MANILA, Philippines — A measure declaring Catanduanes as the abaca capital of the Philippines has lapsed into law.
A copy of Republic Act No. 11700 or the Act Declaring the Province of Catanduanes as the Abaca Capital of the Philippines, sent to reporters on Tuesday, shows that the measure lapsed into law on April 15 without President Rodrigo Duterte’s signature.
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“In recognition of its status as the country’s biggest producer of abaca and making the Philippines world-renowned as ‘Manila Hemp’ in the fiber industry, and in support to agricultural development of the province, it is hereby declared that Catanduanes be the Abaca Capital of the Philippines,” the law stated.
READ: Abaca output down in Jan-Feb period
In 2020, 35 percent of the country’s total abaca production came from Catanduanes.
READ: COVID-19 restrictions impede abaca industry growth during pandemic
Egg Basket of PH
Meanwhile, San Jose in Batangas is proclaimed as the “Egg Basket of the Philippines.”
Republic Act No. 11707 or the Egg Basket Act has likewise lapsed into law on April 17 without the president’s signature.
READ: House bill declaring San Jose, Batangas as ‘Egg Basket of PH’ approved
“The Municipality of San Jose in the Province of Batangas is hereby declared as the “Egg Basket of the Philippines” in recognition of the economic significance of its egg industry in both local and national levels,” the act reads.
In 2020, the Batangas Egg Producers Association said that the province produces an estimated 30 million chicken eggs daily with San Jose as its forefront municipality.