QuestionsQuestions (Act No. 2380)
“Fiber” refers to the raw material only for commercial/common purposes, not fibers partially or entirely manufactured.
Abaca is Musa textilis (commercially “manila hemp/manila/hemp”); Maguey (cantala) is Agave cantala Roxb.; Sisal is Agave sisalana Per., sometimes locally known as “maguey de Hawaii.”
Strand = several fibers twisted by hand for tying bundles/hanks; String = a handmade rope/strand used to tie several bundles/hanks together; Tow = broken or fine fibers that break during mill carding; Waste = broken fiber or partially cleaned strips that fall under the knife/machine during extraction.
A grading station is a city/town designated by the Director of Agriculture where grading and baling may be practiced, possibly with one or more establishments. A grading establishment is the building/group of buildings at the station where grading, baling, and preparation for export are authorized; it may be owned by an individual, association, or corporation.
The Director of Agriculture must establish/define/designate standards for commercial grades of abaca, maguey, and sisal; these become the official classification standards throughout the Philippines.
The Director must define and publish the designation and mark (and the basis for grading) in a Bureau of Agriculture General Order at least six months prior to the effectivity of the Act.
It may prepare or renew a set of official standards for its use, but the set must be an exact copy and must be approved and certified by the Director of Agriculture or his authorized agent.
No person/association/corporation may engage in grading unless it first obtains a “grading permit” signed by the Director of Agriculture.
Classes are based on annual quantity of fiber graded and baled: 1st (>= 5,000 metric tons), 2nd (2,500 to <5,000), 3rd (2,000 to <2,500), 4th (1,000 to <2,000), 5th (500 to <1,000), and 6th (<500).
Fees: 1st = P1,000; 2nd = P500; 3rd = P250; 4th = P100; 5th = P50; 6th = P25. Existing establishments are classified based on the quantity graded/baled in the previous year; new establishments are classified at the end of the first year, with payment corresponding to that year.
Each exported grade must correspond to one official standard, using the same designation and mark; the set of official standards must be placed prominently in the grading shed for reference.
It may use private marks/brands if previously registered with the Director of Agriculture and usage is authorized; each mark must constantly refer to the same official standard or specified type.
After giving one month written notice, the Director may cancel brands if they are not constant or lead to mistakes/confusion. The affected establishment may appeal to the Secretary of Public Instruction; if the decision is adverse to the Director, the canceled brands must be restored.
Length 1 meter, width 50 cm, height 55 cm, weight 125 kilos net; for abaca grades where excessive pressure may injure quality, the Director may determine different bale dimensions/weight via general order.
All hanks must be uniform in quality and each hank must be securely tied by a strand identical with the fiber in the bale. Every bale must be free from strings, waste, tow, damaged fiber, fiber not identical with that which constitutes the bale, or extraneous matter, and must be thoroughly dry.
No authorized grading establishment may charge more than P8 per metric ton for baling and grading any fiber included in the Act.
Violators face a fine not more than P250 upon conviction. Additionally, the Director may withdraw and cancel the grading permit of the violating person/association/corporation.