Granting Authority To Philippine Virginia Tobacco Administration To Initiate The Development And Adoption Of New Methods For Curing Virginia Leaf Tobacco And For Other Purposes

Case Overview and Summary

Summary of Presidential Decree No. 1142

Discouraging Use of Firewood for Curing Virginia Leaf Tobacco
- Section 1: The indiscriminate use of firewood for curing Virginia leaf tobacco is discouraged. The adoption of curing methods using non-conventional heat resources like solar energy, natural and bio-gas, geothermal, and coal shall be initiated by the government through the Philippine Virginia Tobacco Administration (PVTA).

Assistance for Adopting New Curing Methods
- Section 2: The PVTA shall provide material and financial assistance to any person adopting machinery or structures for curing Virginia leaf tobacco without using firewood.
- Section 4: The PVTA is authorized to construct and operate curing barns using fuel substitutes like solar heat for experimental and demonstration purposes, establish curing centers for lease or sale to private sectors, encourage farmers' associations or cooperatives to engage in curing using new methods, and provide them with financial assistance through the banking system.

Research and Development of New Curing Methods
- Section 3: The PVTA shall undertake studies for developing non-conventional heat resources for curing, conduct research on production and curing techniques that eliminate or reduce the use of heat, promote the use of briquetted waste materials as alternative heat sources, and encourage the establishment of centralized curing systems.
- Section 5: The PVTA may obtain services of foreign consultants, scholars, scientists, and technical personnel from government agencies, and pay them honoraria.
- Section 6: The PVTA is exempt from taxes and import duties on materials, equipment, and services imported for research, experiments, demonstrations, and related development programs.

Funding and Resources
- Section 7: The PVTA is authorized to use funds from the Tobacco Fund established under Republic Act No. 4155 for the purposes of this Decree, reorganize its administrative setup, and adjust salaries to attract qualified personnel.
- Section 8: The PVTA may receive donations, bequests, and grants from domestic or foreign sources, which shall be tax-deductible.

Repealing Clause and Effectivity
- Section 9: Provisions of existing laws inconsistent with this Decree are deemed modified, amended, or repealed.
- Section 10: This Decree takes effect immediately.