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FOURTEENTH CONGRESS OF THE 
) 
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES 
1 
Second Regular Session 
1 
9 MY 19 P 6 3 9  
Prepared by the Committee on Agriculture and Food jointly with the 
Committee on Finance in substitution of S.B. Nos. 311, 830, 
1316,1546 and 1898 
“AN ACT 
PROVIDING FOR THE DEVELOPMENT AND PROMOTION OF 
ORGANIC AGRICULTURE IN THE PHILIPPINES 
AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES” 
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representafives of the Philippines in 
Congress assembled: 
SECTION 1. Title. - This Act shall be known as the “Organic Agriculfure Act of 
2009. ” 
SEC. 2. Declarafion of Policy. - It is hereby declared the policy of the State 
to promote, propagate, develop further, and implement the practice of 
organic agriculture in the Philippines that will cumulatively condition and 
enrich the fertility of the soil, increase farm productivity, reduce pollution and 
destruction of the environment, prevent the depletion of natural resources, 
protect the health of farmers, consumers, and the general public, and save on 
imported farm inputs. Towards this end, a comprehensive program for the 
promotion of community-based organic agriculture systems which include, 
among others, farmer-produced purely organic fertilizers such as compost, 
pesticides and other farm inputs, not those that are commercially processed; 
together with a nationwide educational and promotional campaign for their 
use and processing, as well as the adoption of organic agricultural system as a 
viable alternative, shall be undertaken. 


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The State recognizes and supports the central role of the farmers, 
indigenous people and other stakeholders at the grassroots in this program. 
SEC. 3. Definifion of Terms. - For purposes of this Act, the following terms 
shall be defined as follows: 
a. Organic Agriculture - includes all agricultural systems that promote 
the ecologically sound, socially acceptable, economically viable and 
technically feasible production of food and fibers. Organic agriculture 
dramatically reduces external inputs by refraining from the use of chemical 
fertilizers, pesticides and pharmaceuticals. 
It also covers areas such as but 
not limited to soil fertiIity management, varietal breeding and selection under 
chemical and pesticide-free conditions, and other cultural practices that 
enhance productivity without destroying the soil and harming farmers, 
consumers and the environment as defined by the International Federation of 
Organic Agriculture Movement (IFOAM). 
b. Organic - refers to the particular farming and processing systems, 
described in the standards and not in the classical chemical sense. The term 
“organic” is synonymous in other languages to “biological” or “ecological”. 
It is also a labeling term that denotes products according to organic 
standards. 
c. Biodegradable wastes - refer to organic matter for compost/organic 
fertilizer for the organic cultivation, farming of food crops and include 
discards segregated farm non-biodegradable wastes coming from the 
kitchen/household (leftovers, vegetables and fruit peelings and trims, 
fish/fowl cleanings, seeds, bones, soft paper used as food wrap and the like), 
yard or garden (leaves, grasses, weeds and twigs), market (wilted, decayed 
or rotten vegetables and fruits, fisWfow1 cleanings, bones) and farm wastes 
(grass clippings, dead or decayed plants, leaves, fruits, vegetables, 
branches, twigs and the like). 
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d. Ecologically-sound - refers to a state, quality, or condition of a 
product, practice, system, development mode, culture, environment and the 
like, in accord with the 1987 Philippine Constitution, and as expounded in 
the above definition of organic agriculture. 
e. Commercialization - is a process of introducing a new agricultural 
and fishery technology either as product, process, or service that has 
undergone the intensive innovative activities of assessment, promotion, and 
transfer for economic benefit. 
f. Certification - is the procedure by which official certification bodies 
or officially recognized certification bodies provide written or equivalent 
assurance that foods or food control systems conform to requirements. 
g. Accreditation - is the procedure by which a government agency 
having jurisdiction formally recognizes the competence of an inspection 
and/or certification body to provide inspection and certification services. 
h. First Party Verification - is defined as when the verification criteria 
and rules are set and monitored/enforced by the producer or company itself. 
i. 
Second Party Verification - is defined as when the verification 
criteria and rules are set by buyers or industry organizations. 
j. Third Party Verification or independent certification - is defined as 
when a firm requires that its suppliers meet a certain standard and requests 
an independent organization that is not involved in the business relationship 
to control the compliance of the suppliers. 
SEC. 4. Coverage - The provisions of this Act shall apply to the development 
and promotion of organic agriculture and shall include, but not limited to the 
following: 
a. Policy formulation on regulation, registration, accreditation, 
certification and labeling on organic agriculture; 
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b. Research, development, and extension of appropriate, sustainable 
environment and gender-friendly organic agriculture; 
c. Promotion and encouragement of the establishment of facilities, 
equipment and processing plants that would accelerate the production and 
commercialization of organic fertilizers, pesticides, herbicides and other 
appropriate farm inputs; and 
d. Implementation of organic agricultural programs, projects and 
activities, including the provision and delivery of support services with focus 
on the farmers and other stakeholders. 
SEC. 5. Program. - There is thereby established a comprehensive organic 
agricultural 
program through the promotion and commercialization of 
organic farming practices, cultivation and adoption of production methods 
which have already been developed, continuing research and upgrading 
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thereof, the education of more farmers and consumers thereon, the extension 
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of assistance to Local Government Units (LGUs), Peoples’ Organizations (POs), 
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Non-Government Organizations (NGOs), and civil society 
including 
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individuals and groups who are practicing and promoting these methods as 
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well as those who are willing to do other pertinent activities, and 
documentation and evaluation of the program. The Department of Agriculture 
(DA) through the Bureau of Agriculture and Fisheries Product Standards 
(BAFPS) shall take the lead role, supported by the Department of Agrarian 
Reform (DAR) and Department of Education (DEPED) and other relevant 
government agencies such as but not limited to Department of Trade and 
Industry (DTI), Department of Science and Technology (DOST), Department of 
Interior and Local Government (DILG), Department of Health 
(DOH) and 
Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR), 
in their 
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respective areas of concern. 
A 


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SEC. 6. Research, Development and Extension - The Bureau of Agricultural 
Research (BAR) shall be the lead agency 
in the coordination and 
management with the other agencies of the DA, DAR, DOST, DEPED, DILG, 
strategic agricultural-based State Universities and Colleges (SUCs) including 
private organizations, for the formulation and implementation of a unified and 
integrated organic agriculture Research, Development and Extension Plans 
and Programs 
(RDEP) from the national to the field level. The Organic 
Agriculture RDE Plans and Programs shall include but not be limited to the 
following: 
a. Research, development and commercialization 
of appropriate, 
innovative and viable organic agricultural technologies; 
b. Nationwide promotion of developed and commercially viable 
biodegradable farm wastes and by-products through various extension 
strategies to accelerate the production, use and distribution of organic 
fertilizers; and 
c. 
Conduct research for market development, policy formulation, 
regulation and certification. 
SEC. I .  Creation of Organic Agriculture RDE Network. - An Organic 
Agriculture Research, Development and Extension @DE) Network shall be 
organized by BAR, composed of research and educational institutions, local 
government units, non-government agencies and the recognized association 
of organic fertilizer manufacturers and distributors, agricultural engineers, 
agriculturists, soil technologists, farmers groups and/or associations. 
SEC. 8. Research Development and Extension Centers. - National, Regional 
and Provincial Organic R&D and Extension Centers shall be organized and 
established within ninety (90) days following the approval of this Act, which 
shall be integrated as a major component of the existing RDE Centers of DA, 
DOST, DENR, SUCs and LGUs. These will be strengthened and enhanced to 
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spearhead the integrated program to develop and promote organic 
agriculture throughout the country. 
SEC. 9. Creation of the National Organic Agriculture Board (NOAB). - In 
pursuance of the abovementioned policies, the NOAB is hereby created. It 
shall be composed of the Secretary of the DA or his designate with a rank of 
Undersecretary from among the undersecretaries of DA, as Chairman, and 
one (1) representative each, who shall be not less than a bureau director 
level, from the following agencies: DAR, DEPED, DTI, DOST, DILG, DOH and 
DENR, and shall be designated by their .respective Secretaries on a 
permanent basis; and one representative each from the following private 
sectors: farmer operating an organic farm, organic handler and processor; 
organic fertilizer producer; 
NGO/PO representing consumer interest; 
organic certifying body; and the academe, duly endorsed by their respective 
industry associations and all to be appointed by the President of the Republic 
of the Philippines and shall serve for a term of three (3) years without 
reappointment. 
The Chairman shall, within sixty (60) days from the effectivity of this 
Act, convene the NOAB. 
The NOAB shall be assisted by a technical secretariat from the 
BAFPS of the DA, and shall directly report to the Office of the Secretary on 
matters pertaining to the activities of the NOAB. The number of staff of the 
technical secretariat and the creation of corresponding positions necessary to 
complement and/or augment the existing plantilla of the NOAB shall be 
determined by the Board, subject to approval by the Department of Budget 
and Management (DBM) and the existing civil service rules and regulations. 
During the transition period which begins upon the approval of this Act, 
the existing NOAB created under Executive Order No. 481 Series of 2005, 
shall continue to function until the new NOAB created under Section 9 of this 
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Act shall have been organized and constituted. 
Within thirty (30) working 
days from the effectivity of this Act, the national organizations of organic 
farmers, of NGOs/POs, and of agricultural SUCs shall submit their respective 
nominees to the Chairman of NOAB, who shall evaluate the qualifications of 
the nominees and submit a final list of at least. three (3) nominees from each 
sector to the President for appointment. 
The nominees shall be 
knowledgeable and have gained relevant experience on organic agriculture. 
SEC. 10. Powers and Funcfions of the NOAB. - The NOAB shall have the 
following powers and functions: 
a. Formulate policies, plans, programs and projects to develop and 
promote organic agriculture; 
b. Oversee the successful implementation of the organic agriculture 
programs and projects; 
c. Identify sources of financing to expand organic agriculture; 
d. Monitor and evaluate the performance of programs for appropriate 
incentives; 
e. Call upon any government agency to carry out and implement 
programs and projects identified by the board; 
f. Call upon private sectors, POs and NGOs , and the academe to provide 
advice on matters pertaining to organic agriculture and conduct of 
capability-building 
initiatives to farmers, producers, extension 
workers, consumers and other stakeholders in agriculture sector in 
collaboration with the Agricultural Training Institute of the DA; 
g. Submit annual and other periodic reports to the President, Secretary of 
the DA and the Congress of the Philippines through the Congressional 
Oversight Committee on Agricultural and Fisheries Modernization 
(COCAFM); 
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h. Promulgate such rules and regulations and exercise such other powers 
and functions as may be necessary to carry out effectively the purpose 
and objectives of this Act; and 
i. Perform such other functions as may be necessary for its effective 
operations and for the continued enhancement, growth or development 
of organic agriculture. 
The Chairman shall call the members of the NOAB, or a majority thereof if 
not all have been designated, to a meeting to organize themselves and 
prescribe its rules and procedures for the attainment of the objectives of this 
Act. A majority of all the members of the NOAB shall constitute a quorum. 
The NOAB shall also determine its budget, including travel expenses, 
allowances and per diems of its non-government members when attending 
official board meetings or attending to matters assigned to them. 
SEC. 11. 
The Bureau of Agriculture and Fisheries Producf Sfandards 
(BAFPS) of fhe Departmenf of Agriculture. - The BAFPS of the DA shall serve 
as the national technical and administrative secretariat of the NOAB with the 
member agencies providing additional staff support as the need arises. 
SEC. 12. Functions, Duties and Responsibilities of the BAFPS. - The BAFPS, 
in addition to its existing functions and responsibilities shall perform the 
following functions, duties and responsibilities for purposes of this Act: 
a. Implement organic agriculture programs and projects approved by the 
NOAB; 
b. Update the NOAB on the status of the programs, projects and activities 
undertaken for the development and promotion of organic agriculture; 
c. Create effective networking with the various stakeholders involved in 
organic production; and 
d. Perform such other functions, duties and responsibilities as may be 
necessary to implement this Act and as directed by the NOAB. 
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SEC. 13. Local Technical Commiffees. -Every provincial governor shall, in 
so far as practicable, form a local technical committee, and which shall 
operate within his province in coordination and mutual assistance with the 
BAFPS, pursuant to the provisions of this Act. The governor shall see to it that 
the city and municipal mayors and barangay chairmen will do the same 
within the area of their respective jurisdiction. 
SEC. 14. Accreditafion of Organic Certifying Body. - The BAFPS is hereby 
designated and authorized to grant Official Accreditation to Organic 
Certifying Body or entity. The BAFPS is tasked to formulate the necessary 
rules and procedures in the Accreditation of Organic Certifying Body: 
Provided, however, that there shall be at least one (1) accredited Organic 
Certifying Body each in Luzon, Visayas and Mindanao or in case of only one 
(1) Organic Certifying Body is accredited, it shall have at least one (1) satellite 
office or processing unit each in Luzon, Visayas and Mindanao. 
SEC. 15. Cerfification of Organic Produce. - There shall be a certification 
process which shall attest that a particular agricultural product has adhered to 
and followed organic agriculture standards, systems and practices. 
The 
Certification process shall include but not be limited to the following elements 
of certification: 
a. Standards; 
b. Contracts; 
c. Inspection; 
d. Certification or Approval; and 
e. Management 
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SEC. 16. Labeling of Organic Produce. - The label of organic produce shall 
contain the name, logo or seal of the Organic Certifying Body and the 
Accreditation Number issued by the BAFPS. Only Third Party Verification or 
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Independent Certification is required to be labeled, however, the organic 
producer may put label on his produce for First Party or Second Party 
Verification: Provided, That such labeling shall clearly and conspicuously 
indicate that it is a First Party or Second Party Verification. 
SEC. 1I. Refailing of Organic Produce. - Retail establishments or stores of 
organic produce shall designate a separate area to display the organic 
produce to avoid mixing it with non-organic produce. 
SEC. 18. 
Incentives. - The Government shall extend incentives for the 
production and propagation of organic farm inputs by maximizing their use in 
all government and government-supported agricultural production, research 
and demonstration programs. The DA, DAR, DOST, DEPED, DILG, DTI, 
Department of Finance (DOF), Land Bank of the Philippines (LBP) and other 
government lending or financial institutions, shall assist organic input 
producers and organic farmers in conversion through the provision of 
adequate financial, technical, marketing and other support services. These 
include the following: 
a. Vat 
and 
duty-free 
importation 
of 
agricultural 
equipment/machinery/implements for use in organic agriculture; 
b. LGUs to identify local taxes that may be offered as incentives to 
organic inputs, organic input producers and manufacturers, and 
farmers utilizing organic agriculture; 
c. LBP to give preferential loan rates and to open a special loan 
window to organic input producers and manufacturers and farmers 
utilizing organic agriculture; 
d. Tax incentives, including tax holiday, in accordance with the 
provisions of EO 226 of the Omnibus Investment Code; and 
e. Subsidies for certification fees and other support services to 
facilitate organic certification. 
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SEC. 19. Appropriafions. -The sum of Fifty million pesos (P50,000,000.00) 
for 
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the initial year of implementation of this Act is hereby appropriated. 
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Thereafter, such amount as may be necessary for the continuous 
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implementation of the program shall be included in the annual General 
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Appropriations Act (GAR). 
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The NOAB is hereby authorized to solicit and accept assistance from 
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individuals and entities here and abroad, and to utilize these funds and 
resources for purposes of this Act subject to the usual budget, accounting and 
auditing rules and regulations. 
SEC. 20. Implementing Rules and Regulafions. - The NOAB shall adopt 
rules and regulations to implement the provisions of this Act within ninety (90) 
days from the effectivity of this Act and submit the same to the COCAFM for 
review and approval. 
SEC. 21. Annual Report. - The NOAB shall render annual report to both 
Houses of Congress on the accomplishment of the program. A review on the 
viability of the program shall be made by the concerned agencies after five 
(5) years of its implementation. 
SEC. 22. 
Congressional Oversight Commiffee. - The Congressional 
Oversight Committee on Agricultural and Fisheries Modernization (COCAFM) 
shall be the congressional oversight committee for purposes of this Act. The 
COCAFM shall review and approve the implementing rules and regulations of 
this Act and also perform the following functions: 
a. Monitor and ensure the proper implementation of this Act; 
b. Review the proper implementation of the programs of the 
organic agriculture and the use of its funds; 
c. Review the performance of the NOAB; and 
d. Such other functions it deems necessary. 
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SEC. 23. Penal Provjsjon . -Any person who willfully and deliberately 
a. obstructs the development and propagation of organic 
agriculture, or the production, sale or use of organic 
agricultural inputs; 
b. refuses without just cause to extend the support and assistance 
required under this Act; or 
c. mislabels or claims that the product is organic when it is not in 
accordance with the existing standards for Philippine organic 
agriculture 
shall, upon conviction, be punished by imprisonment of not less than one (1) 
year nor more than six (6) years, or a fine of not less than Fifty thousand pesos 
(P50,OOO.OO) or both, at the discretion of the court. If the offender is a 
corporation or juridical entity, the official who ordered or allowed the 
commission of the offense shall be punished with the same penalty. If the 
offender is in the government service, he shall, in addition, be dismissed from 
office. 
SEC. 24. Separability Clause. - If any provision of this Act is declared 
invalid or unconstitutional, the other provision not affected thereby shall 
remain in full force and effect. 
SEC. 25. 
Repealing Clause. - All laws, presidential decrees, executive 
orders, presidential proclamation, rules and regulations or parts thereof 
contrary to or inconsistent with this Act are hereby repealed or modified 
accordingly. 
SEC. 26. Effectivity. -This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days following its 
publication in at least two (2) newspapers of general circulation or in the 
Official Gazette, whichever comes first. 
Approved. 
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