Republic of the Philippines 18 JUL 2013

HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TeaePH, |
Quezon City ; j Ds if
SIXTEENTH CONGRESS
First Regular Session
es
No, 1953

Introduced by Representative Estrellita “Ging” B. Suansing

EXPLANATORY NOTE

On February 23, 1995, Republic Act No. 7900, otherwise known as the “High-
Value Crops Development Act of 1995 was enacted. The law seeks to accelerate the
growth and development of agriculture in the country; enhance productivity as well
as profits of farmers and improve the country's investment climate, augmenting its
foreign exchange earings in the process.

Under the law, “High Value Crops” are crops other than traditional crops
which include, but are not limited to the following:

a)
b)

©)
qd

e)

9)

coffee and cacao;

fruit crops such as citrus, cashew, guyabano, papaya, mango, pineapple,
strawberry, jackfruit, rambutan, durian, mangosteen, guava, lanzones, and

watermelon;
root crops like potato and ubi;

vegetable crops such as asparagus, broccoli, cabbage, celery,
carrots, cauliflower, radish, tomato, bell pepper, and patola;

legumes and pole sitao like snap beans, garden pea;
spices and condiments such as black pepper, garlic, ginger, onion;
and

cutflower and ornamental foliage plants like chrysanthemum,
gladiolus, anthuriums, orchids, and statice.

Eighteen (18) years after the passage of the said law, there is an imperative
need to amend the same in order to finally realize the objective of the law. Hence,
this proposed bill.


The proposed amendment under Section 3 of R.A. No. 7900 intends to
broaden even further the coverage of the application of the law as modern society,
not surprisingly, is comprised of a lot more sectors/groups which could significantly
contribute to the growth and development of agriculture in the country

As to the proposed amendment under Section 5 of the same law, the bill aims
to make use of the initiatives emanating not only from the government sector, but
from the private sector as well. Philippine society is replete with numerous private
benefactors that are just so eager to share their wealth; much more if the initiative
will contribute to benevolent deeds for the motherland.

Under Section 7 of yet the same law, the proposed bill envisages the inclusion
of landholdings not covered under the Comprehensive Agrarian Reform Program
(CARP). Although the concept will rely on the good graces of landowners pursuant to
R.A. 7900's principle that land has a social function and land ownership has a social
responsibilty, stil it bears noting that the legislative intent of developing the country's,
agricultural sector, specifically "High Value Crop” products, would be more zealously
addressed.

At the same time, the proposed bill envisions the landless farmers
(beneficiaries of the amendment) to adopt a cooperative system in establishing
economically-sized farms for high value crops farming. The farmer members shall
collectively manage individual farms which include the contracting process, means of
production, planning and coordinating crop varieties, and raising breed hectarage

It is submitted that the amendments to R.A. No. 7900 as proposed by this bill
will underscore further the obligation of owners and lessees of agricultural lands, as
well as portions of landholdings not covered by CARP, among others; to cultivate the
lands they own or lease and make the land economically productive on a sustainable
and environmentally friendly manner.

Needless to state, the proposed amendment will further heighten the
development of high value crops resulting in a significantly more competitive free
market, a more developed agriculture in general, improved investment climate, better
competency and efficiency in agribusiness and capacity to develop high value crops
as exporters; substantially expanding the foreign exchange earnings of the country
as a consequence.

In view of the foregoing, the immediate passage of this bill is highly
recommended

Rep. ESTRELLITA “GING” B. SUANSING
1® District, Nueva Ecija


Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES.
Quezon City

SIXTEENTH CONGRESS
First Regular Session

553
HN. 155

Introduced by Representative Estrellita “Ging” B. Suansing

AN ACT
AMENDING SECTIONS 3, 5, AND 7 OF REPUBLIC ACT NO. 7900, OTHERWISE
KNOWN AS THE HIGH VALUE CROPS DEVELOPMENT ACT OF 1995 AND FOR
OTHER PURPOSES

Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the Philippines in
Congress assembled:

SECTION 1. Sections 3, 5, and 7 of Republic Act No. 7900, otherwise known as
the High Value Development Act of 1995 and or other purposes is hereby amended
to read as follows:

“Section 3. Scope of Application -This Act shall cover, BUT SHALL
NOT BE LIMITED TO, upland dwellers as well as lowland tenant,
indigenous and cultural communities, Comprehensive Agrarian Reform
Program (CARP) beneficiaries, upland farm owners, farmers,
organization/associations/cooperatives, community associations and farm
workers, and to the extent herein provided, the departments, offices,
agencies, subdivisions, branches of instrumentalities in the areas.

"Section 5. Site Identification - The Department of Agrarian Reform
and the Department of Agriculture, in coordination with the Department of
Environment and Natural resources, and the municipal government
concerned, ALONG WITH PRIVATE SECTOR INITIATIVE OR
VOLUNTEERS, shall identify the broad areas suitable for high value crops
production within six (6) months after the effectivity of this Act. Provided,
that such identification shall be reviewed at appropriate intervals to ensure
consistency with agrarian reform program and the national land use policy.



"Section 7. Farm Model - For the program, [farmers may adopt]
PORTIONS OF LARGE LANDHOLDINGS NOT COVERED UNDER
CARP MAY BE MADE AVAILABLE TO LANDLESS FARMERS FOR
THE ADOPTION OF the cooperative system in putting up economically-
sized farms for high value crops farming. Farmers-members shall
collectively manage an individual farm which includes the contracting
process and means of production; planning and coordinating crop
varieties; and raising breed hectarage, distribution and some measures
with reference to the market it shall serve. Said farm models may be
replicated by farmers’ organizations all over the country."

SECTION 2. 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; Provided, however, That nothingin this Act shall construed or
applied as amending the CARE’ and other laws on Agrarian Reform.

SECTION 3. Separability Clause - If any of the provisions of this Act is declared
invalid, the other provisions not affected thereby shall remain full force and effect.

SECTION 4. Effectivity Clause - This Act shall be effective fifteen (15) days
after completion of its publication in the Official Gazette or in a newspaper of general
circulation.

Approved.