Sorsogon as Pili Capital of the Philipppines

Senate Office of the rurlar? TWENTIETH CONGRESS OF THE ) REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES ) 26 MAR 16 P4:17 First Regular Session ) SENATE RECEIVED BY 1974 S. No. _ Introduced by Senator Francis G. Escudero AN ACT DECLARING THE PROVINCE OF SORSOGON AS THE PILI CAPITAL OF THE PHILIPPINES EXPLANATORY NOTE This bill, as a counterpart measure of House Bill No. 1273 filed by the Representative of the First District of the Province of Sorsogon, seeks to declare the Province of Sorsogon as the Pili Capital of the Philippines. Pili is widely cultivated across farms, plantations, and backyards throughout the Province of Sorsogon, and has been one of its most important agricultural commodity and livelihood sources. Over the past decade, the province has produced approximately 32,521.13 metric tons of pili nuts, which account for about 51.51% of all pili nuts produced in the country during the same period. Beyond primary production, the Province of Sorsogon has also demonstrated its capacity to support a growing pili-based industry, producing a wide range of value-added pili products, including candies, oil, jams, and other specialty goods. This sustained level of production underscores the province's leading role in the cultivation and development of the crop. This bill seeks to recognize the longstanding leadership in pili production and industry development. Such recognition will help promote greater awareness, encourage further investment, and strengthen the competitiveness of pili products in both domestic and international markets. Ultimately, this intervention will benefit farmers, processors, and communities that rely on the pili industry. Given the foregoing considerations, the approval of this bill is respectfully requested. FRANCIS G. ESCUDERO

Senate Office of the Secretarp TWENTIETH CONGRESS OF THE ) REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES MAR 16 P4:17 ) First Regular Session SENATE RECEIVED BY 1974 S. No. _ Introduced by Senator Francis G. Escudero AN ACT DECLARING THE PROVINCE OF SORSOGON AS THE PILI CAPITAL OF THE PHILIPPINES Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the Philippines in Congress assembled:

Section 1. Declaration of Policy. - It is hereby declared the policy of the State to

promote the industrialization and full employment based on sound agricultural 3 development and agrarian reform, through industries that make full and efficient use of human and natural resources, which are competitive in both domestic and foreign markets. Towards this end, the State hereby recognizes the importance of the pili industry and its development as a driver of rural development, as a source of export earnings, and as a means to provide sustainable livelihood to Filipino farmers.

Sec. 2. Pili Capital of the Philippines. - In recognition of its status as the country's

10 biggest producer of pili, and in support to agricultural development of the province, the Province of Sorsogon is hereby declared as the Pili Capital of the Philippines.

Sec. 3. Effectivity. - This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after its complete

publication in the Official Gazette or a newspaper of general circulation. Approved,