Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Quezon City, Metro Manila

‘Twentieth Congress
First Regular Session

HOUSE BILLNO._4326

Introduced by Representative RAYMOND ADRIAN SALCEDA

AN ACT
AN ACT ESTABLISHING THE PILI RESEARCH AND INNOVATION INSTITUTE
(PiRID) UNDER THE DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE, PROVIDING FOR ITS
POWERS AND FUNCTIONS, AND APPROPRIATING FUNDS THEREFOR

EXPLANATORY NOTE

The Philippines is facing a demographic and structural challenge in agriculture. In July
2024, 1.02 million Filipino youth were unemployed, an increase of 172,000 from the previous
year. At the same time, the average age of farmers remains between 55 to 57 years old, raising
concerns about generational succession in agriculture and food security. Experts warn that the
country could face a critical shortage of farmers within the next 10 to 12 years.

Despite agriculture employing nearly one-fourth of the national labor force, fishermen
and farmers consistently record the highest poverty incidence among basic sectors. Many
young Filipinos in rural areas remain unemployed, underemployed, or migrate to urban centers
for limited opportunities. Traditional farming practices are fading, and the skills and creativity
of rural youth are underutilized.

To reverse this trend, agriculture must be repositioned as a profitable and innovative
venture, Making farming and fisheries attractive to young people requires investments in
agripreneurship, value-adding activities, and the promotion of high-value crops and enterprises
with both domestic and export potential, such as cacao, coffee, cassava, palm, rubber, and
aquaculture.

Education and training are crucial. Curricula at all levels must be updated to emphasize
modem agriculture, biotechnology, food technology, entrepreneurship, and agribusiness. Youth
must also be given access to financing, markets, and mentorship to build successful enterprises.

This proposed measure, to be known as the Young Agripreneurs Act, seeks to:


1. Establish Youth Agricultural Hubs in provinces, highly urbanized cities, and
municipalities to provide training, incubation, and mentoring in agriculture and
agribusiness;

2. Promote financial literacy and entrepreneurship training for youth, linked with
government financing facilities such as Land Bank, ACPC’s Kapital Access for Young
Agripreneurs (KAYA) Program, and credit windows under the Sagip Saka Act (RA
11321);

3. Institutionalize Youth Agripreneurship Trade Fairs at provincial, regional, and
national levels to showcase products, pitch projects, and award outstanding youth-led
initiatives;

4. Require multi-agency convergence, with DA as lead, in partnership with DAR, DTI,
TESDA, DepEd, CHED, NYC, and other agencies to align training, technology
support, and market linkages;

5. Mandate LGUs to allocate resources for hubs from their development funds while
enabling them to tap GAD budgets, agri-fisheries modemization funds, and
partnerships with the private sector; and

6. Ensure integration of youth agripreneurship in national databases such as the Registry
System for Basic Sectors in Agriculture (RSBSA) for planning and targeting.

By linking education, financing, and enterprise development, this measure empowers
the Filipino youth as the next generation of farmers, fisherfolk, and agripreneurs. It not only
addresses youth unemployment but also ensures food security and rural transformation.

In view of the foregoing, the immediate passage of this measure is earnestly sought.

RAYMOeN RI4N SALCEDA


Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Quezon City, Metro Manila

‘Twentieth Congress
First Regular Session

HOUSE BILL NO. 4326

Introduced by Representative RAYMOND ADRIAN SALCEDA

AN ACT
ESTABLISHING THE PILI RESEARCH AND INNOVATION INSTITUTE (PiRID)
UNDER THE DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE, PROVIDING FOR ITS
POWERS AND FUNCTIONS, AND APPROPRIATING FUNDS THEREFOR

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 “Pili Research and Innovation
Act.”

SEC. 2. Declaration of Policy. It is hereby declared the policy of the State to promote
the development of the Pili industry as a pillar of inclusive rural development, export
competitiveness, and food security. The State shall foster research, innovation, and technology
transfer for the Pili nut and its by-products, strengthen market linkages domestically and
abroad, and ensure that Pili farmers and processors benefit equitably from the industry's

growth.

SEC. 3. Creation of the Pili Research and Innovation Institute. There is hereby created
the Pili Research and Innovation Institute (PiRI), an attached agency of the Department of
Agriculture (DA), to serve as the national center of excellence for Pili research, innovation,
and industry development.

SEC. 4. Functions. PiRII shall:

(a) Conduct agricultural, industrial, and market-oriented research on Pili production
and processing;

(b) Acquire, develop, and propagate improved plant materials and technologies;

(c) Train farmers, processors, students, and professionals on Pili production, utilization,
and entrepreneurship;


(d) Provide extension services and integrate Pili research with the DA’s Agricultural
Training Institute (ATI) and RSBSA-based farmer profiling;

(©) Coordinate with CHED and DOST to provide scholarships, fellowships, and
exchange programs in Pili-related disciplines;

(8) Develop value-adding and high-value Pili products such as oil, cosmetics,
nutraceuticals, and specialty foods, in coordination with the Department of Trade and
Industry (DTI) and the Philippine Export Development Council;

(g) Consolidate research and operate an information and library center on Pili;

(h) Organize local and intemational conferences and trade fairs to brand Pili as a
Philippine superfood; and

(i) Publish and disseminate research findings and policy recommendations.

SEC. 5. Organizational Structure. PiRII shall be headed by a Director General,
appointed by the President upon recommendation of the Secretary of Agriculture. The
organizational structure and staffing shall be determined by the Director General with approval
of the DA and DBM.

SEC. 6. Funding. An initial amount of One Hundred Million Pesos (P100,000,000.00)
shall be appropriated for the establishment and initial operations of PiRII, charged against the
budget of the Department of Agriculture. Thereafter, such amounts as may be necessary for its
continued operations shall be included in the annual General Appropriations Act. PiRII may
also access funds from the DA's GAD budget, Sagip Saka Act procurement programs, and
export promotion funds of the DTI.

SEC. 7. Implementing Rules and Regulations. Within ninety (90) days from effectivity
of this Act, the DA, in consultation with CHED, DOST, DTI, and the National Economic and
Development Authority (NEDA), shall promulgate the necessary rules and regulations.

SEC. 8. Separability Clause. If any provision of this Act is declared invalid or
unconstitutional, the remaining provisions shall remain in full force and effect.

SEC. 9. Repealing Clause. All laws, decrees, executive orders, and regulations
inconsistent with this Act are repealed or modified accordingly.

SEC. 10. Effectivity. This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after its publication in
the Official Gazette or in a newspaper of general circulation.

Approved,