Section 3Sec./Art. 3

Definition of Terms. - As used in this Act, the following terms are defined as follows:

(a)"Philippine Rubber Research Institute" refers to the main institute for rubber at the Mindanao State University (MSU) to be based in the Municipality of Naga, Province of Zamboanga Sibugay and its satellite units as may be subsequently established whose mandate is to initiate and administer research and development programs to improve quality and increase productivity of rubber especially for the benefit of smallholder rubber producers and processors.

(b)"Rubber tree" refers to the robust, perennial crop and the source of natural rubber, also scientifically known as Hevea brasilienses.

(c)"Latex" refers to a milky usually white fluid that is produced by cells of rubber trees, and is the raw material used in the manufacture of industrial, automotive and other latex products.

(d)"Smallholder rubber producers" refer to individuals, cooperatives or corporations owning and/or cultivating five (5) hectares or less of rubber plantation.

(e)"Smallholder rubber processors" refer to individuals, cooperatives or corporations which maintain and/or operate small-scale processing plants of finished or semifinished rubber products, capable of processing not more than fifty (50) metric tons of rubber annually.

(f)"Rubber cooperatives" refer to duly organized and registered enterprises collectively owned and operated by groups of rubber products and/or processors who partake of and share among themselves the benefits and profits of their economic ventures.

(g)"Big holder rubber producers" refer to individuals, cooperatives or corporations owning and/or cultivating more than five (5) hectares of rubber plantation.

(h)"Big holder rubber processors" refer to individuals, cooperatives or corporations which maintain and/or operate large-scale processing plants of finished or semifinished rubber products, capable of processing more than fifty (50) metric tons of rubber annually.