Chier often 25 JUL 15 P3:24 TWENTIETH CONGRESS OF THE ) REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES ) First Regular Session RECEIVED BY: SENATE S.B. No. 660 Introduced by SENATOR IMEE R. MARCOS AN ACT URGING THE COMPREHENSIVE PLANNING, DEVELOPMENT, AND EXPORT PROMOTION OF THE MORINGA (MORINGA OLEIFERA), LOCALLY KNOWN AS "MALUNGGAY", AND PROVIDING FUNDS THEREFOR EXPLANATORY NOTE Article II, Section 21 of the 1987 Constitution provides that, " The State shall promote comprehensive rural development' Moreover, Article II, Section 15 states that "The State shall protect and promote the right to health of the people and instill health consciousness among them." Moringa (Moringa oleifera), locally known as malunggay, is a common green vegetable that grows in practically all soil types and weather conditions in the country. Known as the "miracle vegetable" and "nature's medicine cabinet" by researchers and health professionals around the world, moringa is a powerhouse of nutritional value. Moringa is used as natural maternal and childcare food supplement, as well as in the management of different ailments such as diabetes, hypertension, aging issues, and other lifestyle diseases. Last October 2018, the World Health Organization (WHO) has recognized the value of moringa in its efforts against malnutrition, promoting it as a low-cost health enhancer in poor countries around the world. In addition to its nutritional value, moringa trees can also help stabilize the soil and reduce deforestation. As such, given the global potential of moringa, the country should enhance the promotion of planting moringa. There is a need to expand the local and foreign market of moringa and its products to enhance the agribusiness potential of the crop as part of the country's poverty-alleviation and health care program. The development of a moringa-based agro-industry can help address the nutritional deficiency problems in the countryside and urban slums, increase on-farm, off-farm and non-farm enterprise incomes, improve the utilization of idle lands and urban spaces, and help reduce poverty.
For the abovementioned reasons, the immediate passage of this bill is earnestly sought. IMEER MARCOS Y
Fine di Difier ol tie - TWENTIETH CONGRESS OF THE ) JUL 15 P3:24 REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES ) First Regular Session RECEIVED BY SENATE S.B. No. 660 Introduced by SENATOR IMEE R. MARCOS AN ACT URGING THE COMPREHENSIVE PLANNING, DEVELOPMENT, AND EXPORT PROMOTION OF THE MORINGA (MORINGA OLEIFERA), LOCALLY KNOWN AS "MALUNGGAY", AND PROVIDING FUNDS THEREFOR 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 "Moringa Development Act."
Sec. 2. Development of Moringa - The Department of Agriculture (DA), in consultation
with the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR), Department of Science and Technology (DOST), moringa growers' cooperatives and organizations, local government units, and the private sector, shall formulate a one-year framework to be validated and updated annually. Such framework shall serve as guide to the formulation and implementation of plans, programs and projects for the production, marketing, processing and distribution of moringa for food and commercial needs, as envisioned in this Act. The framework shall likewise provide for the following: a) National Framework - The DA, DOST, state universities and colleges (SUCs), and other stakeholders shall strengthen the conduct of researches on moringa particularly on areas of crop improvement, crop protection, harvesting and postharvest handling, supply chain analysis, marketing and promotion; b) Investment Promotion and Facilitation - The DA and DTI shall develop programs establishing links between stakeholders in the Moringa Industry and Government Financial Institutions (GFIs) and other financial cooperatives. The DA and DTI shall likewise develop and implement programs that would establish reasonable and innovative investment incentives to attract more players in the Moringa Industry; c) Export Promotion Support - An integrated and strategic export promotion program for Moringa Industry shall be created. The export promotion program shall be responsive to market conditions, needs of the exporters, and possibilities offered by new products and technologies. It shall likewise provide foreign trade
and export promotion activities through trainings, technical assistance, capacity building, generating awareness on export opportunities, and export planning assistance; d) Strengthen Trade Policies and Support Network. - The DA shall be responsible in coordinating a consultative approach for the various stages of the trade policy making process. The Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) shall lead the negotiation of Free Trade Agreements (FTAs) to provide a competitive environment for moringa exports abroad; and e) Monitoring and Evaluation. - The DA shall continuously monitor, track, and analyze the progress and outcomes of the programs to be implemented to determine over-all effectiveness.
SEC. 3. Designating the Department of Agriculture-High Value Crops Development
Program (DA-HVCDP) as the Office in Charge in the Development of the Moringa Industry. - The DA-HVCDP is hereby tasked to implement the development of the Moringa Industry. The Department of Agriculture shall allocate an annual budget to said office pursuant to its additional task of developing the Moringa Industry.
Sec. 4. Appropriations. - The amount necessary to implement this Act shall be included
in the annual General Appropriations Act (GAA). Thereafter, such funds as may be necessary for the continued Implementation of this Act shall be included in the succeeding annual GAA.
Sec. 5. Separability Clause. - If any provision, or part hereof, is held invalid or
unconstitutional, the remainder of the law or the provision not otherwise affected shall remain valid and subsisting.
Sec. 6. Repealing Clause. - Any law, presidential decree or issuance, executive order,
letter of instruction, administrative order, rule or regulation contrary to or inconsistent with, the provisions of this Act is hereby repealed, modified, or amended accordingly.
Sec. 7. Effectivity Clause. - This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after its
publication in at least two (2) newspapers of general circulation. Approved, N