TWENTIETH CONGRESS OF THE 
)
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES 
)
First Regular Session 
)
.-w t I J V ■-
:il tl(: ;;
25 AUG-6 P1:42
S. No.
SENATE
1035
RliCEIVtDQV
Introduced by Senator Jinggoy Ejercito Estrada
AN ACT
ESTABLISHING THE YOUNG FARMERS AND FISHERFOLK CHALLENGE 
PROGRAM, CREATING FOR THE PURPOSE THE YOUNG FARMERS AND 
FISHERFOLK CHALLENGE COUNCIL, AND APPROPRIATING FUNDS 
THEREFOR
EXPLANATORY NOTE
The 1987 Constitution provides under Article XIII, Section 5 that, "The State 
shall recognize the right of farmers, farmworkers, and landowners, as well as 
cooperatives, and other independent farmers' organizations to participate in the 
planning, organization, and management of the program, and shall provide support 
to agriculture through appropriate technology and research, and adequate financial, 
production, marketing and other support services."
The Department of Agriculture (DA) launched in April 2021 the "Young Farmers 
Challenge: Kabataang Agribiz" through its Agribusiness and Marketing Assistance 
Service. It aims to "encourage more youth to participate in the development of 
agriculture sector" in the belief that the youth has the power to transform Philippine 
agriculture.1 The Challenge grants "competitive financial assistance to the youth who 
will engage in agri-fishery based enterprises". The DA is optimistic that the
1 NCR vounR aeripreneurs win regional level of 'Young Farmers Challenge' I Official Portal of the Department
of Agriculture (da.gov.ph)


institutionalization of the competition will make it a regular program of the DA with 
appropriate budget.2
The " Young Farmers and Fisherfolk Challenge Act seeks to establish a Young 
Farmers and Fisherfolk Challenge Program that will support and empower the young 
farmers and fisherfolk to be active partners in food security and agricultural 
development and modernization. To effectively implement the program, the bill 
proposes to create a Young Farmers and Fisherfolk Challenge Council chaired by the 
Secretary of the DA and composed of various concerned government and non­
government organizations. The measure likewise grants to young farmers and 
fisherfolks a one-time waiver of government fees and charges pertaining to the 
application for and granting of licenses, proofs of identification, clearances, certificates 
or other documents usually required in the course of employment locally and abroad.
In this light, the immediate passage of this bill is highly recommended.
GGOY EJERCITO ESTRADA
2 DA hails top innovative agribusiness models of youth farmers I Official Portal of the Department of
Agriculture


TWENTIETH CONGRESS OF THE 
)
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES 
)
First Regular Session 
)
.... . 
af !i:-' 
. rt ■ ■
25 AUG-6 Pl:42
SENATE 
S. No. 1035
Ri:CEI';rDB7;
Introduced by Senator Jinggoy Ejercito Estrada
AN ACT
ESTABLISHING THE YOUNG FARMERS AND FISHERFOLK CHALLENGE 
PROGRAM, CREATING FOR THE PURPOSE THE YOUNG FARMERS AND 
FISHERFOLK CHALLENGE COUNCIL, AND APPROPRIATING FUNDS 
THEREFOR
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the Philippines in 
Congress assembled:
1 
Section 1. Short Title. - This Act shall be known as the " Young Farmers and
2 
FIsherfolk Challenge Act.
3 
Sec. 2. Declaration of Policy. — It is hereby declared the policy of the State to
4 
recognize and engage the role of the youth in nation building and rural development,
5 
providing for this purpose access to knowledge, information and education, access to
6 
land, new sources of financial services and capital, green jobs, access to new and
7 
niche markets, and participation in policy dialogue.
8 
Sec. 3. Young Farmers and Fisherfolk Challenge Program. - There is hereby
9 
established a Young Farmers and Fisherfolk Challenge Program, hereinafter referred
10 
to as the Program, that shall support and empower the young farmers and fisherfolk
11 
to be active partners in food security and agricultural development and modernization.
12 
The Program shall encourage the youth to pursue a career or engage in activities
13 
related to agriculture, ensure young farmers and fisherfolk participation in policy
14 
formulation and program implementation relative to the agriculture sector, and
15 
provide institutional support for agri-business and agri-entrepreneurship initiatives of
16 
the youth to fully realize their role as agents and partners for development.


1 
Sec. 4. Beneficiaries of the Program. - The Program is intended to support
2 
young farmers and fisherfolk between eighteen (18) to thirty (30) years of age, who
3 
are engaged in farming and fisheries activities, and are included in the Registry System
4 
for Basic Sectors in Agriculture (RSBSA). The Department of Agriculture (DA) shall
5 
update its existing database to reflect these indicators.
6 
Sec. 5. Creation of a Young Farmers and Fisherfoik Chaiienge Councii. - There
7 
is hereby created the Young Farmers and Fisherfolk Challenge Council, hereinafter
8 
referred to as the Council, to properly oversee the implementation of the Program.
9 
The Council shall be composed of the following:
10 
(a) Secretary of the Department of Agriculture (DA) or a duly authorized
11 
representative who is at least an Undersecretary, who shall be the Chair;
12 
(b) Representative of the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) who shall
13 
likewise be an Undersecretary;
14 
(c) Representative of the Department of Education (DepEd) who shall
15 
likewise be an Undersecretary;
16 
(d) Representative of the Department of Science and Technology (DOST);
17 
(e) Representative of the Commission on Higher Education (CHED);
18 
(f) Representative of the Department of Agrarian Reform (DAR);
19 
(g) Representative of the Technical Education and Skills Development
20 
Authority (TESDA);
21 
(h) Representative of the Department of the Interior and Local Government
22 
(DILG);
23 
(i) Representative of the Department of Information and Communications
24 
Technology (DICE);
25 
(j) Representative of the Department of Environment and Natural
26 
Resources (DENR);
27 
(k) Representative of the National Youth Commission (NYC);
28 
(I) Representative of the League of Provinces of the Philippines (LPP);
29 
(m) Representative of a national organization of young farmers'
30 
cooperative or association, provided that 
the representative shall be
31 
between fifteen (15) to forty (40) years of age;


1 
(n) Representative of a national organization of fisherfolk's cooperative or
2 
association, provided that the representative shall be between fifteen
3 
(15) to forty (40) years of age;
4 
(o) Representative of a farmers' women organization or cooperative,
5 
provided that the representative shall be between fifteen (15) to forty
6 
(40) years of age;
7 
(p) Representative of a national organization for agritourism;
8 
(q) Representative of state universities and colleges (SUCs);
9 
(r) Representative of private educational institutions (PEIs); and,
10 
(s) Representative of a national organization of food, restaurant, and
11 
business sectors.
12 
The Philippine Council for Agriculture and Fisheries (PCAF) shall serve as its
13 
Secretariat.
14 
Sec. 6. Powers and Functions of the Council. - The Council shall have the
15 
following powers and functions:
16 
(a) Formulate the "Young Farmers and Fisherfolk Challenge Program",
17 
hereinafter referred to as the "Program", in consultation with research
18 
institutions such as the Southeast Asian Regional Center for Graduate
19 
Study and Research in Agriculture (SEARCA), Philippine Council for
20 
Agriculture, Aquatic and Natural Resources Research and Development
21 
(PCAARRD), University of the Philippines - Los Banos (UPLB) and other
22 
relevant SUCs;
23 
(b) Develop, in coordination with various department and agencies, specific
24 
action plans for unambiguous tasking and quick implementation;
25 
(c) Create special programs for marginalized sectors such as youth from
26 
urban poor, women, 
indigenous 
people, and the Bangsamoro
27 
Autonomous Region of Muslim Mindanao (BARMM);
28 
(d) Develop initiatives in new farm sectors such as "smart farming" farm
29 
tourism, agro-, aqua-, and hydroponics, 
organic and 
boutique
30 
vegetables;
31 
(e) Identify relevant training and livelihood budgets in the different
32 
departments and agencies, including start-up capital;


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(f) Implement the departments' and agencies' action plans, engaging the 
assistance of the Local Government Units (LGUs) and Sangguniang 
Kabataan (SK);
(g) Identify the best practices in the implementation of the program as well 
as emerging best practices in agriculture such as smart farming and farm 
tourism in compliance with Republic Act No. 10816, or the "Farm 
Tourism Development Act of 2016";
(h) Foster the formation of new ideas and technologies by assisting 
agricultural enterprises of qualified young farmers and fisherfolk 
entrepreneurs, pursuant to Republic Act No. 11337, otherwise known as 
the "Innovative Start-up Act of 2018";
(i) Initiate new packaging, promotion, and marketing events;
(j) Ensure scholarships and subsidized tuition fees for young farmers and 
fisherfolk in SUCs;
(k) Package inventive and recognition programs and awards system for the 
youth;
(l) Participate in agri- and food tourism marketing events, nationally and 
internationally;
(m) 
Provide on-the-job training programs for young farmers and 
fisherfolk in areas such as "green jobs", reforestation, coastal 
management, fisheries, and other rural-based jobs, through the DOLE'S 
Special Program for Employment of Students (SPES) and other livelihood 
and training programs;
(n) Establish linkages with agricultural representatives of the Association of 
South East Asian Nations (ASEAN) and other international farming youth 
associations;
(o) Engage national and international leaders in formulating policies directly 
addressing young farmers and fisherfolk concerns; and,
(p) Monitor and evaluate the effectiveness of the implementation of this Act 
as well as its impact on the participants and beneficiaries.


1 
Sec. 7. Access to Knowledge, Information, and Education. - A whole-of-
2 
government approach shall be utilized to inform and enlist young farmers and
3 
fisherfolk in agriculture:
4 
(a) Role of the DepEd - The DepEd shall include at all levels, but particularly
5 
in its K-12 program, elective subjects focused on agriculture, such as
6 
garden farming, urban greening, reforestation and coastal management;
7 
(b) Role of the TESDA - The TESDA, in coordination with the DICT and the
8 
DOST, shall add subjects in their training centers for agricultural
9 
entrepreneurship, "smart farming", and other advanced farming
10 
technologies, prioritizing programs focused on agriculture. The TESDA
11 
shall also provide scholarships and subsidized tuition fees for young
12 
farmers and fisherfolk;
13 
(c) Role of the DOLE - The DOLE shall provide on-the-job training (OJT)
14 
programs for young farmers and fisherfolk, including the SPES;
15 
(d) Role of the CHED, SUCs, and Agricultural Schools - The CHED, SUCs,
16 
and agricultural schools shall provide scholarship grants, stipends, and
17 
subsidies to qualified young farmers and fisherfolk. Likewise, the CHED,
18 
SUCs, and agricultural schools shall provide schemes for distance,
19 
remote, and digital learning. The CHED shall likewise encourage the
20 
private colleges and universities to provide similar opportunities and
21 
schemes to qualified recipients. The CHED shall include agriculture in
22 
its National Service Training Program (NSTP) curriculum, such as garden
23 
farming, urban greening, and coastal management. CHED shall likewise
24 
promulgate the policies, standards and guidelines for agricultural
25 
courses which shall focus on sustainability and the achievement of the
26 
Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Scholarships for post-graduate
27 
and doctoral degrees shall be provided by CHED: Provided, That private
28 
universities and colleges are also enjoined to provide the same.
29 
(e) Role of the DA, Agricultural Training Institute (ATI), and PCAF - The DA,
30 
through the 4-H Club of the Agricultural Training Institute (ATI) and the
31 
Agricultural and Fishery Youthrepreneur Council (AFYC) of the PCAF,
32 
shall provide for scholarship grants and stipends to qualified young


1 
farmers and fisherfolk, targeting specific marginalized sectors such as
2 
women, indigenous people, and persons with disabilities (PWDs);
3 
(f) Roles of the DOST and DICT -The DOST and DICT shall develop portals,
4 
utilize social media, and exploit other electronic technologies, to
5 
publicize the Program; and,
6 
(g) Role of the LCD and the SK - The LGU shall inform and enlist the SK
7 
who shall act as trainer-leaders to qualified and interested young farmers
8 
and fisherfolk.
9 
Sec. 8. Access to Land. — Short-leases, free land and agrarian reform schemes
10 
shall be developed to provide access to land for young farmers:
11 
(a) Role of the DENR - The DENR shall explore the possibilities of extending
12 
short-term leases of public land to young farmers, provide free or
13 
subsidized land for cultivation, and develop such other packages as
14 
would allow young farmers to use available or unutilized agricultural
15 
land. In coordination with the LGUs and SK, the Department may also
16 
create lease-to-buy programs;
17 
(b) Role of the DAR - The DAR shall facilitate and expedite the lease,
18 
distribution, and award of agrarian reform land to young beneficiaries;
19 
(c) Role of the LGU and the SK - The LGU shall prioritize the lease and
20 
acquisition of land for cultivation by young farmers. Further, the LGU
21 
and SK shall distribute hillside or other undercultivated lands to young
22 
farmers, for farming and other agricultural purposes;
23 
(d) Roles of the SUCs - Whenever SUCs own or occupy excess landholdings,
24 
young farmers shall be given first option to use and cultivate such
25 
landholdings for agricultural purposes.
26 
Sec. 9. Access to Financial Services. - Young farmers and fisherfolk shall be
27 
provided financial assistance and given access to financial services:
28 
(a) Role of the Land Bank of the Philippines (LBP) - The LBP shall develop
29 
favorable financial projects for young farmers and fisherfolk, waiving
30 
collateral, salary and other typical bank requisites;
31 
(b) Role of the DA - The DA shall develop financial packages specifically
32 
targeting young farmers and fisherfolk;


1 
(c) Role of the DTI - The DTI, through the Small Business Corporation (SB
2 
Corp), shall extend loans to the young farmers and fisherfolk for the
3 
trade and marketing of their agricultural products;
4 
(d) Role of the DOST, DICT, and DTI - The DOST, DICT and the DTI,
5 
pursuant to Republic Act No. 11337, otherwise known as the "Innovative
6 
Start-Up Act of 2018", and other programs shall include agricultural
7 
enterprises for qualified young farmer- and fisherfolk-entrepreneurs in
8 
the incubation efforts;
9 
(e) Role of CHED and TESDA - CHED and TESDA shall provide financial
10 
literacy trainings particularly in handling and managing loans and grants;
11 
(f) Role of the Private Sector - The private sector is encouraged to
12 
subcontract, partner, and extend financial grants, initiate social
13 
partnerships and rural development initiatives, as well as mentor young
14 
farmers and fisherfolk on livelihood strategies, as part of their corporate
15 
social responsibility and other community participation;
16 
(g) Role of the LGU - The LGU, in coordination with the SK, shall provide
17 
funding and livelihood opportunities to young farmers and fisherfolk;
18 
(h) Role of the SK - The SK, using its ten percent (10%) Development Fund,
19 
and other funds, shall provide entrepreneurial and finance packages for
20 
young farmers and fisherfolk;
21 
(i) Role of the NYC - The NYC, in tandem with potential youth agri-
22 
entrepreneurs, shall initiate donation and fundraising drives for the
23 
Program, exploiting for this purpose online advertising, "crowd-
24 
sourcing", and other digital means to generate funds for the Program.
25 
Sec. 10. Access to "Green Jobs". - Young farmers and fisherfolk shall be given
26 
priority in access to green jobs, as follows:
27 
(a) Roles of the DOLE - The DOLE, through the SPES, shall include "green
28 
jobs", reforestation, coastal management, fisheries, and other rural-
29 
based jobs, in cooperation with LGUs. The DOLE shall prioritize young
30 
farmers and fisherfolk for employment in public projects or private agro-
31 
industries and corporations. The department shall also offer returning
32 
youth Overseas Filipino Workers (OFWs) with a menu of possible


1 
investment projects where they will be assisted in terms of proposal
2 
packaging, training, and management assistance during the early stage,
3 
marketing and linking with government financial institutions (GFIs) and
4 
investment promotion agencies in case they qualify for fiscal and
5 
nonfiscal incentives pursuant to Republic Act No. 11534 or the Corporate
6 
Recovery and Tax Incentives for Enterprises (CREATE) Act;
7 
(b) Role of the TESDA - The TESDA shall develop on-the-job trainings, job
8 
fairs, employment bridging initiatives, and private partnerships in
9 
producing, processing, packaging, and marketing youth products;
10 
(c) Role of the DOT - The DOT shall prioritize the employment of young
11 
farmers and fisherfolk in eco- and agro-tours, and encourage youth
12 
entrepreneurship in farm and fishery tourism;
13 
(d) Role of the Philippine Economic Zone Authority (PEZA) - The PEZA shall
14 
prioritize young farmers and fisherfolk for jobs in agro-industrial
15 
ecozones, provide access to modern farm technology, promote linkages
16 
in agriculture-related enterprises, and accelerate the creation of "green
17 
jobs" for young farmers and fisherfolk;
18 
(e) The DA and the ATI - The DA, particularly the 4-H Club of the ATI, shall
19 
provide jobs and embark upon farming start-ups and in new and niche
20 
agricultural sectors such as organic farming, agroponics, aguaponics,
21 
hydroponics, dairy, livestock, coffee, cacao, and other areas of farming
22 
and fishing. The DA and ATI shall also create opportunities for youth
23 
leaders to harness their leadership 
skills especially during 
the
24 
international month for youth.
25 
Sec. 11. Access to Markets. — Young farmers and fisherfolk shall have access
26 
to markets through the following:
27 
(a) Role of the DTI - The DTI shall assist young farmers and fisherfolk in
28 
the packaging, marketing and promotion of their products, including
29 
branding, advertising, and subsidizing their participation in trade fairs
30 
and exhibits;


1 
(b) Role of the LGU - The LGU shall provide subsidized rental rates for public
2 
retail areas and public markets, encourage agricultural tourism, and
3 
develop other opportunities for young farmers;
4 
(c) Role of the Department of Tourism (DOT) - The DOT shall promote the
5 
products of young farmers and fisherfolk through tourism conventions,
6 
events, and other tourist souvenir sales opportunities;
7 
(d) Role of the Private Sector - The private sector is encouraged to market
8 
and promote the products of young farmers and fisherfolk, as part of
9 
their Corporate Sociai Responsibility (CSR) and other development
10 
efforts;
11 
(e) Role of the Media - The media shall promote and advertise the products
12 
of the young farmers and fisherfolk and the Program.
13 
Sec. 12. Engagement in Policy Dialogue. - The young farmers and fisherfolk
14 
are encouraged to participate in policy dialogues, as follows:
15 
(a) Role of the NYC-The NYC shall ensure that young farmers and fisherfolk
16 
are represented in all decision-making 
bodies relating to the
17 
establishment of mechanisms for the promotion and protection of the
18 
rights of young farmers and fisherfolk;
19 
(b)Role of the SK - The SK, through local and Congressional youth
20 
representatives, shall liaise with the Local Government Leagues and the
21 
Congress of the Philippines to consult and engage young farmers and
22 
fisherfolk in poiicy-making;
23 
(c) Role of the DA - The DA shall ensure that young farmers and fisherfolk
24 
are equitably represented and consulted in its decision-making process
25 
to fully realize the young farmers' and fisherfolk's role as agents and
26 
partners for national development.
27 
Sec. 13. Waiver of Government Fees and Charges. - Subject to the exception
28 
provided in Section 8 of Republic Act No. 11261, otherwise known as the "First-Time
29 
Jobseekers Assistance Act" all government agencies and instrumentalities, inciuding
30 
government-owned and controlled corporations (GOCCs), LGUs, and government
31 
hospitals shall not collect fees or charges from any young farmer and fisherfolk:
32 
Provided, That such fee or charge is paid in connection with the application for and


1 
the granting of licenses, proofs of identification, clearances, certificates or other
2 
documents usually required in the course of employment locally or abroad: Provided,
3 
further, That the benefit provided shall only be availed of once.
4 
Sec. 14. Annual Report. — The Council shall submit to the President and to
5 
both Houses of Congress, not later than the 30th of March of every year following the
6 
effectivity of this Act, a report giving a detailed account on the effective
7 
implementation of this Act, and recommended legislation where applicable and
8 
necessary.
9 
Sec. 15. Implementing Rules and Regulations. — Within ninety (90) days from
10 
the effectivity of this Act, the DA and DAR, in coordination with the DOST, DICT, DOLE,
11 
DENR, DepEd, CHED, LBP, and NYC shall issue the necessary rules and regulations for
12 
the implementation of this Act which shall include the creation of a database of youth
13 
involvement and interventions provided by government agencies, a special desk for
14 
the youth, and an aggressive communication plan to upscale youth involvement.
15 
Sec. 16. Appropriations. - The amount needed to initially implement the
16 
provisions of this Act shall be charged against the appropriations of the current year
17 
of the concerned departments and agencies. Thereafter, such sums as may be
18 
necessary for its continued implementation shall be included in the appropriation of
19 
the concerned departments and agencies in the annual General Appropriations Act
20 
(GAA).
21 
Sec. 17. Separability Cause. - If any provision or part hereof is held invalid or
22 
unconstitutional, the remainder of the law or the provision or part not otherwise
23 
affected shall remain valid and subsisting.
24 
Sec. 18. Repealing Cause. - Any law, presidential decree or issuance,
25 
executive order, letter of instruction, administrative order, rule, or regulation contrary
26 
to or inconsistent with the provisions of this Act are hereby repealed, modified, or
27 
amended accordingly.
28 
Sec. 19. Effectivity. — This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after its
29 
publication in the Official Gazette or in a newspaper of general circulation.
Approved,
10