EIGHTEENTH CONGRESS OF THE) 
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES ) 
First Regular Session 
)
S. No.
SENATE
549
' i O t l f i oft'.' '
•19 JUL 16 P2 39
RtCEIV-D CC.
Introduced by SENATOR MANUEL "UTO " M. LAPID
AN ACT
PROVIDING THE ENABLING MECHANISMS FOR RESEARCH AND 
DEVELOPMENT (R&D) OF COCONUT SUGAR IN  THE COUNTRY, 
APPROPRIATING FUNDS THEREFOR AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES.
EXPLANATORY NOTE
The coconut industry is a dominant stakeholder in Philippine agriculture, coconut 
being among the country's top ten export produce. According to the Food and Agriculture 
Organization of the United Nations, the Philippines is the world's largest producer of 
coconuts. Three million five hundred sixty thousand (3,560,000) hectares of arable land 
is devoted to coconut production benefiting roughly 25,000,000 Filipinos. It is considered 
to be among the top 5 net foreign exchange earners, averaging an income of roughly 
US$1.5B per year.
One of the recent products that can be manufactured from the coconut tree is 
"coco sugar". Coconut sugar is a by-product of coconut sap (tuba) and is obtained by 
boiling freshly harvested sap until it evaporates and thickens. It is then allowed to cool 
to become granular. Chemical analysis shows that coco sugar contains higher amounts 
of nutrients compared to brown and refined came sugar. Coco sugar has higher levels of 
nitrogen, phosphorus, potassium, chlorine, magnesium, sulfur, and micronutrients.


Health experts indicate that coco sugar can help in the proper management and 
control of diabetes mellitus because it helps in lowering the total cholesterol level. 
Coconut sugar is good for people with diabetes since it has a relatively low glycemic index 
(GI) —  coco sugar only has 35 GI compared to cane sugar with 50.
This proposed measure seeks to further boost the coconut industry in the country 
by providing the mechanisms to fund the research and development (R&D) of coco sugar 
to ensure this product's conformity with internationally accepted standards for food and 
safety. This measure intends to improve the lives of Filipino families who are directly and 
indirectly dependent on the coconut industry.
In view of the foregoing, early passage of this bill is earnestly sought.
UEL "LITO " M. LAPID
Senator


EIGHTEENTH CONGRESS OF THE) 
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES 
) 
First Regular Session 
)
s>.i !i
SENATE
o d i  i 
« ! - ■.  
• 
• ■' I
*19 JUL 16 P2-39
S. No.
Introduced by Senator Manuel “Lito” M. Lapid
AN ACT
PROVIDING THE ENABLING MECHANISMS FOR RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT 
(R&D) OF COCONUT SUGAR IN THE COUNTRY, APPROPRIATING FUNDS THEREFOR
AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the Philippines 
in Congress assembled:
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Section 1. Short Title. - This Act shall be known as the "Coconut Sugar 
Research and Development (R&D) Act".
Sec. 2. Declaration of Policy. - It is hereby declared the policy of the State to 
promote domestic materials and locally produced goods, and to adopt measures to 
make such locally produced good competitive in both the local and international 
market.
Towards this end, the State shall provide the enabling mechanisms to 
promote the production of coconut sugar in order to help and boost the coconut 
industry in the country.
Sec. 3. Definition of Terms. - For purposes of this Act, the terms "coconut 
sugar" and "coco sugar"' shall refer to the product derived from coconut sap and
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obtained by boiling the same until it evaporates, thickens, and thereafter solidifies
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turning into honey syrup or granular sugar.


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Sec. 4. Promoting Research and Development (R&D) on Coconut Sugar. - 
The Department of Science and Technology (DOST), in coordination with the 
Phiiippine Coconut Authority (PCA), Department of Agriculture (DA), and the Food 
and Nutrition Institute (FNRI), shall conduct an extensive research and development 
(R&D) study on the health benefits and nutritional value of coconut sugar in order to 
develop the same and ensure its compliance with internationally accepted standards 
on food and safety.
The DOST, In coordination with the PCA, DA, and the FNRI, shall conduct a 
year-round information, education, education and communication (lEC) campaign to 
inform and educate the general public on the various health benefits of utilizing coco 
sugar. It shall also publish the latest research findings, studies and materials on the 
nutritional value of coco sugar.
Sec. 5. Coconut Sugar Credit Facility and Loan Packages. - The Land Bank of 
the Philippines (LBP) is hereby mandated to formulate a Coconut Sugar Credit 
Facility and Loan Package Window which shall extend low interest loans to small and 
medium enterprises (SMEs) seeking to venture into the business of promoting the 
consumption and utilization of coconut sugar.
Within six (6) months from the date of effectivity of this Act, the LBP is 
mandated to formulate the necessary guidelines, procedures, and requirements for 
the various stakeholders to avail of the Coconut Sugar Credit Facility and Loan 
Package, as provided under this section.
Sec. 6. Annual Appropriations. -T he Department of Science and Technology 
(DOST) shall include in its annual programming and annual appropriation the 
amount necessary to fully implement the provisions of this Act.
Sec. 7, Implementing Rules and Regulations. - Within six (6) months from the 
date of effectivity of this At, the DOST, in coordination with the PCA, DA, and the


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FNRI, shall promulgate such implementing rules and regulations necessary to 
implement the provisions of this act.
Sec. 8. Repealing Clause. - All laws, decrees executive orders, issuances, rules 
and regulations, or parts thereof inconsistent with the provisions of this Act are 
hereby repealed or modified accordingly.
Sec. 9. Separability Clause. - If any provision or part of this Act shall be 
declared invalid or unconstitutional, the remaining parts or provisions not affected 
thereby shall remain in full force and effect.
Sec. 10. Effectivity Clause. -This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after 
its publication in the Official Gazette or in at least two (2) newspapers of general 
circulation.
Approved,