Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE 0F REPRESENTATIVES
Quezon City, Metro Manila
NINETEENTH CONGRESS
Second Regular Session
HOUsEBILLNo.8641
Introduced by Rep. Jaime R. Fresnedi
EXPLANATORY NOTE
This bill  seeks to address our aging and lack farm workers by granting free tertiary
agricultural education and such other allied courses to dependent children of qualified indigent
farmers.
With a land area of 30 million hectares, of which, only one-third is used for agricultural
activities, the Philippines  still relies heavily  on local food produce.     According to the data
provided by the Philippine Statistics Authority, this was due to the annual increases in the value
of production of crops,  livestock,  poultry,  and fisheries.   Agriculture,  forestry,  and fishing
(AFF) accelerated at a faster rate of 2.2 percent in the first quarter of 2023, compared with the
0.2  percent  growth in the  same  quarter of 2022.I    The  Philippine  Gross  Domestic  Product
(GDP) posted a growth of 6.4 percent in the first quarter of 2023, of which, one of the major
economic sectors, AFF, with 2.2 percent.2  However, despite the figure of only one-third of 30
million hectares is used for agricultural activities,  it is without a doubt that the agricultural
sector still plays a very crucial role in the country's economy especially with the issue on food
security.
Despite the importance of agriculture in nation building, its contribution in the economy
and the current report which states the increase in the value of production, the agricultural
sector is often beset with a myriad of problems that never seem to disappear.  The farmers are
the ones whose plights are often unheeded.  They would till the land hours for them to be able
to provide  for their families'  daily  sustenance,  but often, their financial  capabilities  are not
enough.     Despite  globalization  and  modemization  trends,  the  educational  needs  of their
children are often overlooked.   Investments  in technology and innovation are necessary to
diversify and transform the country's agricultural productivity.   Increased production support
and improved policies are necessary to  achieve the prioritization of the agricultural  sector,
specifically the farmers and fisherfolks.   All these can be achieved by educating the farmers
and the future farmers.
1 Gross National  Income and Gross Domestic Product,  Philippine Statistics Authority-1St Quarter 2023,
https://psa.gov.ph/national-accounts/sector/Agriculture,%20Forestry%20and9/o20Fishing, accessed on Jul 18,
2023
2  Ibid.


Further, the aging farmer population and the seeming disinterest of the youth in farming
endanger the future of food security in the country.   It is therefore necessary to equip their
dependent children with knowledge and skills in food production and at the same time uplift
their economic status.
"Once in your life, you need a doctor,  a lawyer,  a policeman,  and a preacher.   But
everyday, three times a day, you need a f;armer. " --Anonymous
In view of the foregoing, the immediate approval of this bill is earnestly sought.
Lone District, Muntinlupa City


Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE 0F REPRESENTATIVES
Quezon City, Metro Manila
NINETEENTH CONGRESS
Second Regular Session
HOUSEBILLNo.8641
Introduced by Rep. Jaime R. Fresnedi
AN ACT
GRANTING   FREE   TERTIARY  AGRICULTURAL   EDUCATION  AND   OTHER
RELATED   COURSES   T0   ALL   DEPENDENT   CHILDREN   OF   QUALIFIED
INDIGENT  FARMERS,  PROVIDING  FUNDS  THEREFOR,  AND  FOR  OTHER
PURPOSES
Be  it  enacted by the  Senate  and the  House  Of Representatives  Of the  Philippines  in
Congress assembled:
SECTION 1. Sfoor/ rz.//e. - This Act shall be known as the  "Free rer/7.crr); 4grz.c#//"r¢/
Education for Dependent Children Of Indigent Farmers Act" .
SEC. 2. Dec/¢rcJfz.o# a/Po/z.c};. -It is the declared policy of the State to promote sound
agricultural development in the country to achieve global competitiveness in the agricultural
sector.   Towards this end, education and trainings on Agriculture shall be encouraged among
the youth to inculcate the latest agricultural principles and techniques.   The State, therefore,
shall  extend  the  avenue  for  this  leaming  process  by  providing  accessible  education  on
agriculture and other related courses.
as:
SEC. 3. De/#z./z.o77 o/rerwj'. -  As used in this Act, the following terms shall be defined
a.     Qualified Dependent children -refers to the children of indigent farmers who are
eurolled or about to euroll in State Colleges and Universities where Agriculture and
its related courses are offered.
b.   Registered Indigent Farmers - are those indigent individuals whose sole source of
income is agriculture, who actually cultivate or till the land, whether as owner or
lessee of the land, or who actually engage in crop production. Livestock and poultry
farming,  and who  are  included  in the  registry  of farmers  of the  Department  of
Agriculture (DA).
SEC. 4. Free rer/I.crr}; ,4grz.c2j//wrcz/ Ed2jccz/z.o77 Progrczm. -The DA, in coordination with
the  Commission  on  Higher  Education  (CHED)  shall  establish  a  scholarship  program  for
Tertiary Agricultural Education.   Qualified dependent children of registered indigent farmers
intending to euroll or already eurolled in agricultural courses or any related field offerings in
state colleges and universities shall be exempt from payment of tuition and other school fees
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and shall be entitled to such other incentives or subsidies, including living and transportation
allowance, as may be granted in accordance with such rules and regulations to be promulgated
to carry out the provisions of this Act: Provz.c7ed, That within one (1) year from the completion
of the course, the scholar shall render a return to service work in the local agriculture sector for
a period of not less than one (1) year.
SEC.   5.   Co#dztz.o#s  a/ /foe  Scfoo/crrsrfezp   Grcz77/.   -  The   Free  Tertiary   Agricultural
Education Program shall have the following conditionalities:
a.     The scholar may be allowed, for valid reasons preventing his enrollment, to defer
availment of the scholarship and file a leave of absence for a period not exceeding
one (1) school year; and
b.    The scholar shall receive and continue to enjoy the benefits of the scholarship until
the completion of the course.
SEC.   6.  J#/orrmcz/I.o#  Dz.s'sermz.77czfz.o72.   -  The  DA  shall  conduct  regular  information
dissemination and recruitment with regard to the Free Tertiary Agricultural Education Program
to encourage qualified dependent children to become agricultural scholars.
SEC.  7. 4zxpraprJ.cr/I.o#s.  - The amount necessary to cany out the implementation of
this Act shall be charged against the current appropriations of the DA and CHED. Thereafter,
the  anount  necessary  for  the  continuous  implementation  of the  free  tertiary  agricultural
education as provided in this Act shall be included in the universal access to quality tertiary
education program of the CHED in the annual General Appropriations Act.
SEC.  8.    J77!p/eme#/z.ng  Jtw/es  czJ7d Jtcg#/cz/z.o#s.    -  Within  six  (6)  months  after  the
effectivity of this Act, the DA and CHED, in consultation with various SUCs shall promulgate
the necessary guidelines, rules, and regulations for the proper implementation of the provisions
of this Act.
SEC. 9.   Sepczrc7bz./zty C/c}#fe. -If any provision, section, or part of this Act is declared
unconstitutional  or invalid,  such judgment  shall  not  affect,  invalidate,  or  impair  any  other
provisions, sections, or parts hereof.
SEC.   10.     Jtepecr/z.ng  C/czwse.   -  All   laws,   orders,   issuances,   circulars,   rules   and
regulations or parts hereof, which are inconsistent with the provisions of this Act are hereby
repealed or modified accordingly.
SEC.  11.   EJj7rec/j.vz.fy.  -This Act shall take effect (15) days after its publication in the
Official Gazette or in at least two (2) newspapers of general circulation.
Approved,
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