QuestionsQuestions (Republic Act No. 4119 / 61 OG No. 13, 1818)
The main purpose of Presidential Decree No. 628 is to establish zonification areas for tobacco growing in the Philippines to ensure that the type or variety of tobacco grown is suited to the area for higher yield and quality, and to stabilize and maintain tobacco prices for the benefit of planters, exporters, and manufacturers.
1. Virginia tobacco - Ilocos Norte, Ilocos Sur (except Cabugao Valley for wrapper), Abra (except municipality of Pilar), La Union (except Tubao Valley for wrapper). 2. Cigar tobacco - Isabela, Cagayan, Quirino, Nueva Ecija, Nueva Vizcaya, Zamboanga del Sur, Misamis Oriental, Leyte. 3. Burley tobacco - Occidental Mindoro, Eastern and Central Pangasinan. 4. Turkish tobacco - Western Pangasinan, Western Tarlac, Zambales, Cebu.
Yes, the zonification areas can be modified by the Philippine Tobacco Board whenever it is deemed necessary and warranted for the good of the tobacco industry.
Tobacco produced outside of the zonification areas shall not be entitled to the floor price fixed by the Philippine Tobacco Board, and will not receive agricultural extension service on production, supervision and credit assistance by other agencies concerned.
The Philippine Virginia Tobacco Administration, Philippine Tobacco Administration, Bureau of Plant Industry, Bureau of Internal Revenue, and other concerned agencies.
The Bureau of Plant Industry, upon approval by the Philippine Tobacco Board, is tasked with promulgating the necessary rules and regulations implementing the decree.
The decree takes effect on the next planting season following its issuance on December 28, 1974.
The intended benefits include producing high-yield and good quality tobacco suited to specific areas and stabilizing and maintaining reasonable tobacco prices for the benefit of planters, exporters, and manufacturers.