IPIL, Zamboanga Sibugay --- Two similar bills pending in the Congress seeks “to initiate and administer research and development programs that will improve the quality and increase productivity of rubber” for the benefit of smallholder rubber producers and processors” by creating the Philippine Rubber Research Institute (PRRI).
Rep. Ann Hofer of the second congressional district, this province filed House Bill No. 2435 in a bid to improve the production of rubber in the country by creating the PRRI to promote the quality and increase the quantity of rubber production.
Sen. Loren Legarda also filed a similar bill, Senate Bill No. 1651.
In filing the bill, Hofer said the government should now help people from Mindanao on how to promote quality and increase quantity of rubber production.
Rubber, scientifically known as Hevea brasilienses, is grown in Mindanao being typhoon free.
In 1905, rubber tree seedlings were introduced in the country, almost at the same
time when Indonesia and Malaysia started their own rubber industries. According to the International Rubber Study Group, these countries are now among the leading rubber producers and exporters, together with Thailand and India.
Data from the Department of Agriculture (DA) revealed that there is great demand for rubber, as world consumption of rubber has been increasing. World production of natural rubber is projected to increase at 3-5% per year up to 2020, which is from 6.6 million tons in 2006 to 17.4 million tons in 2010 to 28.1 million in 2020.
However, the Philjppines is lagging behind its Asian neighbors in terms of
production and exportation of rubber. In 2004, the country’s rubber industry accounted for only 1.05 % of the world consumption.
The slow progress of the rubber industry is attributed to the low quality of rubber products, lack of planting materials for expansion and lack of investments for the establishment of bud wood garden and nurseries.
An increase in production would raise income opportunities for the people of Mindanao especially the poor families whose daily subsistence relied on rubber, Hofer stressed.
“This measure is vital and urgent in line with the government’s effort to upgrade the economy, modernize industry, and alleviate poverty for sustainable development,” Hofer said
The proposed measure aims to increase rubber productivity and further develop
and expand the Philippine rubber industry by creating the PRRI which shall propagate and promote the planting, maintenance and utilization of rubber trees.
It also seeks to provide access to quality rubber tree seedlings, modern production techniques, and other support: services, undertake training and other capacity-building programs for stakeholders in the rubber industry.
The development of the rubber industry requires focused programs and projects on research, training, and capability-building that requires an institution to oversee and implement these activities, Hofer said.
"Its creation in Sibugay is urgent not only because of the absence of a rubber institution in the country, but more important is because of the abundance of rubber trees in the said province," Hofer added.
She called for the immediate approval of her proposed bill saying the potential contribution of this promising industry in the province to national economy should not be underestimated.
"More importantly the need to create the PRRI is based from principles enshrined in the Constitution regarding the promotion of self-reliant industries; the encouragement of private enterprises; the generation of employment and livelihood opportunities for the poor; and the provision for training and education particularly in science and technology among others," Hofer said.
The PRRI with its rationally designed functions of initiating research both on policy and technology, of providing training and other support services is seen as a strong foundation on which a solid and competitive Philippine rubber industry will rise, Hofer said
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