Creation of rubber industry board pushed

A lawmaker is pushing for the creation of a national rubber industry development

board to provide a strong foundation for the development and stability of the rubber
industry in the country.
Rep. Isagani S. Amatong (3rd District !amboanga del "orte# said the establishment
of the $hilippine Rubber Industry Development %oard ($&'R(%%)R# though &ouse %ill
*++, will ma-imi.e the country/s production of rubber.
Amatong bewailed the lack of testing facilities in the government and private
sectors and the absence of an industry0focused government institution1organi.ation which
could have improved 2uality productivity and access to good market.
34he $hilippines is a known rubber producing country but has insignificantly
contributed to a dismal one percent of the world/s rubber supply. 5iven the rich and fertile
soil of our area there is so much potential in rubber that can contribute to the national
economic development6 Amatong said.
4he 7indanao solon said the demand for natural rubber in the world is steadily
increasing and that in 89:3 alone the e-pected volume of world demand for natural
rubber reached ::.3 million.
34o date the International 7onetary ;und (I7;# has pro<ected the demand to reach
::.= million and the I7; predicts the market to reach at :>.* million metric tons by
89896 Amatong said.
(nder his proposal the $&'R(%%)R or %oard shall serve as the country/s rubber
development board. It shall be an attached agency of the Department of 4rade and
Industry (D4I# and shall be composed of the secretaries of D4I and the Departments of
Agriculture (DA# Agrarian Reform (DAR# )nvironment and "atural Resources (D)"R#
Science and 4echnology (D?S4# 'abor and )mployment (D?')# and Interior and 'ocal
5overnment (DI'5#.
'ikewise the Director 5eneral of the 4echnical )ducation and Skills Development
Authority@ $resident1A)? of the 'and %ank of the $hilippines and two representatives
each from the Academe $hilippine Rubber Industries Association Inc. "atural Resources
$rocessors Small &olders Association and ;ederation of Rubber Aooperatives shall form
part of the %oard.
4he %oard/s ma<or task is to promote the development and growth of the rubber
industry by improving productivity 2uality and e-panding manufacturing and e-port of
NR # 3596
SEPT. 21, 2014
rubber and rubber products.
Among the specific responsibilities of the %oard are to act as the top advisory body
in all initiatives and concerns relevant to the rubber industry promote investment in public
and private lands <oint ventures in rubber planting processing and rubber products
manufacturing as well as advocate for supportive policies including the provision of
rubber industry development funds long0term finance private e2uity and investment
incentives.
4he bill provides for the creation of an )-ecutive Aommittee to assist the %oard in
the planning of programs and pro<ects and identification and generation of resource to be
chaired by the D4I and DA and shall likewise be constituted with the membership
composition to be appropriately identified by the %oard.
4he said committee shall oversee and monitor the implementation of the $hilippine
Rubber Industry 7aster $lan and shall prioriti.e and recommend strategic interventions
and ensure availability of resources to support program implementation. (39# mvip