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 Republic of the Philippines 
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES 
Quezon City, Metro Manila 
NINETEENTH CONGRESS 
2nd Regular Session 
House Bill No. ________ 
Introduced by Representative PAOLO Z. DUTERTE 
EXPLANATORY NOTE 
The 1987 Constitution underscores the vital role of the youth in nation-building and 
affirms one of the state policies which is to promote comprehensive rural development 
and agrarian reform. The average age of a Filipino farmer is fifty-three (53) years old, 
according to the 2020 study conducted by former University of the Philippines 
Anthropology Professor Florencia Palis. The study further cited that the country could 
face a critical shortage of farmers in the next twelve (12) years. To add to that is the 
Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA) Report on the employment drop in the 
agricultural sector accounting for a total employment fall of 24.5 percent (9.7 million) 
in October 2020, 24.6 percent (10.77 million) in October 2021 and 22.5 percent (10.60 
million) in October 2022.  
The Philippine Development Studies (PIDS) attributes the long-term movement of 
workers out of agriculture to the correlation between average daily basic pay and level 
of education which tends to be stronger in other sectors than agriculture. Thus, 
initiatives in agricultural development shall not only be limited in increasing 
agricultural production and farming subsidies but also in incentivizing members of 
the agricultural sector, particularly the youth who are opting out of agriculture for the 
more profitable profession in the urban areas.  
In line with this agenda, this proposed measure seeks to codify the Magna Cart of 
Young Farmers which shall promote and fulfill the rights of young farmers in all 
aspects including but not limited to their rights to food security, education, and 
September 27, 2023
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training and access to land. The proposed measure will also establish the National 
Young Farmers and Fisherfolks Council which shall be attached to the functioning as 
an advisory, recommendatory, and consultative body to ensure the success of the 
programs and activities pertinent to Young Farmers and perform oversight functions 
to the mentioned Young Farmers programs and activities. 
Considering the consistent high poverty incidence rates in the agricultural sector, the 
shift out of the sector will continue and food security will be endangered if 
recuperation of the sector will not be given utmost priority. In addition to showing 
appreciation to the invaluable contribution of the agricultural sector, incentivizing the 
sector’s members, particularly the young generation, will ensure the perpetuity of the 
sector. 
In view of the foregoing, approval of this bill is earnestly sought. 
HON. PAOLO Z. DUTERTE 


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Republic of the Philippines 
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES 
Quezon City, Metro Manila 
NINETEENTH CONGRESS 
2nd Regular Session 
House Bill No. ________ 
Introduced by Representative PAOLO Z. DUTERTE 
AN ACT 
PROVIDING FOR THE MAGNA CARTA OF YOUNG FARMERS 
Be it enacted by the Senate and the House of the Representatives of the Philippines in Congress 
assembled: 
           SEC 1. Title. - This Act shall be known as the "Magna Carta of Young Farmers 
Act of 2023". 
           SEC. 2. Declaration of Policy. - The following are hereby declared to be the 
policies of the State:  
a) The State hereby declares "Young Farmers" as an individual whose primary
source of income comes from agriculture, with an age range of 15-35 years old,
is owner, worker, or tenant or lessee of the land in which they personally
cultivate and till;
b) The State recognizes young farmers as a separate basic sector with its own
distinct rights and responsibilities;
c) The State recognizes young farmers as supplemental income earners in the
family farms playing a major role in augmenting their family's proceeds. Doing
so entails working odd jobs to sustain the family's source of income most
especially in non-harvesting seasons;
d) The State acknowledges the invaluable role of young farmers who are
present in the value chain process starting from production, to processing, to
value-adding up to marketing;
e) The State recognizes the role of young farmers as eco-warriors and staunch
advocates of environmental protection; and
f) The State recognizes the indispensable contribution of young farmers to the
overall food security and national economy. Towards this end, the State shall
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establish mechanisms for the promotion and protection of young farmers' 
rights that will ensure their empowerment, productivity, and competitiveness 
in the local and international trade. 
 
SEC. 3. Definition of Terms. - As used in this Act, the following terms are  
defined as follows: 
 
a) "Agriculture" refers to farming in all of its branches and the cultivation and 
tillage of the soil, dairying, the production, cultivation, growing and harvesting 
of any agricultural, aquacultural, floricultural or horticultural commodities, the 
growing and harvesting of forest products upon forest lands, the raising of 
livestock including horses, the keeping of horses as a commercial enterprise, 
the keeping and raising of poultry, swine, cattle, and other domesticated 
animals used for food purposes and any forestry or lumbering operations, 
performed by a farmer; 
 
b) "All-around farm worker" refers to all types of work in the farm, performed 
by an individual or a group of people, which is oftentimes assigned to more 
laborious tasks such as harvesting, plowing, planting, application of fertilizers 
and farm supervision; 
 
c) "Discrimination" refers to any distinction, exclusion or restriction which has 
the effect or purpose of impairing or nullifying the recognition, enjoyment, or 
exercise by young farmers, irrespective of their age, status of income, on the 
basis of equality, human rights, and fundamental freedoms in the political, 
economic, social, cultural, civil, or any other field. It includes any act or 
omission, including by law, policy, administrative measure, or practice, that 
directly or indirectly excludes or restricts young farmers in the recognition and 
promotion of their rights and their access to and enjoyment of opportunities, 
benefits, or privileges. A measure or practice of general application is 
discrimination against young farmers if it fails to provide for mechanisms to 
offset or address disadvantages or limitations of young farmers, as a result of 
which they are denied or restricted in the recognition and protection of their 
rights and in their access to and enjoyment of opportunities, benefits, or 
privileges: Provided, That discrimination compounded by or intersecting with 
other grounds, status, or condition, such as ethnicity, age, poverty, or religion 
shall be considered discrimination against young farmers under this Act; 
 
d) "Eco-warriors" refers to the staunch advocates of environmental protection 
and practitioners of sustainable farming; 
 
e) "Food Security" refers to the condition in which all people, at all times, have 
physical, social, and economic access to sufficient safe and nutritious food 
that meets their dietary needs and food preferences for an active and healthy 
life (as defined by the United Nations Committee on World Food Security); 
 


 
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f) "Family Farming" is a means of organizing agricultural, forestry, fisheries, 
pastoral, and aquaculture production which is managed and operated by a 
family and predominantly reliant on family labour, including both women and 
men; 
 
g) "Lessee" refers to a person who, by themselves, or with the aid available from 
within their immediate farm household, cultivates the land, belonging to or 
lawfully possessed by another, with the latter's consent, for purposes of 
agricultural production, for a price certain in money, in produce or both. The 
term is distinguished from a civil lessee as understood in the Civil Code of the 
Philippines; 
 
h) "Organic" refers to the particular farming and processing system, described 
in the standards and not in the classical chemical sense. The term "organic" is 
synonymous in other languages to "biological" or "ecological". It is also a 
labelling term that denotes products considered organic based on the 
Philippine National Standards for organic agriculture; 
 
i) "Organic Agriculture" refers to all agricultural systems that promote the 
ecologically sound, socially acceptable, economically viable and technically 
feasible production of food and fibers. Organic agriculture dramatically 
reduces external inputs by refraining from the use of chemical fertilizers, 
pesticides, and pharmaceuticals. It also covers areas such as, but not limited to, 
soil fertility management, varietal breeding, and selection under chemical and 
pesticide-free conditions, the use of biotechnology and other cultural practices 
that are consistent with the principles and policies of this Act, and enhance 
productivity without destroying the soil and harming farmers. consumers, and 
the environment as defined by the International Federation of Organic 
Agricultural Movement (FOAM): Provided, That the biotechnology herein 
referred to shall not include genetically modified organisms or GMOs: 
 
j) "Sustainability" refers to meeting the needs of the present without 
compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs as 
defined by the United Nations World Commission on Environment and 
Development; 
 
k) "Tenant" refers to a person who, themselves, or with the aid available from 
within their immediate farm household, cultivates the land belonging to, or 
possessed by another, with the latter's consent for purposes of production, 
sharing the produce with the landholder under the share tenancy system, or 
paying the landholder a price certain or ascertainable in produce or in money 
or both, under the leasehold tenancy system; "Young Farmers" refers to an 
individual whose primary source of income comes from agriculture, with an 
age range of 15-35 years old, is the owner, tenant, lessee, or worker of the land 
in which they personally cultivate and till. 
 
SEC. 4. State as Primary Duty Bearer. - The State as the Primary duty bearer 
shall: 


 
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a) Recognize and promote the rights of young farmers defined and guaranteed 
under this Act: 
 
b) Lead against the discrimination and coercion or violence, be in physical, 
verbal, sexual, emotional, psychological, spiritual, or cultural in nature of 
young farmers: 
 
c) Endorse farm products produced by young farmers for economic 
development nationwide; 
 
d) Promote and fulfill the rights of young farmers in all aspects including but 
not limited to their rights to food security, education, and training and access 
to land. 
 
The State shall take measures and establish mechanisms to promote the 
coherent and integrated implementation and enforcement of this Act and related laws, 
policies, or other measures to effectively recognize young farmers as a distinct basic 
sector, stop discrimination against young farmers and farming in general, and 
advance their rights and responsibilities. 
 
          SEC. 5. Duties of State Agencies and Instrumentalities. – The abovementioned 
duties of the State shall extend to all agencies, offices, and instrumentalities at all levels 
and government-owned and controlled corporations, subject to the Constitution and 
pertinent laws, policies, or administrative guidelines that define specific duties of state 
agencies and entities concerned. 
 
          SEC. 6. Duties of Private Sector. - It is the duty of the private sector to support 
young farmers' agenda through social partnerships between people's organizations 
and industries. Private sectors are encouraged to assist in land reform mechanisms, 
rural development initiatives which include livelihood strategies, sensitive to the 
plight of young farmers, as part of their corporate social responsibility duties. 
 
          SEC. 7. Non-Diminution of the Rights of Young Farmers. - All other young 
farmers' rights and programs provided under existing laws shall remain in full force 
and effect: Provided, That it follows the definition of a young farmer as stated in this 
Act. 
 
          SEC. 8. Education and Training. - The State shall ensure equal access to quality 
education and training of young farmers and encourage partnership and linkage with 
state universities and colleges (SUCs) on information and technology transfer to 
young farmer individuals and organizations. 
 
a) Scholarship. - Any graduate of Technical and Livelihood Education with 
specialization on Agriculture and Fisheries under the K to 12 curriculums shall 
be entitled to scholarship grant incentives to any agricultural and fisheries 
related courses in any SUC of choice upon compliance of the following 
conditions: 


 
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i. Completion of the application requirements of the SUC; and 
 
ii. Meet the minimum rating qualification in the admission level of the 
chosen SUC. 
 
b) Agricultural Training Service Extension. - Agricultural SUCs shall serve as 
an extension service provider for practical application, learning seminars, 
hands-on training, and knowledge on technological advancements of young 
farmers' organizations and individuals through the proper facilitation of the 
Department of Agriculture (DA). 
 
           SEC. 9. Access to Technology, Credit and Capital. - The State shall ensure that 
young farmers are provided the following: 
 
a) Equal access to farm technologies and mechanization; 
 
b) Ensure innovation, development and proliferation of young farmer-friendly 
technologies and mechanization agricultural production and processing; 
 
c) Equal access to formal sources of credit and capital including forms of clean 
loans and Mortgage, Redemption, and Insurance (MRI); and 
 
d) Equitable share to the produce of farms and aquatic resources. 
 
           SEC. 10. Access to Information. - Young farmers' access to information 
regarding policies, programs, projects, subsidies, and funding outlays that affect them, 
shall be ensured 
 
           SEC. 11. Right to Resources for Food Production. - The State shall guarantee 
young farmers' vital role in the food production and food security by prioritizing their 
rights to land, technical training and assistance, access to seeds and farm inputs, and 
assistance for product and market linkage and development. 
 
a) Land Transfer Tax Exemptions. - Transactions including, but not limited to, 
purchase, inheritance, and donation of land, which is one (1) hectare and below, 
to young farmers, as defined under this Act, are hereby exempt from all taxes 
of whatever kind: Provided, however, That the beneficiary guarantees that the 
land will be kept and maintained by him or her for atleast five (5) years. 
 
b) Land and Farm Planning Management. - The Department of Agriculture 
(DA) shall provide full assistance to young farmers, from the national scale 
down to community levels regarding farm planning and management to 
ensure maximum utilization, production, profitability, and sustainability of 
their farms. The department shall utilize existence of Farmer Field Schools and 
Agricultural Extension Training Centers as learning sites to ensure full- scale 
assistance to young farmers. 
 


 
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c) National Young Farmers Roadmap. - The DA, including its attached agencies 
and corporations, in coordination with the Department of Agrarian Reform 
(DAR). Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR), 
Department of Trade and Industry (DTI), Department of Science and 
Technology (DOST), Department of Education (DepEd), National Commission 
on Indigenous Peoples (NCIP), National Youth Commission (NYC), Philippine 
Coconut Authority (PCA), Commission on Higher Education (CHED), 
National Anti-Poverty Commission (NAPC) and all agricultural-related 
agencies attached under the Office of the President (OP) shall formulate and 
implement a National Young Farmers Plan within one hundred and twenty 
(120) days from the effectivity of this Act. The roadmap shall serve as the 
convergence program of government line-agencies to ensure the maximum 
role of young farmers in food security. It shall also present measures that will 
allocate safe, culturally acceptable, nutritionally adequate diet through a 
sustainable food system that maximizes seif-reliance and social justice. The 
plan shall include the following: 
 
1) A color-coded map on the national status of the country's food security; 
 
2) Baseline data research on young farmers through a Young Farmers Registry 
System which includes young farmers' socio-economic status; 
 
3) Community-based Food Security Plan that shall identify viable food security 
systems particular to the roles of young farmers along the food value-supply 
chain; and 
 
4) Index of programs of identified government agencies as to the development 
of young farmers. 
 
d) Young Farmer Community Seed Banks. - The DA shall facilitate the selection, 
establishment, and management of strategic community-based seed banks to 
ensure sustainable food and agricultural resource for young farmers. 
 
           SEC. 12. Environmental Protection. - The DA, in partnership with DENR and 
DOST shall establish model farms that feature sustainable farming practices such as 
integrated and diverse organic farming systems, organic urban farming systems, and 
the like, to serve as knowledge transfer and training institutions to young farmers and 
agricultural workers and provide an avenue for the active participation of young 
farmers in environmental protection and practice of sustainable farming. 
 
           SEC. 13. Recognition and Preservation of Cultural Identity and Indigenous 
Farming Traditions. - The State shall respect, preserve, and maintain knowledge, 
innovations, and practices of indigenous and local communities of young 
farmers embodying traditional lifestyles relevant for the conservation and sustainable 
use of biological diversity. 
 
           SEC. 14. Creation of the National Young Farmers Council. - There is hereby 
created the National Young Farmers and Fisherfolks Council which shall be attached 


 
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to the National Agricultural and Fishery Council of DA. The Council shall have the 
following powers and functions: 
 
a) Act as an advisory, recommendatory, and consultative body to ensure the 
success of the department's programs and activities pertinent to Young 
Farmers; 
 
b) Perform oversight functions as regards to young farmers' programs and 
projects of the Department including its attached agencies and corporations. 
 
           SEC. 15. Representation and Participation. - The State shall ensure young 
farmers' representation in the decision-making and policy-making processes initiated 
by the government and private entities including, but not limited to, the National and 
Local Agrarian Reform Councils, National Organic Agricultural Board, National 
Youth Commission, and the National Anti-Poverty Commission to fully realize their 
roles as agents and partners for development. 
 
           SEC. 16. Strengthen Young Farmer Organizations. - The DA, together with DAR, 
DTI, DOST, NYC, DepEd, CHED and CDA shall create a training module on 
organizational management and development specific to the sensitivity and needs of 
young farmer organizations within one hundred twenty (120) days upon the 
effectivity of this Act, to assist and provide young farmer organizations capacity-
building, organizational management, and development schemes. 
 
           SEC. 17. Legal Protection on Negotiations and Trade Partnership Agreements. 
- The State shall ensure provision of safeguard clauses for vulnerable, sensitive, and 
volatile sectors to preserve family farming model of the Philippines. 
 
           SEC. 18. Farm Insurance. - Young Farmers shall automatically become 
members of the Philippine Crop Insurance Corporation (PCIC) as protection from 
losses of non-crop agricultural assets from force majeure. 
 
           SEC. 19. Implementing Rules and Regulations. - Within ninety (90) days from 
the effectivity of this Act, the DA, in coordination with the Philippine Council for 
Agriculture and Fisheries (PCAF), Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR), 
DAR, DENR, DTI, DOST, DepEd, CHED, NYC, and NAPC shall issue the necessary 
rules and regulations for the implementation of this Act. 
 
           SEC. 20. Appropriation of Funds. - The amount necessary for the 
implementation of this Act shall be charged from the budget allocation of the DA 
including its attached agencies and corporations, DAR, DENR, DTI, DOST, DepEd, 
CHED and NAPC. Such amounts necessary for the continued implementation of this 
Act shall be included in the annual General Appropriations Act. 
 
           SEC. 21. Separability Clause. - If any provision or part hereof is held invalid or 
unconstitutional, the remainder of the law or the provision or part not otherwise 
affected shall remain valid and subsisting. 
 


 
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           SEC. 22. Repealing Clause. - Any law, presidential decree or issuance, executive 
order, letter of instruction, administrative order, rule, or regulation contrary to or 
inconsistent with the provisions of this Act are hereby repealed, modified, or amended 
accordingly. 
 
           SEC. 23. Effectivity. - This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after its 
publication in the Official Gazette or in a newspaper of general circulation. 
 
 
Approved,