NINETEENTH CONGRESS OF THE 
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES 
First Regular Session
)
SENATE
s.No. B40
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'22 JUL25 P1 35
RI:C£IVl-0 B’;
Introduced by Senator Loren B. Legarda
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
Article XIII, Sections 1 and 2 of the 1987 Constitution provide, in part, that the 
State "shall give the highest priority to the enactment of measures that protect and 
enhance the right of all the people to human dignity, reduce social, economic, and 
political inequalities, and remove cultural inequities by equitably diffusing wealth 
and political power for the common good," and shall endeavor "to create economic 
opportunities based on freedom of initiative and self-reliance."
Farmers and fisherfolk play an essential role in achieving sustainable 
development. The Philippines is an agricultural country with a land area of 30 million 
hectares, 47% of which is agricultural land.1 Agriculture, forestry, and fishing (AFF) 
contributed a 9.4 percent share to the total GDP in the first quarter of 2022. However, 
it recorded a minor contribution in the same period among three major economic 
sectors—agriculture, forestry, and fishing industry and services.2 Its contribution to
1 FFTC Agriculture Policy Platform (FFTC-AP). Climate-Smart Agricultural Initiatives in the Philippines. Retrieved from 
https://ap.fftc.org.tw/article/2513
2 PhiHppine Statistics Authority (PSA) (2022). Gross National Income & Gross Domestic Product. Retrieved from 
https: //psa.gov.ph/ national-accotmts/ sector/Agriculture,%20Forestry%20and%20Fishing


national development has not provided sufficient means for farmers and fisherfolk to 
sustain livelihood opportunities and productivity to uplift their lives.
The Philippine Statistics Authority released the preliminary estimates for 2018, 
which showed that farmers posted the highest poverty incidences among the basic 
sectors at 31.6 percent. This was followed by fisherfolk at 26.2 percent. While 
individuals residing in rural areas and children who belong to families with income 
below the official poverty thresholds were at 24.5 and 23.9 percent, respectively.3 The 
figures show that around 5.5 million farmers and 4.6 million fisherfolk are poor. The 
country's nominal wage rate for agricultural workers in 2019 averaged Php 331.10 per 
day.4
The low income of farmers led partly to the steady decrease in employment 
share from 30.4% in 2014 to 24.3% in 20185 despite the increasing demand for food 
production and agricultural production systems.6 According to the May 2022 Labor 
Force Survey, the number of persons employed in the agriculture sector was 22 
percent of the 46.08 million employed population.7 To add, it is contended that the 
Philippines might reach a critical shortage of farmers in just 15 years, with farmers 
having an average age of 57 years old.8 Whereas, the youth labor force participation 
rate (LFPR) reached 36.2 percent. The youth labor force in May 2022 reached 7.30 
million of the estimated 20.14 million youth population or those 15-24 years old.9
3 Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA) (30 June 2020). Farmers, Fisherfolks, IncUviduals Residing in Rural Areas and Children 
Posted the Highest Poverty Incidences Among the Basic Sectors in 2018. Reference No.: 2020-092. Retrieved from
https: //psa.gov.ph/poverty-press-releases/nid/162541
4 Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA) (28 August 2020). Farm workers are paid an average daily wage of PhP 331.10 in 2019; 
CALABARZON farm workers are the highest paid while Central Visayas farm workers are the lowest paid. Reference No.. 
2020-243. Retrieved from https://psa.gov.ph/content/fcirm-workers-are-paid-average-daily-wage-php-33110-2019-calabarzon- 
farm-workers-are-highest
5 Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA) (2019). Plulippine Statistics Authority-Agricultural Indicator System (AIS): Population 
and Labor Force. Retrieved from https://psa.gov.ph/sites/default/files/ais_population%261aborforce_2019.pdf
6 Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO)(2017). The future of food and agriculture: Trends and challenges." Rome: The Food 
and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations. Retrieved from https://www.fao.org/3/i6583e/i6583e.pdf
7 Plulippine Statistics Authority (PSA) (07 July 2022. Employment Rate in May 2022 is Estimated at 94.0 Percent. Reference 
Number: 2022-289. Retrieved from https://psa.gov.ph/system/files/Press%20Release%20for%20May2022.pdf
8 Pahs, F. (2020). Aging Filipino Rice Fanners and their Aspirations for their Children. PhQippine Journal of Science, 149(2). 
Retrieved from https://philjoumalsci.dostgov.ph/images/pdf/pjs_pdf/voll49no2/aging_filipino_rice_farmers_.pdf
9 Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA) (07 July 2022. Employment Rate in May 2022 is Estimated at 94.0 Percent Reterence
Number: 2022-289. Retrieved from https://psa.gov.ph/system/files/Press%20Release%20for%20May2022.pdf


As the situation of farmers and fisherfolk poses severe concerns as the country 
aims to achieve food sufficiency, there is a need to engage the youth in pursuit of rural 
development by providing access to knowledge, information find education, access to 
land, new sources of financial services and capital, green jobs, access to markets, and 
participation in policy dialogue.
This proposed measure seeks to capacitate farmers and fisherfolk to protect and 
promote their welfare and empower the young farmers and fisherfolk to be active 
partners in food security and agricultural development and modernization.
In view of the foregoing considerations, the immediate passage of this measure is 
sought.
REN LEGARDA


NINETEENTH CONGRESS OF THE 
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES 
First Regular Session
)
SENATE
840
of tlii'
72 JUL25 PI 35
RliCE!VlDS\ ..
S. No.
Introduced by Senator Loren B. Legarda
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 Republic of the Philippines in 
Congress assembled:
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Section 1. Short title. - This Act shall be known as the "Young Farmers and
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Fisherfolk Challenge Act".
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Sec. 2. Declaration of Policy. - It is hereby declared the policy of the State to
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ensure that the rights of young farmers and fisherfolk are recogmzed, protected, and
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promoted. Pursuant to this, the State shall engage the youth in nation building and
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rural development, providing for this purpose access to knowledge, information and
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education, access to land, new sources of financial services and capitcil, green jobs,
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access to new and niche markets, and participation in policy dialogue.
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Sec. 3. Young Farmers and Fisherfolk Challenge Program. - There is hereby
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established a Young Farmers and Fisherfolk Challenge Program, hereinafter referred
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to as the Program, that shall support and empower the young farmers and fisherfolk
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to be active partners in food security and agricultural development and
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modernization. The Program shall encourage the youth to pursue a career or engage
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in activities related to agriculture, ensure young farmers and fisherfolk participation
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in policy formulation and program implementation relative to the agriculture sector,
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and provide institutional support for agri-business and agri-entrepreneurship


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initiatives of the youth to fully realize their role as agents and partners for 
development.
Sec. 4. Beneficiaries of the Program, - The Program is intended to support young 
farmers and fisherfolk between fifteen (15) to forty (40) years of age, who are engaged 
in farming and fisheries activities, and are included in the Registry System for Basic 
Sectors in Agriculture (RSBSA). The Department of Agriculture (DA) shall update its 
existing database to reflect these indicators.
Sec. 5. Creation of a Young Farmers and Fisherfolk Challenge Council. - There is 
hereby created the Young Farmers and Fisherfolk Challenge Council, hereinafter 
referred to as the Council, to properly oversee the implementation of the Program. 
The Council shall be composed of the following:
a. Secretary of the Department of Agriculture (DA) or a duly authorized 
representative who is at least an Undersecretary, who shall be the Chair;
b. Representative of the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) who shall 
likewise be an Undersecretary;
c. Representative of the Department of Education (DepEd) who shall likewise be 
an Undersecretary;
d. Representative of the Department of Science and Technology (DOST);
e. Representative of the Commission on Higher Education (CHED);
f. Representative of the Department of Agrarian Reform (DAR);
g. Representative of the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority 
(TESDA);
h. Representative of the Department of the Interior and Local Government 
(DILG);
i. Representative of a national organization of young farmers' cooperative or 
association, provided that the representative shall be between fifteen (15) to 
forty (40) years of age;
j. 
Representative of a national organization of fisherfoik's cooperative or 
association, provided that the representative shall be between fifteen (15) to 
forty (40) years of age;
k. Representative of a farmers' women organization or cooperative, provided that 
the representative shall be between fifteen (15) to forty (40) years of age;


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l. Representative of a national organization for agritourism; and
m. Representative of a national organization for food, restaurant, and business 
sectors.
The Philippine Council for Agriculture and Fisheries shall serve as its 
Secretariat.
Sec. 6. Powers and Functions of the Council. - The Council shall have the following 
powers and functions:
a. Formulate the Program, in consultation with research institutions such as the 
Southeast Asian Regional Center for Graduate Study and Research in 
Agriculture (SEARCA), Philippine Council for Agriculture, Aquatic and 
Natural Resources Research and Development (PCAARRD), University of the 
Philippines - Los Banos (UPLB) and other relevant state universities and 
colleges (SUCs);
b. Identify and streamline access to relevant capacity-building and livelihood 
programs across the different departments and agencies of government, 
including on-the-job trainings, job fairs, employment in farm tourism and agro­
industrial zones, and other employment- bridging initiatives;
Identify and streamline access to possible sources of credit across the different
c.
departments, agencies, and instrumentalities, including access to start-up 
capital;
d. Monitor initiatives in emerging best practices in agriculture such as smart 
farming, farm tourism in compliance with RA 10816, or the "Farm Tourism 
Development Act of 2016,,/ agroponics, aquaponics, hydroponics, and organic 
and boutique vegetables;
Improve and facilitate access to marketing services such as through product
e.
packaging, promotions including branding and advertising, networking 
events, provision of subsidies to enable participation in trade fairs and exhibits, 
and linkage with media;
f. Coordinate with local government units (LGUs) in providing subsidized rental 
rates for public retail areas and public markets to farmers and fisherfolk;


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g. Serve as a conduit between stakeholders and national and international leaders
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including Congress and the private sector in formulating policies directly
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addressing the concerns of young farmers and fisherfolk;
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h. Propose subjects related to agriculture and agribusiness such as gardening,
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backyard farming, urban farming, reforestation, agricultural appreciation,
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agricultural entrepreneurship, smart farming, farm tourism, and coastal
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management in all pertinent levels of the DepEd's K-12 system with the end
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goal of increasing enrollment in the technical-vocational track in Senior High
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School in courses related to agriculture, CHED, including the National Service
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Training Program (NSTP) and TESDA;
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i. Ensure scholarships and subsidized tuition fees for young farmers and
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fisherfolk in SUCs;
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j. Provide on-the-job training programs for young farmers and fisherfolk in areas
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such as "green jobs", reforestation, coastal management, fisheries, and other
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rural-based jobs, through the DOLE'S Special Program for Employment of
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Students (SPES) and other livelihood and training programs;
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k. Explore and facilitate the extension of short-term leases for public land to
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young farmers and fisherfolk, providing free or subsidized land for cultivation
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and for aquaculture, and developing other packages such as, lease-to-buy
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schemes that would allow young farmers and fisherfolk to use available or
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unutilized agricultural land or fishing ground for the purposes of said
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Program;
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1. Expedite the leasing, distribution, and award of agrarian reform land to
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qualified beneficiaries;
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m. Facilitate the use of excess land holdings of SUCs and PEIs for agricultural
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training and developmental processes;
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n. Foster the formation of new ideas and technologies by assisting agricultural
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enterprises of qualified young farmers and fisherfolk entrepreneurs, pursuant
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to Republic Act No. 11337, otherwise known as the "Innovative Start-up Act of
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2018";
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o. Initiate social partnerships and rural development initiatives in partnership
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with the private sector;


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p. Optimize existing loan guarantee funds administered by various government 
entities to increase the credit worthiness of young farmers and fisherfolk 
experiencing difficulty in obtaining loans from banks due to lack of acceptable 
collaterals, credit knowledge and credit track record; and
q. Accept donations, contributions, grants, bequests or gifts, in cash or in kind, 
from various sources, domestic or foreign, for purposes relevant to the 
functions of the Council Said donations shall be deemed automatically 
appropriated for purposes specified by the donor or in the absence thereof, for 
the programs and projects as may be approved by the Council subject to the 
usual accounting and auditing rules and regulations: Provided, That, cash 
donations shall not be used to fund the personal services requirements of the 
Council.
Sec. 6-A. Tax Exemption on Donations. - All grants, bequests, endowments, 
donations, and contributions made to and used actually, directly, and exclusively by 
the Council shall be exempt from donor's tax and the same shall be considered as 
allowable deduction from gross income for purposes of computing the taxable income 
of the donor, in accordance with the provisions of the National Internal Revenue Code 
of 1997, as amended.
Sec. 7. Waiver of Government Fees and Charges. - Subject to the exceptions 
provided in Section 8 of Republic Act No. 11261, otherwise known as the "First-Time 
Jobseekers Assistance Act", all government agencies and instrumentalities, including 
government-owned and controlled corporations, LGUs, and government hospitals 
shall not collect fees or charges from young farmers and fisherfolks who are first-time 
job seekers: Provided, That such fee or charge is in connection with the application for 
and the granting of licenses, proofs of identification, clearances, certificates or other 
documents usually required in the course of employment locally or abroad: Provided 
further, that the benefit provided shall only be availed of once.
Sec. 8. Annual Report. - The Council shall submit to the President and to both 
Houses of Congress, not later than the 30th of March of every year following the 
effectivity of this Act, a report giving a detailed account of the effective 
implementation of this Act, and recommended legislation where applicable and 
necessary.


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Sec. 9. Implementing Rules and Regulations. - Within ninety (90) days from the
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effectivity of this Act, the DA and DAR shall, in coordination with the DOST, DOLE,
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DENR, DepEd, CHED, Land Bank of the Philippines, and National Youth
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Commission shall, issue the necessary rules and regulations for the implementation
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of this Act.
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Sec. 10. Appropriations. - The funds necessary to carry out the initial
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implementation of this Act shall be charged against the current year's budget of the
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Department of Agriculture. Thereafter, such sums as may be necessary for the
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continued implementation of this Act shall be included in the annual General
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Appropriations Act.
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Sec. 11. Separability Clause. - If any provision of this Act is declared invalid or
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unconstitutional, the other provisions not affected by such declaration shall remain in
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full force and effect.
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Sec. 12. Repealing Clause. - All laws, executive orders, administrative orders,
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and rules and regulations inconsistent with this act are hereby repealed or amended
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accordingly.
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Sec. 13. Effectivity. - This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after its
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publication in the Official Gazette or in a newspaper of general circulation.
Approved,