Mango development act moves forward in Congress

A bill seeking to bolster the competitiveness of the Philippine mango has been approved by the House Committee on Agriculture and Food on June 17, 2020, a decade after it has first been filed.

In a press release, AAMBIS-OWA Party-list Representative Sharon Garin expressed her elation upon the approval of House Bill 3393, otherwise known as the Philippine Mango Development Act.

The measure seeks to decrease postharvest losses, reinforce modernized techniques and technologies, and introduce international marketing strategies for Philippine mango.

“Mango is one of our major assets and it’s something that we can be very proud of. It’s not called our national fruit for nothing. We need to strengthen the industry. We need the proper R&D,” said Rep. Garin, the principal author of the bill.

She underscored how the lack of streamlined process is hampering the potential of the industry. Moreover, since around 70% of mango production is done through backyard farming, the cost of production is higher compared to non-backyard production.

A key feature of the bill is the five-year Philippine Mango Framework for Development that shall serve as a guide to the formulation and implementation of plans, programs and projects for the production, marketing processing and distribution of Philippine mango for food and commercial needs.

The Department of Agriculture (DA) and the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) shall also play an active role in investment promotion, facilitation, market production, and development of the mango industry. This includes setting up links between stakeholders of the mango industry and financial cooperatives, establishing reasonable and innovative investment incentives, and facilitating the participation of local growers and producers in local and international conferences, trade fairs, and exhibits.

DA Undersecretary Evelyn Laviña and Undersecretary Ricojudge Janvier Echiverri of the Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG) also expressed support for the bill’s passage. Usec. Lavinia underscored that the law shall reinforce good agricultural practices (GAP) among stakeholders.

“This [bill] will really be a great help for the stakeholders and the government to produce mangoes with good quality for local consumption and for export,” she said.

Representative Garin first filed the Philippine Mango Development Act in the 15th Congress. House Bill 3393 has now passed the committee level, subject to proposed amendments.