Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Quezon City, Metro Manila
NINETEENTH CONGRESS
First Regular Session
^.House`Bil|No.       6535
Introduced by Representative Gabriel H. Bordado, Jr.
EXPIANATORY NOTE
The Philippines is primarily an agricultural country, with agricultural  land being
42.51% of its total land area. Agriculture plays a vital role not only in food security but
also in providing economic growth and employment for many Filipinos. But despite the
supposed geographical advantages and the abundance of natural resource that could
have made the  Philippines into one of the top agricultural countries in this region of
the world, the sector is often overlooked. For the past six years, the agriculture sector's
share to the  Philippines  GDP  remains  below  11°/o.  Likewise,  agricultural  trade  has
been dedining. And the country is left lagging  behind neighboring countries in terms
of knowledge and technological advances.
The agriculture industry in the Philippines is unable to realize its potential. Most
of small farmers are left with outdated practices. And interest and focus on the sector
seem to be diminishing as the country puts more emphasis on infrastructure building
and urbanization.
Agriculture,  when  the  sector  is  adequately  and  consistently  supported  and
strengthened,  could  be the  key  to  a  robust and  thriving  economy.  And  in  order to
revitalize  an  often-neglected  sector,  there  is  a  need  to  invite fresh  and  innovative
ideas, especially from the youth, who will be future leaders and professionals in charge
of building and sustaining a prosperous nation.
Therefore,  this bill seeks to encourage young  minds to discover and explore
agriculture and its benefits and potentials through mandated agriculture classes in all
public elementary schools in the country.  Education for would-be farmers  is already
available,  but igniting  interest in the youth would enable us to further strengthen the
agriculture sector in the country.
In light of the foregoing, the passage of this bill is requested.
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Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE 0F REPRESENTATIVES
Quezon City, Metro Manila
NINETEENTH CONGRESS
First Regular Session
HouseBillNo.      6535
Introduced by Representative Gabriel H. Bordado, Jr.
AN ACT MANDATING A CLASS 0N AGRICULTURE AND FISHERIES IN
PUBLIC HLEMENTARY SCHOOLS
Be  it  enacted  by the Senate and  the  House  of Representatives  of the
Philippines in Congress assembled:
SECTION 1. Declaration of Policy -]t is the State's policy to promote industrialization
and full employment based on sound  agricultural development and  agrarian  reform,
through industries that make full of efficient use of human and natural resources, and
which are competitive in both domestic and foreign markets. It is also the State's policy
to establish,  maintain,  and  support a complete,  adequate,  and  integrated system of
education relevant to the needs of the people and society.
SECTION. 2. Agricultural classes in Public Elementary Schools -Pursuant to the
above policy, there shall  be established,  under the supervision of the Department of
Education, classes on agriculture for all students who will enroll in all public elementary
schools in the Philippines
SECTION 3. Objectives. -Classes on agriculture shall aim to develop an interest and
to develop maximum basic competencies for elementary students in public schools to
prepare them for possible careers in the agricultural sector and to make them valuable
assets to the community and the nation in the future.
SECTION 4. Implementing Rules and Regulations. -The Department of Education
(DepEd),  in  consultation  with  the  Department of Agriculture  (DA),  within  ninety  (90)
days  from  the  effectivity  of  this  Act,   shall  promulgate  the  rules  and   regulations
necessary for the effective implementation of the provisions of this Act.
SECTION 5. Appropriations. -The funds necessary to carry out the provision of this
Act  shall  be  included  in  the  General  Appropriations  Act  of  the  year  following  its
enactment into law and thereafter.
SECTION 6. Repealing Clause. -All laws, decrees, executive orders, proclamations,
and  administrative  regulations  or  parts  thereof  inconsistent  herewith  are  hereby
repealed or modified accordingly.


SECTION 7. Effectivity clause. -This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after its
publication in the Official Gazette or in a newspaper of general circulation.
Approved,