FOURTEENTH CONGRESS OF THE 
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES 
First Regular Session 
S E N A T E  
Senate Bill No. 189 8 
INTRODUCED BY SEN. MANNY VILLAR 
EXPLANATORY NOTE 
The continuous usage of chemical or inorganic fertilizers, pesticides, and other 
farm inputs has caused environmental deterioration and pollution. Detrimental to fresh 
water sustenance, it has adversely affected also the farmers who are exposed during 
chemical application in their respective farms. Moreover, it saps soil fertility, thus, 
decrease agricultural production. 
Application of bio-organic farming is an alternative way to address the above 
concern. 
Bio-organic farming is an agricultural production system which avoids or 
minimizes the use of chemical or inorganic farm inputs, pesticides, weedecides and 
uses biological means to condition and enrich the soil and control pests and diseases. 
The agricultural farms have vast resources of biomass which can be converted into 
fertilizer given the appropriate technology and efficient mechanization facilities for its 
processing and handling. 
Bio-organic farming is now being partly practiced through the balanced 
fertilization program of the Department of Agriculture. It needs to be enhanced and 
further accelerated towards enriching soil fertility and improved agricultural productivity. 
To accelerate bio-organic farming activities in the country, there is a need to put 
in place a program that would be carried out by the government and supported with 
conducive and enabling policies. 
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~ NYVI LAR 
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FOURTEENTH CONGRESS OF THE 
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES 
First Regular Session 
INTRODUCED BY SEN. MANNY VILLAR 
AN ACT 
THE PHILIPPINES, AND APPROPRIATE FUNDS THEREFOR 
PROVIDING FOR THE PROMOTION OF BIO-ORGANIC FARMING IN 
Be if enacfed by the Senate and the House of Representatives of the Philippines 
in Congress assembled: 
SECTION I. Title - This Act shall be known as “Bio-Organic Farming Promotion 
SECTION 2. Declaration of Policy- It shall be the policy of the State to promote 
and accelerate bio-organic farming in the country through the production, processing, 
manufacture and distribution of bio-organic fertilizers, pesticides, weedecides and other 
farm inputs which will continuously improve soil fertility, increase farm yield, reduce 
pollution and protect the environment, prevent depletion of natural resources, and 
reduces dependence on the importation of fertilizer and pesticides. 
SECTION 3. Definition of Terms - As used in this Act, Bio-Organic Farming 
shall mean an agricultural production system which avoids or reduces the use of 
chemical and inorganic fertilizers or farm inputs, pesticides, weedecides and feed 
additives and uses biological means of conditioning and enriching the soil, and 
controlling pests such as but not limited to the use of beneficial organisms, the 
utilization of plant and animals wastes through composting, crop rotation, intercropping, 
multiple cropping and the adoption of integrated pest management. It also covers areas 
such as, but not limited, to soil fertility management, varietals 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. 
Act of 2007’: 
SECTION 4. Coverage - The provisions of this Act shall apply to the 
development and promotion of bio-organic farming and shall include the following: 
1. Policy formulation and implementation of bio-organic farming program, 
projects and activities, and provision and delivery of support services to the 
farmers: 
2. Research and development, and extension of appropriate, sustainable and 
environment and gender friendly bio-organic farming; 
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3. Establishment of facilities, equipment and processing plants that would 
accelerate the production and distribution of bio-organic fertilizers, pesticides, 
weedecides and farm inputs. 
SECTION 5. Bio-Organic Farming Program - There is hereby established a 
Comprehensive Bio-Organic Farming Program which shall continuously develop 
appropriate technologies, adopt and develop the promotion of bio-organic cultivation 
and production methods in the countryside through the provision of support services 
such as training and extension, credit, facilities and equipment and technical assistance. 
SECTION 6. Research, Development and Extension - The Bureau of Soils and 
Water Management shall coordinate with the Bureau of Agricultural Research, 
Philippine Coconut Authority, Department of Science and Technology, Local 
Government Units and State Colleges and Universities for the formulation and 
implementation of 
a unified and integrated Bio-Organic Farming Research, 
Development and Extension (RDE) Plans and Programs from the national to the field 
level. 
The Bio-Organic Farming RDE Plans and Programs shall include but not limited 
a. Development, pilot testing and commercialization of appropriate and 
b. Massive promotion of developed and commercially viable bio-organic 
fertilizers, pesticides and farm inputs through techno-demo centers; 
c. Promotion on the domestic utilization of coconut peat in bio-organic 
farming; 
d. Development and promotion appropriate mechanization technologies to 
accelerate bio-organic fertilizer and pesticide production and 
distribution; and 
e. Conduct of training to farmers, manufacturers, planner, extension 
workers, professionals in the agriculture sectors and other 
stakeholders. 
to the following: 
efficient bio-organic farming technologies: 
SECTION 7. 
Bio-Organic Farming RDE Network - A Bio-Organic Farming 
Research, Development and Extension (RDE) network is hereby organized, composed 
of research and educational institutions, Local Government Units, non-government 
agencies and the recognized association of bio-organic fertilizer manufacturers and 
distributors, agricultural engineers, agriculturists, soil technologists farmers and 
groups/associations. 
SECTION 8. 
Research, Development and Extension Centers - National, 
Regional and Provincial Bio-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, 
SCUs and LGUs. These will be strengthened to spearhead an integrated program to 
develop and promote bio-organic farming throughout the country. 
SECTION 9. 
Bio-Organic Fertilizer and Pesticide Production and 
Processing Centers - Bio-Organic Fertilizer and Pesticide Production and Processing 
Center shall be established in Strategic Agricultural and Fishery Development Zones 
and the Agrarian Reform Communities. 
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SECTION I O .  
Implementing Mechanism - The Bureau of Soils and Water 
Management is hereby restructured and strengthened to serve as the implementing 
Agency of the National Bio-Organic Farming Program and shall be tasked to provide the 
over-all supervision, coordination, monitoring of its implementation at the national to the 
local levels. 
The Regional Offices of the Department of Agriculture shall be the implementing 
unit of the program at the regional level, while the local Government Units through their 
Provincial, City and Municipal Agriculturist Offices and Agricultural Engineering Officer 
shall be the implementor at the provincial, city and municipal levels. 
SECTION 11. 
Bio-Organic Farming Council - A Bio-Organic Farming 
Council, whose main function is to formulate policies and program on bio-organic 
farming is hereby organized of the composed of nine (9) members, as follows: 
a. The Secretary of Agriculture as Chairperson; 
b. The Director of Bureau of Soil and Water Management as Vice Chairperson; 
c. The Secretaries of DENR, DAR, DOST, DTI as members; and 
d. Three Representative of the farmers who shall be appointed by the President 
based on the nomination and recommendation of the sectors that they 
respectively represent - as members 
SECTION 12. Incentives - The Government shall extend incentives for the 
manufacture and propagation of bio-organic farm inputs by maximizing their use in all 
government and government-supported agricultural production, research and 
demonstration program. The Department of Agriculture, Department of Science and 
Technology, Department of Education, Department of Interior and Local Government, 
Department of Trade and Industry, Department of Finance, Land Bank of the Philippines 
and other government lending institutions, shall assist bio-organic input producers 
through the provision of adequate financial, technical, marketing and other support 
services. 
Implementing Rules and Regulations - The Department of 
Agriculture together with Department of Agrarian Reform, Department of Science and 
Technology, Department of Trade and Industry and in consultation with duly recognized 
organization of farmers, agricultural machinery dealers and manufacturers, agricultural 
engineers shall promulgate and implements rules and regulations within ninety days 
following the approval of this Act. 
SECTION 14. 
Appropriations - The sum of Fifty Million pesos 
(P50,000,000.00) shall be appropriated for the initial implementation of this Act which 
shall be incorporated in the Annual Budget of the Bureau of Soils and Water 
Management, and thereafter the amount necessary to carry out the program 
implementation shall be incorporated in the General Appropriations Act. 
Separability Clause - The provisions of this Act are hereby 
declared separable, and if any clause, sentence, provision or section hereof, should be 
declared invalid, such invalidity shall not affect the other provision of this Act which can 
be given and effect without the provisions which have been declared invalid. 
publication in two (2) newspapers of general circulation. 
SECTION 13. 
SECTSON 15. 
SECTION 16. Effectivity - This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after its 
Approved, 
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