Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Quezon City, Metro Manila

‘Twentieth Congress
First Regular Session

HOUSE BILL NO. 4339

Introduced by Representative RAYMOND ADRIAN SALCEDA

AN ACT
ESTABLISHING AN AGRICULTURE INFORMATION SYSTEM IN ALL CITIES
AND MUNICIPALITIES, LINKED TO A CENTRALIZED NATIONAL DATABASE
UNDER THE DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE, AND PROVIDING FUNDS
THEREFOR

EXPLANATORY NOTE

Section 5, Article XIII of the 1987 Constitution provides that the State “shall provide
support to agriculture through appropriate technology and research, and adequate financial,
production, marketing, and other support services.”

Despite the country’s abundance of arable land and marine resources, the contribution
of agriculture, fisheries, and forestry (AFF) to the national economy has steadily declined. In
2022, the sector accounted for only 8.9 percent of Gross Domestic Product (GDP), lower than
its 9.6 percent share in 2021, according to the Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA).

One of the persistent causes of this decline is the lack of accurate, timely, and accessible
agricultural data at the local level. Outdated methods of gathering information, compounded
by fragmented and delayed reporting, have led to mismatches between supply and demand.
The result is a recurring cycle of oversupply and wastage, or undersupply and price surges, to
the detriment of both producers and consumers.

This has had real consequences. In February 2023, tomato farmers in Nueva Vizcaya
were forced to dump more than five hundred kilos of their produce due to oversupply and the
absence of reliable data and linkages to markets in other provinces. These scenarios illustrate
the urgent need for an updated and responsive system of agricultural data collection,
consolidation, and dissemination.

Accessible, real-time data can empower farmers and fisherfolk to make informed
decisions about what to plant, when to harvest, and how to connect with buyers. A national
database, linked with local platforms, can also help government agencies rationalize
interventions, reduce inefficiencies, and support inclusive growth.


This measure, to be known as the Agriculture Information System Act, seeks to
mandate the establishment of an Agriculture Information System (AIS) in all cities and
municipalities, integrated with the Registry System for Basic Sectors in Agriculture (RSBSA)
and the National Farmers and Fisheries Information System (NFFIS) under the Department of
Agriculture.

The AIS will:

1. Provide a secure, computerized, and up-to-date database of agricultural and fisheries
commodities;

2. Facilitate market linkages between producers and buyers, both domestic and
international;

3. Strengthen transparency and accountability in the provision of inputs, training, and
support;

4, Enable local governments to act as frontliners in data gathering and web administration;
and

5. Support national policy-making with real-time, accurate information to reduce wastage,
stabilize prices, and improve rural incomes.

Through the AIS, farmers and fisherfolk will gain tools that enable them to better plan
production and reduce losses. Government will gain a rational basis for intervention.
Consumers will benefit from more stable supply and prices.

In view of the foregoing, the immediate passage of this measure is earnestly sought.

RAYMONBA WN SALCEDA


Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Quezon City, Metro Manila

Twentieth Congress
First Regular Session

HOUSE BILLNO. 4339

Introduced by Representative RAYMOND ADRIAN SALCEDA

AN ACT
ESTABLISHING AN AGRICULTURE INFORMATION SYSTEM IN ALL CITIES
AND MUNICIPALITIES, LINKED TO A CENTRALIZED NATIONAL DATABASE
UNDER THE DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE, AND PROVIDING FUNDS
THEREFOR

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

SECTION 1. Short Title. This Act shall be known as the “Agriculture Information
System Act.”

SEC. 2. Declaration of Policy. It is hereby declared the policy of the State to strengthen
the agriculture and fisheries sector by providing accurate, timely, and accessible data that will
rationalize production, improve market linkages, and reduce post-harvest losses. Towards this,
end, an integrated, computerized, web-based agriculture information system shall be
established, linking local governments to a centralized national database administered by the
Department of Agriculture (DA).

SEC. 3. Objectives. This Act aims to:

(a) Provide an up-to-date database of agricultural and fisheries products in every
locality;

(b) Facilitate information sharing between farmers, fisherfolk, traders, and buyers;

(c) Reduce wastage from oversupply and mitigate price spikes due to undersupply;

(d) Support LGUs in managing a secure and independent platform for linking
production to markets;

(c) Provide real-time production and inventory data to guide DA and other agencies in
planning and intervention; and

(8) Strengthen transparency and accountability in the provision of inputs, assistance,
and training to the agriculture and fisheries sector.

SEC. 4. Agriculture Information System. All cities and municipalities shall establish an
Agriculture Information System (AIS) to serve as a dynamic online database of agricultural


and fisheries production and demand. The AIS shall be integrated with existing systems of the
DA, including the National Farmers and Fisheries Information System (NFFIS) and the
Registry System for Basic Sectors in Agriculture (RSBSA).

The AIS shall include the following:

(a) Identification of farmers, fisherfolk, and producer organizations;

(b) Crop harvest, volume, and type forecasting;

(©) Inventory of crop varieties, livestock, and fish raised in the locality;

(a) Demographic data of farmers and fisherfolk, including age, gender, income group,
trainings attended, and assistance received;

(e) Registry of farm locations and contact details to facilitate market linkages;

() Search engine and customizable dashboard for farmers and buyers to match supply
with demand; and

(g) Reports in tabular and graphical form for policy and decision-making.

SEC. 5. Registration, All farmers, fisherfolk, and buyers shall be encouraged to register
in the AIS through their respective LGUs. Registration shall be free of charge.

SEC. 6. Functions of Cities and Municipalities. Cities and municipalities shall:

(a) Through the Municipal Agriculture Office (MAO), gather and encode farmer,
fisherfolk, and buyer profiles;

(b) Monitor and consolidate production data and farm inputs;

(c) Submit real-time data to the provincial agricultural office and DA regional offices;

(d) Facilitate local market linkages between farmers and buyers; and

(e) Serve as web administrators for their AIS platforms.

SEC. 7. Functions of Provinces. Provinces shall:

(a) Integrate municipal and city AIS data into provincial geographic information
systems;

(b) Through the Provincial Agricultural Office, validate and consolidate submissions
from component LGUs; and

(c) Submit consolidated data to the DA regional office.

SEC. 8. Functions of DA Regional Offices. DA regional offices shall:

(a) Integrate provincial and city-level AIS data into national systems such as the
RSBSA and NFFIS;

(b) Recommend interventions to the DA central office based on data;

(c) Validate submissions from provinces and cities; and

(@ Endorse financial assistance to fifth- and sixth-class municipalities for AIS
establishment and maintenance.

SEC. 9. Functions of the DA Central Office. The DA central office shall:
(a) Serve as administrator of the centralized national AIS;
(b) Allocate funding for integration of AIS with DA systems;


(c) Coordinate with the Department of Information and Communications Technology
(DICT), Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA), and National Privacy Commission
(NPC) to ensure interoperability and data security;

(@) Approve interventions recommended by DA regional offices; and

(e) Create domestic and international market linkages using AIS data.

SEC. 10. Role of the Secretary of Agriculture. The Secretary shall oversee full
implementation of the AIS, ensure compliance of all LGUs, and submit an annual report to the
President and Congress on the system’s status, accomplishments, and recommendations.

SEC. 11. Appropriations. The amounts necessary for the initial implementation of this
Act shall be charged against current appropriations of the DA. Thereafter, such amounts as may
be necessary shall be included in the annual General Appropriations Act. LGUs shall allocate
necessary funds for the establishment and operation of their AIS.

SEC. 12. Implementing Rules and Regulations. Within ninety (90) days from effectivity
of this Act, the DA, in consultation with DICT, PSA, NPC, and LGU representatives, shall
promulgate the rules and regulations for its effective implementation.

SEC. 13. Separability Clause. If any provision of this Act is declared invalid or
unconstitutional, the other provisions not affected thereby shall remain in full force and effect.

SEC. 14. Repealing Clause. All laws, decrees, and issuances inconsistent with this Act
are hereby repealed or modified accordingly.

SEC. 15. Effectivity. This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after its publication in
the Official Gazette or in a newspaper of general circulation.

Approved,