Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Quezon City
NINETEENTH CONGRESS
First Regular Session
House Bill No. ____
Introduced by Representative STEPHEN JAMES T. TAN
EXPLANATORY NOTE
According
to
the
Philippine
Statistics
Authority,
about
2.4
million
Filipinos are currently unemployed on the month of July 2018, with 49% of it
comprised by the youth. 74% of the given figure is comprised of individuals
aged 15-30 years old. Agriculture had a 32% share in the total employment,
according to the Philippine Statistics. The total employment comprises 44.1
million people of which 25.2% comprises the agricultural employment. But
the challenges concerning agriculture are that fishermen and farmers had the
highest poverty incidence among the country’s basic sectors, according to the
National Statistical Office. Average age of farmers in the Philippines is 57. In
the Philippine setting, new generations of Filipinos refuse to go farming, and
that is a threat to food security. More so, in many countries of Asia, the
skills of the Filipino youth in rural areas are not fully harnessed for the
agricultural industry. As a result, traditional farming methods are gradually
fading as a practice in rural communities. Other national, local governments
and international agencies often overlook the youth’s potentials. Most rural
youth
are
unemployed,
underemployed,
or
forced
to
work
in
urban
communities.
Making farming more profitable is the first step to attract younger people
to the agricultural sector. Viable ventures should be established into the
production of high-value crops that has local following or have export potential
in raw or processed forms like coffee, cacao, mango, cassava, palm, and
rubber.
In
preparing
the
youth
to
the
agricultural
sector,
the
current
curriculum
must
improve
and
emphasize
in
agriculture,
food
technologies
production,
biotechnology
and
chemistry,
economics,
international trade and enterprise.
Entrepreneurship is often perceived as a driver for growth and job
creation as well as means to make economies more competitive and innovative.
However,
supporting
entrepreneurship
goes
beyond
simply
helping
entrepreneurs or would-be entrepreneurs, and providing administrative and
financial conditions conducive to business creation. It also allows spurring
entrepreneurial spirit throughout society, in particular among the youth,
stimulating their creativity, initiative, and sense of responsibility as well as
providing the skills and knowledge needed to set up and run a business.
Hence, education and training are vital for changing cultures and igniting
entrepreneurial mindsets at an early age.
August 4, 2022
12:15 pm
3213


The same Bill was filed by Hon. Sharee Ann Tan last 18th Congress. In
view of the foregoing, the passage of this bill is earnestly sought.
STEPHEN JAMES T. TAN
Representative, First District of Samar


Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Quezon City
NINETEENTH CONGRESS
First Regular Session
House Bill No. ____
Introduced by Representative STEPHEN JAMES T. TAN
AN ACT
STRENGTHENING THE FILIPINO YOUTH INVOLVEMENT
IN AGRICULTURE AND ENTREPRENEURSHIP
Section 1. Short Title. This Act shall be known as the “Young Agripreneurs Act
of 2022.”
Section
2.
Coverage.
This
Act
shall
apply
to
all
provinces,
cities
and
municipalities.
Section 3. Definition of Terms. – For purposes of this Act, the following terms
shall be defined as follows:
(a) Youth – as defined in Republic Act 8044, refer to citizens who are
within the ages 15 to 30 years old;
(b) Provinces and Highly Urbanized Cities – a center providing trainings,
assistance,
and opportunities; monitoring and evaluation programs,
projects, ad activities; and facilitating partnerships among stakeholders
in the promotion of youth involvement in agriculture; and
(c) Agripreneur – one who organizes, manages, and assumes the risks of a
business or enterprise in agriculture.
Section 4. Rationale. All provincial and city government are mandated to
establish Youth Agricultural Hubs that will help and guide the youth that will
provide greater opportunities and engage the youth in agriculture.
Section 5. Creation of Youth Agricultural Hubs. The following agricultural hubs
are hereby established:
(a) Provincial Government shall conduct an assessment to determine
placement of the Youth Agricultural Hubs in the provinces and highly
urbanized cities. Municipalities with sufficient funds have the discretion
to create their own Youth Agricultural Hubs subject to the provision of
Sec. 9 hereof for the necessary funding.
(b) Cities and municipalities shall encourage partnerships with different
government agencies and other stakeholders.
(c) The Department of Agriculture regional offices shall perform oversight
functions and assign personnel to fulfill the functions of the Youth
3213


Agricultural Hubs.
Section 6. Functions of the Youth Agricultural Hubs. The Youth Agricultural
Hubs shall have the following functions:
(a) Shall facilitate trainings for the youth focusing on agriculture,
financial literacy, entrepreneurship, and other related courses;
(b) Shall be a venue for research farming extensions;
(c) Shall coordinate and establish partnerships with government agencies,
LGUs, and non-government organizations, civil society, private sector,
among others;
(d) Shall facilitate the request for additional financial assistance and
referral to appropriate funding agencies;
(e) Shall monitor implementation and evaluate progress of the approved
and funded projects;
(f) Shall prepare and submit progress reports of the approved and funded
projects to the LGUs; and
(g) Shall organize programs, projects, and activities to further promote
youth engagement in agriculture.
Section 7. Youth Agripreneurship Trade Fair. There shall be a series of youth
agripreneurship trade fairs showcasing the youth’s agricultural products.
(a) Schedule:
i.
Provincial Level every September;
ii.
Regional Level every October; and
iii.
National Level every November.
(b) Events:
i.
Project Pitching Competition;
ii.
Awarding of Outstanding Youth-Led Agricultural Programs,
Projects, and Activities; and
iii.
Other youth-related agricultural activities.
Section 8. Coordinating Agencies:
(a) Department of Agriculture
(b) Department of Agrarian Reform
(c) Department of Trade and Industry
(d) Department of Science and Technology
(e) Department of Interior and Local Government
(f) Department of Social Welfare and Development (SLP)
(g) Technical Educational Skills Development Authority
(h) Department of Education
(i) Commission on Higher Education
(j) National Youth Commission
(k) National Economic and Development Authority
(l) Philippine Statistics Authority


(m)National Commission on Indigenous People
(n) National Council on Disability Affairs
Section 9. Appropriation. The three percent (3%) of the Internal Revenue
Allocation (IRA) of the LGU concerned shall be appropriated for the Youth
Agricultural Hubs and may be increased as determined to be appropriate by
the LGU.
Section
10.
Repealing
Clause.
All
laws,
decrees,
executive
orders,
proclamations, rules and regulations, or parts thereof inconsistent with this
Act are hereby amended, modified, or repealed accordingly.
Section 11. Separability Clause. If any provision of this Act is held invalid or
unconstitutional, the other provisions not affected hereby shall remain valid
and enforceable.
Section 12. Effectivity Clause. This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days from
the date of its publication in the Official Gazette or at least two (2) newspapers
of general circulation.
Approved,