Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Quezon City, Metro Manila

NINETEENTH CONGRESS
First Regular Session

328

HOUSE BILL NO.

Introduced by Hon. ALAN 1B. ECLEO

EXPLANATORY NOTE

It shall be the policy of the State to promote the well-being of farmers by
providing an environment in which they can increase their income, improve their
living conditions and maximize their contributions to the national economy, to
accelerate agricultural development and enhance the production of agricultural crops
by optimizing the use of resources and applying advanced farming systems/modern
technology with the end in view of attaining food security for domestic use and
‘expanding/diversifying agricultural production for export.

Pursuant to the National Economic and Development Authority's (NEDA)
2018 Regional Economic Situationer, the total production of root crop commodities in
Caraga region decreased by 5.70 percent from 21,095 MT in Q4 2017 to 19,894 MT
in Q4 2018 due to lower produce generated for sweet potato by 9.37 percent.
Particularly, apropos Major Crops Statistics of the Philippines 2014 released by the
Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA), it shows that Dinagat Islands has the lowest
yield of root crops in the region, with only 483 volume of production in metric ton in a
85 hectare harvested area for sweet potato and 468 volume of production in metric
ton in a 166 hectare harvested area for cassava. It is also worth noting that the said
production starkly decreased compared to 2013 production of 732 MT in an
increased area of 158 hectares and 586 MT in a decreased area of 140 hectares for
Tespective root crops. As can be gleaned from the data, the production is not
dependent on the area harvested.

In 2016, it has been reported that Dinagat Islands are abundant in cassava.
This has paved the way for the Department of Science and Technology (DOST) to
conduct a two-day Root Crop Based Products training in the province. However
laudable as it is, Dinagat Islands is a far-flung and remote province compared to
others, hence necessitating intensive assistance for agricultural strategies in order to
utilize the richness of its root crops. Further, considering that the province is rice
deficient as it is still dependent on Surigao City for rice allocation, having readily
available and accessible root crops is a good substitute to keep up with the pressing
food requirements of the Dinagatnons.

Hence, the establishment of a Provincial Root Crop Center in the Municipality
of Libjo, Province of Dinagat Islands is hereby requested to promote root crop


diversification and to ensure that food productivity, availability and sufficiency is
attained.

In view of the foregoing, the approval of this bill is earnestly sought.

1B. ECLEO
Representative, Ldne District of Dinagat Islands


RepRepublic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Quezon City, Metro Manila

NINETEENTH CONGRESS
First Regular Session

HOUSE BILL NO. 328
Introduced by Hon. ALAN 1B. ECLEO

AN ACT ESTABLISHING THE PROVINCIAL ROOT CROP CENTER IN THE
MUNICIPALITY OF LIBJO, PROVINCE OF DINAGAT ISLANDS 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 Root Crop Center in the
Municipality of Libjo, Province of Dinagat Islands to be known as the Dinagat Root
Crop Center for the purpose of ensuring the development of crop production,
promoting various crop farming technologies, and improving crop varieties
accessible to our farmers and the general people.

SEC. 2. The Secretary of Department of Agriculture shall immediately include
in the agency's programs the operationalization of the Dinagat Root Crop Center, the
initial funding of which shall be charged against the current year’s appropriation of
the Department of Agriculture. Thereafter, the amount necessary for the continued
operation of said Dinagat Root Crop Center 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. Should any part or provision of this Act be held
unconstitutional or invalid, the provisions which are not affected thereby shall
continue to be in full force and effect.

SEC. 5. Repealing Clause. Any other law, issuance or part thereof
inconsistent with this Act are hereby repealed or modified accordingly.

SEC. 6. Effectivity. This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after its
publication in the Official Gazette or in two (2) newspapers of general circulation

Approved,