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Republic of the Philippines 
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES 
Quezon City, Metro Manila 
NINETEENTH CONGRESS 
First Regular Session 
House Bill No. _________ 
Introduced by Representative Richard I. Gomez 
EXPLANATORY NOTE 
It is the policy of the State to promote and accelerate the development of the seed industry. 
Pursuant to Republic Act 7308, the government is mandated to conserve, preserve, and develop 
the plant genetic resources of the nation, encourage and hasten the organization of all sectors 
engaged in the seed industry, integrate all their activities and provide assistance to them, consider 
the seed industry as a preferred area of investment, encourage the private sector to engage in seed 
research and development and in mass production and distribution of good quality seeds, and 
provide the local industry protection against unfair competition from imported seeds.  
The combined consequences of the COVID-19 pandemic and the global food crisis due to 
the war in Ukraine exposed the urgent need for the country to adopt resilient food systems and 
strengthen local food production. These challenges continue to hinder transportation of agricultural 
commodities and movement of farm manpower; thus food supply and its affordability remain at 
risk. Although the Province of Leyte is able to prevent the probable shortage, the threat remains 
present due to environmental catastrophes that may afflict the city. Historically, Leyte had 
experienced several of the worst typhoons in the country. With typhoons severely damaging the 
agricultural sector, crops are lost and the people are left with the burden of replanting their 
agricultural lands.  
Furthermore, the City of Ormoc experiences rainfall throughout the year; and as presented 
in the 3rd National Seed Summit of  2014, heavy rainfall hinders seed delivery and limits seed 
production. With these difficulties, Leyte must be equipped to breed new varieties of seeds and 
boost food self-sufficiency to contribute in achieving food security and promoting sustainable 
agriculture. Hence, a provincial seed bank which can safely store varieties of quality seeds against 
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environmental hazards, conserve biodiversity, and allow for easy transport of quality seeds is an 
appropriate adaptation measure in the Province of Leyte.  
Despite the environmental hazards, the Province of Leyte is committed to sustainable 
development by ensuring that people are given adequate, accessible, and affordable food. To 
further this commitment, it is crucial that agricultural initiatives are expanded. Hence, the 
establishment of a Provincial Seedling Bank in the City of Ormoc, Province of Leyte is hereby 
requested with the end goal of increasing our farmers’ accessibility to high quality seeds and 
ensuring food security for the people of Leyte.  
 
 
 
In view of the foregoing, the approval of this bill is earnestly sought. 
 
 
 
RICHARD I. GOMEZ 
 
 


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Republic of the Philippines 
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES 
Quezon City 
NINETEENTH CONGRESS 
First Regular Session 
House Bill No. _________________ 
______________________________________________________________________________ 
Introduced by Representative Richard I. Gomez 
AN ACT  
ESTABLISHING THE PROVINCIAL SEEDLING BANK IN THE CITY OF ORMOC, 
PROVINCE OF LEYTE AND APPROPRIATING FUNDS THEREFOR 
Be it enacted by the Senate and the House of Representatives of the Philippines in 
Congress assembled: 
Section 1. There shall be established and maintained, under the direct supervision of the 
Bureau of Plant Industry, a provincial seedling bank located in the City of Ormoc, Province of 
Leyte, to be known as Ormoc Seedling Bank for the purpose of ensuring the stable and 
continuous availability of quality seeds and the safety of plant food, with the end in view of 
safeguarding the plant industry.  
Sec. 2. The Secretary of Agriculture shall immediately include in the agency’s programs 
the operationalization of the Ormoc Seedling Bank, the funding of which shall initially come 
from the savings funds of the Department of Agriculture. Thereafter, such sum as may be 
necessary for the efficient operation and maintenance of said office shall be included in the 
annual General Appropriations Act.  
Sec. 3. Implementing Rules and Regulations. Within six (6) months following the 
effectivity of this Act, the Secretary of Agriculture shall promulgate the necessary rules and 
regulations for the effective implementation of this Act.  
Sec. 4. Separability Clause. If any provision of this Act is held invalid or unconstitutional, 
the other provisions not so declared shall remain in force and in effect. 
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Sec. 5. Repealing Clause. Any other law, issuance or part thereof inconsistent with this Act 
are hereby repealed or modified accordingly.  
Sec. 6. Effectivity Clause. — This Act shall take fifteen (15) days after its publication in the 
Official Gazette or in two (2) newspapers of general circulation.  
 
Approved,