Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Quezon City

18TH CONGRESS
First Regular Session

HOUSE BILL No, 1009

Introduced by Representative Michael L. Romero

EXPLANATORY NOTE

The Philippine Rice Research Institute (PHILRICE) is a government corporate
entity attached to the Department of Agriculture created through Executive
Order 1061 on 5 November 1985 (as amended) to help develop high-yielding and
cost-reducing technologies for farmers.

The Institute accomplishes this mission through research and development work
in our central and six branch stations, coordinating with a network that
comprises 57 agencies and 70 seed centers located nationwide.

The Philippine Rice Research Institute has numerous interdisciplinary programs
which develops and promotes technologies that are ecosystem-based, location-
and problem-specific, and profitable to the Filipino farmers. The interdisciplinary
programs were as follows: Direct-seeded irrigated lowland rice, Transplanted
irrigated lowland rice, Hybrid rice, Rice for adverse environments, Rice-based
farming systems, Rice and rice-based products, Policy research and advocacy,
and Technology promotion.

‘The Research Institute also carried the seven R&D program structure from 1987
to 1998. These were Rice Varietal Improvement, Planting and Fertilizer
Management, Integrated Pest Management, Rice-based Farming Systems, Rice
Engineering and mechanization, Rice Chemistry and Food Science, and Social
Science and Policy Research. A change to its R&D structure was implemented
from 1998 to 2005.

Each multidisciplinary R&D program was carried by the different discipline-
based divisions and each division participated in each R&D programs, as follows:


Policy Research and Advocacy, Technology Promotion, Rice and Rice-based
Products, Rice-Based Farming systems for Fragile Environment, Hybrid Rice,
Transplanted Irrigated Lowland Rice, Direct Seeded Irrigated Lowland Rice, and
Environmental Sustainability & Management.

This House Bill seeks to provide PHILRICE additional funding to fully perform
its functions in accordance to its mandate.

Earnest approval pffhis bill is hereby requested.

MIC} LL. ROMERO Ph.D.


Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Quezon City

18TH CONGRESS
First Regular Session

HOUSE BILL No009

Introduced by Representative Michael L. Romero

AN ACT

MANDATING THE DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE (DA! TO
PROVIDE THE PHILIPPIN® RICE RESEARCH INSTITUTE
(PHILRICE) WITH ADDITIONAL FUNDING, ENSURING
CONTINUING APPROPRIATIONS, AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES

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

SECTION 1. DECLARATION OF POLICY ~ the Department of Agriculture
shall hereby provide an additional funding of Fifty million pesos
(P50,000,000.00) to the Philippine Rice Research Institute (PHILRICE) to
implement the provisions of this Act.

The FHILRICE is hereby authorized to re-align its appropriations, in the

current yar of the date of the effectivity of this Act to conform with its mandate.

SECTION 2. POWERS AND FUNCTIONS - The PHILRICE shall hereby
develop a national rice research program so as to sustain and further improve
the gains already made in rice production, improve the income and economic
condition of small rice farmers, expand employment opportunities in the rural


areas, and ultimately promote the general welfare of the people through self-
sufficiency in rice production.

SECTION 3. CONTINUING APPROPRIATION. - The Department of
Agriculture (DA) in coordination with the Department of Budget and
Management (DBM) is hereby mandated to include annually in the next three (3)
years, in the President's Program of expenditures for submission to Congress,
and release, an additional amount of Fifty million pesos {?50,000,000.00) for
the implementation of this Act.

The Director of Agriculture and Food and the Director of the Budget are hereby
authorized and directed to set aside out of the existing funds of the Ministry of
Agriculture and Food. Thereafter, the government contribution to the PHILRICE
shall be provided for in the annual General Appropriations Act (GAA). The
appropriations herein provided shall be subject to the fiscal control and
management procedures.

All funds, savings and income of the PHIRICE shall constitute a revolving fund
which shall be considered part of the funds automatically released to the latter,
subject to the fiscal control and management procedures. Such funds, savings
and income shall be used to achieve the purposes and objectives for which the
PHILRICE was established.

SECTION 4. PERIODIC REPORTS - The Oversight Committee shall
submit periodic reports on its findings and make recommendations on actions
to be taken by Congress and Senate and the appropriate department, and in
order to carry out the objectives and mandates of this Act, an additional amount
of Fifty million pesos (P50,000,000.00) is hereby appropriated.

SECTION 5. AUTOMATIC REVIEW - Every three (3) years after the
effectivity of this Act, an independent review committee composed of Subject
Matter Experts (SMEs) to be appointed by the President shalll review the policies


and programs of the PHILRICE and shall hereinafter make recommendations,
based on its findings, to the President and to both Houses of Congress.

SECTION 6. REPEALING CLAUSE. All laws, executive orders, issuances,

rules and regulations inconsistent with this Act are hereby amended, repealed
or modified accordingly.

SECTION 7. SEPARABILITY CLAUSE. If, for any reason or reasons, any
Portion or provision of this Act shall be held unconstitutional or invalid, the

remaining provisions not affected thereby shall continue to be in full force and
effect.

SECTION 8. EFFECTIVITY CLAUSE. This Act shall take effect fifteen (15)
days after its publication in any newspaper of zeneral circulation.

Approv: