Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Quezon City

EIGHTEENTH CONGRESS
First Regular Session

House Bill No. 6339

Introduced by Representative SHAREE ANN T. TAN

EXPLANATORY NOTE

According to the Philippine Statistics Authority, about 2.4 million
Filipinos are currently unemployed on the month of July 2018, with 49% of it
comprised by the youth. 74% of the given figure is comprised of individuals aged
15-30 years old. Agriculture had a 32% share in the total employment, according
to the Philippine Statistics. The total employment comprises 44.1 million people
of which 25.2% comprises the agricultural employment. But the challenges
concerning agriculture are that fishermen and farmers had the highest poverty
incidence among the country’s basic sectors, according to the National
Statistical Office. Average age of farmers in the Philippines is 57. In the
Philippine setting, new generations of Filipinos refuse to go farming, and that is
a threat to food security. More so, in many countries of Asia, the skills of the
Filipino youth in rural areas are not fully harnessed for the agricultural
industry. As a result, traditional farming methods are gradually fading as a
practice in rural communities. Other national, local governments and
international agencies often overlook the youth’s potentials. Most rural youth
are unemployed, underemployed, or forced to work in urban communities.

Making farming more profitable is the first step to attract younger people
to the agricultural sector. Viable ventures should be established into the
production of high-value crops that has local following or have export potential
in raw or processed forms like coffee, cacao, mango, cassava, palm, and rubber.
In preparing the youth to the agricultural sector, the current curriculum must
improve and emphasize in agriculture, food technologies production,
biotechnology and chemistry, economics, international trade and enterprise.

Entrepreneurship is often perceived as a driver for growth and job creation
as well as means to make economies more competitive and innovative. However,
supporting entrepreneurship goes beyond simply helping entrepreneurs or
would-be entrepreneurs, and providing administrative and financial conditions
conducive to business creation. It also allows spurring entrepreneurial spirit
throughout society, in particular among the youth, stimulating their creativity,
initiative, and sense of responsibility as well as providing the skills and
knowledge needed to set up and run a business. Hence, education and training
are vital for changing cultures and igniting entrepreneurial mindsets at an early
age.


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

cS) ANN T. TAN
Representative, 2" District of Samar


Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Quezon City

EIGHTEENTH CONGRESS
First Regular Session

House Bill no 5339

Introduced by Representative SHAREE ANN T. TAN

“AN ACT
STRENGTHENING THE FILIPINO YOUTH INVOLVEMENT
IN AGRICULTURE AND ENTREPRENEURSHIP”

Section 1. Short Title. This Act shall be known as the “Young Agripreneurs Act
of 2020.”

Section 2. Coverage. This Act shall apply to all provinces, cities and
municipalities.

Section 3. Definition of Terms. ~ For purposes of this Act, the following terms
shall be defined as follows:

(a) Youth — as defined in Republic Act 8044, refer to citizens who are
within the ages 15 to 30 years old;

(b) Provinces and Highly Urbanized Cities —_a center providing trainings,
assistance, and opportunities; monitoring and evaluation programs,
projects, ad activities; and facilitating partnerships among stakeholders
in the promotion of youth involvement in agriculture; and

() Agripreneur ~ one who organizes, manages, and assumes the risks
of a businessor enterprise in agriculture.

Section 4. Rationale. All provincial and city government are mandated to
establish Youth Agricultural Hubs that will help and guide the youth that will
provide greater opportunities and engage the youth in agriculture.

Section 5. Creation of Youth Agricultural Hubs. The following agricultural
hubs are hereby established:

(a) Provincial Government shall conduct an assessment to determine
placement ofthe Youth Agricultural Hubs in the provinces and highly
urbanized cities. Municipalities with sufficient funds have the
discretion to create their own Youth Agricultural Hubs subject to the
provision of Sec. 9 hereof for the necessary funding.


(b) Cities and municipalities shall encourage partnerships with different
government agencies and other stakeholders.

(c) The Department of Agriculture regional offices shall perform
oversight functions and assign personnel to fulfill the functions of the
Youth Agricultural Hubs.

Section 6. Functions of the Youth Agricultural Hubs. The Youth Agricultural
Hubs shall have the following functions:

(a) Shall facilitate trainings for the youth focusing on agriculture,
financial literacy, entrepreneurship, and other related courses;

(b) Shall be a venue for research farming extensions;

(c) Shall coordinate and establish partnerships with government
agencies, LGUs, and non-government organizations, civil society,
private sector, among others;

(d) Shall facilitate the request for additional financial assistance and
referral to appropriate funding agencies;

(c) Shall monitor implementation and evaluate progress of the approved
and funded projects;

( Shall prepare and submit progress reports of the approved and
funded projects to the LGUs; and

(g) Shall organize programs, projects, and activities to further promote
youth engagement in agriculture.

Section 7. Youth Agripreneurship Trade Fair. There shall be a series of youth
agripreneurship trade fairs showcasing the youth’s agricultural products.

(a) Schedule:

i. Provincial Level every September;
Regional Level every October; and

iii, National Level every November.

(b) Events:

i. Project Pitching Competition;

ii, Awarding of Outstanding Youth-Led Agricultural
Programs, Projects, and Activities; and

iii, Other youth-related agricultural activities.

Section 8. Coordinating Agencies:


(a) Department of Agriculture

(b) Department of Agrarian Reform

(c) Department of Trade and Industry

(d) Department of Science and Technology

(e) Department of Interior and Local Government

() Department of Social Welfare and Development (SLP)
(g) Technical Educational Skills Development Authority
(h) Department of Education

(i) Commission on Higher Education

() National Youth Commission

(k) National Economic and Development Authority

(I) Philippine Statistics Authority

(m)National Commission on Indigenous People

(n) National Council on Disability Affairs

Section 9. Appropriation. The three percent (3%) of the Internal Revenue
Allocation (IRA) of the LGU concerned shall be appropriated for the Youth
Agricultural Hubs and may be increased as determined to be appropriate by
the LGU.

Section 10. Repealing Clause. All laws, decrees, executive orders,
proclamations, rules and regulations, or parts thereof inconsistent with this
Act are hereby amended, modified, or repealed accordingly.

Section 11. Separability Clause. If any provision of this Act is held invalid or
unconstitutional, the other provisions not affected hereby shall remain valid
and enforceable.

Section 12. Effectivity Clause. This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days from

the date of its publication in the Official Gazette or at least two (2) newspapers
of general circulation.

Approved,