Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

Quezon City

TWENTIETH CONGRESS
First Regular Session

4077

Introduced by Rep. ANGELO MARCOS BARBA
2™ District, Hocos Norte

RECEIVED

27 AUG 05

House Bill No.

EXPLANATORY NOTE

Dragon fruit, known scientifically as Hylocereus undatus and
commonly referred to as “pitaya” or “strawberry pear,” is a tropical fruit that
has gained increasing popularity worldwide due to its vibrant appearance, rich
antioxidant content, and proven health benefits. It is low in calories but
packed with essential nutrients, including vitamin C, fiber, magnesium, and
beneficial plant compounds. The fruit has found strong demand not only in
local markets but also in international health-conscious communities.

In the Philippines, particularly in regions such as Ilocos Norte,
Cagayan Valley, and other areas with similar agro-climatic conditions, dragon
fruit farming has shown promising economic and livelihood potential for
smallholder farmers and agri-entrepreneurs. However, despite its growing
cultivation and export possibilities, the industry remains fragmented,
underfunded, and lacking a unified national development plan.

This bill seeks to institutionalize a comprehensive policy and
development framework for the Philippine dragon fruit industry. It mandates
the Department of Agriculture (DA), in coordination with the Department of
Science and Technology (DOST), Department of Environment and Natural
Resources (DENR), Department of Trade and Industry (DTI), Department of
Foreign Affairs (DFA), local government units (LGUs), growers’ cooperatives,
state universities and colleges (SUCs), and private stakeholders, to craft and
implement strategic programs for crop development, post-harvest processing,
investment promotion, trade facilitation, and export readiness.

The measure also seeks to provide sustainable funding through the
General Appropriations Act to support continuous research, market
development, farmer capacity building, and participation in global trade fairs
and export missions.

By enabling the full development of the dragon fruit value chain, this
bill aims to uplift farmers’ incomes, diversify agricultural exports, promote

ESSN

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health and wellness, and enhance the competitiveness of Philippine
agriculture in the global market.

In view of the foregoing, the immediate passage of this bill is earnestly

sought.
ako.


Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Quezon City

TWENTIETH CONGRESS
First Regular Session

4077

House Bill No.

Introduced by Rep. ANGELO MARCOS BARBA
"4 District, Ilocos Norte

AN ACT
URGING THE COMPREHENSIVE PLANNING, DEVELOPMENT,
AND EXPORT PROMOTION OF THE DRAGON FRUIT, AND
PROVIDING FUNDS THEREFOR

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

SECTION 1. Short Title. — This Act shall be known as the “Dragon
Fruit Development Act of 2025.”

SECTION 2. Declaration of State Policy. - It is hereby declared the
policy of the State to develop and promote a globally competitive dragon fruit
industry with the objective of increasing dragon fruit farmers’ income,
addressing the nutritional and health needs of our people, and encouraging
trade and industry.

SECTION 3. Development of Dragon Fruit. - The Department of
Agriculture (DA), in consultation with the Department of Environment and
Natural Resources (DENR), Department of Science and Technology (DOST),
dragon fruit 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 formulation
and implementation of plans, programs and projects for the production,
marketing, processing and distribution of dragon fruit 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 dragonfruit 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
dragon fruit industry and Government Financial Institutions (GRs)
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
dragon fruit industry;

(c) Export Promotion Support - An integrated and strategic export
promotion program for the dragon fruit 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 for 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
(FTA’S) to provide a competitive environment for dragon fruit exports
abroad; and

(©) Monitoring and Evaluation - The DA shall continuously monitor,
track, and analyze the progress and outcomes of the programs to be
implemented to determine over-all effectiveness.

SECTION 4. Appropriations. - The amount necessary to implement

this Act shall be included in the annual General Appropriations Act (GAA).
‘Thereafter, such funds as may be necessary for the continued implementation
of this Act shall be included in the succeeding annual GAA.

SECTION 5. Separability Clause. - If any provision of this Act is

declared unconstitutional or invalid, the other provisions not affected thereby
shall remain in full force and effect.

SECTION 6. Repealing Clause. - All laws, executive orders, rules, and

regulations inconsistent with or contrary to the provisions of this Act are
hereby repealed or modified accordingly.

SECTION 7. Effectivity Clause. — This Act shall take effect fifteen (15)

days after its publication in a newspaper of general circulation in the
Philippines.

Approved,