Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Constitution Hills, Quezon City

SEVENTEENTH CONGRESS
Second Regular Session

6717
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Introduced by Hon. Salvador B. Belaro, Jr. and Hon. Gabriel H. Bordado, Jr.

EXPLANATORY NOTE!

Pili is considered to be one of the most important commodities sold by
the Bicol region in the local and international markets. It (Canarium ovatum) is
one of the twenty major fruit crops which the Philippines produces with greatest
advantage and competitiveness on a global scale.

Historically, the Philippines is the only country which produces and
processes pili in commercial quantity giving it a virtual monopoly of the foreign
market (Coronel, 1990)’. The export potential of pili and processed products is
high. In fact, according to Lanuza (1970)’, the Philippines had been exporting
pili nut to several countries since pre-war years. In 2015, the volume of
production reached 6,258.37 metric tons, which was 1.2% higher than the 2014
production harvested from 1,910 hectares. Sorsogon province had the largest
share with 1,373 hectares or around 72% of the total area harvested with Pili
(PSA 2015)"

Pili is indigenous to the Philippines (Meril, 1923)°. It is produced in at
least six (6) regions namely: Bicol, Eastern Visayas, Southern Tagalog, Caraga,

* Orolfo, EB. 2000. Assessment of the Pili Industry in the Bicol Region.

® Coronel, R.E. 1990. Promising Fruit of the Philippines.

* Lanuza, E. A. 1970. Pili Culture. Plant Industry Digest 32: 33 (1) 7-11.

“ Department of Agriculture. 2016. Bicol Region Agricultural Commodity Situationer.

° Merill, E.0. 1923 An enumeration of Philippine Flowering Plants. Bu. of Printing Manila.


Western Visayas and Southern Mindanao. It is compatible with a large variety
of plants in a wide range of agro-ecological conditions. The tree is very sturdy
and lives long. It also has both pharmaceutical and industrial uses. The resin
extracted from the bark has been an export product of the country for years. It is
an ingredient in the manufacturing of plasters, ointments, paints, varnish,
sealants, lacquers, asphalt, water and fire proofing, linoleum, plastics and
printing inks. Oil from both kernel and pulp is considered equal if not better
than olive oil in quality and is suitable for culinary uses. It is said to be superior
to almond (West, 1993)°.

As a commercial commodity, pili has favorable attributes not possessed
by other Philippine fruits. Its nuts are not perishable. The fruit can be marketed
fresh, as shelled nuts, dried kernel or processed into various delicacies. It does
not require costly storage treatment. If properly dried, it can be stored for 1 year
under ordinary room condition, thus, giving enough time to speculate for better
prices. Aside from its commercial importance, pili fits well as a material for the
agro-eco-tourism program of the government. The spreading crown provides
shelter to wildlife and serves as wind breakers during typhoons. It is a good
material for rehabilitating watershed areas and prevent soil erosion because of
its deep penetrating root system, sturdy stems and vigorous crown.

Despite the dominance of Bicol, in particular, and the Philippines, in
general, in pili production, further innovations in the industry should continue to
maximize opportunities. Hence the need for creating a research center, as a
catalyst of advancement and development, becomes an imperative to make the
industry locally productive and globally competitive.

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

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SALVADOR B. BELARO, JR.
Representative Représentative
1-Ang Edukasyon Party List 3" District, Camarines Sur

° West, E. P. 1923. The Composition of the Pilinut oil. Phil. J. Sci. 23 (3): 269-276.


Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Constitution Hills, Quezon City

SEVENTEENTH CONGRESS
Second Regular Session

HOUSE BILL NO. 6717

Introduced by Rep. Salvador B. Belaro, Jr. and Hon. Gabriel H. Bordado, Jr.

AN ACT
PROMOTING THE CULTIVATION, PRODUCTION, PROCESSING,
MARKETING AND DISTRIBUTION OF PILI NUT AND FOR OTHER
PURPOSES

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

SECTION I. This Act shall be known as the “Pili Research and Promotion Act
of 2017”.

SECTION 2. It is the policy of the State to give priority to research and
development, as well as to science and technology education, training, and
services.

SECTION 3. The Pili Research Institute (PiIRI) is hereby created, as an
attached office to the Department of Agriculture.

PiIRI shall conduct researches in an all-out promotion of both the small-
scale and commercial cultivation of Pili nut in suitable areas of the country and


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shall provide the lead in harnessing the technology in cultivating Pili, and the
efficient processing, marketing, and distribution of Pili nut products.

SECTION 4. The PilRI shall have the following objectives:

a) To conduct agricultural , industrial and economic research for the
development of the Pili industry;

b) To acquire, develop and propagate improved plant materials and
technology;

c) To train professionals, students and Pili farmers on necessary
disciplines related to Pili production, utilization and marketing;

d) To design and implement, in coordination with institutions of
higher learning local and foreign scholarships and fellowship
programs on academic fields that will enhance Pili industry
development;

e) To organize local, regional and international conferences,
gatherings, fora and seminars on the current trends and
developments of the Pili industry;

f) To consolidate all researches by other institutions, as well as to
establish, maintain and operate an information and library center;

g) To design and implement a farm extension program to effectively
transfer modern farm technology to Pili farmers; and

h) To publish and disseminate research findings and make appropriate
recommendations to interested parties.

SECTION 5. The Department of Agriculture, in coordination with the
Commission on Higher Education (CHED), Department of Science and
Technology (DOST) and Department of Trade and Industry (DTI), is herein
tasked to formulate the implementing rules and regulations.

SECTION 6. An initial amount of One Hundred Million Pesos
(P100,000,000.00) necessary for the implementation of this Act shall be
included in the Annual General Appropriations Act.

SECTION 7. If any provision hereof is held invalid or unconstitutional, the

remainder of the law or provision not otherwise affected shall remain valid and
subsisting.

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SECTION 8. All laws, presidential decrees, executive orders, rules and
regulations contrary to or inconsistent with the provisions of this Act are hereby
repealed or modified accordingly.

SECTION 9. This Act shall take effect upon its approval.

Approved.

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