Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Quezon City

EIGHTEENTH CONGRESS
First Regular Session

5067

House Bill No.

Introduced by Representatives John Marvin “Yul Servo” C. Nieto, Edward
Vera Perez Maceda, Dale “Along” R. Malapitan, Eric M. Martinez, and
Rolando M. Valeriano

Explanatory Note

As a manifestation of support to this timely piece of legislation, this representation
respectfully refiles this bill, which has constantly been receiving support from the

past and present Congress.

It is the policy of the State to introduce a comprehensive national road network
that will support key agricultural and fishery production areas to ensure that the
transport of produce and goods will be efficient, cost-effective, and convenient
with the aim of attaining food security and improving the lives of farmers and

fisher folks.

This measure seeks to consolidate all farm-to-market road (FMR) development
Programs of the government into one comprehensive, time-bound program that
will ensure the completion of priority road infrastructure projects leading to key

agricultural and fishery production areas all over the country.

In view of the forgoing, the paassge of this measure is earnestly sought.


J jal “Yul Servo” C. Nieto

wu Asde, Soul li


Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Quezon City

EIGHTEENTH CONGRESS
First Regular Session

5067
House Bill No.

Introduced by Representatives John Marvin “Yul Servo” C. Nieto, Edward
Vera Perez Maceda, Dale “Along” R. Malapitan, Eric M. Martinez, and
Rolando M. Valeriano

AN ACT PROVIDING FOR THE IMPLEMENTATION OF THE AGRICULTURAL
ROAD INFRASTRUCTURE (AGRI) NETWORK PROGRAM

Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the Philippines in
session assembled:

SECTION 1. Short Title. - This Act shall be known as the “AGRI Network Act of
2019.”

SECTION 2. Declaration of Policy. - The State shall develop a comprehensive
national road network that will support key agricultural and fishery production
areas to ensure that the transport of produce and goods will be efficient, cost-
effective, and convenient with the aim of attaining food security and improving the
lives of farmers and fisher folks.

SECTION 3. Agricultural Road Infrastructure (AGRI) Network Plan. — The
Department of Agriculture (DA) shall submit to Congress and to the Department of
Budget and Management (DBM) within six (6) months from the effectivity of this
Act a National Agricultural Road Infrastructure Network Plan, hereinafter referred
to as the Plan, that will contain all priority road projects - to include repair,
rehabilitation and construction - that shall connect key agricultural, livestock, and
fishery production areas to national primary and secondary roads. High priority will
be given to road projects that will connect multiple production areas and areas
that are major producers of rice, corn, coconut, livestock - primarily cows, swine,
and poultry - and seafood.

Provided, that the DA shall ensure that a nationwide consultation with various
government agencies, local government units, farmer and fisher folk groups,
private sector, civil society organizations, and other stakeholders will be conducted
during the preparation of the Plan.


Provided further, that the Plan shall be reviewed and updated every three (3)
years from the effectivity of this Act.

SECTION 4. Implementation. - The AGRI Network Program, which shall cover
the implementation of the Plan and hereinafter referred to as the Program, shall
be implemented within a period of ten (10) years.

The DA shall oversee and manage the Program and develop a system to monitor
its implementation. The Department shall make periodic reports to the
Congressional Oversight Committee on Agricultural Road Infrastructure Network
Program.

The DPWH shall lead in the implementation of the road projects under the
Program. The DPWH shall formulate a strategy to ensure the timely
implementation of projects, such as, but not limited to the, clustering and geo-
tagging of projects for cost efficiency in the procurement thereof and effective
management and implementation of projects.

SECTION 5. Appropriations. — Annual appropriations for the Program shall
include the amounts necessary to support the funding requirements of all road
infrastructure projects included in the Plan.

The Program shall be based on a ceiling, for the first five (5) years, of One
Hundred Billion Pesos (PhP 100,000,000,000.00) Provided, That hereafter this
amount may be increased commensurate to the increase in the Gross National
Product (GNP).

SECTION 6. Right of Way and Road Maintenance. — All right-of-way issues
including the payment to property owners shall be adequately addressed and
settled by the concerned Local Government Unit (LGU) where the road project is
located. The LGU shall also provide counterpart for the maintenance of the roads
upon completion and turn-over.

SECTION 7. Incorporation of Existing Farm-to-Market Road Projects. —
Continuing appropriations for all FMR projects being funded and implemented by
the national government prior to the effectivity of this Act, except those funded
under the Grassroots Participatory Budgeting (GPB) program or any other similar
program, and are included in the Plan shall be considered part of the Program's
appropriation as provided in Section 5.

New FMR programs and projects to be funded through foreign assistance after the
effectivity of this Act are encouraged to be based on the Plan.

SECTION 8. Congressional Oversight Committee. - There is hereby created a
Congressional Oversight Committee to monitor and oversee the implementation of
the provisions of this Act. The Committee shall be composed of six (6) members
from the Senate and six (6) members from the House of Representatives with the
Chairpersons of Agriculture and Food of both houses as Joint Chairpersons. The
five (5) members from each chamber shall be designated by the Senate President


and the Speaker of the House of Representatives respectively. The minority shall
have at least two (2) representatives from both chambers.

SECTION 9S. Sunset Review. - As the need arises, or within ten (10) years after
its effectivity, the Congressional Oversight Committee shall conduct a sunset
review of this Act. The term "sunset review" shall mean a systematic evaluation of
the accomplishments and impact of this Act, as well as the performance and
organizational structure of its implementing agencies, for purposes of determining
remedial legislations.

SECTION 10. Implementing Rules and Regulations. - The Secretary of
Agriculture shall issue rules and regulations as he/she may deem necessary for the
implementation of this Act.

SECTION 11. Repealing Clause. — All laws, decrees, executive orders,
proclamations, rules and regulations, or parts thereof inconsistent herewith are
hereby repealed or modified accordingly.

SECTION 12. Separability Clause. — If any Provision of this Act is held invalid
or unconstitutional, the other provisions not affected hereby shall remain valid and
subsisting.

SECTION 13. Effectivity. - This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after its
publication in at least two (2) national newspapers of general circulation.

Approved,