1The Philippine Star. (December 8, 2022). "PH farms getting empty: Agriculture job loss a worrying trend." 
1 
Republic of the Philippines 
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES 
Quezon City, Metro Manila 
NINETEENTH CONGRESS 
1st Regular Session 
House Bill No. ________ 
Introduced by Representatives PAOLO Z. DUTERTE, ERIC G. YAP, 
and EDVIC G. YAP 
EXPLANATORY NOTE 
The Philippine Statistical Authority (PSA) accounts for the continuous employment 
drop in the agricultural sector, stating that the sector—agriculture, forestry, fishing, 
and aquaculture industries—had its share of total employment fall from 24.5 percent 
(9.7 million) in October 2020 and 24.6 percent (10.77 million) in October 2021 to 22.5 
percent (10.60 million) in October 2022.1
The Philippine Development Studies contends that diminishing farm size and 
declining incomes in agriculture, have incentivized the shift out of agriculture.1 Hence, 
apart from measures that ought to increase agricultural production and farmer 
assistance, there is a need to encourage the young generation to choose the country’s 
agricultural sector.  
Following this pursuit, this proposed measure seeks to grant free tertiary Agriculture 
education to the dependents of qualified indigent farmers. Following the 
implementation of the Republic Act No. 10931 or Universal Access to Quality Tertiary 
Education Act which provides free tuition and other school fees in State Universities 
and Colleges (SUCs) and other Local Universities and Colleges, the said grant will 
also include payment of other school fees and entitlement to other incentives or 
subsidies such as living and transportation allowance. 
Apart from encouraging more youth to consider entering the said sector, the said 
measure will also uplift and motivate agricultural research that is vital in the sector’s 
quest for development. 
In view of the foregoing, approval of this bill is earnestly sought. 
PAOLO Z. DUTERTE 
       ERIC G. YAP 
EDVIC G. YAP         
March 13, 2023
1:27 pm
7572


1 
Republic of the Philippines 
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES 
Quezon City, Metro Manila 
NINETEENTH CONGRESS 
1st Regular Session 
House Bill No. ________ 
Introduced by Representatives PAOLO Z. DUTERTE, ERIC G. YAP, 
and EDVIC G. YAP 
AN ACT 
GRANTING FREE TERTIARY AGRICULTURAL EDUCATION, AND OTHER 
RELATED COURSES TOALL DEPENDENT CHILDREN OF QUALIFIED 
INDIGENT FARMERS, AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES 
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the Philippines in Congress 
assembled: 
SECTION 1. Short Title. - This Act shall be known as “The Free Tertiary 
Agricultural Education Act.” 
SEC. 2. Statement of Policy. - It is the declared policy of the State to promote 
sound agricultural development in the country and to achieve global competitiveness 
in the agricultural sector. Towards this end, education and trainings on Agriculture 
shall be encouraged among the youth to inculcate the latest agricultural principles and 
techniques. The State, therefore, shall extend the avenue for this learning process by 
providing accessible education on agriculture and other related courses. 
SEC. 3. Definition of Terms. - As used in this Act, the following terms shall be 
defined as: 
a. Qualified Dependent Children - refers to the children of indigent farmers
who are enrolled or about to enroll in State Colleges and Universities where
Agriculture and its related courses are offered.
b. Registered Indigent Farmers - are those indigent individuals whose sole
source of income is agriculture, who actually cultivate or till the land,
whether as owner or lessee of the land, or who actually engage in crop
production, livestock and poultry farming, and who are included in the
registry of farmers of the Department of Agriculture (DA).
SEC. 4. Implementation of Free Tertiary Agricultural Education. - The DA, in 
coordination with the Commission on Higher Education (CHED) shall establish a 
scholarship program for Tertiary Agricultural Education. Qualified dependent 
7572


 
 
 
 2 
children of registered indigent farmers intending to enroll or already enrolled in 
agricultural courses or any related field offerings in state colleges and universities 
shall be exempt from payment of tuition and other school fees and shall be entitled to 
such other incentives or subsidies, including living and transportation allowance, as 
may be granted in accordance with such rules and regulations to be promulgated to 
carry out the provisions of this Act. Provided, that they meet the admission 
requirements of the SUCs where they intend to enroll in. 
 
SEC. 5. Implementing Rules and Regulations. - Within six (6) months after the 
effectivity of this Act, the DA and the CHED shall issue the necessary guidelines, rules, 
and regulations for the proper implementation of the provisions of this Act. 
 
SEC. 6. Separability Clause. - If any provision of this Act, or parts thereof, is 
declared unconstitutional, the same shall not affect the validity and effectivity of the 
other portions. 
 
SEC. 7. Repealing Clause. - All laws, executive orders, presidential decrees, 
implementing rules and regulations inconsistent with this Act are hereby repealed or 
modified accordingly. 
 
SEC. 8. Effectivity. - This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after its 
publication in the Official Gazette or in two (2) newspapers of general circulation. 
 
 
Approved,