Designation of Tobacco Growing Zones
- Tobacco cultivation is restricted only to specific provinces categorized by tobacco type:
- Virginia Tobacco: Ilocos Norte, Ilocos Sur (except Cabugao Valley for wrapper), Abra (except Pilar), La Union (except Tubao Valley for wrapper).
- Cigar Tobacco: Isabela, Cagayan, Quirino, Nueva Ecija, Nueva Vizcaya, Zamboanga del Sur, Misamis Oriental, Leyte.
- Burley Tobacco: Occidental Mindoro, Eastern and Central Pangasinan.
- Turkish Tobacco: Western Pangasinan, Western Tarlac, Zambales, Cebu.
- The Philippine Tobacco Board may modify these zonifications when necessary for the industry's benefit.
Rulemaking Authority
- The Bureau of Plant Industry is tasked with promulgating implementing rules and regulations.
- These regulations must be approved by the Philippine Tobacco Board.
Penal Provisions
- Tobacco produced outside the designated zonification areas will:
- Not qualify for the floor price set by the Philippine Tobacco Board.
- Be ineligible for agricultural extension services including production supervision and credit assistance from related agencies.
Enforcement and Implementation
- Multiple agencies including the Philippine Virginia Tobacco Administration, Philippine Tobacco Administration, Bureau of Plant Industry, and Bureau of Internal Revenue are mandated to ensure proper enforcement.
Effective Date
- The zonification measures take effect beginning the next planting season following the decree's issuance.