Sellaid Ollite of the faccretara TWENTIETH CONGRESS OF THE MAY 18 P5:30 REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES First Regular Session ) SENATE S.B. No. 2132 Introduced by Senator Raffy T. Tulfo AN ACT DECLARING UBE (DIOSCOREA ALATA), COMMONLY KNOWN AS PURPLE YAM, AS THE NATIONAL ROOT CROP OF THE PHILIPPINES AND RECOGNIZING ITS CULTURAL, AGRICULTURAL, AND ECONOMIC SIGNIFICANCE EXPLANATORY NOTE Ube, or purple yam (Dioscorea alata), is one of the Philippines' most culturally significant and globally recognizable agricultural products. Deeply embedded in Filipino cuisine and heritage, ube is widely used in traditional delicacies such as ube halaya, halo- halo, kakanin, breads, pastries, and desserts that have become synonymous with Filipino identity both locally and abroad. Over the years, ube has evolved from a traditional staple ingredient into an internationally recognized symbol of Filipino culinary creativity, culture, and innovation. Beyond its cultural value, ube is also an important livelihood and economic crop. In an article entitled "An Ube Story: The Philippines' Purple Gold," Philippine Root Crop Research and Training Center highlighted the growing local and international demand for Philippine ube and described ube as the country's "purple gold" due to its strong economic and export potential. The article emphasized that ube production and processing create livelihood opportunities for Filipino farmers, food processors, traders, and micro, small, and medium enterprises, while also helping promote Philippine agriculture and cuisine globally. PhilRootcrops likewise underscored the importance of strengthening research,
production, and value-adding initiatives to ensure the sustainability and competitiveness of the Philippine ube industry.1 The global popularity of ube has significantly increased in recent years, bringing greater international attention to Filipino cuisine and agricultural products. In an April 9, 2026 feature article, The New York Times highlighted how ube has become a mainstream flavor in global food markets, appearing in desserts, beverages, pastries, and commercial food products worldwide.? Earlier, a December 29, 2025 article by The New York Times emphasized how ube has become a culinary symbol closely associated with Filipino identity and heritage. Meanwhile, CNN Travel described ube as a global food trend that has introduced millions of consumers worldwide to Filipino flavors and cuisine. 3 As reported by The Philippine Star in its May 18, 2026 article entitled "Global purple craze brightens hopes for Philippine ube farmers," Philippine exports of ube and ube- based products reached approximately $3.25 million in 2025, increasing from $2.7 million in 2024, while export volume rose by 24% to nearly 1.7 million kilograms. The same report noted that frozen ube exports alone generated almost $1.8 million in revenue, reflecting the growing global demand for Philippine ube products and the labor opportunities created for Filipino farmers, food manufacturers, processors, exporters, and micro, small, and medium enterprises.* Meanwhile, according to a feature article by the Philippine Information Agency, local ube development initiatives in Quirino Province have enabled Philippine ube products to reach export markets such as Japan, South Korea, Europe, and the United States, with projected production of up to 100 metric tons of ube powder annually by 2026.5 1 An Ube story: The Philippines' Purple Gold. https://philrootcrops.vsu.edu.ph/20-news/137-an-ube-story- the-philippines-purple-gold 2 A Must for the Next Food Craze? Be 'Social Media Gorgeous.' (2026, April 9). The New York Times. https://www.nytimes.com/2026/04/09/business/ube-flavor.html 3 The World Wants More Ube. Philippine Farmers Are Struggling to Keep Up. (2025, December 29). The New York Times. https://www.nytimes.com/2025/12/29/world/asia/philippines-ube-purple-yam.html 4 Global purple craze brightens hopes for Philippine ube farmers. (2026, May 3). Philstar.com. https://www.philstar.com/business/2026/05/18/2528620/global-purple-craze-brightens-hopes-philippine- ube-farmers/amp 5 From humble root crop to global export: Quirino's ube reaches world markets. (2026, May 8). Philippine Information Agency. https://pia.gov.ph/features/from-humble-root-crop-to-global-export-quirinos-ube- reaches-world-markets/
Declaring ube as the National Root Crop of the Philippines recognizes not only its importance to Filipino culture and cuisine, but also its contribution to agriculture, employment, tourism, exports, and rural economic development. Through this measure, the State affirms its commitment to supporting Filipino farmers and promoting Philippine agricultural products that embody the country's identity, heritage, innovation, and global competitiveness. In view of the foregoing, the immediate passage of this measure is earnestly sought. RAFFY T. TULFO
senate Office of the Secrelary TWENTIETH CONGRESS OF THE MAY 18 P5:31 REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES ) First Regular Session ) RECEIVED BY: SENATE S.B. No. 2132 Introduced by Senator Raffy T. Tulfo AN ACT DECLARING UBE (DIOSCOREA ALATA), COMMONLY KNOWN AS PURPLE YAM, AS THE NATIONAL ROOT CROP OF THE PHILIPPINES AND RECOGNIZING ITS CULTURAL, AGRICULTURAL, AND ECONOMIC SIGNIFICANCE Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the Philippines in Congress assembled:
Section 1. Short Title. - This Act shall be known as the "National Root Crop of
2 the Philippines Act."
Sec. 2. Declaration of Policy. — It is hereby declared the policy of the State to
recognize and promote agricultural products that embody Filipino culture, heritage, identity, and economic potential. The State likewise recognizes the importance of supporting local agricultural products that contribute to rural livelihoods, food innovation, tourism, and export development.
Sec. 3. Declaration of Ube as the National Root Crop of the Philippines. - Ube,
also known as purple yam and scientifically known as Dioscorea alata, is hereby declared as the National Root Crop of the Philippines.
Sec. 4. Role of Government Agencies. - The Department of Agriculture (DA), in
coordination with the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI), Department of Tourism (DOT), National Commission for Culture and the Arts (NCCA), local government units (LGUs), and other relevant agencies, shall promote and support programs, activities, and initiatives that recognize and showcase the cultural, agricultural, culinary, and economic significance of ube.
Sec. 5. Implementing Rules and Regulations. — Within ninety (90) days from the
effectivity of this Act, the Department of Agriculture, in coordination with relevant agencies, shall promulgate the necessary rules and regulations for the effective implementation of this Act.
Sec. 6. Separability Clause. - If any provision of this Act is declared
unconstitutional or invalid, the remaining provisions not affected thereby shall remain in full force and effect.
Sec. 7. Repealing Clause. - All laws, decrees, executive orders, rules and
regulations, or parts thereof inconsistent with this Act are hereby repealed or modified accordingly.
Sec. 8. Effectivity. — This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after its publication
in the Official Gazette or in a newspaper of general circulation. Approved,