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Republic of the Philippines
Bouse of Representatives
Queson City, Metro Manila
Eighteenth Congress
First Regular Session

House Bill No. 3089

Introduced by

HON. ANNA MARIE VILLARAZA-SUAREZ and
HON. DAVID C. SUAREZ

EXPLANATORY NOTE

The State recognizes the important role Played by the coconut industry in our
national economy as a major agricultural industry and a large contributor of foreign
exchange earnings in the country,

2SPect of the Quezonians’ way of life and culture. Moreover, Quezon Province is a
core area for industry development due to continuing commitment of local
executives and on top of market opportunities being the hub of the industry in
Luzon.

Sadly, despite the significance of coconut Production in Quezon, there are
neither institutions nor facilities in the province established for generation of
innovative and novel technologies related to Coconut production, processing and
enterprise development. Although the Philippine Coconut Authority (PCA) currently
operates 3 research centers in Albay, Davao and Zamboanga, no such research



through the establishment of a coconut industry research and development center
in Quezon Province that is cepraphically accessible to coconut farmers and
students of industry-related disciplines as well, The facility shall act as a hub for
technology transfer and convergence among farmers, researchers and scientific

communities,

For the foregoing reasons, the immediate consideration and approval of this
bill is earnestly sought.

HON. ANNA MARIE vin
REPRESENTATIVE
ALONA PARTYLIST



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Republic of the Dbilippines
House of Representatives
Queson City, Metro Manita

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Eighteenth Congress

First Regular Session
3089

Introduced by

HON. ANNA MARIE VILLARAZA-SUAREZ and
HON. DAVID C. SUAREZ

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

SECTION 1. Establishment of the Quezon Research Center - there is
hereby established the ‘Quezon Coconut Research Center’, hereinafter referred to
as the Center, which shall be under the management of the Philippine Coconut
Authority (PCA). The Center shall be Constructed and based in the Municipality of
Catanauan, Province of Quezon, and shall Serve as the learning hub of various state
universities and colleges in Quezon and adjacent areas,

SECTION 2. Objectives - The Center shall have the following objectives and
functions :

@) To conduct applied research and verify generated technologies on coconut
and all its phases of production, Processing, management and utilization,
towards Maximizing its nutritive, health, economic and ecological potentials;


b) To develop and produce experts, students, coconut farmers and farmers’
organizations and cooperatives on various disciplines related to coconut
Production, utilization, marketing and agri-business;

©) To provide a database of generated research information and library center
of technologies in various facets of coconut farming, Processing and coconut-
based enterprise development;

4) To design and implement coconut-based farming extension Programs to
transfer modern farming technology, good agricultural Practices (GAP) to
coconut farmers, students, the private sector and interested clients; and,

€) To perform all acts necessary, expedient, suitable or Proper for the
furtherance or attainment of the Center's objectives.

Department of Science and Technology, shall enter into a multi-partite cooperation
agreement to provide for the design of the facility, its operations and services, and
shall prepare the organizational structure and Personnel complement, the proposed
furniture and fixtures, the equipment components of the Center and the estimated
costs thereof,

SECTION 4. Appropriations - The amounts necessary for the establishment,
operation and maintenance of the Center shall be included in the General
Appropriations Act of the year following its enactment into law and subsequently
thereafter,

SECTION 5. Solicitation of Financial Assistance From Foreign Donors -
The Center may seek’ financial assistance from foreign donors such as but not
limited to Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA), United States Agency for
International Development (USAID) , Australian Agency for International
Development (AusAID), International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD),
and similar institutions for the establishment and improvement of its
infrastructures, laboratory facilities, field experiment stations development, and
training of or scholarship for qualified personnel,

SECTION 6. Separability Clause - If any part or section of this Act is declared
Unconstitutional, such declaration shall not affect the other parts or sections of this
Act.


SECTION 7. Repealing Clause - A\\ laws, decrees, rules and regulations and
other issuances which-are inconsistent with the Provisions of this Act are hereby
repealed or modified accordingly.

SECTION 8. Effectivity Clause - The Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days
after its publication in the Official Gazatte or its Publication in a Newspaper of
general circulation.

Approved.