HOUSE

RECEIVED

pare: _92 JUL 2015

Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

Queson City ae ee
SEVENTEENTH CONGRESS BY: Ble
First Regular Session

REC'STRATION UNF
BILLS AND iNDEX SERVI

HOUSE BILLNO. 964

EXPLANATORY NOTE

Floriculture, as the basis of an industry, is the growing of flowering and
ornamental plants in the open fields and/or in greenhouses and other controlled
environments. It may include cut flowers, bedding, seasonal and potted plants. Its
activities encompass, but are not limited to the growing of various and specialized
species or varieties of flowering or ornamental plants, flower seeds, seedlings or
cuttings; nursery operations; tissue culture propagation; post-harvest handling and
storage; and marketing or market assistance.

People engaged in the flower growing or omamental horticulture sector
usually do the work of growing and harvesting not only of flowers, but also of foli
and essential oil crops; managing and maintaining either field-based or controlled
growing environments; and post-harvest treatment and production of plant products

In the Philippines, the floriculture industry could be transformed into a
sunshine industry, with great export market potential. If our country can more fully
develop its floriculture industry, it can capture a significant portion of the world
market. It is therefore the intent of this bill to establish local floriculture gardens that
will serve as initial core training and research facilities and experimental plant
stations with capabilities to disperse and distribute planting materials which are all
designed to spark interest in this growing and lucrative industry.

Considering the merits of this Bill, its early approval is earnestly requested
j)

Luis ‘MUND ILLAFUERTE JR.

TATIVES

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Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Queson City

SEVENTEENTH CONGRESS
First Reguiar Session

HOUSE BILLNO. 964

Introduced by HONORABLE LUIS RAYMUND F. VILLAFUERTE JR.

AN ACT ESTABLISHING A FLORICULTURE GARDEN IN EVERY MUNICIPALITY
OF THE PROVINCE OF CAMARINES SUR, ALLOCATING FUNDS THEREFOR,
AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES

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

SECTION 1. Declaration of Policy. - There is hereby authorized to be
established a floriculture garden of not less than five thousand square meters (5,000
sq.m.), preferably one (1) hectare or more, in every municipality of the Province of
Camarines Sur.

The establishment of said fioriculture gardens shall be provided with technical
assistance by the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR), and
the latter shall also arrange to provide the said floriculture gardens with the initial
core of planting materials of different types of flowering and omamental plants

The floricutture gardens shall be located in such appropriate locations with
appropriate topsoil conditions and climactic characteristics as shall be suitable for
the growing and processing of flowering and ornamental plants, including orchids.
Moreover, it should also be located in an accessible area where its products can be
displayed and sold to the public

SECTION 2. Powers and Functions of the Floriculture Gardens. - The
floriculture gardens established in every municipality as herein specified shall have
the following powers and functions:


@. establish experimental plantations of different flowering and omamental
plants, including orchids;

b. establish a center within the garden where the plants can be processed,
packaged and sold, or where seeds seedlings or cuttings could be
dispersed to other barangays;

©. create information programs and seminars that will educate the local
populace about the fioriculture industry and how they can engage in the
flower or ornamental plants business; and

d. provide technical and other advisory services to those already engaged or
are interested in engaging in the floriculture industry.

SECTION 3. Appropriations. - The cost of acquiring the land, constructing
the appropriate building thereon and the complement of equipment and machinery,
required to start the operation of the floriculture gardens shall be provided by the
respective Municipalities in which said floriculture gardens are to be established
Acquisition of the land site for the floriculture gardens may also be acquired by
donation, bequeath, expropriation or through lease or usufruct.

Thereafter, such sums as shall be necessary to operate and conduct the
training programs and other projects of the floriculture gardens shall be incorporated
in the Annual General Appropriations Ordinances of the respective Municipalities
Other funding support to the floriculture gardens may be provided from allocations of
funds that may be provided by other executive departments of the National
Government or any of its agencies and/or from such financial assistance as may be
arranged by the District Representatives in Congress and from Senators from their
respective Priority Development Assistance Funds (PDAF). Grants from local or
foreign sources may also be obtained or availed of

SECTION 4. Effectivity. - This Act shall take immediate effect upon its
approval

Approved,