" 
SIXTEENTH CONGRESS OF THE 
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES 
First Regular Session 
SENAT3 
S.B.No._37 
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Introduced by Senator LOREN B. LEGARDA 
EXPLANATORY NOTE 
According to a 2010 report by the Department of Agriculture's Bureau of Soils and Water 
Management, it is estimated that 45% or around 13 inillion hectares of arable land in the 
Philippines are either moderately or severely eroded due to massive deforestation and adoption 
of uns;ustainable land milnagement practices in the upland areas, further compounded by the 
unabated use of "urea" in modern 'farming. The widespread use of the latter has led to actual 
soil degradati9n -commonly known as soil mining, leading to lower ilgricultural outp,;,t despite 
the application of modern filrming practices. Land degradation in the country has affected more 
than 33 million Filipinos and is likely to contribute to widespread and severe poverty in the 
rural areas. The 2009 Family Il1come and Expenditure Survey (FIES) reveals that poverty 
incidence among farmers and fisher folk are at 36.7% and ,\1.4%, respectively-much higher 
than the 26.5 % national level. 
Moreover, the 2012 Yearbook of the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) 
highlighted how land degradation, particularly soil erosion, can worsen the impact of climate 
change through the release of carbon previously stored in the soil. Ordinarily,. soil stores large 
amounts of carbon which binds the nutrients found in the ground, and allows rainfall to flow. 
towards the underground aquifers. This suggests that if the unsustainable land ml'[nagement 
practices' continue, more carbon will be released to the atmosphere, thus adding to the carbon 
produced by the burning of fossil fuels. 
In this light, this measure seeks to support Sustainable Land Management (SLM) programs for 
livelihood improvement, particularly that ,of upland farmers and indigenous peoples, and for 
the prevention' of land degradation and the protection of the environment and natural resource 
base. 
The salient features of the bill are as follows: 
(a) Establislunent ofthe National Soil and Water Conservation Program which shall foment 
synergy between agricultural productivity improvement and sustainable land 
management through the promotion and implementation of soil and water conservation 
technologies and approach~s; 
(b) Creation of Soil and Water Conservation Guided Farms (SWCGF) that shall serve as 
model farI!1s . thl'[t will showcase soil and wilter conservation approaches and 
technologies in the uplands; and 
(c) Construction of small~scale rainwater harvesting structures to be established in cluster to 
store rainwater and surface runoff within watersheds. 
In view of the foregoing, early passage of this bill is sought. 
==-. LO:ZARDA 
Senator 
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SIXTEENTH CONGRESS OF THE 
REPUBLIC OF THE PfllLIRPINES 
First Regular Session 
SENATE 
S. B. No. --.a3 7 
Introduced by Senator LOREN LEGARDA 
AN ACT 
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PROMOTING SOIL AND WATER CONSERVATION TECHNOLOGIES AND 
APPROACHES FOR SUSTAINABLE LAND MANAGEMENT IN THE PfllLIPPINES 
AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES 
Be it enacted by the Senate and the House of Representatives of the Philippines in the Congress 
assembled: 
SECTION 1. Short Title. This Act shall be known as the "Soifand 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 water conservation measures and practices 
including rainwater harvesting tp enhance deCision-making, planning, and potential up-scaling 
of good practices. Towards this end, the State shall support Sustainable Land Management 
(SUA) programs for livelihood improvement-particularly that of upland farmers and 
iridigenous peoples, and for the prevention of land degradation and the' protection of the 
environment and natural resource base. 
SECTION 3. Definitio/'! of Terms. As used in this Act, the following terms shall mean: 
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 arismg from hum"n 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 to production system that sustains the health of soils, 
ecosyste~s and people. It relies on ecological processes, biodiversity and cycles adapted 
to local conditions, rather than the use of inputs with adverse "ffects. Organic agriqllture 
combines tradition, innovation, and science to benefit the shared. environment and to 
promote a fair relationship and good quality of life for all involved. 
c). . Rain-fed area refers to an area. not served by any irrigation facilities and mainly relies on 
rainfall for crop and animal prod uctien. 
d) Rainwater harvesting system refers to a system that collects, accumulates, and stores 
rainwater and surface runoff for. purposes of supplemental irrigation, inland fish 
production, and other agricultural purposes. For the purpose of this act, a small-sdle 
rainwater harvesting system refers to reservoir storage facilities with a height of not more 
than 5 mete~s and a surface area of not more than 2, 500 sq. meters. 
e) Sloping Agricultural Land Technology (SALT) refers to a simple, applicable, 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. 
f) Soil and. Water Conservation Technologies refers to measures that ~ontrol soil and water 
degradation and enhance productivity in the field. 
g) Soil and Water Conservation Approaches refers to ways and mean~ of support that help 
to introduce, iinplement, adapt, and apply soil and water conservation technologies in 
the field. 
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h) Soil and Water Conservation Guided Farm (SWCGF) refers to a farm established to 
showcase appropriate soil and water conservation technologies for possible replication 
and up-scaling. It is also an approach that facilitates the proper implementation of soil 
and water conservation technologies through the provision of technical assistance in the 
field survey, the soil and water conservation farm planning, and the implementation of 
, the plan. 
i) Soil and Water Conservation Farm Phm 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. 
j) 
Soil Conservation refers to the management of soil to prevent or reduce soil erosion and 
depletion by wind andwater. 
k) 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. 
1) 
Upland refers to the extensive portion of land located within 100-500 meters above sea 
level.(masl) with slope ofless than 18%. 
m) Water Conservation refers to the protection, development, and efficient management of 
water resources for beneficial purposes. 
n) Watershed refers to a land area drained by a stream or a fixed body of water with its 
tributaries having common outlet for surface runoff. This include small watershed with 
area of 10,000 hectares and below; a medium scale watershed with an area of more than 
10,000 hectares to 50,000 hectares; and large scale watershed with an area of 50,000 
hectares and ahove. 
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0) Watershed management refers to the process of guiding and organizing land and other 
resource used in a watershed, to provide desired goods and services without adversely 
affecting soil, water or other natur'al resources. 
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p) Watershed protection refers to 'a management strategy to cohtrol 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 manag,ement of our natural resources, a 
National, Soil and Water Conservation Program, hereinafter referred to as the Program, is 
hereby established. The Program shall foment synergy 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 concerned 
agencies and other stakeholders, shall prepare the National Soil and Water Conservation 
Program subject to the approval of the Secretary of the Department of Agriculture (DA). Upon 
impiementation of this Act, the BSWM shall submit an AnnuaLReport and Progress Report as 
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 lal1d degradation in the uplands. As such, it shall adopt 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 noUimited 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; 
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b) To establish ten thousand (10,000) units of small-scale rainwater harvesting systems 
consisting of rainwater reservoir development, watershed management, and service area 
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development in strategic uplan~ areas throughout the country, within five (5) year~ 
from the effectivity of this Act; and 
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c) 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 o~ 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 support 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. Fanners Associations. 
Farm~r-cooperators and program recipients shall be 
organized into associations and! or cooperatives and shali be capacitated on soil and water· 
conservation. As such, t1)e BSWM and PA-RFUs in coordination with concerned local 
government units (LGUs) shall provide trainings on soil and water conservation and shall assist 
them in accessing available credit windows to sustain,the operation and maintenance of 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 Fanns. Soil and Water Conservation Guided 
Farms (SWCGF) shall serve as model farms that will showcase soil 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 this purpose, SWCGF 
shall be established in cluster within high impa~t areas such as watershed. 
Potential sites shall be identified and selected, using approved site selection criteria, in 
coordination with concerned LGUs and farmers associations. Seiected sites shall be subjected to 
various field surveys, bio-physical characterization, and s<,lcio-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 pe 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 Soil 
and Water Conservation Farm Plan, farmers' capabilities and preferences, 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 
Guide<;l Farms to ensure its sustainability and to facilitate broader adoption by more farmers 
within a locality. . 
SECTION 9. Small-scale Rainwater lfarvesting 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 coordi:J1ation with concerned LGU s and 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 technicaI'assistance from BSWM and DA-RFUs. 
The BSWM shall turn over the small-scale 
concerned LGUs wherein said structures are located. 
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rainwater harvesting structures to the 
Subject to the requirements to be set by 


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BSWM, the LGU shall, accordin~ly entrust and delegate the operation and maintenance of 
structures to duly organized fa!mers associatioJls 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 LGU s through the 
Office of the Municipal Agriculturist. 
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SECTION 10. Research, Development and Extension SeY1!ices. 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 management 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); and 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 
to LGU s imd farmers 
associations and cooperatives. 
The BSWM and ATI are further directed to assist the LGUs in the conduct of training for 
beneficiar,ies and/ or cooperators of Soil and Water Guided Farms and small-scale rainwater 
harvesting systems prior to operation and/ br turn-over of said facilities. 
SECTION 11. Implementing Rules and Regulations. The Department of Agriculture, ,thru the 
Bureau of Soils and Water Management, in consultation with other concerned agencies and 
stakeholders, shall promulgate th",necessary rules and regulations to implement this Act within 
five (5) months upon the, enactment of this Act. 
SECTION 12. 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. 
Thereafter, such sums as may be necessary for its continued 
implementation shall be included in the annual General Appropriations Act. 
SECTION 13. 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 14: Separability Clause. - If any of the provisions of this Act are declared invalid, the 
other provisions which are not affected thereby shall remain to be in full force and effect. 
SECTION 15. 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, 
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