" 
SIXTEENTH CONGRESS OF THE ) 
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES ) 
Second Regular Session 
) 
SENATE 
Senate Bill No. 2673 
Introduced by SENATOR SONNY ANGARA 
AN ACT 
·15 
FEB 26 P 6 :21 
HECEIVED BY:--# 
PROVIDING FOR THE DEVELOPMENT AND PROMOTION OF FARM TOURISM IN THE 
PHILIPPINES AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES 
EXPLANATORY NOTE 
Agri-tourism or farm tourism covers two of several sectors recently identified as our 
country's main economic growth drivers and sources of employment. These are agriculture and 
tourism, 
Today, some of our farms augment their incomes by offering guided tours or becoming 
bed and breakfasts or wedding venues. In fact, such farm tourism is a booming industry across 
the globe-covering farm stays in California, gites in France and guest ranches in the Australian 
Outback. 
In 2007, the US Department of Agriculture found that up to 23,000 American farms were 
engaged in so-called agri-tourism activities, earning an average US$24,300 each in "non-
farming" income. Many European governments have provided support to farmers who seek to 
make their homes and farms more suitable for tourists. 
The Philippines boasts of immense potential in farm tourism, given its well-established 
farming sector and its booming tourism industry. The fusion of the two will lead to a significant 
boost to our economy and our efforts at creating more sustainable jobs, which is the underlying 
aim of the foregoing measure. 
While there are already some notable farm destinations in the country, such as the 
Duran Farms in Bulacan, Rosa Farms in Zambales and Costales Nature Farms in Majayjay, 
Laguna offering farming and fishing activities, there is immense opportunity for the country to 
develop and expand this niche. This bill primarily seeks to promote and stimulate the industry to 
immense proportions by establishing at least one farm tourism site in each province. 
As such, this bill calls for the creation of a Philippine Farm Tourism Industry 
Development Coordinating Council which will be tasked to forge the industry's road map. This 
council will be led by the Department of Tourism, in consultation with the Departments of 
Agriculture, Environment and Natural Resources and Science and Technology, among others. 
Developing our farm tourism industry opens up a unique opportunity at spurring 
economic growth and job generation throughout the countryside, where it is needed the most. 
Hence, the swift passage of this bill is earnestly sought. 
//2~ 
~Al'~{SONNY ANGARA 


SIXTEENTH CONGRESS OF THE ) 
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES ) 
Second Regular Session 
) 
'15 
FEB 26 P6:21 
SENATE 
Senate Bill No. 2673 
RECEIVED BY;~ 
Introduced by SENATOR SONNY ANGARA 
AN ACT PROVIDING THE DEVELOPMENT AND PROMOTION OF FARM TOURISM 
IN THE PHILIPPINES AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES 
Be it enacted by the Senate and the House of Representatives of the Philippines in the 
Congress assembled. 
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Sec. 1. Short Title. This Act shall be known as the "Farm Tourism Act of 2015". 
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Sec. 2. Declaration of Policy. Agriculture plays a major role in the country's economic and 
4 
cultural development. It is therefore the declared policy of the State to provide support to 
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agriculture through appropriate technology and research, and adequate financial, production, 
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marketing and other support services. 
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Specifically, the State shall seek to promote awareness and understanding of the importance 
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and benefits of agriculture, especially among the youth; promote environment-friendly, efficient 
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and sustainable farm practices; provide alternative recreation facilities and farm tourism 
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activities for families, students and other clientele; promote health and wellness with high-quality 
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farm-produced food, and to generate economic opportunities for the people through farming. 
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Towards this end, this Act shall establish a comprehensive program for the development and 
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promotion offarm tourism. 
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Sec. 3. Definition of Terms. As used in this Act: 
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(a) Farm Tourism - refers to the practice of attracting visitors and travellers to farm 
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areas for production, educational and recreational purpose. It involves any 
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agricultural-based operation or activity that brings farmers, visitors, or tourists to a 
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farm who want to be educated and trained on farming and its related activities, and 
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provides a venue for outdoor recreation, without necessarily altering the agricultural 
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nature of the land. 
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(b) Farm Tourism Activity - refers to any activity in a farm tourism site, whether for 
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educational, recreational, or entertainment purposes, that a participant or group of 
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participants may avail of, without necessarily paying for such. This shall include 
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planting, fruit-picking, floral oil extraction, food production, harvesting vegetables, 
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tasting wine or juices, tending bees, milking cows, watching butterflies, horseback 
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riding, fishing, and other farm activities or pursuits. 
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(c) Farm Tourism Practitioner - refers to a farmer, a farmer owner, or a farmers' 
33 
cooperative or association, engaged in the business of providing farm tourism 
34 
activities, whether or not for compensation. 
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(d) Farm Tourism Operator - refers to the owner or recognized occupant of the farm or 
37 
any person who is in charge of running a farm tourism site. 
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(e) Farm Tourism Site - refers to a place where farm tourism activities are carried out. 
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(f) Accreditation - refers to a certification officially recognizing a farm tourism site as 
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having complied with the minimum standards for farm tourism. 
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(g) Extension Service Provider (ESP) - refers to an organization accredited by the 
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Department of Agriculture to undertake training and complementary extension 
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services for farm tourism practitioners or operators. 
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(h) Inherent Risks of Farm Tourism Activity - refers to dangers or conditions that are 
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integral parts of farm tourism which may cause harm or injury. These include certain 
11 
hazards associated with surface and subsurface conditions, natural condition of land, 
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vegetation, waters, behaviour of wild and domestic animals, weak structures, 
13 
negligent attitude of participants, and failure to follow instructions on the use of farm 
14 
equipment or to exercise reasonable caution while engaged in farm tourism 
15 
activities. 
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(i) Participant - refers to any person, including other farmers, visitors, travellers and 
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tourists, who engage in a farm tourism activity in a farm tourism site. 
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U) Sustainable agriculture - refers to the efficient production of safe and high quality 
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agricultural products that protects and improves the natural environment, the social 
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and economic conditions of farmers, their employees and local communities, and 
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safeguards the health and welfare of all farmed species. 
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Sec. 4. Philippine Farm Tourism Framework for Development. The Department of Tourism 
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(DOT) in collaboration with the Department of Agriculture (DA), Department of Environment and 
27 
Natural Resources (DENR), Department of Science and Technology (DOST), Department of 
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Public Works and Highways (DPWH), Department of Agrarian Reform (DAR), Department of 
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Trade and Industry (DTI), Department of Education (DepEd), Commission on Higher Education 
30 
(CHED), National Economic and Development Authority (NEDA), farm tourism practitioners and 
31 
organizations, local government units (LGUs), and the private sector, shall formulate a six-year 
32 
farm tourism strategic development plan. The development plan shall serve as a guide in the 
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formulation and implementation of programs and projects for the development and promotion of 
34 
farm tourism, as envisioned in this Act. The development plan shall likewise provide for the 
35 
following: 
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(a) General Criteria for Identification and Designation of Farm Tourism Sites. -The 
38 
DOT, in coordination with DA, DENR, DAR, DOST and concerned LGUs, shall 
39 
formulate a general set of criteria on any geographic area where a farm tourism site 
40 
may be established to ensure that the development will encourage more productivity 
41 
and benefits to the farmers, while likewise ensuring quality experience provided to 
42 
tourists. The development of the criteria shall encourage the identification and 
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development of different forms of farm tourism such as community-based 
44 
development, public-private partnership and farm tourism enterprise zones. 
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(b) Educational and Promotional Support. - The DOT shall provide marketing advice 
47 
and promotional support to accredited farm tourism sites in the country. The DepEd, 
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CHEd, and Philippine information Agency (PIA) shall launch and pursue a nationwide 
49 
campaign to help realize the policies and provisions of this Act, to promote farm 
50 
tourism, inform the people of new farm tourism sites, and promote the principle of 
51 
sustainable development. 
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(c) Investment Promotion and Facilitation.- The DOT and DTI, in collaboration with 
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the Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG) and LGUs, shall develop 
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programs that will establish and facilitate links between stakeholders in the farm 
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tourism industry and government financial institutions (GFls) and other financial 
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cooperatives. The DOT and DTI shall likewise develop and implement programs that 
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shall establish reasonable and innovative investment incentives to attract more 
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investors and farm tourism practitioners in the farm tourism industry. 
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(d) Support and Extension -
The Agricultural Training Institute (ATI) of the DA, 
together with the Cooperative Development Authority (CDA), state and private 
universities and colleges, and other relevant government agencies shall develop and 
establish programs that shall promote the adoption of technologies appropriate for 
farm tourism, provide adequate training and other extension services for farm 
tourism practitioners and operators, strengthen farm tourism cooperatives and 
organizations, and afford them with opportunities for participation in international 
conventions, workshops and fora. 
10 
(e) Research and Development. - The Philippine Council for Agriculture, Aquatic and 
11 
Natural Resources Research and Development (PCAARRD) of the DOST shall 
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coordinate research and development activities in agriculture, aquatic and natural 
13 
resources (AANR) relevant to the technology needs of the farm tourism sites, and 
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provide the results to the DOT, DA and other concerned agencies and organizations. 
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Market Promotion and Development. -The DOT, through the Tourism Promotions 
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Board (TPB), in collaboration with the DTI, shall develop programs that shall promote 
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farm tourism activities for local and foreign markets. This also includes exploring 
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national and international markets and facilitating the participation of local farm 
20 
tourism practitioner4s and operators in local and international conferences, trade 
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fairs and exhibits. 
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(f) Infrastructure Development. - The DPWH, in cooperation with other concerned 
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agencies, shall prepare and implement a nationwide plan based on identified sites, 
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for the development of farm tourism markets; prioritize the construction of farm-to-
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market roads linking the farm tourism sites to markets, bus terminals, airports, train 
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stations, ports and highways. 
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(g) Establishment of Tourism Farms. - Within the scope of the six-year Farm Tourism 
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Strategic Development Plan, the DA shall encourage the establishment of at least 
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one (1) tourism farm in every province in the country. 
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Sec. 5. Implementing Agency. - There is hereby created a Philippine Farm Tourism Industry 
34 
Development Coordinating Council (PFTIDCC), herein referred to as the Council, charged with 
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the main function of coordinating the activities of the various agencies and instrumentalities to 
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ensure the development and promotion of farm tourism in the country. 
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The Council shall have the following specific functions: 
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(a) Prepare and implement a Comprehensive National Farm Tourism Industry 
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Development Plan; 
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(b) Recommend to the DOT and the DA areas that are prime for farm tourism but 
43 
require infrastructure projects such as farm-to-market roads; 
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(c) Encourage the establishment of at least one (1) tourism farm in every province in the 
45 
country; 
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(d) Launch and pursue a nationwide educational campaign to help realize the policies 
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and provisions of this Act; 
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(e) Establish and maintain a comprehensive farm tourism information system; 
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(f) Formulate and implement farm tourism research and development projects, such as 
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organic farming, aqua culture, duckweed culture, livestock and poultry raising aimed 
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at increasing resource productivity, improving resource use efficiency, and ensuring 
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the long-term sustainability of the country's farm tourism program; 
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(g) Provide for the accreditation and the issuance of identification cards to farm tourism 
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practitioners and operators; 
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(h) Assist the LGUs in developing their technical capability in the development, 
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management, regulation, conservation, and protection of farm tourism sites; 
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(i) Provide avenues for quality trainings, seminars, conventions, workshops, among 
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others; 
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Ul Monitor and review farm tourism agreements between Filipino citizens and foreigners 
60 
who seek to invest in the farm tourism sector 
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(k) Establish cooperation among farm tourism stakeholders, financial institutions, 
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government agencies, non-government organizations, people's organizations and 
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other like-minded institutions and individuals in terms of partnerships and linkages; 
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(I) Enforce all laws, formulate and enforce all rules and regulations governing the 
5 
conservation and management of farm tourism sites; 
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(m)Submit, through the Chairperson of the Council, an annual report to Congress on the 
7 
implementation of this Act and the issues and concerns affecting the farm tourism 
8 
industry; and, 
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(n) Perform such other related functions which shall promote the development, 
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promotion, conservation, management, protection and utilization of farm tourism 
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sites. 
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Sec. 6. Council Composition. - The Council shall be composed of the following: 
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(a) Secretary of the DOT, as Chairperson; 
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(b) Secretary of the DA, as Co-Chairperson; 
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(c) Secretary of the DENR; 
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(d) Secretary of the DPWH; 
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(e) Secretary of the DTI; 
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(f) Secretary of the DAR; 
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(g) Secretary of the CHEd; 
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(h) Secretary of the DepEd; 
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(i) Secretary of the DOST; 
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0) Director General of the NEDA; 
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(k) Representative from the Union of Local Authorities of the Philippines (ULAP); and, 
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(I) Six (6) representatives from farm tourism associations or organizations recognized 
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by the DA or the DOT, with Luzon, Visayas and Mindanao each having equal 
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representation. 
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The Council shall meet every three (3) months and may hold special meetings as needed, to 
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consider matters upon the call the Chairperson or any nine (9) Council members. 
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The Council may create steering committees and technical working groups as it may deem 
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necessary, and may call upon other agencies of government and private sector groups. 
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Sec. 7. Council Secretariat. The Secretaries of the DOT and the DA shall designate a Council 
36 
Secretariat and technical staff who shall come from the eXisting personnel complement of the 
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said Departments. This shall be without prejudice to the designation by the Council of such 
38 
additional staff as it may deem necessary for the proper discharge of its functions and 
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responsibilities. 
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Sec. 8. Adherence with Environmental Laws. - The development and operations of all farm 
42 
tourism sites under this Act shall be regulated by the DENR pursuant to all laws and statues on 
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the utilization and protection of natural resources and environment, and must strictly comply 
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with the land use plan approved by the LGU concerned and the requirements imposed by 
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existing DENR rules, regulations and other issuances, taking into consideration the sustainable 
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use and development of the farm tourism sites. 
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Sec. 9. Incentives and Tax Exemptions. - Duly accredited farm tourism practitioners and 
49 
operators may avail of incentives and tax exemptions pursuant to the following laws: provided, 
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That the provisions of the said laws are satisfied: 
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(a) Republic Act 10068 or the Organic Agriculture act of 201 0; 
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(b) Republic Act 6938 or the Cooperative Code of the Philippines; 
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(c) Republic Act 7160 or the Local Government Code of 1991; 
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(d) Republic Act 8435 or the Agriculture and Fisheries Modernization Act of 1997, as 
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amended by Republic Act 9281; 
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(e) Republic Act 8435 or the Agriculture and Fisheries Modernization Act of 1997; 
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(f) Republic Act 10000 or the Agri-Agra Reform Credit Act of 2009; 
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(g) Republic Act 9178 or the Barangay Micro Business Enterprises (BMBE's) Act of 
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2002; 
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(h) Republic Act 9593 or the Tourism Act of 2009; and, 
(i) Any other law under which a farm tourism practitioner or operator may qualify. 
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Sec. 10. Accreditation of Farm Tourism Sites. - The Council shall provide the guidelines and 
5 
criteria in the accreditation of farm tourism sites. The DOT, in coordination with the OA, shall 
6 
issue the corresponding certification to a farm site that meets the standards and requirements 
7 
set forth by the Council. The OA may also accredit a farm tourism site that has met the standard 
8 
requirements of an extension service provider, a set forth by the Council. 
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Accreditation shall be on a voluntary basis. All accredited farm tourism sites shall be promoted 
11 
by the DOT and the OA, in partnership with the concerned LGUs and in conjunction with all 
12 
other tourism and rural development promotions. The accreditation shall be valid for two (2) 
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years. 
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The DOT and the OA may, at any time, cancel the accreditation of a farm tourism site or 
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extension service provider found to have the set criteria and guidelines. 
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Sec. 11. Liability of Farm Tourism Practitioners and Operators 
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A farm tourism practitioner and operator shall not be held liable for injury to, or death of, a 
21 
participant resulting from the inherent risks of farm tourism activities; Provided that the 
22 
necessary safety measures as may be required by law or implementing rules and regulations 
23 
are complied with. 
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However, a farm tourism practitioner or operator may be held liable for the following reasons: 
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(a) Commission of an act that constitutes negligence of wilful or wanton disregard for the 
28 
safety of the participant, which consequently causes injury, damage or death to the 
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participant. 
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(b) Any act of omission, when, despite actual knowledge of or reasonable presumption 
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of the possession of knowledge about a dangerous condition on the land, facilities or 
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equipment used in such activity does not make the danger known to a participant, 
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which causes injury, damage, or death to the participant. 
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Any limitation on legal liability afforded by this Section to a farm tourism practitioner or operator 
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is in addition to any other limitations of legal liability otherwise provided for by other laws. 
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Sec. 12. Implementing Rules and Regulations. The council shall promUlgate the 
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implementing rules and regulations of this Act within six (60 months from its enactment. 
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Sec. 13. Separability Clause. If any party or provision of this Act is declared unconstitutional or 
43 
invalid, other parts or provisions thereof which are not affected thereby shall continue to be in 
44 
full force and effect. 
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Sec. 14. Repealing Clause. All laws, decrees, executive orders, rules and regulations and 
47 
other issuances or parts thereof, inconsistent with the proVisions of this Act, are hereby 
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repealed or modified accordingly. 
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Sec. 15. Effectivity. This shall take effect fifteen (15) days after its participation in the Official 
51 
Gazette or in a national newspaper of general circulation. 
Approved, 
5