Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Quezon City, Metro Manila

EIGHTEENTH CONGRESS
First Regular Session
2859

House Bill No.

Introduced by Representative Gabriel H. Bordado, Jr.

EXPLANATORY NOTE

The Philippines’ geographic location allows for unique and diverse ecological
‘systems that yield abundant products and delicacies that cannot be found elsewhere in
the world. Pili, which is indigenous to the country and especially found in the Bicol
Region, is one of them. Pili could be transformed into various food products and can be
used in numerous dishes, which makes it a favorite Filipino snack. In a world that is now
shifting to healthier snacking alternatives, the demand for the pili nut and its by-products
in the global market continues to grow.

The Philippines is the only country to produce pili in commercial quantities
therefore giving it a huge advantage over other foreign markets. The Bicol Region
supplies 80% of the whole country’s output volume. Although the region is a know
pathway of typhoons and is home to at least five active volcanoes, growing pili trees
does not pose a problem to farmers. In fact, the rich volcanic soil and the generous
amount of rainfall the region receives make the land conducive for growing the sturdy
trees, which came to be known as ‘stress trees” - the more it is shaken and beaten by
storms, the more it blooms and bears better fruit. Added to that, pili is a low-
maintenance crop. Farmers say that growing the trees require minimal fertilizer and
pruning and could start bearing fruit in just three years. Therefore, pili production in the
region continues to boom; and this has opened up a lot of opportunities for trade and
income for Bicolanos.


Despite the country and the region currently enjoying a strong advantage in pili
production in the global market, further innovations in the industry is needed to ensure
that opportunities are maximized and the competitive edge is kept. During the
Seventeenth Congress, Rep. Salvador B. Belaro, Jr. and | proposed the creation of a
research center focusing on the pili production industry to serve as the catalyst of
advancement and development. | am hereby refiling the bill with the purpose of
ensuring the flourishing success of the pili industry in the region and in the country.

hbcllabey


wor nunerwone

1
12
13
14

16
17
18

Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Quezon City, Metro Manila

EIGHTEENTH CONGRESS
First Regular Session

House Bill No.__ 2859
Introduced by Representative Gabriel H. Bordado, Jr.

AN ACT
PROMOTING THE CULTIVATION, PRODUCTION, PROCESSING, MARKETING
AND DISTRIBUTION OF PILI NUT AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES

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

Section 1. Title. This Act shall be known as the Pili Research and Promotion
Act of 2019.

Sec. 2. Declaration of Policy. It is the policy of the State to give priority to
research and development, as well as to science and technology education, training
and services.

Sec. 3. Creation of Pili Research Institute (PiIRI). The Pili Research Institute is
hereby created, as an attached office to the Department of Agriculture. PilRI shall
conduct researches in an all-out promotion of both the small-scale and commercial
cultivation of Pili nut in suitable areas of the country and shall provide the lead in
harnessing the technology in cultivating Pili, and the efficient processing, marketing and
distribution of Pili nut products.

Sec. 4. Objectives. PilRI shall have the following objectives:

a) Conduct agricultural, industrial and economic research for the

development of the Pili industry;

b) Acquire, develop and propagate improved plant materials and

technology;

¢) Train professionals, students and Pili farmers on necessary disciplines

related to Pili production , utilization and marketing;


19
20
21
22
23
24
25
26
7
28
29
30
31
32
33
34
35
36
37
38
39
40
4
42
43
44
45

d) Design and implement, in coordination with institutions of higher learning
local and foreign scholarships and fellowship programs on academic
fields that will enhance Pili industry development;

) Organize local regional and international conferences, gatherings, for a
and seminars on the current trends and developments of the Pili
industry;

f) Consolidate all researches bt the other institutions, as well as to

establish, maintain and operate an information and library center;

Design and implement a farm extension program to effectively transfer

modern farm technology to Pili farmers; and

Publish and disseminate research findings and make appropriate

recommendations to interested parties.

Sec. 5. Implementing Rules and Regulations. The department of Agriculture

(DA), in coordination with the Commission on Higher Education (CHED), Department of

Science and Technology (DOTC) and Department of Trade and Industry (DTI), is herein

tasked to formulate the implementing rules and regulations.

9)

h

Sec. 6. Funding. An initial amount of One Hundred Million Pesos
(P100,000,000.00) necessary for the implementation of this Act shall be included in the
Annual General Appropriations Act.

Sec. 7. Separability Clause. Any provision held invalid or unconstitutional, the
remainder of the law or provision not otherwise affected shall remain valid and
‘subsisting.

Sec. 8. Repealing Clause. All laws, presidential decrees, executive orders, rules
and regulations contrary to or inconsistent with the provisions of this Act are hereby
repealed or modified accordingly.

Sec. 9. Effectivity Clause. This Act shall take effect after 15 days from complete
publication in the Official Gazette or in a newspaper of general circulation.

Approved,