‘Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Quezon City

FIFTEENTH CONGRESS
First Regular Session

EXPLANATORY NOTE

Fruit-bearing trees are a resource that is ubiquitous yet
underutilized and underdeveloped, especially in the local level. Beyond
aesthetic value, they can provide shade, prevent soil erosion, and provide
a source of food that can be used simply by the household or sold or even
turned into a full-scale enterprise.

By providing a very localized access to technology and training, as
well as the seeds and seedlings to grow fruit-bearing trees and plants,
there is an opportunity for the local population to engage in enterprise
and contribute to the strategy of the National Government to create an
additional six million jobs in the agricultural sector in the next six years.

Moreover, in the Philippines, the fruits industry could be
transformed into a booming industry, with great domestic as well as
export market potential. It is therefore the intent of this bill to establish
local community orchards 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 the growth, harvest, and potential income generation provided
by fruit-bearing trees and plants.

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

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LUIS R. |VILLARVERTE


‘Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
‘Quezon City

FIFTEENTH CONGRESS
First Regular Session

HOUSE BILL NO. 1146

AN ACT ESTABLISHING A COMMUNITY ORCHARD IN EVERY CITY
OR MUNICIPALITY OF EVERY PROVINCE OF THE
PHILIPPINES, ALLOCATING FUNDS THEREFOR, AND FOR
OTHER PURPOSES

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

SECTION 1. Declaration of Policy. There is hereby authorized to
be established a community orchard of not less than five thousand square
meters (5,000 sq.m.), preferably one (1) hectare or more, in every City
or Municipality of every Province of the Philippines.

The establishment of said community orchards 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
community orchards with the initial core of planting materials of different
types of fruit-bearing trees and plants.

The community orchards shall be located in such appropriate
locations with appropriate topsoil conditions and climactic characteristics

as shall be suitable for the growing of fruit-bearing trees and plants.


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Sec. 2. Powers and Functions of the Community Orchards.
The community orchards established in every City and Municipality in
every Province of the Philippines as herein specified shall have the
following powers and functions:

a. establish experimental plantations of different fruit-bearing

trees and plants;

b. establish a center within the garden where the said trees

and plants can be processed, packaged and sold, or where
seeds, seedlings or cuttings could be dispersed to
barangays;

c. create information programs and seminars that will

educate the local populace about the growing and harvest
of fruit-bearing trees and plants for food and profit; and

d. provide technical and other advisory services to those

already engaged or are interested in engaging in
enterprises related to fruit-bearing trees and plants.

Sec. 3. 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 community orchards shall be
provided by the respective Provincial Governments in which they are
established, in cooperation with the respective Cities and Municipalities in
which said community orchards are to be established. Acquisition of the
land site for the community orchards may also be acquired by donation,

bequeath, expropriation or through lease or usufruct.


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Thereafter, such sums as shall be necessary to operate and conduct
the training programs and other projects of the community orchards shall
be incorporated in the Annual General Appropriations Ordinances of the
Provincial Governments and the respective Cities and Municipalities in
which they shall be established. Other funding support to the community
orchards 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 or other legislators. Grants from local
or foreign sources may also be obtained or availed of.

Sec. 4. This Act shall take immediate effect upon its approval.

Approved,