An Act Declaring the Province of Catanduanes as the Abaca Capital of the Philippines

April 15, 2022

REPUBLIC ACT NO. 11700

AN ACT DECLARING THE PROVINCE OF CATANDUANES AS THE ABACA CAPITAL OF THE PHILIPPINES

SECTION 1. Declaration of Policy. — Section 1, Article XII of the 1987 Constitution provides that the State shall promote the industrialization and full employment based on sound agricultural development and agrarian reform, through industries that make full and efficient use of human and natural resources, which are competitive in both domestic and foreign markets.

Towards this end, the State hereby recognizes the importance of abaca industry and its development as a driver of rural development not only because of its singular potential as a raw material that can increase the country's export earnings tremendously, and put the name of the country in the map of the world for producing the biggest volume of abaca fiber, but for having provided livelihood to many small farmers in the countryside.

SECTION 2. Abaca Capital of the Philippines. — 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.

SECTION 3. Repealing Clause. — Any law, presidential decree or issuance, executive order, letter of instruction, rule or regulation inconsistent or contrary to the provisions of this Act is hereby repealed or modified accordingly.

SECTION 4. Effectivity. — This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after its publication in the Official Gazette or in at least two (2) newspapers of general circulation.

Approved:

Lapsed into law on April 15, 2022 without the signature of the President, in accordance with Article VI, Section 27 (1) of the Constitution.

 

Published in the Manila Bulletin on April 29, 2022.