Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Quezon City

18TH CONGRESS
First Regular Session

HOUSE BILL No. _ 1010

Introduced by Representative Michael L. Romero

EXPLANATORY NOTE

The State shall promote industrialization and full employment based on sound
agricultural development and agrarian reform, through industries that make full
and efficient use of human and natural resources, and which are competitive in
both domestic and foreign markets. In pursuit of these goals, all sectors of the

economy and all regions of the country shall be given optimum opportunity to
develop.

Thus, it is hereby declared the policy of the State to enable those who belong to
the agriculture and fisheries sectors to participate and share in the fruits of
development and growth in a manner that utilizes the nations resources in the
most efficient and sustainable way possible by establishing a more equitable
access to assets, income, basic and support services and infrastructure.

This House Bill seeks to promote food security, including sufficiency in our staple
food shall be optimized to meet our local consumption and shall be given
adequate support by the State.

Earnest approv. is bill is hereby requested.

L. ROMERO Ph.D.


Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Quezon City

18TH CONGRESS
First Regular Session

1010

HOUSE BILL NO.

Introduced by Representative Michael L. Romero

AN ACT

AMENDING SECTION 11 OF R.A. NO.8345 OTHERWISE KNOWN
AS THE "Agriculture and Fisheries Modernization Act OF
1997", INCREASING ITS PENALTIES AND SANCTIONS, AND FOR
OTHER PURPOSES

Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives in Congress
Assembled:

SECTION 1. DECLARATION OF POLICY

Section 11 of Republic Act No. 8345 is hereby amended to read:

Section 11. Penalty for Agricultural Inactivity and Premature
Conversion. - Any person or juridical entity who knowingly or
deliberately causes any irrigated agricultural lands seven (7)
hectares or larger, whether contiguous for not, within the protected
areas for agricultural development, as specified under Section 6 in
relation to Section 9 of this Act, to lie idle and unproductive for a


period exceeding one (1) year, unless due to force majeure, shall be
subject to an idle land tax of Twenty thousand Pesos (P20,000.00)
per hectare per year. In addition, the vinlator, shall be required to

put back such lands to productive agricultural use.

Should the continued agricultural inactivity, unless due to force
majeure, exceed a period of two (2) years, the land shall be subject
to escheat proceedings.

Any person found guilty of premature or illegal conversion shall be
penalized with imprisonment of two (2) to six (6) years, or a fine
equivalent tc one hundred percent (100%) of the government's
investment cost, or both, at the discretion of the court, and an

accessory penalty of forfeiture of the land and any improvement
thereon.

SECTION 2. MISCELLANEOUS SANCTIONS

In addition, the Department of Agrarian Reform (DAR) shall impose the following
penalties, after determining, in an administrative proceeding, that violation of
this law has been committed:

a. Consolation or withdrawal of the authorization for land use
conversion; and

b. Blacklisting, or automatic disapproval of pending and subsequent
conversion applications that they may file with the DAR.

SECTION 3. REPEALING CLAUSE. All laws, executive orders, issuances,
rules and regulations inconsistent with this Act are hereby amended, repealed
or modified accordingly.


SECTION 4. SEPARABILITY CLAUSE. If, for any reason or reasons, any
portion or provision of this Act shall be held unconstitutional or invalid, the
remaining provisions not affected thereby shall continue to be in full force and
effect.

SECTION 5. EFFECTIVITY CLAUSE. This Act shall take effect fifteen (15)
days after its publication in any newspaper of general circulation.

Approved,