Republic of the Philippines j2 i ‘
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OSSEP “2014
Quezon City

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SIXTEENTH CONGRESS Pel a fj

Second Regular Session

HOUSE BILL NO. _ 495 7

Introduced by Reps. Angelina “Helen” D.L. Tan, M.D., Estrellita “Ging” Suansing,
Magnolia Rosa C. Antonino-Nadres and Maria Vida E. Bravo

EXPLANATORY NOTE

‘The Philippines has adopted the Philippine Agenda 21 framework, which espouses
sustainable development, to fulfill human needs while maintaining the quality of the
natural environment for current and future generations.

Accordingly, the country adheres to the principle of protecting natural resources to ensure
food security, reducing poverty, protecting the environment and addressing issues such as
climate change, community empowerment and improved livelihoods.

The result of the Comprehensive Assessment of Water for Food and Poverty Reduction
globally showed that a vast scope exists for doubling the productivity of rainfed agriculture
in Asia with available technologies. The required increase in food production to meet the
increasing demand of the Philippines has to come largely from rainfed cropped areas.

Agriculture in the Philippines is predominantly rainfed and covers about 7.5 million
hectares of the 10 million hectares total cultivated areas. It is estimated that the country’s
population increases by roughly two million annually. This will mean more investments,
community participation and better social services in the long run. The looming water
scarcity and climate change are added pressures to rainfed areas and its inhabitants. Inputs
of knowledge-intensive institutions like research, extension and development
organizations become critical in enhancing the resilience of rural people to cope with the
changing climate patterns. Farming in rainfed areas is quite risky due mainly to recurrent
droughts, pest infestation, and poor and degraded soils, lack of physical infrastructure and
weak social services.

Rainfed agriculture is an important economic activity in the country, producing about 40%
of its food and generates 60% of the countries staple food. Generally, rainfall in the country
is seasonal and its distribution is quite erratic. The process of land degradation is seriously
undermining the livelihood security of the vast majority of rural populations, leading to
poverty, starvation and migration. Natural resources management programs in the country
are constantly evolving but we need to be strengthened through a more holistic and
integrated approach.

The approach must ensure food security, reducing poverty, protecting the environment
and addressing issues such as climate change, community empowerment and improved
livelihood for the people, especially the marginalized. In view of the vulnerability of the
rural population and poorly allocated governmental funds it is imperative to further
ameliorate the current policies.



The millions of idle degraded and infertile soils in the rainfed areas comprise an untapped
resource for the cultivation of drought-tolerant cereals and legumes for food and feeds that
will not compromise food security and sustainability of the environment, There are
research institutes devoted to rice, coconut, sugarcane, cotton, tobacco, fiber, silkworm,
root crops, biotechnology, plant breeding, carabao, fisheries and other strategic
commodities but there is none devoted to rainfed agriculture in general and crops such as
corn, sorghum, legumes and other important crops for food, feed, forage and biofuels.

Globalization and climate change requires enhanced capability of the country to
continuously develop and harness cutting-edge technology and agricultural innovations
that will enable rainfed farmers to become prosperous by improving the quality of their
produce for domestic and global markets.

Hence, this bill aims to establish a proactive, modern agricultural research for development
organization that will unify, coordinate, and strengthen all rainfed agriculture research
development and extension programs to improve the livelihood of resource-poor
communities and empower them to cope with a brewing “perfect storm” brought about by
the confluence of drought, increasing temperatures, land degradation, rising food process
and other challenges arising from environment and climate change.

In view thereof, approval of this bill is earnestly requested.

A)
ANGELINA “HELEN” D.L. TAN, M.D. ESTRELLITA “GING” SUANSING
4th District, Quezon 1s District, Nueva Ecija

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MARIOS ROSA C. ANTONINO-NADRES VIDA E. BRAVO
4th Di jueva Ecija st Digtrict, Masbate



Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Quezon City
SIXTEENTH CONGRESS

Second Regular Session

HOUSE BILL NO. 4 957

Introduced by Reps. Angelina “Helen” D.L, Tan, M.D., Estrellita “Ging” Suansing,
Magnolia Rosa C. Antonino-Nadres and Maria Vida E. Bravo

AN ACT
ESTABLISHING THE PHILIPPINE RAINFED AGRICULTURE INSTITUTE AND FOR
OTHER PURPOSES

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

SECTION 1, Title. - This Act shall be known as the “Philippine Rainfed Agriculture Institute
Act”.

SEC. 2. Declaration of Policy. - Pursuant to Article II, Section 16 of the 1987 Philippine
Constitution, the State hereby declares the policy of protecting and advancing the right of
the people to a balanced and healthful ecology in accord with the rhythm and harmony of
nature,

It adheres to the principle of protecting natural resources to ensure food security, reducing
poverty, protecting the environment and addressing issues such as climate change,
community empowerment and improved livelihoods.

SEC. 3. Philippine Rainfed Agriculture Institute. - The Philippine Rainfed Agriculture
Institute, hereinafter referred to as PhilRAl, is hereby established as an attached agency of
the Department of Agriculture (DA) to improve the livelihood of resource-poor rainfed
communities and empower them to cope with drought, global warming, rising food prices,
land degradation and other risks arising from environmental and climate changes.

SEC. 4. Objectives. ~ The objectives of this Act are as follows:

a) Build climate resilient agriculture in the rainfed areas through sustainable and
integrated approach by enhancing the impact of natural resources and adapting various
coping strategies on climate change and building capacity of different stakeholders;
Develop a robust and innovative farmer-centered, need-based national rainfed
agriculture research for development and extension corporate programs;

©) Strengthen and modernize the Philippine rainfed agriculture;

d) Improve the livelihood of resource-poor rainfed farmers and promote the general
welfare of rainfed farming communities; and

Develop or strengthen related programs in partnership and consultation with the DA-
Bureau of Agriculture Research (DA-BAR), DA Regional Research Centers, the
Philippine Council for Agriculture, Aquatic Forestry, and Natural Resources Research
and Development (PCARRD), State Universities and Colleges (SUCs), the private
sector, civil society organizations and international research organizations.

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SEC. 5. Strategic Framework of PhilRAI. - The PhilRAl shall, within six (6) months from the
effectivity of this Act, formulate a Strategic Framework on Philippine rainfed agriculture.
‘The Framework shall serve as the basis for developing programs on rainfed agriculture,


and action plan for research, development, extension and monitoring activities. The
Framework shall be reviewed every three (3) years, or as may be deemed necessary.

SEC. 6. Components of the Strategic Framework of PhilRAI. - The Framework shall include
but not limited to the following components:

a) Building climate resilient communities;

b) Resilient farming systems innovation;

c) Integrated natural resources management;

d) Enabling policy guidelines and institutional arrangements;
e) Database development and management;

f) Capacity building;

g) Productivity enhancement;

h) Advocacy and information dissemination;

i) Monitoring and evaluation; and

j) Gender mainstreaming and development.

SEC. 7. Programs and Action Plans. - ‘The PhilRAI shall formulate a Program and Action Plan
in accordance with the Framework within one (1) year after its formulation. This shall
include but not limited to the following components:

a) Assessment of benchmark information on Philippine rainfed agriculture,

b) Assess the climate vulnerability/change in selected communities and identify natural

resources management strategies with high probability of success in the context of

climate variability and change;

Designing the biophysical landscape of the agro-ecosystem that will incorporate water

harvesting and management, soil erosion prevention and social preparation for

community-based shared water use arrangements;

Developing appropriate farming systems where crops and livestock are identified,

together with farmers that are adapted to such environment situations as well as

responding to market opportunities;

Understanding socio-culture and socio-economic dynamics towards better farmer

participation and commitment on its programs;

£) Developing community and institution capabilities for shared management of resources

and products;

Common understanding and capability among program proponents (researches,

extension personnel, development managers and local political leaders) of the program

approaches, goals, and expected outputs and impacts;

Obtaining support from local government, private institutions and international

research organizations; and

i) Develop enabling policy guidelines and institutional arrangements for integrated agro-
ecosystem development and management, and increasing resilience of rural
communities to climate variability/change for sustainable intensification and
livelihoods of smallholder farmers.

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SEC. 8. Principal Office and Branches. - The PhilRAI shall have a principal office in Metro
Manila or elsewhere as its Board of Trustees may decide. It may also establish offices,
branches, satellite stations or networks in geographically suitable regions in the
Philippines as may be necessary or proper for the accomplishment of its goal and
objectives.

SEC. 9. Duties and Functions. - The PhilRAI shall exercise duties and functions which shall
include but not limited to the following:


a) Lead and coordinate a national network for rainfed agriculture research for
development and extension programs in different agro-ecological regions of the
country;

b) Plan, monitor, evaluate, conduct, and fund research for development and extension
activities on rainfed agriculture;

c) Create an information database, collect, package and share new knowledge and
innovations though modern information and communication technology and other
innovative approaches;

d) Enhance income of farmers through sustainable and market-linked rainfed production
systems, genetic improvement by conventional and biotechnology approaches, and
natural resources management;

e) Develop and implement a robust social mobilization, communication and capacity
building program among farmers, rural women, researchers, extension workers,
development managers, local administrators and entrepreneurs towards the conduct of
on-farm demonstration, technology utilization and technology commercialization
activities;

f) Identify and map out development pathways towards efficient and productive rainfed
agro-industries through appropriate socio-economic measures and public-private
partnerships; and

g) Develop databases, guide public policy formulation and pursue policy advocacy that
will stimulate, modernize and sustain rainfed agriculture, food crops production,
processing and marketing systems and put these in the hands of farmers through their
organizations.

SEC, 10. Corporate Powers. ~ PhilRAI shall exercise the corporate powers, but not limited to
the following:

a) Exercise all the powers of a corporation under the general corporation law in so for as
such powers are not inconsistent with the provisions of this Act;

b) Enter into, make and execute contracts and agreements of any kind or nature, and to
sue and be sued in its corporate name;

©) Borrow funds and obtain loans from all sources, whether local or foreign and whether
government or private, to help finance its research for development and extension
programs and its capital and operating expenditures;

) Invest in, purchase or otherwise acquire own, hold, use, lease, mortgage, pledge,
encumber, sell, assign, convey, exchange, or otherwise deal in real or personal
properties of whatever kind of nature, or any interest therein including shares of stock,
bonds, notes, securities, and other evidences of indebtedness of natural or juridical
persons, whether domestic or foreign and whether government and private;

) Acquire from the government, whether national or local of from any person,
corporation, partnership, association or other entity, such characters, franchises,
licenses, rights, privileges, assistance, financial or otherwise and concessions as may be
conducive to and necessary for proper for the attainment of the goal and objectives of
PhilRAI; and

f) Receive and acquire from any person, government and private entities, whether foreign
or domestic, grants, donations and contributions consisting of such properties, real or
personal, including funds and valuable effects, as may be useful, necessary or proper to
carry out its purposes and objectives and administer the same in accordance with the
terms of such grants, donations, and contributions and consistent with its purposes and
objectives.

SEC. 11. Board of Trustees. - The corporate functions and powers of PhilRAI shall be
exercised, and all its business activities and properties shall be controlled by a Board of
‘Trustees, hereinafter referred to as the Board.



The Board shall be composed of the Secretary of Agriculture as ex-officio Chair and
fourteen (14) members. The members of the Board shall be appointed by the President of
the Philippines upon recommendation of the Secretary of Agriculture.

The members of the Board shall be composed of the following:

a) Director of the DA Bureau of Agricultural Research (DA-BAR);

b) Director of the DA Bureau of Soils and Water Management (DA-BSWM);

©) Director of the DA Agricultural Training Institute (DA-ATI);

d) Executive Director of the Philippine Council for Agriculture, Aquatic, Forestry and
Natural Resources Research and Development (PCAARRD);

e) Executive Director of the National Disaster Coordinating Council (NDCC);

f) Deputy Director-General of the National Economic and Development Authority (NEDA);

g) Undersecretary of the Department of Budget and Management (DBM);

h) Commissioner of the Climate Change Commission (CCC);

i) President of the League of Provinces;

j) Representative from the academe;

k) Representative of farniers’ organization operating in rainfed areas;

1) Representative of women’s self-help group operating in rainfed areas;

m) Representative from private sector engaged in agribusiness; and

n) Representative from Philippine scientists association working on natural resources
management.

‘The PhilRAI Executive Director shall act as the Secretary of the Board. All government
officials in the Board shall serve ex-officio members and shall not receive any additional
salary or compensation.

The representatives shall be appointed by the President from a list of nominees submitted
by their respective groups/associations. They shall serve for a term of two (2) years
without reappointment unless their representation is withdrawn by the sector they
represent. Appointment to any vacancy shall only be for the unexpired term of the
predecessor.

SEC. 12. Per Diem. - The Chair and members of the Board shall receive per diem, as the
Board may determine, for each meeting actually attended. Such members shall also be
entitled to reimbursable transportation and representation allowances in going to and
coming from board meetings and in transacting official business for PhilRAI.

SEC. 13. Meetings of the Board. - The Board shall meet once every three (3) months, or as
often as may be deemed necessary by the Chairperson. The Chairperson may likewise call
meetings upon government agencies for the proper implementation of this Act.

SEC. 14. Powers and Functions of the Board. - The Board shall exercise the following powers
and functions:

Guide the formulation of the vision, mission, strategy and research for development and
extension priorities of PhilRAI;

b) Approve policies, programs, plans and operational procedures of PhilRAI;

©) Approve PhilRAI’s organizational structure, staffing pattern, operating and capital
expenditures, and budget in accordance with its corporate plan;

‘Approve salary ranges, benefits, privileges, bonuses and other terms and conditions of
service for all officers and employees of PhilRAI upon the recommendation of the
Executive Director;

Appoint, transfer, promote, suspend, remove or discipline any officer or employee of
PhilRAI, upon the recommendation of the Executive Director;

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f) Create relevant committees and appoint members thereof as may be necessary and
proper for the management of PhilRAI; and

g) Exercise such other powers and functions and perform such other acts as may be
necessary for the attainment of the goals and objectives of PhilRAI or as may be
delegated by the Secretary of Agriculture.

SEC. 15. Executive Director. ~ PhilRAI shall be headed by an Executive Director who shall be
appointed by the President of the Philippines, upon the recommendation of the Board, and
based on the evaluation of a Search Committee through the office of the Secretary of
Agriculture.

a) The Executive Director shall serve for a term of six (6) years, subject to only one term
extension of six (6) years or less for very meritorious performance, or a maximum term
of twelve (12) years; and

b) The Executive Director shall be assisted by Deputy Executive Directors, division heads
and program directors as the Board may determine to carry out the objectives of
PhilRAI.

SEC. 16. Duties of the Executive Director. - The Executive Director shall be directly
responsible to the Board, and shall have the following duties:

a) Exercise dynamic leadership, create a vision, map out the mission, provide strategic
direction, and supervise the implementation of all research for development and
extension programs and, in general, to supervise the operations of PhilRAI;

b) Execute contracts, incur obligations, acquire and dispose assets, and deliver documents
on behalf of PhilRAI within the framework of the authority delegated by the Board;

©) Implement and enforce policies, decisions, orders, rules and regulations that are
promulgated or adopted by the Board; and

d) Exercise such other powers and functions and perform such other duties as may be
authorized, delegated or assigned by the Board.

SEC. 17. Technical Advisory Committee. - A Technical Advisory Committee (TAC), organized
and approved by the Board, shalll assist the Executive Director, Deputy Executive Directors,
division heads and program directors in pursuing inter-agency activities and participation
of the national agriculture research development and extension networks.

The TAC shall be composed of not more than nine (9) members who are heads or
representatives of agencies, government, private or international, that are actively involved
in rainfed agriculture research, production, processing, marketing, policy formulation and
advocacy, and capacity building.

SEC. 18. Facilities and Manpower. - PhilRAI shall undertake its initial operations in the
existing offices, laboratories and experimental stations and other similar government
institutions within the DA. Furthermore, DA, collaborating SUCs and international research
organizations shall deploy selected personnel and scientists to assist PhilRAI in pursuing
its research, development and extension programs.

SEC. 19. Services of Government Personnel. - The PhilRAI shall, for the purpose of its
research for development activities, obtain and secure the services of scholars, scientists,
and technical personnel of SUCs, DA and related agencies of the national government and
international research organizations. Such personnel may be given honoraria or incentives
as may be fixed and authorized by the Board.

SEC. 20. Buildings and Equipment. - PhilRAI is hereby authorized to own, acquire, borrow,
lease, hold, plan and construct buildings, laboratories, experimental stations, and other
facilities as may be necessary or proper to attain its goal and objectives.


PhilRAI is also authorized to purchase equipment, materials and articles, either locally or
abroad, as may be necessary or proper to carry out its powers and functions and attain its
purposes and objectives. Provided, however, that it shall be exempted from the payment of
any and all forms of taxes, duties, fees and charges of any and all such importation of
equipment, materials, articles and services. Provided, further, that the same are not
available locally on favorable terms.

SEC. 21. Appropriations. ~ The Secretary of Agriculture, and Budget and Management are
hereby authorized and directed to set aside, out of the Agricultural Competitiveness
Enhancement Fund (ACEF) and other fund sources of DA, the amount of Five Hundred
Million Pesos (Php 500,000,000) as the initial budget of PhilRAI for its start-up and
operating expenses. Thereafter, the annual budget of PhilRAl’s operations shall be provided
for in the annual General Appropriations Act. The appropriations herein provided shall be
subject to the fiscal control and management procedures provided for in Executive Order
(0) No. 714, Series of 1981.

All funds, savings and income of PhilRAI shall be considered part of the funds automatically
released to the latter, subject to the fiscal control and management procedures provided
for in EO 714. Such funds, savings and income shall be used to achieve the goal and
objectives for which PhilRAI was established.

SEC. 22. Civil Service Laws, - PhilRAI and its officers and employees shall be subject to the
Civil Service Law, rules and regulations. Technical personnel shall be selected on the basis
of the highest possible standards of merit and fitness for public service to be determined in
accordance with such policies and guideline as may be approved by the Board.

SEC. 23. Auditor. - The Chair of the Commission on Audit shall be ex-officio auditor of
PhilRAI. For this purpose, he/she may appoint a representative who shall be the resident
auditor of PhilRAI, together with the necessary personnel to assist the said representative
in the performance of his/her duties.

SEC. 24. Legal Counsel. ~ The Government Corporate Counsel shall be the legal counsel of
PhilRAI It may establish its own legal department, subject to the supervision and control of
the Government Corporate Counsel, to handle the day-to-day legal matters affecting its
affairs. &

SEC. 25. Annual Report. - The Board shall submit to the President of the Philippines
through the Secretary of Agriculture, an annual report on the activities and operations of
PhilRAI together with the audit report on relevant accounts.

SEC. 26. Implementing Rules and Regulations, - Within ninety (90) days from the effectivity
of this Act, the Secretary of Agriculture shall, in coordination with PhilRAI, formulate the
rules and regulations necessary for the effective implementation of this Act.

SEC. 27. Separability Clause, - If any provision or part of this Act is declared invalid or
unconstitutional, the remaining parts or provisions not affected shall remain in full force
and effect.

SEC. 28. Repealing Clause. - All laws, decrees, executive orders, proclamations, rules and
regulations, and issuances, or part thereof, which are inconsistent with the provisions of
this Act are hereby repealed or amended accordingly.

SEC. 29. Effectivity. - This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after publication on the
Official Gazette or in two (2) national newspapers of general circulation.

Approved.