Republic of the Philippines  
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES 
Quezon City  
EIGHTEENTH CONGRESS 
Second Regular Session  
HOUSE BILL NO. _________ 
Introduced by Representative Mercedes “Didi” C. Cagas 
AN ACT  
ESTABLISHING A PALM OIL RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT CENTER IN THE 
PROVINCE OF DAVAO DEL SUR, APPROPRIATING FUNDS THEREFOR 
EXPLANATORY NOTE 
Philippine oil palm has become a promising commodity for the agribusiness industry 
as the demand for palm oil and its by-products has drastically increased both in the domestic 
and international market.   The strong demand for palm oil and its by-products has caught the 
interest of investors especially in Mindanao where, historically and geographically, plantation 
agriculture dominates not only in the private sector but also in the government sector.   
However, there are perceived constraints to the growth of the industry including the 
lack of production technologies and marketing strategies.  Establishing a Palm Oil Research 
and Development Center in the Province of Davao Del Sur will not only address these 
deficiencies but will also generate employment and enhance livelihood activities in the 
Province.  This representation believes that investing in the research and development for the 
gainful production, processing and marketing of oil palm products and by-products will open 
opportunities for small farmers and agri-business owners in the Province and will ensure food 
security, increased income, rural employment and sustainable oil palm development.   
It is for the foregoing reason that the immediate passage of this bill is earnestly sought. 
MERCEDES “DIDI” C. CAGAS 
June 1, 2021
10:43 am
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Republic of the Philippines  
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES 
Quezon City  
EIGHTEENTH CONGRESS 
Second Regular Session  
HOUSE BILL NO. _________ 
Introduced by Representative Mercedes “Didi” C. Cagas 
AN ACT  
ESTABLISHING A PALM OIL RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT CENTER IN THE 
PROVINCE OF DAVAO DEL SUR, APPROPRIATING FUNDS THEREFOR 
Be it enacted by the Senate and the House of Representatives of the Philippines in Congress 
assembled:  
SECTION 1. Establishment. – There shall be established, under the control and supervision 
of the Department of Agriculture, a Palm Oil Research and Development Center in the Province 
of Davao Del Sur which shall harness the potential of oil palm farming in the Province. 
SEC. 2. Powers and Functions. – The Palm Oil Research and Development Center in the 
Province of Davao Del Sur shall have the following powers and functions:  
(a) Initiate and administer a multi-disciplinary research program to generate high yielding
oil palm hybrids, establish oil palm plant nursery, develop innovative production and
processing technologies, including the utilization of palm oil and palm oil by-products;
(b) Empower palm oil farmers, palm oil millers, and other stakeholders on the modern
methods in the production and processing of palm oil and palm oil by-products;
(c) Promote and provide support in the establishment of value-added palm oil enterprises
to generate livelihood opportunities to small palm oil producers;
(d) Provide support to palm oil farmers, palm oil millers and other stakeholders in
marketing palm oil and palm oil by-products; and
(e) Promote cooperative development among small palm oil farmers by providing them
access to oil palm planting materials, technological knowledge, and entrepreneurial
competency.
SEC. 3. Appropriations. – The amount necessary for the implementation of this Act shall be 
charged to the current appropriations for the Department of Agriculture.  Thereafter, such sum 
as may be necessary for the continuous operation and maintenance of the Palm Oil Research 
and Development Center shall be included in the Annual General Appropriations Act.  
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SEC. 4. Repealing Clause. – All laws, decrees, executive orders, proclamations, rules and 
regulations, and other issuances, or parts thereof which are inconsistent with the provisions of 
this Act, are hereby repealed or modified accordingly. 
SEC. 5. Separability Clause. – If any provision of this shall be held unconstitutional or invalid, 
the other provisions not otherwise affected shall remain in full force and effect.  
SEC. 6. Effectivity Clause. – This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days following its complete 
publication in the Official Gazette or in two (2) national newspapers of general circulation.  
Approved,