Republic Act No. 6766/Article XIV

by Congress of the Philippines

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Article XIV

AGRICULTURE, TRADE AND INDUSTRY, TOURISM, AND COOPERATIVES

Section 1. The Regional Government shall, as a basic policy, promote agricultural production for domestic or commercial needs.

Sec. 2. The conservation, protection and utilization of water resources for agricultural purposes shall be given priority.

Sec. 3. The Regional Government shall promote and develop inland fishery production in areas where the industry is viable.

Sec. 4. The Regional Government shall undertake research and pass legislation to enforce floor prices on agricultural and industrial products and ceiling prices on agricultural inputs, and provide and strengthen extension services to farmers free of charge.

Sec. 5. The Regional Government shall encourage the establishment of small and medium-scale cottage industries using efficient and productive methods. It shall undertake measures to provide for their protection and financing requirements.

Sec. 6. The Regional Government shall provide for the proper utilization and disposal of industrial waste.

Sec. 7. The Regional Government shall adopt measures to prevent flight of capital from the region.

Sec. 8. The Regional Government shall adopt measures against monopolies in public utilities, development, trading and similar concerns. It may, in the interest of regional welfare and security, establish and operate pioneering public utilities. Upon payment of just compensation, it may transfer the ownership of such utilities to cooperatives or other collective organizations.

Sec. 9. The Regional Government shall adopt measures to prevent the manufacture, importation, distribution or sale of agricultural and industrial inputs found to be biologically or environmentally harmful.

Sec. 10. The Regional Government shall adopt measures to initiate, encourage and develop industrialization in the region, taking into account the culture and capabilities of the people of the area to control or manage their resources, the ecological needs of the area and the conservation of resources.

Sec. 11. Consistent with the preservation of cultural heritage and the protection of ecology, the Regional Government shall promote tourism within the region. The Cordillera Assembly shall establish offices and facilities that shall implement tourism concerns.

Sec. 12. The Regional Government shall encourage, promote and support the establishment of economic zones, industrial centers, and development ports in strategic areas and growth centers in the Autonomous Region, including the necessary infrastructures therefor.

Sec. 13. The Regional Government shall, subject to national policies and in coordination with the National Government, encourage and regulate foreign investments and the exportation of indigenous products, in accordance with its goals and priorities.

Sec. 14. The Regional Government shall recognize cooperatives as tools for economic development, social justice and people empowerment. Accordingly, it shall provide regional tax exemption and shall extend the necessary support services to cooperatives: Provided, however, That the said cooperatives shall allocate at least ten percent (10%) of their net income for community development projects.

Sec. 15. Within one (1) year from its organization, the Cordillera Assembly shall establish a Cooperative Development Commission and define its powers, functions and mechanism for implementation.