Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Quezon City

Fifteenth Congress
Third Regular Session

COMMITTEE REPORT NO. 2660
30 JAN 2013

uubmitted by the Committee on Aggogityrg and Food on
Re: House Bill No. 3t
Recommending its approval in substitution of House Bill No. 4468

Sponsors: Representatives Mark Llandro L. Mendoza, Sharon S. Garin and Juan

Edgardo M. Angara

Mr. Speaker:

The Committee on Agriculture and Food to which was referred House Bill No.
4468. introduced by Representatives Sharon S. Garin and Juan Edgardo M. Angara.
entitled

AN ACT PROMOTING SOIL AND WATER CONSERVATION
TECHNOLOGIES AND APPROACHES FOR SUSTAINABLE LAND
MANAGEMENT IN THE PHILIPPINES 4ND FOR OTHER
PURPOSES

has considered the same pa the honor to recommend to the House that the atached
House BillNo. _—* BOS" entitled:

AN ACT PROMOTING SOIL AND WATER CONSERVATION
TECHNOLOGIES AND APPROACHES FOR SUSTAINABLE LAND
MANAGEMENT IN THE PHILIPPINES AND FOR OTHER
PURPOSE!

be approved in substitution of House Bill No. 4468, with Reps. Sharon S. Garin and Juan

Edgardo M. Angara as authors thereof.

ANDRO L. MENDOZA

ture and Food


FACT SHEET

House Bill No. 6881
(In substitution to House Bill No. 4468)

AN ACT PROMOTING SOIL AND WATER CONSERVATION
TECHNOLOGIES AND APPROACHES FOR SUSTAINABLE LAND
MANAGEMENT IN THE PHILIPPINES AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES

Introduced by Reps. Sharon S. Garin and Juan Edgardo M. Angara

Committee Referral: COMMITTEE ON AGRICULTURE AND FOOD
Committee Chairperson: REPRESENTATIVE MARK LLANDRO L. MENDOZA

OBJECTIVE:

* To ensure water availability for sustainable agricultural development by
promoting soil and water conservation technologies and practices through the
National Soil and Water Conservation Program.

* To address the problem of land degradation which affects the state and
management of our natural resources.

KEY PROVISIONS:

* Establishes the National Soil and Water Conservation Program which shall
encourage synergies between agricultural productivity improvement and
sustainable land management through the promotion and implementation of soil
and water conservation technologies and approaches.

« Establishes 1,000 Soil and Water Conservation Guided Farms to showcase soil
and water conservation approaches and technologies. The potential sites shall
be identified and selected, in coordination with concerned Local Government
Units (LGUs) and farmers association.

* Establishes 10,000 units of small- scale rainwater ‘iarvesting systems consisting
of rainwater reservoir development, watershed management, and service area
development in strategic upland areas in 80 provinces.

+ Empowers LGUs and farmers associations in the implementation aid operation
and maintenance of soil and water conservation model farms anv. rainwater
harvesting system.

+ Provides agriculture support and services to the farmer-cooperators


Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Quezon City, Metro Manila

Fifteenth Congress
Third Regular Session

HOUSE BILL NO. 6881
(In substitution of House Bill No, 4468)

Introduced by Hon. Sharon S. Garin and Hon. Juan Edgardo M. Angara

AN ACT
PROMOTING SOIL AND WATER CONSERVATION TECHNOLOGIES AND
APPROACHES FOR SUSTAINABLE LAND MANAGEMENT I THE
PHILIPP! AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES

SECTION 1. Short Title. This Act shall be known as the ‘Soil and Water Conservation Act
of 2013".

SECTION 2. Declaration of Policy. It is hereby declared the policy of the State to promote
and support soil and water conservation technologies and approaches through the
development, promotion, and implementation of soil and wa'er conservation measures and
practices including rainwater harvesting to enhance decision-making, planning, and potential
up-sealing of good practices. Towards this end, the State shall support Sustainable Land
Management (SLM) programs for livelihood improvement pa'ticularly of upland farmers and
indigenous people, and for the prevention of land degradation and protection of the
environment and natural resource base

SECTION 3. Definition of Terms. For purposes of this Act, the following terms are
defined as follows:

a) Land Degradation refers to the reduction or loss of the biological or economic
productivity and complexity of rain-fed cropland. irrigated cropland, range. pasture,
forest. and woodlands resulting from land use or from processes or combination of
processes arising from human activities and habitation pattern such as a) soil erosion
caused by wind and/or water: b) deterioration of the physical, chemical, and biological
or economic properties of soils. and c) long term loss of natural vegetation.

b) Organic Agriculture refers 10 production system that sustains the health of soils,
ecosystems and people. It relies on ecological processes, biodiversity and cycles
adapted to local conditions, rather than the use of inputs with adverse effects. Organic


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agriculture combines tradition, innovation, and science to benefit the shared
environment and to promote fair relationship and good quality of life for all involved.

Rain-fed Area refers to an area not served by any irrigation facilities and mainly relies
on rainfall for crop and animal production.

Rainwater Harvesting System refers to a system that collect. accumulate. and store
rainwater and surface runoff for purposes of supplemental irrigation, inland fish
production, and other agricultural purposes. For the purpose of this act, small-scale
rainwater harvesting system refers to reservoir storage facilities with a height of not
less than 5 meters and a surface area of not more 2, 500 sq. meters.

Sloping Agricultural Land Technology (SALT) refers to a simple, appl’ able, low-

cost method of upland farming which consists of alley farming in which field and
perennial crops are grown in bands 4-5 meters wide between contoured rows of
leguminous trees and shrubs.

Soil and Water Conservation Technologies refer to mes
water degradation and enhance productivity in the field.

ures that control soil and.

Soil and Water Conservation Approaches refer to ways and means of support that
help to introduce, implement, adapt, and apply soil and water conservation
technologies in the field.

Soil and Water Conservation Guided Farm (SWCGF) refers to a farm established 10
showcase appropriate soil and water conservation technologies for possible replication
and up-scaling. It is also an approach that facilitates th: proper implementation of soil
and water conservation technologies through the provision of technical assistance in
the field survey, soil and water conservation farm planning. and implementation of the
plan.

Soil and Water Conservation Farm Plan refers to a plan that considers the right mix
of farm enterprises and appropriate soil and water conservation technologies. which is
formulated with reference to existing bio-physical and socio-economic conditions of
the farm and in consultation with farmer-cooperators.

Soil Conservation refers to the management of soil to prevent or reduce soil erosion
and depletion by wind and water.

Sustainable Land Management (SLM) refers to the use of land resources, including
soils, water, animals and plants, for the production of goods to meet changing human
needs. while simultaneously ensuring the long-term productive potential of these
resources and the maintenance of their environmental functions.

Upland refers to the extensive portion of land located within 100-500 meters above sea
level (masl) with slope of less than 18%.

Water Conservation refers to the protection, development, and efficient management
of water resources for beneficial purposes.

Watershed refers to a land area drained by a stream or fixed body of ~ater and its
tributaries having common outlet for surface runoff. This include small wai -rsed with
area of 10,000 hectares and below; medium scale watershed with area of more than
10,000 hectares to 50,000 hectares; and large scale watershed with an area of 50,000
hectares and above.

Watershed Management refers to the process of guiding and organizing land and other
resource uses in a watershed to provide desired goods and services without adversely
affecting soil, water and other natural resources



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p) Watershed Protection refers to a management strategy to control soil erosion and
prevent illegal cutting of vegetations and other land degrading activities in the
watershed.

SECTION 4. The National Soil and Water Conservation Program. In order to address the
problem of land degradation which affects the state and management of our natural resources,
a National Soil and Water Conservation Program, hereinafter referred to as the Program, is
hereby established. The Program shall foment synergies between agricultural productivity
improvement and sustainable land management through the promotion and implementation of
soil and water conservation technologies and approaches.

The Bureau of Soils and Water Management (BSWM), in consultation with
concemed agencies and other stakeholders, shall prepare the National Soil and Water
Conservation Program subject to the approval of the Secretary of the Deoutnent of
Agriculture (DA). Upon implementation of this Act, the BSWM shall submit Annual Report,
and Progress Report as may be required, within five (5) years to the Secretary of the Department
of Agriculture for review and assessment

SECTION 5. Goals and Objectives. Pursuant to the above declaration, the Program shall
support the implementation of Sustainable Land Management (SLM) projects for livelihood
improvement and prevention of land degradation in the uplands. As such, it adopts the
following specific objectives:

a) To establish One Thousand (1,000) Soil and Water Conservation Guided Farms
within five (5) years from the effectivity of this Act to showcase sustainable land
management best practices such as but not limite{ to sloping agricultural land
technology, organic-based agriculture, farm waste and residue management,
wastewater recycling and re-use, rainwater harvesting or combination of two or more
of these practices including approaches to implement these practices:

b) To establish Ten Thousand (10,000) units of small-scale rainwater harv sting systems:
consisting of rainwater reservoir development, watershed management, and service
area development in strategic upland areas throughout the country, within five (5)
years from the effectivity of this Act; and

¢) To capacitate and empower Local Government Units (LGUs) and farmers
associations in the implementation and operationalization and maintenance of soil and
water conservation model farms and rainwater harvesting systems.

SECTION 6. Implementing Agency. The Department of Agriculture (DA), through the
Bureau of Soils and Water Management (BSWM) and the DA-Regional Field Units (DA-
RFUs), shall provide the technical and administrative suppo t in the implementation of the
Program and all other policies and objectives of this Act, and perform such other duties as
may be assigned to it by the Secretary of the Department of Agriculture.

SECTION 7. Farmers Associations. Farmer-cooperators and program recipien: suall be
organized into associations and/or cooperatives and shall be capacitated on soil and water
conservation. As such, the BSWM and DA-RFUs in coordination with concerned local
government units (LGUs) shall provide trainings on soil and water conservation and shall



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assist them in accessing available credit windows to sustain the operation and maintenance
soil and water conservation facilities to be established.

The BSWM and DA-RFUs, in coordination with concerned LGUs, shall assist and
facilitate the registration of such associations and/or cooperatives for purposes of
participation in the National Soil and Water Conservation Program: Provided, That the
farmers shall select their leaders in accordance with the constitution and by-laws that they
will formulate and firm up.

Section 8. Soil and Water Conservation Guided Farms. Soil and Water Conservation
Guided Farms (SWCGF) shall serve as model farms that will showca: and water
conservation approaches and technologies in the uplands. These will provide a multiplier
effect by encouraging other farmers to engage in soil and water conservation. For thi
purpose, SWCGF shall be established in cluster within high ir:pact areas such as watershed.

Potential sites shall be identified and selected. using approved site selection criteria, in
coordination with concerned LGUs and farmers associations. Selected sites shall be subjected
to various field surveys, bio-physical characterization, and socio-economic profilir g «.s inputs
in the preparation of Soil and Water Conservation Farm Plan: Provided, it shall ve prepared
in consultation with farmers based on the sites” bio-physical characteristics. market potential
of crops to be produced, and capability and resources of farmer-cooperators to manage the
farm. The Soil and Water Conservation Guided Farms shall be established in accordance with
the of Soil and Water Conservation Farm Plan, farmers’ capabilities and preierences. and
available resources.

The concerned LGUs through the Office of Municipal Agriculturist shall provide
agriculture support and services to the farmer-cooperators of Soil and Water Conservation
Guided Farms to ensure its sustainability and facilitate broader adoption by more farmers
within a locality.

SECTION 9. Small-scale Rainwater Harvesting Structures. Small-scale rainwater
harvesting structures shall be designed and established in cluster to store rainwater and
surface runoff within a watershed. Potential sites shall be identified and selected using
approved site selection criteria in coordination with concemed LGUs a’ d farmers
associations, Selected sites shall be subjected to various field surveys, bio-physical
characterization and socio-economic profiling. The small-scale rainwater harvesting
structures shall be implemented in accordance with the approved engineering plans and
design, and field distribution which shall be prepared by concerned LGUs with technical
assistance from BSWM and DA-RFUs.

The BSWM shall turn over the small-scale rainwater harvesting structures to the
concerned LGUs wherein said structures are located. Subject to the requirements to be set by
BSWM, the LGU shall accordingly entrust and delegate the operation and maintenance of
structures to duly organized farmers associations as recipients.

Appropriate cropping pattern and calendar that will optimize the use of stored
rainwater shall be prepared by farmers with technical assistance from the LGUs through the
Office of the Municipal Agriculturist.


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SECTION 10. Research, Development and Extension Servizes. Research and development
and extension on soil and water conservation shall be an important component of the program
to provide a dynamic technology development, information dissemination and extension
support in the implementation of the program. Research and development shall cover but not
limited to the following areas: rainwater harvesting design methods, runoff «vanegement
technologies, soil moisture conservation impacts, and groundwater recharge enhancement.

The BSWM, the Bureau of Agricultural Research (BAR) and the Agricultural
Training Institute (ATI) of the DA: the Ecosystem Research and Development Bureau.
(ERDB) of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR); aud concerned
State Universities and Colleges (SUCs), through proper and appropriate institutional
arrangements, shall provide technical support and assistance in the conduct of research and
development and in the provision of extension services on soil and water conservation 10
LGUs and farmers associations and cooperatives.

The BSWM and ATI are further directed to assist the LGUs in the conduct of
s for beneficiaries and/or cooperators of Soil and Vi ater Guided Farms and small-
scale rainwater harvesting systems prior to operation and/or turn-over of said facilities.

SECTION 12. Implementing Rules and Regulations, The Department of Agriculture and
the Bureau of Soils and Water Management, in consultation with other concert 4 ugencies
and stakeholders, shall promulgate the necessary rules and regulations to implement this Act

SECTION 13. Appropriations. - The amount necessary for the initial implementation of
this Act shall be charged to the budget of the Department of Agriculture under the current
General Appropriations Act. Thereafier, such sums as may be necessary for its continued
implementation shall be included in the annual General Appropriations Act.

SECTION 14. Separability Clause. - If any of the provisions of this Act is declared invalid,
the other provisions which are not affected thereby shall remain to be in full force and effect.

SECTION 15. Repealing Clause. - All laws or parts thersof, decrees, orders, rules and
regulations inconsistent with the provisions of this Act are hereby repealed or modified
accordingly.

SECTION 16. Effectivity Clause. - This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) dé js after its
publication in the Official Gazette or in at least two (2) newspapers of general circulation.

Approved,


Republic of the Philippines

HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Quezon City, Metro Manila

Fifteenth Congress
First Regular Session
LAD
446;

HOUSE BILL NO.

Introduced by Hon. Sharon S. Garin and Hon. Juan Edgardo M. Angara

EXPLANATORY NOTE

The Philippines has an average annual rainfall of about 2,400 mm which is enough to
meet the annual water demand for crop production. However, this amount of rainfall is not
evenly distributed throughout the year in most parts of the country. In some areas, there is
“too much” rainfall, resulting to excessive surface run-off, severe erosion, siltation of rivers,
and flooding during the rainy season. And in other parts of the country, there may be “too
little” to provide a sustained base flow to support crop production especially during the dry
season, particularly in the upland areas.

The situation is further aggravated by the continuous degradation of our watersheds.
Watersheds have been subjected to various forms of degradation such as indiscriminate
logging and slash-and-burn practices (“kaingin”), with the resulting loss of forest cover from 17
million hectares in 1934 to only about 5.33 million hectares in most recent estimates (LGSP,
2003). But if properly managed, watersheds can provide a continuing flow of water to a
particular water body (e.g. river, creeks and streams) and to man-made “water use outlets”
such as dams, irrigation systems, or water supply take-off points.

Moreover, about 45% of the arable lands in the Philippines have been moderately to
severely eroded, triggering the movement of subsistence farmers to marginal lands with the
hope of meeting their day-to-day food requirement. Approximately 5.2 M ha are severely
eroded and 8.5 M ha are moderately eroded resulting to 30-50% reduction in soil productivity
and water retention capacity. This situation will predispose the degraded lands to drought and
other water availability problems.

A related challenge is the country’s perennial problem of food insufficiency in light of
our growing population. This calls for the development of new areas for food production.


The development and management of the country's water resources are critical
interventions because the availability of water (or lack of water) impacts on the country’s
ability to increase agricultural productivity, which is fundamental to food security. Protection
and efficient management of the watersheds ensure the continuous water base flow and
contribute to environmental sustainability. There is 2 need, therefore, to ensure water
availability for sustainable agricultural development while parallel interventions should be
pursued to arrest rapid environmental degrad:

The bill, thus, aims to promote soil and water conservation technologies and practices
through the National Soil and Water Conservation Program. The targeted sector of the
program consists of local government units and marginalized farmers in the rain-fed uplands.

Under the water conservation efforts in the Program, environment-friendly rainwater
harvesting structures will be constructed in the middle to upper reaches of the uplands and
watersheds with predominantly rolling to hilly topography. The depressions and small inland
valleys in these areas can be harnessed for small water reservoir development which would
then be utilized by poor upland farming communities for agricultural production. The
envisaged Program will also include watershed protection, development and management as
major components.

Likewise, sustainable upland development is also one of the priority thrusts of the
government under Executive Order 606 (Pursuing Sustainable Upland Development Anchoring
on Food, Wood and Non-Wood Security and Economic Productivity). Rainwater harvesting can
contribute to the attainment of sustainable upland development through the involvement of
local communities who will manage and maintain both the rainwater harvesting systems and
the local watersheds, which are important in recharging ground and surface water that will
feed into the water impounding dams.

Concomitant to water conservation activities are soil conservation activities. There are
various soil conservation measures that could be implemented in the uplands to protect the
environment while attaining agricultural productivity. These will reduce the risks of natural
disasters and enhance the adoption mechanism of farmers and communities to climate
change. Moreover, it will also enhance food security, improve farm household income, protect
resource base and/or environment and prepare the community against the threats of
upcoming natural calamity.

In view of the foregoing, the passage of this bill is earnestly sought.

HON. SURI PaANCS M. ANGARA

Lone Distri¢t, Aurora


Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Quezon City, Metro Manila

Fifteenth Congress
First Regular Session

HOUSE BILLNO.

AN ACT
PROMOTING SOIL AND WATER CONSERVATION TECHNOLOGIES AND APPROACHES
FOR SUSTAINABLE LAND MANAGEMENT IN THE PHILIPPINES
AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES

SECTION 1. Short Title. - This Act shall be known as the “Soil and Water Conservation Act of
2011".

SECTION 2. Declaration of Policy. It is hereby declared the policy of the State to promote and
support soil and water conservation technologies and approaches through the development,
promotion, and implementation of soil and water conservation facilities including rainwater
harvesting systems in the country. Towards this end, the State shall support sustainable land
management (SLM) programs for livelihood improvement, prevention of land degradation and
protection of the environment and natural resource base.

SECTION 3. Definition of Terms. - As used in this Act, the following terms shall mean:

a) “Rainwater harvesting system” refers to a system composed of three subsystems -

collection, storage and distribution, which aim to store water in containers above or
below ground and for groundwater recharge.

b) "Soil Conservation” refers to the management of soil to prevent or reduce soil erosion
and depletion by wind and water.

c) “Water Conservation” refers to the protection, development, and efficient
management of water resources for beneficial purposes.

d) “Land degradation” refers to the reduction in the capacity the land to perform
ecosystem functions and services that support society and development.

e) “Pump Irrigation System for Open Sources (PISOS)" refers to system in which a pump
lifts water from streams, rivers, lakes, reservoirs and other surface water sources to the
main canal for distribution in the target service area.

f) “Rain-fed” refers to an area not served by any irrigation faci
for crop and animal production.

g) “Sustainable Land Management (SLM)" refers to the use of land resources, including
soils, water, animals and plants, for the production of goods to meet changing human

ies and relies on rainfall



needs, while simultaneously ensuring the long-term productive potential of these
resources and the maintenance of their environmental functions.

h) “Soil and Water Conservation Technologies” refers to measures that control soil and
water degradation and enhance productivity in the field.

i) "Soil and Water Conservation Approaches” refers to ways and means of support that
help to introduce, implement, adapt, and apply soil and water conservation
technologies in the field.

J) “Upland” refers to the extensive portion of land located within 100-500 mas| with slope
of less than 18%.

SECTION 4. The National Soil and Water Conservation Program. ~ in order to te address the
problem of land degradation which affects the state and management of our natural resources,
a National Soil and Water Conservation Program, hereinafter referred to as the Program, is
hereby established. The Program shall foment synergies between agricultural productivity
improvement and sustainable land management through the promotion and implementation
of soil and water conservation technologies and approaches.

The Bureau of Soil and Water Management shall prepare the National Soil and Water
Conservation Program subject to the approval of the Secretary of the Department of
Agriculture. Upon implementation, the Bureau of Soil and Water Management shall submit an
annual status report within five (5) years to the Secretary of the Department of Agriculture for
review and assessment.

SECTION 5S. Goals and Objectives. -- Pursuant to the above declaration, the Program shall
adopt the following objectives:

2) To establish one thousand (1,000) Soil and Water Conservation Guided Farms within
five (5) years from the effectivity of this Act to showcase sustainable land management
best practices such as but not limited to sloping agricultural land technology, organic-
based agriculture, farm waste and residue management, wastewater recycling and re-
use, rainwater harvesting or combination of two or more of these practices including
approaches to implement these practices;

b) To establish ten thousand (10,000) units of small-scale rainwater harvesting systems
consisting of rainwater reservoir development, watershed management, and service
area development in strategic upland areas in 80 provinces, within five (5) years from
the effectivity of this Act; and

¢) To capacitate and empower LGUs and farmers associations in the implementation and
operation and maintenance of soil and water conservation model farms and rainwater
harvesting system.

SECTION 6. Implementing Agency. - The Bureau of Soil and Water Management under the
Department of Agriculture shall serve as the technical and administrative secretariat of the
Program, formulate and implement the Program and all other policies and objectives of this
Act, and perform such other duties as may be assigned to it by the Secretary of the Department
of Agriculture in relation to the principles of this Act.

SECTION 7. Farmers and Irrigators’ Associations. — The Bureau of Soil and Water
Management in coor the local government units shall encourage and assist
farmers and irrigators to organize themselves into associations and/or cooperatives, equip
them with greater capability through technical assistance on soil and water conservation, and



assist them in obtaining more credit facilities to develop and operate soil and water
conservation facilities;

‘The Bureau of Soil and Water Management in coordination with the local government
units shall also register and accredit such associations and cooperatives for purposes of
participation in the National Soil and Water Conservation Program: Provided, That the Bureau
of Soil and Water Management and local government units shall not directly or indirectly
influence the farmers in the exercise of their choice or selection of candidates or leaders in
the organizations.

Section 8. Soil and Water Conservation Guided Farms. - The Bureau of Soil and Water
Management in partnership with the Department of Agriculture-Regional Field Units (DA-RFU)
and concerned Civil Society Organizations (CSOs) shall establish one thousand (1,000) Soil and
Water Conservation Guided Farms (SWCGF) for the next five (5) years upon effectivity of this
Act as model farms that will showcase soil and water conservation approaches and
technologies.

Potential sites shall be identified and selected, using approved site selection criteria, in
coordination with concerned local government units and farmers associations, Selected sites
shall be subjected to various field surveys, bio-physical characterization, and socio-economic
profiling as inputs in the preparation of Soil and Water Conservation Farm Plan: Provided, it
shall be prepared in consultation with farmers based on the sites’ bio-physical characteristics,
market potential of crops to be produced, capability and resources of farmer-cooperators to
manage the farm. The Soil and Water Conservation Guided Farms shall be established in
accordance with the of Soil and Water Conservation Farm Plan, farmers’ capabilities and
preferences, and available resources.

The concerned local government units through the Office of Municipal Agriculturist
shall provide agriculture support and services to the farmer-cooperators of Soil and Water
Conservation Guided Farms to ensure its sustainability and facilitate broader adoption by more
farmers within a locality.

SECTION 9. Rainwater Harvesting Structures. - The Bureau of Soil and Water Management
Department of Agriculture-Regional Field Units shall facilitate the construction of not less than
ten thousand (10,000) units of small-scale rainwater harvesting structures in strategic upland
areas for the next five (5) years upon effectivity of this Act; Provided, however, That the Bureau
of Soil and Water Management shall not deduct more than ten percent (10%) for engineering,
technical, and other overhead expenses or fees.

The Bureau of Soil and Water Management shall turn over the small-scale rainwater
harvesting structures to the local government unit wherein said structure is located. Subject to
the requirements to be set by Bureau of Soil and Water Management, the local government
unit shall accordingly select farmer and/or irrigator's associations to operate, manage, and
maintain the structure.

SECTION 10. Watershed Management Plan. -- The Bureau of Soil and Water Management shall
provide technical support and assistance to the local government units in the preparation of
Watershed Management Pian (WMP) in critical watersheds including watersheds of Rainwater
Harvesting facilities that will be established through this Act.


SECTION 11. Research, Development and Extension Services. ~ The Bureau of Soil and Water
Management and the Agricultural Training Institute under the Department of Agriculture, and
the State Universities and Colleges with agricultural programs, shall provide comprehensive
technical assistance in research, development and extension services on soil and water
conservation approaches and technologies to local government units and farmers and
irrigators’ associations.

The Bureau of Soil and Water Management Department of Agriculture-Regional Field
Units are further directed to assist the local government units in the conduct of trainings for
beneficiaries and/or cooperators of Soil and Water Guided Farms and small-scale rainwater
harvesting systems prior to operation and/or turn-over of said facilities. As such, the Bureau of
Soil and Water Management shall develop appropriate training modules and cooperate with
the Agricultural Training Institute in the conduct training of trainers for agricultural technicians
of local government units.

SECTION 12. implementing Rules and Regulations. ~ A Committee, composed of a
representative from the Department of Agriculture, Bureau of Soils and Water Management,
Agricultural Training Institute, National Irrigation Administration, National Water Resources
Board, Department of Environment and Natural Resources, Department of the Interior and
Local Government, Philippine Information Agency together with a representative from the
State Universities and Colleges with agricultural programs, duly recognized farmers’ and
irrigators’ associations, and duly recognized agricultural engineers’ association, shall formulate
and prescribe, after public hearing and publication as required by law, the implementing rules
and regulations in order to carry out the provisions of this Act. The representatives from the
Department of Agriculture and Bureau of Soil and Water Management shall be the chairman
and the vice-chairman, respectively, of the Committee.

SECTION 13. Appropriations. - The amount necessary to carry out the purposes of this Act is
hereby authorized to be appropriated in the General Appropriations Act to be made available
within one (1) year from the approval of this Act. Thereafter, continuing appropriations shall
be appropriated in subsequent General Appropriations Acts: Provided, That the appropriation,
for the purposes of this Act, shall not be reduced by Congress below the amount appropriated
for the previous year and, after approval, shall be automatically and regularly released.

SECTION 14. Repealing Clause. - All laws or parts thereof, decrees, orders, rules and
regulations inconsistent with the provisions of this Act are hereby repealed or modified
accordingly.

SECTION 15. Separability Clause. - if any of the provisions of this Act is declared invalid, the
other provisions which are not affected thereby shall remain to be in full force and effect.

SECTION 16. Effectivity Clause. - This Act shall take effect immediately following its publication
in a newspaper of general circulation or in the Official Gazette, whichever comes first.

Approved,


MINUTES OF THE MEETING OF THE COMMITTEE ON AGRICULTURE AND FOOD ON 23
NOVEMBER 2011 AT CONFERENCE RM. 13 AT 9:30 PM, CONFERENCE ROOM 13, MITRA
BUILDING, HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES, DILIMAN, QUEZON CITY.

AGENDA :

HB No. 4036 ~ An Act Promoting the Production, Processing, Marketing and Distribution of Philippine
Mango, Mandating the Creation of a Framework for Development Fran, introduced by Rep. Sharon S.
Garin.

HB No. 4468 — An Act Promoting Soil and Water Conservation Technologies and Approaches for
Sustainable Land Management in the Philippines, introduced by Reps. Sharon S. Garin and Juan Edgardo
M. Angara.

L CALL TO ORDER/ROLL CALL

The meeting was called to order at 9:58 a.m. Upon motion duly made and seconded, the roll call
was dispensed with

Il _A. Deliberation on HB 4036 — An Act Promoting the Production, Processing, Marketing and
Distribution of Philippine Mango, Mandating the Creation of a Framework for
Development Plan, introduced by Rep. Sharon S. Gari

Remarks of the Author, Rep. Sharon S. Garin:

© There is a need for an agency that will focus primarily on the potentials of the Philippine
mango, and at the same time handle the issues besetting the industry;

‘© Private investors / corporations take the lead in research and development in the mango
industr

‘© Mango production is declining; the quality is deteriorating because of the farmers” lack of
knowledge and limited access to information on how to grow mango properly.

Comments /Observations of the House Members:

Rep. Randolph S. Ting

© The Department of Environment & Natural Resources (DENR) is encouraging the planting of
the native mango throughout the country under its reforestation project ~ the National
Greening Program.

* The Department of Science and Technology (DOST) should be included in the bill as
recommended by the Bureau of Plant and Industry (BPI).

© The funding requested for in the bill is necessary;

Rep. Angelo B. Palmones

© The primordial concern of the bill is to strengthen the research progr n on mango
production;
© The latest significant research about mango production is the sterile insect technique used

by the Guimaras mango growers;
© The Department of Trade and Industry (DT) must be required to give inputs in terms of
product promotion.

Rep. Cresente M. Paez

A separate agency should be created instead of giving the task to the DA;
Mango production is lagging in terms of research and development- research must be done
proactively:

. ‘A separate entity must be tasked to do research an¢ development programs instead of
placing it under DA.



. Requested the DA to answer on some points of section 4 of the bill; first, wo we have an
existing mango development framework; second, do we have a program on investment
promotion and facilitation; shird, the extent of research and development, market
promotion and quality assurance; fourth, soil fertility mapping in all areas planted with
mango and all areas suitable for mango plantation.

Rep. Pryde Henry A. Teves

* The simplest way to improve the qual
this, farmers do not need high technology:

© Research and development is very important ~ no one collates the experiences of successful
mango growers and best management practices in the mango industry in the country.

of mango is periodic reciprocal production ~ with

Comments/observations from the concerned agencies:

From Mr. Noli P. Garcia
Bureau of Plant and Industry, DA

* Small-scale mango growers rely on their traditional knowledge to propagate mango;
. Mango growers have very limited knowledge in the application of pesticides;

. Mango growers rely on loan sharks for their capitalization,

Mr. Pol E. Rubia

Agri-Aqua Network International (AANI)

G Demand for organic mango is increasing;
DOST plays a major role in assisting small-scale growers, especially in post-harvest.

A Technical Working Group (TWG) was created to further stucy the bill. The TWG is composed of
Rep. Sharon S. Garin as head of the TWG, and Reps. Pryde Henry Teves, Angelo B. Palmones and
Cresente Paez and representatives from concemed agencies as members.

B. Deliberation on HB 4468 ~ An Act Promoting Soil a

d Water Conservation Tec’ nologies and

Approaches for Sustainable Land Management in the Philippines
Objectives of the Bill as discussed by Rep. Sharon S. Garin:
. Establish a National Soil and Water Conservation Program — to address the

problem of land degradation; The Program shall generate synergies between
agricultural productivity improvement and sustainable land management through
the promotion and implementation of soil and water conservation technologies and
approaches;

. Establish 1,000 soil and water conservation guided farms within five years;
Install 10,000 units of small scale rainwater harvesting systems within five years in
80 provinces;

. Construct water reservoir for small scale irrigation system.

On the query of the Members of the Committee, hereunder are the comments of the
resource persons:

‘Comments of Mr. Pedro Atega
Ecosystems Research & Development Bureau, DENR

© DENR is doing research on hydro-meteorological monitoring and embarking to
install modified rain gauges in the highlands and also doing research on the
documentation of rainwater harvesting technology;

© Include * watershed protection’ in the definition of terms — the rationale is that in
any water



‘Comments of Mr. Si

impounding or water conservation strategy . watershed should first be protected;
‘The definition of “upland” should not be limited to 100 meters and 500 meters
above sea level ~ as there is an increase of upland/highland residences in the
count
DA should continue its Small Water Impounding Program, whi h is
complementarty with the DENR’s research on Water Harvesting Technology;
DENR and the LGUs should share the responsibility in protecting the watershed.

10 Tejada

Bureau of Soils and Water Management, DA

Mentioned the following definition of terms, as used by the United States
Environment and Protection Agency

Watershed ~ is the area of land where all of the water under it or drains of it
goes into the same place.

b. Watershed Management ~ refers to the managemest of water resources within
specific watershed by knowing how much water is in the system, where it
comes from, who is using it, and how it is being contaminated and where it
ends up.

On the query regarding the limitation on the definition of ‘upland’, he said t: at the
BSWM does not want to encroach on the mandate of the DENR but, if DENR
would agree, the BSWM will consider the proposal to change the definition of
upland.

‘The annual budget for Small Water Impounding Projects (SWIP) is P 500 million
AtP 5 million/project, it can cover about 250 to 500 hectares;

BSWM Recommendations as stated in their position paper:

Supports the establishment of the National Soil and water Conservation Program,
however, the program should be a product of a broad stakeholders” consultation to
be conducted upon the enactment of this A
Soil and Water Conservation should be fully integratec in the budgetary processes,
programming and implementation levels:

Soil and water conservation activities should also be mainstreamed to the routine
and regular funetions of the LGUs so that the efforts of the various national
government agencies under Section 11 ‘Research, Development and Ex.«
Services’ will be sustained and carried out continuously on the ground;

In Section 2, Declaration of Policy, delete ‘including rainwater harvesting systems in
the country’ and instead put ‘micro-watershed management and farm was

recycling and reuse

In Section 3, Definition of Terms, suggests that the following definition be added
and/or revised to conform to internationally accepted definitions:

a, Land Degradation = any form of deterioration of the natural potential of land that
affects ecosystem integrity either in terms of reducing its sustainable ecological
productivity or in terms of its native biological riciness and maintenance of
resilience (Global environment Fac

b. Organic-based agriculture — a farming system focusing on judicious usage of

inorganic fertilizer in combination with the application of organic fertilizer to

attain optimum crop yield;

Sloping Agricultural Land Technology (SALT) -for of alley farming in which field

and perennial crops are grown in bands 4-5 m wide between contoured rows of

leguminous trees and shrubs; a simple, applicable, low-cost method of upland
farming based on the use of tree and shrub legumes;



d. Watershed — the area of land where all of the water that is under it or drains off of
it goes into the same place (US EPA);

©. Watershed Management — management of water resources within. specific
watersheds by knowing how much water is in the sytem, where it comes from,
who is using it, how it is being contaminated and where its ends up.

. In support of Section 11, suggests that another section focusing on ‘incentive
mechanism’ be formulated to encourage active participation of con med
stakeholders in the program and provide LGUs, Farmers Groups, research
institutions and academe, NGOs and private sector that will create significant
changes through community mobilization;

* Suggests to include a section on “Knowledge Management’, so that best practices
and success stories on soil and water conservation will be properly documented,

processed , and packaged, using available and acceptable tools.

Comments of Mr. Samuel M. Contreras
Bureau of Soils and Water Management, DA

+ The bill will strengthen the on-going convergence initiative among the three
departments ~ DA, DENR and DA‘

© The bill must also create another agency that will take care of the social and
tenurial security aspects of the particular area covered by the program.

Comments of Mr. Bonifacio . Labiano
National Irrigation Administration (NIA)

© Suggested to include, not only the uplands, but also the highlands which is 500
meters and above sea level. This will include the rehabilitation of the rice terraces.
However, NIA has no program for the rehabilitation of the rice terraces or its
irrigation systems.

A. Technical Working Group (TWG) was created to further study the bill. The TWG is composed
of the principal sponsor as head of the TWG and Reps. Pryde Henry Teves, Angelo B, Palmones
and Cresente Paez and representatives from the concerned agencies as members.

I. ADJOURNMENT

The meeting adjourned at 11:19 am.

ABELA
Legislative Staff Officer II

Acting Conthhittee Secretary

Noted:

HON. MARK LLANDRO L. MENDOZA.

Chairman