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THIRTEENTH CONGRESS OF THE REPUBLIC ) 
OF THE PHILIPPINES 
) 
First Regular Session 
1 
conflicting government programs and policies regarding land use and development. 
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67roduced by Senator Miriam Defensor Santiago 
The continued decrease in the country's agricultural land base threatens the abi i ity of the 
country to produce food and fiber in sufficient quantities to meet domestic needs. In addition, the 
extensive use of agricultural land for non-agricultural purposes undermines the economic base of 
many rural areas. Yet there is no law which requires the Secretary of Agrarian Reform and the 
Secretary of Agriculture to report to Congress data relative to the conversion of agricultural land 
to non-agricultural uses. 
This b ill p rovides for a reporting requirement on the rate at which agricultural land is 
converted to non-agricultural uses, and a review of existing government policies and procedures 
on agricultural land conversion, including an evaluation of the compatibility of government 
policies on land conversion with development plans at the national and local levels. The ultimate 
objective ofthis bill is not only to protect agricultural land, but to minimize grafi and corruption 
in agricultural land conversion due to conflicting laws, policies and administrative activities of 
government agencies. 
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THIRTEENTH CONGRESS OF THE REPUBLIC ) 
OF THE PHLJPPDES 
1 
First Regular Session 
1 
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Introduced by Senator Miriam Defensor Santiago 
AN ACT 
REQUIRING THE DEPARTMENT OF AGRARIAN REFORM AND THE DEPARTMENT 
OF A(GNCULTUE3~TO SUBMIT AN ANNUAL REPORT TO CONGRESS ON 
AGRICmTURAL USES INCLUDING A REVIEW OF EXISTING POLICIES AND 
PROCEDURES. 
STATISTICS RELATING TO THE CONVERSION OF AGRICULTURAL LAND TO NON- 
Be it enacted by the Senate and the House of Repyesentatives of the Philippines in 
Congress assembled: 
SECTION 1. Short Title. - This Act shall be known as the 
Protection Act.” 
SECTION 2. Declaration ofpolicy. - 
It is the policy of the State to minimize’the extent 
to which government programs and policies contribute to the unnecessary and irreversible 
conversion of agricultural land to non-agricultural uses, and to assure that national government 
programs are administered and policies are implemented for the protection of agricultural land 
compatible with development plans of local government units. 
SECTION 3. Definition ofAgricultuva1 Land. - 
For purposes of this Act, “agricultural 
land” refers to land devoted to the cultivation of the soil, planting of crops, growing of fruit trees, 
raising of livestock, poultry or fish, including the harvesting of such farm products, and other 
farm activities and practices performed by a farmer in conjunction with such farming operations 
done by personsswhether natural or juridical. 
SECTION 4. Devejopment of Criteria to Identifi Effects of Government Progrants on 
Conversion of Agricultural Land to Non-Agricultural Uses. - The Department of Agrarian 
Reform and the Department of Agriculture, in cooperation with other departments, agencies and 
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local government units, shall develop criteria for identifying the effects of government programs 
on the conversion of agricultural land to non-agricultural uses. 
SECTION 5. Use of Criteria. -Departments, agencies, and local government units shall 
use the criteria established under the preceding paragraph to identify and take into account the 
adverse effects of government programs and policies on the preservation of agricultural 1 and; 
consider alternative actions, as appropriate, that c ould 1 essen such adverse e ffects; and a ssnre 
that programs and policies of the government at the national level for the protection of 
agricultural land are, to the extent practicable, compatible with development plans of local 
government units. 
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SECTION 6. Availability of Restorative Information. - 
The Department of Agrarian 
Reform and the Department of Agriculture shall make available to other departments and 
agencies of the government, local government units, individuals, and organizations information 
useful in restoring, maintaining, and improving the quantity and quality of agricultural 1 nd. 
SECTION 7. Review of Existing Policies and Procedures. - The Depa ment of 
Agrarian Reform and the Department of Agriculture, in coordination with other departments and 
agencies of the government and local government units, shall review current provisions of law, 
administrative rules and regulations, policies and procedures to determine whether any provision 
prevents full compliance with the provisions of this Act. Whenever necessary, they shall develop 
proposals for action to bring government programs, policies and administrative activities into 
conformity with the purpose of this Act. 
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SECTION 8. Technical Assistance. - The Secretary of Agrarian Reform and the 
Secretary of Agriculture and other department secretaries, whenever appropriate, shall provide 
technical assistance to local government units which intend to develop programs or policies to 
limit the conversion of productive agricultural land to non-agricultural uses. 


SECTION 9. Agricultuval Land Resource Information. - The Secretary df Agrarian 
Reform and the Secretary of Agriculture, in cooperation with other departments and agencies of 
the government, shall design and implement educational programs and materials emphasizing the 
importance of productive agricultural land to the country's well-being and distribute educational 
materials through the mass media, schools, organizations, and other government agencies. 
SECTION 10. Repovting Requirements. - 
At the beginning of each calendar year, the 
Secretary of Agrarian Reform and the Secretary of Agriculture shall report to the Committees on 
Agrarian Reform, Agriculture and Food, Economic Affairs, Constitutional Amendments, 
Revision o f  C odes and Laws, Environment, Local Government, Natural Resources, and Rural 
Development of the House of Representatives, on the progress made in implementing the 
provisions of this Act. The report shall include information on- 
(1) the effects, if any, of government programs and administrative activities with 
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respect to the protection of agricultural land; and 
(2) the results of the reviews on existing policies and procedures required under 
Section 7 of this Act. 
(1) This Act does not authorize the government in any way to regulate 
e use of 
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SECTION 1 1. Limitations. - 
private agricultural land, or in any way affect the property rights of owners of such land. 
(2) None o f t he p rovisions or other requirements o f t his Act shall apply to the 
acquisition or use of agricultural land for national defense purposes. 
SECTION 12. Sepavability Clause. - 
If any provision, or part hereof, is held invalid or 
unconstitutional, the remainder of the law or the provision not otherwise affected shall remain 
valid and subsisting. 


SECTION 13. Repealing Clause. - 
Any law, presidential decree or issuance executive 
order, letter of instruction, administrative order, rule or regulation contrary to or i consistent 
with the provisions of this Act is hereby repealed, modified or amended accordingly. I 
SECTION 14. Effectivity Clause. - 
This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after its 
publication in at least two (2) newspapers of genera1 circulation. 
Approved. 
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