1 
Republic of the Philippines  
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES 
Quezon City 
EIGHTEENTH CONGRESS 
Second Regular Session 
House Bill No. ____ 
Introduced by Hon. ROSANNA “RIA” V. VERGARA 
EXPLANATORY NOTE 
The wide array of agricultural crops that can thrive and be cultivated in the Philippines 
is truly astounding so much so that agricultural farming endures to be a viable source of a 
sustainable livelihood for many Filipinos and a promising catalyst for over-all socio-economic 
growth. Indeed, any effort less than full optimization of such potential would be most unwise.      
One such cash crop would be onions, which have been lauded as the “most 
indispensable culinary ingredient in the world”1 due to the diverse range of flavors that it can 
provide depending on the variety used. Closer to home, it is also among the choice ingredients 
recognized to “make our meals distinctly Filipino.”2 But remarkably, apart from its notable 
contributions to our recipes, onions have also been used to cure physiological disorders such 
as cough, obesity, insomnia, hemorrhoids and constipation.3 Hence, like the actual form of the 
vegetable, there may be indeed many more layers or useful facets to onion cultivation that just 
need to be further explored.      
In the Philippines, the onion industry, particularly the local production of onions, has 
seen growth. Studies show onion production in the Philippines posted an average annual 
growth rate of 4.94% from 2004 to 2013.4 Moreover, compared to 134,161 metric tons (MT) 
of onions produced in 2013, the country produced about 240,314 MT of onions for the 2018-
2019 cropping season.5 Now, after having seen the industry’s promising potential and notable 
performance in recent years, our country cannot therefore afford to regress on this opportunity. 
There is no other sound option but to build on our gains.  
Also, it must be understood that such growth by the Philippine onion industry was not 
without its share of challenges. Hence, as issues, such as climate change, insect pests and 
diseases, price manipulation by cartels, and smuggling, also evolve, so must our country’s 
effective response to these.        
1 Bureau of Agricultural Statistics – Philippine Statistics Authority (April 2014), “2013 Costs & Returns of 
Onion Production” < https://psa.gov.ph/sites/default/files/2013%20CRS%20Onion%20Report.pdf > (last 
accessed 01 June 2021) 
2 Department of Agriculture Communications Group (22 January 2020), “DA to keenly monitor production, 
import of onion and garlic to temper supply, prices”, < https://www.da.gov.ph/da-to-keenly-monitor-production-
import-of-onion-and-garlic-to-temper-supply-prices/ > (last accessed 01 June 2021) 
3 Bureau of Agricultural Statistics op. cit., p.1. 
4 Ibid. 
5 Bureau of Agricultural Statistics op. cit and Department of Agriculture Communications Group op. cit. 
June 1, 2021
2:26 pm
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The creation of the proposed Philippine Onion Research and Development Center 
(hereinafter the “Center”) is then envisioned to be at the forefront of our country’s unified 
efforts at harnessing the potential of the onion industry for the ultimate benefit of our people. 
Strategically located in the Municipality of Bongabon in the Province of Nueva Ecija, which 
is also being proposed to be declared as the Onion Capital of the Philippines since it has long 
been hailed as the “Onion Basket of the Philippines,”6 the Center shall closely collaborate with 
stakeholders especially the onion farmer communities who heavily depend on the onion 
industry. 
Anchored on a strong research component, the Center shall spearhead in the 
formulation of strategy and policy, implementation of programs and projects, and integration 
of both public and private sector efforts that hopefully will yield higher and sustainable income 
especially for our smallholder onion farmers, more effective price regulation mechanisms for 
consumers, a conducive environment for innovation and entrepreneurship for this industry, and 
increased over-all productivity and competitiveness in the global scale.  
In view of the foregoing, the immediate adoption of this measure is earnestly sought. 
ROSANNA “RIA” V. VERGARA 
    Representative, 3rd District of Nueva Ecija 
6 Marilyn Galang, “No overimportation of onion, N. Ecija farmers told” (Feb 23, 2020) 
<https://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1094596> (last accessed 01 June 2021) 


1 
Republic of the Philippines 
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES 
Quezon City 
EIGHTEENTH CONGRESS 
Second Regular Session 
House Bill No. ____ 
Introduced by Hon. ROSANNA “RIA” V. VERGARA 
AN ACT DEVELOPING THE ONION INDUSTRY, ESTABLISHING FOR THE 
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PURPOSE THE PHILIPPINE ONION RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT 
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CENTER, DECLARING THE MUNICIPALITY OF BONGABON IN THE 
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PROVINCE OF NUEVA ECIJA AS THE ONION CAPITAL OF THE PHILIPPINES, 
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AND PROVIDING FUNDS THEREFOR 
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Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the Philippines in Congress 
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assembled: 
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SECTION 1. Title – This Act shall be known as the “Onion Industry Development 
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Act.” 
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SECTION 2.  Declaration of Policy – It is hereby declared the policy of the State to 
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develop a robust agricultural sector in the country and provide full support for the sustainable 
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growth of its component industries such as the onion industry, particularly in its leading 
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producer, the Municipality of Bongabon in the Province of Nueva Ecija. Towards this end, the 
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State shall institutionalize sound policies and effective measures to promote, protect, and 
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harness the potential of the local onion industry for the benefit of its critical stakeholders, 
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especially the onion farmers, and the entire country. 
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SECTION 3. Definition of Terms – 
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a) “Onion” refers to the vegetable that is scientifically known as allium cepa L. and
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locally identified as “sibuyas”; 
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b) “Smallholder onion farmer” refers to a farmer owning and/or cultivating (5)
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hectares or less of onion farms; 
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SECTION 4. Establishment of the Philippine Onion Research and Development 
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Center – Within a year from the approval of this Act, there shall be established the Philippine 
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Onion Research and Development Center, hereinafter referred to as the Center. The Center 
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shall be under the supervision and control of the Department of Agriculture (DA). 
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The Center shall maintain its principal office in the Municipality of Bongabon in the 
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Province of Nueva Ecija. It may create satellite offices, as may be subsequently deemed 
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necessary, in other identified localities. 
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SECTION 5. Powers and Functions of the Center – The Center shall: 
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a) Conduct research and technical studies on the development, production, processing, 
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management and marketing of onions;  
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b) Develop appropriate technologies that are beneficial to the onion industry;  
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c) Enable onion farmers, especially smallholder onion farmers, to have convenient 
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access to quality onion seeds, modern production techniques, technical assistance, 
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and other support services, including but not limited to providing assistance in 
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securing crop insurance as well as in establishing linkages with other stakeholders 
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in the domestic and international onion industry; 
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d) Undertake training and capacity-building programs for onion farmers and 
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cooperatives in order to increase production of high-quality onions and raise the 
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level of income especially of poor smallholder onion farmers;  
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e) Train personnel who will undertake research and development work on onions;  
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f) Assist in the establishment of community-based onion enterprises to generate 
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livelihood opportunities;  
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g) Encourage cooperative development among smallholder onion farmers and provide 
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them access to resources, technological know-how, as well as decision-making 
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processes for the enhancement of their onion enterprises and the protection of their 
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welfare;  
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h) Assist in the monitoring of the domestic supply of onions and, when necessary, 
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submit recommendations for the grant of related importation permits;  
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i) Publish research studies, papers, articles, and other works or writings relating to the 
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onion industry on a regular basis with the end goal of benefiting onion farmers and 
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other industry stakeholders;  
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j) Coordinate with the DA, Department of Trade and Industry (DTI), Department of 
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Science and Technology (DOST), and the Department of Environment and Natural 
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Resources (DENR) to consolidate all policies, programs, and projects on onion 
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research and development;  
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k) Receive and manage grants, aid, donations, contributions, or any kind of assistance 
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through the DA, upon recommendation of the Advisory Board; and  
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l) Such other functions and duties necessary or incidental to the promotion and 
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development of the onion industry.  
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SECTION 6.  Executive Director of the Center – The Executive Director shall head 
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the Center and shall report directly to the Advisory Board. 
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The Executive Director shall be a recognized expert in onion research and policy 
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development, with at least three (3) years of experience in the onion industry, and shall have a 
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strong organizational management background. The Executive Director shall be appointed by 
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the DA Secretary within sixty (60) calendar days after the effectivity of the implementing rules 
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and regulations of this Act and upon the recommendation of the Advisory Board. The 
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Executive Director shall serve in full time capacity for a term of five (5) years which may be 
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renewed.  
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The Executive Director shall strictly avoid any conflict of interest in the conduct and 
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performance of duties for the duration of the term.  
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SECTION 7. Powers and Function of the Executive Director of the Center – The 
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Executive Director of the Center shall:  
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a) Implement and enforce research and policy direction and priorities, policies, 
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decisions, orders, rules, and regulations determined by the Advisory Board; 
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b) Exercise 
administrative and 
supervisory 
functions 
over 
the 
planning, 
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implementation, and evaluation of the policies, programs, and projects of the 
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Center; 
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c) Recommend to the Advisory Board, the following: 
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i. 
Organizational structure of the Center; 
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ii. 
Appointment of personnel, including research fellows, officers, and 
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employees; and 
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iii. 
Overall budget of the Center; 
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d) Submit to the Advisory Board, regular reports on the Center to include annual 
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reports on operations, status of programs and projects, and the financial condition 
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of the Center; 
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e) Execute contracts, incur obligations, acquire and dispose of assets, and deliver 
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documents on behalf of the Center within the limits of the authority determined by 
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the Advisory Board;  
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f) Generate and obtain logistical and financial support for the programs and 
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component units of the Center with the assistance of the Advisory Board: Provided, 
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That in so doing, no conflict of interest exists with the objectives of this Act and the 
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functions of the Center; 
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g) Not engage in any act that may result to a conflict of interest with the objectives, 
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functions, and powers of the Center; and 
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h) Exercise and perform such other powers, functions, and duties as may be authorized 
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or assigned by the Advisory Board and in accordance with the objectives of this 
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Act. 
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SECTION 8. Advisory Board – There is hereby created an Advisory Board, which is 
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principally mandated to develop strategies, policies and programs aimed at effectively 
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harnessing the potential of the Philippine onion industry and improving the state of 
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technologies to produce, process and/or market high-quality onions to meet global standards 
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for competitiveness and product quality.  
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The Advisory Board shall be composed of the following: 
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a) DA Secretary or his/her representative, as Chairperson; 
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b) DTI Secretary or his/her representative, as Vice Chairperson; 
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c) DOST Secretary or his/her representative; 
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d) DENR Secretary or his/her representative; 
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e) Mayor of the Municipality of Bongabon, Nueva Ecija or his/her representative; 
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f)
One (1) representative from the onion farmers to be appointed by the President of
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the Philippines, upon the recommendation of the DA Secretary, for a term of three
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(3) years.
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SECTION 9. Powers and Functions of the Advisory Board – The Advisory Board 
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shall: 
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a) Provide the general direction and priorities of the Center in accordance with this
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Act;
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b) Determine research and policy areas for study by the Center and an annual research
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agenda, in consultation with the Executive Director, based on the regular
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assessment of local and international developments affecting the onion industry;
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c) Provide advice to the Center on any matter relating to the development of a research
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or policy area and the administration of research programs;
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d) Approve the organizational structure, appointment of personnel, and over-all
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budget of the Center;
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e) Monitor and evaluate the implementation, efficiency and, effectiveness of the
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programs and projects undertaken by the Center;
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f)
Assist the Executive Director in generating resources and obtaining logistical and
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financial support for the programs and component units of the Center: Provided,
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That in so doing, no conflict of interest exists with the objectives of this Act and the
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functions of the Center; and
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g) Assign additional powers, functions, and duties of the Executive Director in
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accordance with the objectives of this Act.
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SECTION 10.  Onion Capital of the Philippines – The Municipality of Bongabon in 
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the Province of Nueva Ecija is hereby declared, or granted the official designation as the Onion 
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Capital of the Philippines. 
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SECTION 11.  Special Account for Onion Research – A Special Account in the 
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General Fund (SAGF) for onion research, which shall be maintained and managed by the 
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Bureau of Treasury, shall be established to support the research undertaken by the Center. The 
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SAGF for onion research shall recognize and accept grants, aid, donations, and contributions 
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collected for onion research, for purposes of executing its mandate and functions: Provided, 
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That in so doing, no conflict of interest exists with the objectives of this Act and the functions 
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of the Center. 
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SECTION 12. Appropriations – The amount necessary to carry out the provisions of 
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this Act shall be included in the General Appropriations Act of the year following its enactment 
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into law and thereafter. 
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SECTION 13.  Implementing Rules and Regulations – Within ninety (90) calendar 
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days from the effectivity of this Act, the DA shall, in collaboration with the DTI, DOST, 
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DENR, the Local Government Unit of the Municipality of Bongabon in the Province of Nueva 
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Ecija, members of the academe, and other public and private stakeholders, issue and 
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promulgate the necessary rules and regulations to implement the provisions of this Act. 
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SECTION 14.  Separability Clause – If any portion or provision of this Act is 
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declared unconstitutional or invalid, the remainder of this Act or any provision not affected 
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thereby, shall remain in force and effect.  
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SECTION 15. Repealing Clause – Any law, decree, issuance, order, letter of 
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instruction, rule and regulation or parts thereof, which are inconsistent with or contrary to the 
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provisions of this Act, are hereby repealed, amended or modified accordingly.  
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SECTION 16. Effectivity - This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days following its 
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complete publication in the Official Gazette or a newspaper of general circulation.  
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Approved, 
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