarily 
21 
benefit the smallholder farmers and CARP beneficiaries. Any income from the sale of 
22 
bamboo and rattan shall be placed in a revolving fund to be used in the propagation and 
23 
distribution of bamboo and rattan. 
24 
SEC. 16. Use of Funds. - Not more than fifty percent (50%) of funds allocated 
25 
under this Act and in subsequent annual appropriations shall be used for personal 
26 
services, and maintenance and operating expenses, ten percent (10%) for research and 
27 
development, forty percent (40%) for bamboo and rattan dispersal and distribution. All 
28 
income generated by the PBRC as well as donations shall be used to augment the 
29 
budget of the center with an annual expenditure program to be recommended and 
30 
approved by the Board. The Office of the President through PAGCOR shall also 
31 
allocate 50M yearly for Bamboo and Rattan Processing and entrepreneurship 
32 
assistance to farmers/growers; bamboo processors and for research/development and 
33 
extension activities. 
34 
35 
SEC. 17. Annual Report. - The PBRC shall submit an annual report to the Office 
36 
of the President, the Senate, and the House of Representatives indicating among others 
37 
hectarage of established bamboo and rattan plantations, the number of bamboo and 
38 
rattan distributed and the names of the beneficiaries. 
39 
SEC. 18. Transfer of Bamboo and Rattan Programs to the PBRC. -
Upon 
40 
approval of this Bill, the existing Bamboo and Rattan programs and projects 
41 
implemented by various agencies shall be transferred to the PBRC. 
5 


1 
SEC. 19. Appropriation. - The amount necessary to carry out the provisions of 
2 
this Act shall be included in the General Appropriations Act of the year following its 
3 
enactment into law and thereafter. 
4 
SEC. 20. Separability Clause. - If any part, section, or provision of this Act shall 
5 
be held invalid or unconstitutional, the rest of the provisions shall not be affected 
6 
thereby. 
7 
SEC. 21. Repealing Clause. - All laws, executive orders, rules and regulations, or 
8 
part thereof which are inconsistent with this Act are hereby repealed or modified 
9 
accordingly: Provided; however, That nothing in this Act shall amend, modify or repeal 
10 
the provisions of Republic Act No. 160, otherwise known as the Local Government 
11 
Code. 
12 
SEC. 22. Effectivity. - This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days from the date of 
13 
its publication in the Official Gazette or. in at least two (2) newspapers of general 
14 
circulation. 
15 
Approved, 
6