FIFTEENTH CONGRESS OF THE 
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES 
First Regular Sessiou 
) 
) 
) 
SENATE 
s. NO. _=2 =.0 3",,-
JJL --6 
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Introduced by Senator Antonio "Sonny" F. Trillanes IV 
Explanatory Note 
Banana and plantains are today grown in every humid tropical region. Being the fourth (4th) 
largest food crop, this fruit constitutes a vital role for the household food security and is the main 
stay in one hundred thirty (130) developing economies particularly for small and marginal 
farmers worldwide. 
In 1997, the Philippines was the lone Asian country who made it to the world's top 10 major 
suppliers of banana. However, in 1998, the country produced 3.56 million tons of bananas down 
by 5.6% from its 1997 volume production of 3.77 million tons. This is a primary concern that 
this bill tries to address as banana 
Aside from being an important agricultural commodity, bananas and plantains generate foreign 
exchange for the country and allow a large majority of Filipinos to earn a living. Further, banana 
leaves are widely used as plates and for lining cooking pits and for wrapping food for cooking or 
storage. Improved processes have made it possible to utilize banana fiber for many purposes 
such as rope, table mats and handbags. Dried banana peel, because of its thirty (30) to forty 
percent (40%) tannin content, is used to blacken leather. The Pinatubo Negritos cut off a banana 
plant close to the ground, make a hollow in the top of the stump, which then fills with watery sap 
drunk as an emergency thirst quencher. 
In view of the foregoing, the approval of this bill is earnestly sought. 
A~I~ "S~~.TRILLANES IV 
Senator 
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FIFTEENTH CONGRESS OF THE 
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES 
First Regular Session 
) 
) 
) 
SENATE 
S. NO. ----,,2,,-,,0,-,,3,-
Introduced by Senator Antonio "Sonny" F. Trillanes IV 
AN ACT 
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TO ESTABLISH THE NATIONAL RESEARCH, DEVELOPMENT AND EXTENSION 
CENTER FOR BANANA, AUTHORIZING THE APPROPRIA nON OF FUNDS 
THEREFOR, AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES 
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the Philippines in Congress 
assembled: 
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SECTION 1. The National Research Center for Banana (hereinafter referred to as 
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NRDECB) which shall be based in the University of Southeastern Philippines (USEP) in Davao 
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City, is hereby established. 
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SEC. 2. The Center shall have the following general powers and functions in line with 
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the research, development and extension programs of the Department of Agriculture - Bureau of 
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Agricultural Research (DA-BAR), Department of Science and technology (DOST), Department 
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of Trade and Industry (DTI), National Economic and Development Authority (NEDA) and 
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USEP: 
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a. Educate and train all stakeholders of the banana industry; 
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b. To undertake basic and strategic research for developing technologies to enhance 
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productivity and utilization of banana; 
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c. To develop improved cultivars through traditional and biotechnological methods and 
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conserve the diversity; 
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d. To serve as national repository of germplasm and information related to banana and 
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plantain and also disseminate the knowledge for production and productivity; 
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e. To provide leadership and coordinate the network research for generating location 
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specific varieties, technology and for solving specific constraints of banana and plantain 
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production; and 
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f. To collaborate with relevant national and international agencies in achieving the above 
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objectives. 
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SEC. 3. The Center shall have the specific powers and functions: 
lOa. Develop productive, high yielding, good quality varieties of banana; 
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b. Develop efficient, economic and productive banana production technologies; 
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c. Develop effective and sound banana processing technologies for outstanding varieties 
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of banana; 
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d. Develop effective production systems for all banana varieties; 
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e. Establish and maintain germplasm collection and gene bank for banana; 
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f. 
Develop effective and efficient marketing systems for banana; 
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g. Evolve productive banana-based farming systems; 
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h. Develop and implement appropriate and suitable technology packages and effective 
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technology transfer schemes, especially the conduct of training programs; 
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I. Upgrade the skills of development facilitators, estensionists and farmers through 
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trainings, seminars and workshop on banana production and postharvest handling and 
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processing; 
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j. Establish national and international linkages for banana research, development, 
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extension and production activities; and 
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k. Coordinate with other government/non-government agencies involved III the 
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development of banana industry. 
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SEC. 4. The Center shall be headed by an Executive Director who shall be responsible 
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for the planning, implementation, and supervision of the Center's program of activities. The 
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Executive Director: 
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a. Must have completed substantial and relevant education and experience on banana 
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research and development; and 
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b. Must be of good moral character and has not been involved in a legal case involving 
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moral turpitude. 
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All other officers and employees of the Center shall be appointed by the Executive 
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Director consistent with the provisions of the Civil Service laws, rules and regulations. 
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SEC. 5. The plans and programs of the Center shall be reviewed annually by the 
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Advisory Board which shall be composed of: 
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a. The Secretary of the Department of Agriculture as Chairnlan; 
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b. The University President of the University of Southeastern Philippines as Vice 
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Chairman; 
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c. The Secretary of the Department of Trade and Industry as member; 
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d. One (I) representative from a non governmental organization (NGO) working on 
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banana production, research and development and processing; 
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e. One (1) representative from the group of banana traders; 
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f. One (I) representative from the group of banana processors; and 
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g. One (I) representative from the group of banana growers. 
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SEC. 6. The presence of at least five (5) members at the time of the meeting shall 
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constitute the quorum: Provided, however, That the Chairman, in his absence, the Vice 
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Chairman shall preside. 
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SEC. 7. The Center is hereby authorized to plan, construct, develop, improve, acquire, or 
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lease buildings, farms, fields and other facilities, to purchase machineries, equipment, materials 
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and supplies locally or abroad as may be necessary to carry out its functions and objectives. 
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Moreover, the Center shall enjoy exemption from taxes and other duties in the importation of 
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such machineries, development and extension programs, subject to the provisions of Section 
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105(s) of the Tariff and Customs Code, Section 103(1) of the National Internal Revenue Code 
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and to the provisions on Automatic Appropriations under the General Appropriations Act. 
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SEC. 8. The main offices, experimental area and nursery of the Center shall be located at 
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the University of Southeastern Philippines in Davao City. The Center may hereafter establish 
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similar facilities in its other service areas in order to promote the development of the banana 
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industry in the country. 
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SEC 9. To carry out the provisions of this Act, the amount of two million pesos 
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(P2,000,000.00) is hereby appropriated from the funds of the National Treasury. Thereafter, such 
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sums as may be necessary to maintain the operations of the Board shall be included in the 
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General Appropriations Act. 
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SEC. 10. Any and all savings and income of the Center shall constitute a revolving fund 
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which shall not be reverted to the General Fund and which shall be used by the Center in the 
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furtherance of its goals and objectives. 
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SEC. 11. Implementing Rules and Regulations. The Advisory Board shall jointly 
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promulgate rules and regulations to implement the provisions ofthis Act. 
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SEC. 12. Repealing Clause. All laws, decrees, orders, rules and regulations inconsistent 
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with or contrary to the provisions of this Act are hereby amended or repealed accordingly. 
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SEC. 13. Effectivity Clause. This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days following its 
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complete publication in the National Gazette or in at least two (2) newspapers of general 
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circulation, whichever comes earlier. 
Approved, 
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