MANILA, Philippines (Sept. 29, 2011)—The Philippines Senate has passed a bill authorizing the establishment of a Rubber Research Institute.
The proposed institute aims to “initiate and administer research and development programs that will improve the quality and increase productivity of rubber, especially for the benefit of smallholder rubber producers and processors,” the bill said.
The institute would be established at the Mindanao State University, and under the control of the nation's Department of Agriculture.