Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Quezon City

EIGHTEENTH CONGRESS
First Regular Session

4483

HOUSE BILL NO.

Introduced by Honorable Michael L. Romero

EXPLANATORY NOTE

The State recognizes the importance of promoting, developing and implementing
the practice of organic agriculture in the Philippines that will cumulatively
condition and enrich the fertility of the soil, increase farm productivity, reduce
pollution and destruction of the environment, prevent the depletion of natural
resources, further protect the health of farmers, consumers and the general
public, and save on imported farm inputs.

The state shall create a comprehensive program for the promotion of community-
based organic agriculture systems which include, among others, farmer-
produced purely organic fertilizers such as compost, pesticides and other farm
inputs, together with a nationwide educational and promotional campaign for
their use and processing, as well as the adoption of organic agricultural system
as a viable alternative shall be undertaken.

This House Bill secks to augment the support for farmers, indigenous people and
other stakeholders at the grassroots.

Thus, the early passage ofthis bill is earnestly requested.

Y

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MICHARL L. ROMERO
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Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Quezon City

EIGHTEENTH CONGRESS
First Regular Session

HOUSE BILL NO. 483

Introduced by Honorable Michael L. Romero

AN ACT

AMENDING REPUBLIC ACT 10068, “OTHERWISE KNOWN AS
THE ORGANIC AGRICULTURE ACT OF 2010”, APPROPRIATING
FUNDS THEREFOR, PROVIDING STIFFER PENALTIES AND
SANCTIONS, AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES

Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the Philippines in
Congress assembled

SECTION 1. Section 25 of republic Act 10068 is hereby amended to
read as follows:

SEC. 25. Appropriations.— The sum of One Hundred
million pesos (Php100,000,000.00) and the existing budget
for the promotion of organic farming of the DA is hereby
appropriated for the initial year of implementation of this Act.

Thereafter, such amount as may be necessary for the
continuous operation of the NOAB and the implementation of
the program shall be included in the annual Gencral
Appropriations Act (GAA).

The NOAB is hereby authorized to solicit and accept
assistance or facilities in the form of grants from individuals



SECTION

read as follows:

SECTION

and entities here and abroad, and to utilize these funds and
resources for purposes of this Act, subject to the usual
budget, accounting and auditing rules and regulations.

2. Section 26 of republic Act 10068 is hereby amended to

SEC. 26. Penal Provision. — Any person who willfully and
deliberately:

(a) obstructs the development or propagation of organic
agriculture, or the manufacture, production, sale or use of
organic agricultural inputs;

(b) refuses without just cause to extend the support and
assistance required under this Act; and

(c) mislabels or claims that the product is organic when it is
not in accordance with the existing standards for Philippine
organic agriculture or this Act shall, upon conviction, be
punished by imprisonment of not less than one (1) year, or a
fine of not less than One Hundred thousand pesos
(Php 100,000.00), or both, at the discretion of the court.

If the offender is a corporation or a juridical entity, the official
who ordered or allowed the commission of the offense shall be
punished with the same penalty. If the offender is in the
government service, he shall, in addition, be dismissed from
office and thus perpetually disqualified to hold any
government office.

3. TRANSITORY PROVISION- Existing industries,

businesses and offices affected by the implementation of this Act shall be given

six (6) months transitory period from the effectivity of the IRR or such other

period as may be determined, to comply with the requirements of this Act.


SECTION 4. IMPLEMENTING RULES AND REGULATIONS. - The
departments and agencies charged with carrying out the provisions of this Act
shall, within sixty (60) days after the effectivity of this Act, formulate the
necessary rules and regulations for its effective implementation.

SECTION 5. REPEALING CLAUSE. - All laws, decrees, executive
orders, rules and regulations, or parts thereof inconsistent with the provisions

of this Act are hereby repealed or modified accordingly.

SECTION 6. SEPARABILITY CLAUSE. - If, for any reason, any
Section or provision of this Act is held unconstitutional or invalid, the other
sections or provisions hereof shall not be affected thereby.

SECTION 7. EFFECTIVITY CLAUSE. - This Act shall take effect
after fifteen (15) days from its publication in the Official Gazette or in at least two

(2) national newspapers of general circulation whichever comes earlier.

Approved,