Abaca industry research, development bill filed in Senate

File photo shows an abaca farmer in Virac, Catanduanes. (MICHAEL B. JAUCIAN)

MANILA, Philippines — A bill aimed at creating  an agency and program that will promote abaca agriculture and development in the county was filed in the Senate on Monday.

Senator Ma. Imelda “Imee” Marcos filed Senate Bill 2517 which will form a Philippine Abaca Industry Development Coordinating Council, which will be attached to the Department of Agriculture.

A ten-year Philippine Abaca Industry Development Program will also collaborate with other government departments and agencies for abaca research, development, and training.

“The Department of Environment and Natural Resources and Department of Science and Technology shall establish cultivation and propagation of Philippine disease free and disease resistant varieties of abaca,” the bill said.

“The Department of Environment and Natural Resources, Department of Agriculture, Department of Trade and Industry and Department of Science and Technology […] and other relevant government agencies, shall establish programs which promote and provide adequate training on adapting technologies to individuals engaged in the propagation, production, processing, marketing and distribution of Philippine abaca and strengthen farmers’/producers’/processors’ cooperatives and organizations involved in the sustainable and viable development of Philippine abaca,” it continued.

A Philippine Abaca Industry Development Fund with a 500 million-peso initial budget upon the approval of the bill, and every year after, was also provided for.