I 
,.-----
• 
SIXTEENTH CONGRESS OF THE REPUBLIC 
OF THE PHILIPPINES 
) 
) 
) 
First Regular Session 
SENATE 
'1184 
S.B.No.~ 
~F""" 
. 
'~oduced By Senator Manuel "Lito" M. Lapid 
',I, 
AN ACT 
PROVIDING FOR THE DEVELOPMENT'AND PROMOTION OF FARM 
TOURISM IN THE PHILIPPINES AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES 
EXPLANATORY NOTE 
, 
P'5 :10 
Farm tourism merges two productive industries: agriculture and tourism, It is a 
venture at a farm, ranch or agricultural plant for the education and enjoyment of 
tourists, and generates income for the owner. The term may be a new concept to us, but 
it has been a thriving industry in Europe, Australia, Canada, and the United States of 
America for quite some time now. 
The Philippines is' primarily an agricultural country with rice, corn, coconut, 
sugarcane, bananas, pineapple, coffee, mangoes, tobacco, and abaca as the country's 
main agricultural cropso This provides ample opportunity for the Philippines to engage 
in farm tourism activities such as planting, picking fruits, harvesting vegetables, tasting 
wine or juices, tending bees, milking cows, watching butterflies, fishing, horseback 
riding and other rustic activities or pursuits. The collaboration of agriculture and 
tourism can help boost the country's economy by improving the income and potential 
economic viability of small farms and rural communities. Furthermore, farm tourism 
provides additional employment and income opportunities for fanners, farm owners 
and producers w,ith activities such as shopping, dining and lodging by tourists. 
Additional markets fodocal produce, products and services are bound to emerge when 
the growth of farm tourism is supported. Guimaras Island's Agri-tourism Circuit is a 
perfect example of this emerging farm tourism sector. The island province's circuit 
links eight fal°ms in five mUnicipalities. By following the circuits, tourists are educated 
and immersed in farm activities such as beekeeping, organic fruit and vegetable 
fanning, and aquaculture. 
This legislative measure promotes and develops farm tourism in the country; 
strengthen sustainable organic agriculture in a farm tourism environment; uplift the 
quality of life of farmers, farmer-land owners, and rural people; provide an avenue for 
the public to learn more about food; production; generate employment in the farming 
communities; engage small farmers and farm workers in trainings and knowledge 
transfers; and encourage the Filipino youth to appreciate and support farming. 
Tllis bill aims to accomplish the following: 
1. To create an agency that shall be called the Philippine Farm Tourism Industry 
Development Coordinating Council, whose function is to coordinate the activities of the 
var-ious agencies and instrumentalities to ensure the development and promotion of 
. farm tourism in the, country,. 


J' r 
2. The Council shall identify areas that are prime for farm tourism but require 
infrastructure projects. 
3. The Council shall also be encouraged to establish at least one (1) tourism farm 
in every province. 
4., To launch and pursue a nationwide educational campaign to help realize the 
policies and provisions of this Act. 
5. To develop programs establishing links between stakeholders in the farm 
tourism industry and Government Financial Institutions (GFIs) and other financial 
cooperatives 
6. Relevant government agencies shall also establish programs that promote and 
provide adequate training on adapting techoologies to farm tourism professionals and 
operators, strengthen farm tourism cooperatives and organizations, and afford 
opportunities for participation in international conventions, workshops and fora. 
7. To maintain a comprehensive farm tourism information system,. which shall 
serve as a repository of all educational research and information related to farm 
tourism. 
In view of the foregoing, early passage of this bill is earnestly sought 
-<-
~l. 0" M. LAPID 
< SenatOT 
/l1~ 


..§el111tr 
(!,lfj,;. of tlj, .:i'm,br~ 
SIXTEENTH CONGRESS OF TIlE REPUBUC 
OF TIIE PIllLIPPINES 
) 
) 
) 
'14 
APR -1." Ps'ilO 
First Regular Session 
SENATE 
S.B.No. 2184 
Introduced By Senator Manuel "Uto" M. Lapid 
1 
AN ACT 
2 
PROVIDING FOR THE DEVEWPMENT AND PROMOTION OF FARM 
3 
TOURISM IN THE PHILIPPINES AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES 
4 
5 
SECfION 1. Short Title. TIris Act shall be known as "The Farm Tourism Act of 
6 
2014." 
7 
SEC. 2. Declaration of Policy. - It is the policy of the State to wprcmide support tv 
8 
agriculture through approprio:te technology and research, and adequate financio1, productiDn, 
9 
mnrketing and other support services". Moreover, the legislature finds that agriculture 
10 
plays a significant role in the economy, culture and history of the Philippines. Towards 
11 
this end, a comprehensive program for the development and promotion of farm 
12 
tourism is hereby established. 
. 
13 
SEC. 3 Definition of Terms. - As used in this Act, the following terms shall mean as 
14 
follows: 
15 
a) Farm Tourism - refers to the practice of attracting tonrists to farm areas for 
16 
educational and recreational purposes. It involves any agricultural-based 
17 
operation or activity that brings tourists to a farm or a facility where they are 
18 
educated and trained on farming and related activities, and provides a venue for 
19 
outdoor recreation and accessible family outings. 
20 
b) Farm tourism acti71ity - refers tQ any activity carried ont on a farm or similar 
21 
venue that allows tourists to be educated on or participate in farm activities 
22 
including, but not limited to, planting, picking fruits, harvesting vegetables, 
23 
tasting wine or fruit juices, tending bees, milking cows, , fishing, horseback 
24 
riding, and other rustic activities or porsuits. An activity is a farm tourism 
25 
activity whether or not the participant paid to participate in the activity. 
26 
c) Farm tourism professional - refers to a farmer or farm owner or any person who 
27 
is engaged in the business of providing one or more farm tourism activities, 
28 
whether or not for compensation. 
29 
d) Farm tourism operator refers to the owner or recognized occupant of the farm or 
30 
any person who is the overall in charge of a farm tourism location. 
31 
e) Inherent risks of farm tourism acti'llity - means those dangers or conditions that 
32 
are an integral part of a farm tourism activity including certain hazards such as 
33 


'/ 
1 
surface and subsurface conditions, natural conditions of land, vegetation, waters, 
2 
the behavior of wild or domestic an:imaIs and ordinary dangers of structures or 
3 
equipment ordinarily used in farming operations. Inherent risks of farm tourism 
4 
activity also include the potential of a participant to act in a negligent manner 
5 
that may contribute to injury to the participant or others, including failing to 
6 
follow instructions given by the farm tourism professional or operator, or failini 
7 
to exercise reasonable caution while engaging in the farm tourism activity. 
8 
f) Participant means any person including, but not limited to other farmers. 
9 
visitoxs, travelers and tourists, who engages in a farm tourism activity. 
10 
S«. 4. Philippine Farm Tourism Framework for Dl!'lJelopment.. - The Department of 
11 
Tourism (DOI), in consultation with the Department of Agriculture (DA), Department 
12 
of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR). Department of Science and Technology 
13 
(DOS1), farm tourism owners and organizations, local government units, and the 
14 
private sector, shall formulate a five-year Framework for Development. to be validated 
15 
and updated annually. Such Framework shall serve as a guide in the formulation and 
16 
implementation of plans, programs and projects for the development, and promotion of 
17 
farm tourism, as envisioned in this Act The Framework shall likewise provide for the 
18 
following: 
19 
Q. 
Site Identiftcotion - The DOf, in coordination with the DA, DENR, 
20 
DAR and DOST, and the municipal, city and provincial governments 
21 
concerned, shall identify viable farm tourism sites in the country, within 
22 
six (6) mouths after the effectivity of this Act Pnmided, that such site 
23 
identification shall be reviewed at appropriate intervals to ensure 
24 
consistency with the agrarian reform program and the national land use 
25 
policy. 
26 
b. 
Edumtional and Promotional Support - The DOf shall provide 
27 
marketing advice and promotional support of accredited farm tourism 
28 
sites in the country. The Department of Education (DepEd), Commission 
29 
on Higher Education (CHEd); and the Philippine Information Agency 
30 
(PIA) shall launch and pursue a nationwide campaign to help realize the 
31 
policies and provisions of this Act, to promote farm tourism and inform 
32 
the people of new farm tourism sites, and to promote the principle of 
33 
sustainable development. 
34 
c. 
Investment Promotion and Facilitation - The DOf and DTI shall 
35 
develop programs establishing links between stakeholders in the farm 
36 
tourism industry and Government Financial Institutions (GFls) and other 
37 
financial cooperatives. The DOf and DTI shall likewise develop and 
38 
implement programs that will establish reasonable and innovative 
39 
investment incentives to attract more players in the farm tourism 
40 
industry; 
41 
d. 
Suppurt and Extension - The Agricultural Training Institute (ATI) of 
42 
the DA, together with the Cooperative Development Authority (CDA), 
43 
state universities and colleges, and other relevant government agencies 
44 
shall establish programs that promote and provide adequate training on 
45 


,. 
1 
adapting technologies to farm tourism professionals and operators, 
2 
strengthen farm tourism cooperatives and organizations, and afford 
3 
opportunities for participation in international conventions, workshops 
4 
and fora. 
5 
e. 
Research and Development - The DOT and DA, together with the 
6 
Philippine Council for Agricnlture, Aquatic and Natnral Resources 
7 
Research and Development (PCAARRD), shall establish and maintain a 
8 
comprehensive farm tourism information system,. which shall serve as a 
9 
repository of all educational research and information related to farm 
10 
tourism. The DOT and DA, in coordination with concerned agencies, shall 
11 . 
likewise establish pilot £alms in identified areas and prescribe the highest 
12 
standards for the operation and maintenance of such tourism farms; 
13 
t 
Market Promotion and Development - The DOT, together with the 
14 
DTI, shall link-up agribusiness cooperatives and organizations directly 
15 
with consumers' cooperatives and organizations. This also includes 
16 
exploring national and international markets and facilitating the 
17 
participation of local farm tourism professionals and operators in local 
18 
and international conferences, trade fairs and exlubits; 
19 
g. 
Infrastructure Development - The Department of Public Works and 
20 
Highways (DPWH) in cooperation with the concerned agencies shall 
21 
prepare and implement a nationwide plan for the development of farm 
22 
tourism markets; prioritize the construction of farm-.to-market roads 
23 
linking the farm tourism sites to markets, bus terminals, airports, train 
24 
stations, ports and highways; and 
25 
h. 
Estnblishment of Tourism Farms - Within the scope of the five-year 
26 
development framework, the DA shall encourage the establishment of at 
27 
least one (1) tourism farm in every province in the country. 
28 
SEC. 5. Implementing Agency. - There is hereby created a Philippine Farm 
29 
Tourism Industry Development Coordinating Council (PF IlOCq, herein referred to as 
30 
the Council, administratively attached to the DOT, charged with the main function of 
31 
coordinating the activities of the various agencies and instrumentalities to ensure the 
32 
development and promotion of farm tourism in the country. H ever practicable and 
33 
required, the Chairman of the Council shall submit an annual report to both Houses of 
34 
Congress on the status of the implementation of this Act. 
35 
The Council shall have the following specific functions: 
36 
a. 
Prepare and implement a Comprehensive National Farm Tourism 
37 
Industry Development PIan; 
38 
b. 
Recommend to the DA and DOT the areas that are prime for farm 
39 
tourism but require infrastructure projects such as farm to market roads; 
40 
c. 
Encourage the establishment of at least one (1) tourism farm in 
41 
every province in the country; 
42 


1 
d 
Launch and pursue a nationwide educational campaign to help 
2 
realize the policies and provisions of this Act; 
3 
e. 
Establish and maintain a comprehensive farm tourism information 
4 
system; 
5 
f. 
Formulate and implement farm tourism research and development 
6 
projects, such as, but not limited to, organic farming, aqua culture, 
7 
duckweed culture, livestock and poultry raising, aimed at increasing 
8 
resource productivity, improving resource use efficiency, and ensuring 
9 
the long-term sustainability of the country's farm tourism program; 
10 
g. 
Provide for the registration, accreditation and the issuance of 
11 
identification cards to farm tourism professionals and operators; 
12 
h. 
Assist the LGUs in developing their technical capability in the 
13 
development, management, regulation, conservation, and protection of 
14 
farm tourism sites; 
15 
i 
Provide avenues for quality trainings, seminars, conventions, 
16 
workshops among others; 
17 
j. 
Monitor and' review farm tourism agreements between Filipino 
18 
citizens and foreigners who.seek to invest in the farm tourism sector; 
19 
k. Establish cooperation among farm tourism stakeholders, financial 
20 
institutions, government agencies, non-govemment organizations, people's 
21 
organizations and other like-minded institutions and individuals in terms of 
22 
partoerships and linkages; 
23 
1. Enforce all laws, formulate and enforce all rules and regulations governing 
24 
the conservation and management of farm tourism sites; and 
25 
m. Perform such other related 
functions 
which shall promote the 
26 
development, promotion, conservation, management, protection and 
27 
utilization of farm tourism sites. 
28 
SEC. 6. Council Composition. -The Council shall be composed of the following: 
29 
a. Secretary of the Department of Tourism as Chairman; 
30 
b. Secretary of the Department of Agriculture as Vice-Chairman; 
31 
c. Undersecretary for Tourism Planning and Promotions of the DOT as head of the 
32 
Council Secretariat; 
33 
d. Director of the DA-Agricultural Technical Institute as head of the Technical 
34 
Working Group; 
35 
e. Secretary of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR); 
36 
f. Secretary of the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH); 
37 
38 


1 
g. Secretary of the Department of Trade and Industry (DTT); 
2 
h. Secretary of the Deparbnent of Agrarian Refonn (DAR); 
3 
i. Secretary of the Commission on Higher Education (CHEd); 
4 
j. Secretary of the Deparbnent of Education (DepEd); 
5 
k. Director General of the Philippine Information Agency (PIA); 
6 
I. Executive Director of the DOST -PCAARRD; 
7 
m. Representative from the League of Municipalities of the Philippines; 
8 
n. Representative from the League of Cities of the Philippines; and 
9 
o. Two (2) representatives from farm tourism associations/organizations 
10 
recognized by the DA or DOT. 
11 
The Council shall regularly meet every three months and may hold special 
12 
meetings, whenever the need arises, to consider urgent matters upon the call of the 
13 
Chairman or any eight (8) Council members. 
14 
SEC. 7. Council Secretariat. - The Council Secretariat shall be headed by the 
15 
Undersecretary for Tourism Planning and ProIDotions of the DOT. Technical support 
16 
shall be provided by the Technical Working Group as headed by the Director of the 
17 
Agricultural Training Institute of the DA-
18 
The Secretariat and technical staff shall be detailed from the existing personnel of the 
19 
Deparbnent of Tourism without prejudice to the designation by the Council of such 
20 
additional staff members as it may deem necessary for the proper discharge of its 
21 
functions and responsibilities. 
22 
SEC. 8. Strict Adherence with En:oi1'Oll1lfelltll1 Laws. - The utilization and 
23 
development of all fann tourism sites under this Act shall be regulated by the DENR 
24 
pursuant to all laws and statutes on the utilization and protection of natural resources 
25 
and the environment, and must strictly comply with the land use plan approved by the 
26 
local government unit concerned and the requirements imposed by existing DENR 
27 
rules, regulations and other issuances, taking into consideration the sustainable use and 
28 
development of £ann tourism sites. 
29 
SEC 9. Incentives and Tax ExempHons. ~ Duly accredited fann tourism professionals 
30 
and operators are entitled to incentive> and tax: .exemptions pursu<mi: to the following 
31 
provisions of the law: 
32 
a) Section 24 of Republic Act 10068 or the Organic Agriculture Act of 2010; 
33 
b) Section 62 of Republic Act 6938 or the Cooperative Code of the Philippines; 
34 
c) Section 133 (m) and (n) of Republic Act 7160 or the Local Government Code 
35 
of 1991; 
36 
d) Section 109 of RA 8435 or the Agriculture and Fisheries Modernization Act 
37 
of 1997, as amended by Republic Act 9281; 
38 


1 
e) Chapter 3 (Credit) of Republic Act 8435 or the Agriculture and Fisheries 
2 
Modernization Act of 1997; 
3 
f) Article 2 of the Agri-Agra Reform Credit Act of 2009; and 
4 
g) Sections 7, 8, 9 and 10 of Republic Act 9178 or the Barangay Micro Business 
5 
Enterprises (BMBE's) Act of 2002. 
6 
SEC. to. Registration and Accreditation of Fann Tourism Operations. - The 
7 
Council shall provide guidelines and criteria in the registration of farm tourism 
8 
operations. The DOT shall assess the application and endorse the result to the Council 
9 
for approval. The registration shall be on a voluntary basis. There is no fee for 
10 
registration and the list will be made available to the public by the CoUncil. All 
11 
registered operations will be promoted by the DA and DOT in conjunction with all 
12 
other tQurism and rural development promotions. Registration is valid for five (5) years. 
13 
SEC.tt. Warning Signage at Fann Tourism Locations. 
14 
1) Every farm tourism professional must post and maintain signs that contain 
15 
the warning notice specified in subsection (3) of this section. The sign must be 
16 
placed in a clearly visible location at the entrance to the farm tourism location 
17 
and at the site of the farm tourism activity. The warning notice must consist 
18 
of a sign in black letters with each letter to be a minimum of one inch in 
19 
height. Every written contract entered into by a farm tourism professional for 
20 
the providing of professional services, instruction. or the rental of equipment 
21 
to a participant, whether or not the contract involves farm tourism activities 
22 
on or off the location or at the site of the farm tourism activity. must contain 
23 
in clearly readable print the warning notice specified in subsection (2) of this 
24 
section. 
25 
2) The signs and contract described in subsection (1) of this section must contain 
26 
the following notice of warning: 
27 
'Warning: Under Philippine law, there is no liability for an injury to or death of 
28 
a participant in a farm tourism activity conducted at this farm tourism location if 
29 
such injury or death results from the inherent risks of the farm tourism activity. 
30 
Inherent risks of farm tourism activities include, among others, risks of injury 
31 
inherent to land, equipment, and animals, as well as the potential for you to act 
32 
in a negligent manner that may contribute to your injury or death. You are 
33 
assuming the risk of participating in this farm tourism activity. II 
34 
3) All registered operations shall provide to participants a written description of 
35 
the registered farm tourism activities upon request. This signage provides 
36 
that participants are assuming responsibility of any inherent risk. This act 
37 
does not limit the liability of willful or wanton conduct by any farm tourism 
38 
operators. 
39 
40 
41 


i' 
1 
Failure to comply with the requirement concerning warning signs and notices 
2 
provided in this subsection will prevent a farm tourism professional from invoking the 
3 
privileges of immunity provided in Section 12 in this Act. 
4 
SEC. 12. Liability of Farm Tourism Professio_ls. 
5 
1) A farm tourism professional is not liable for injury to or death of a participant 
6 
resulting from the inherent risks of farm tourism activities, so long as the 
7 
warning contained in Section 11 is posted as required and except as provided 
8 
in subsection (2) of this section. 
9 
2) A farm tourism professional can be held liable for any of the following acts: 
10 
a. Commits an act or omission that constitutes negligence of Willful or 
11 
wanton disregard for the safety of the participant, which consequently 
12 
causes injury, damage, or death to the participant. 
13 
b. Has actual knowledge or reasonably should have known of a dangerous 
14 
condition on the land, facilities, or equipment used in the activity or the 
15 
dangerous propensity of a particular animal used in such activity and 
16 
does not make the danger known to the participant, which causes injury, 
17 
damage, or death to the participant. 
18 
Any limitation on legal liability afforded by this section to a farm tourism 
19 
professional is in addition to any other limitations of legal liability otherwise provided 
20 
bylaw. 
21 
SEC. 13. Injury to Trespassers on Agricultural Lanils. - A farm tourism operator 
22 
shall not be held liable for negligence that results in the death of, injury to, or damage to 
23 
a person who has engaged or is engaging iIi conduct on the property of the farm 
24 
tourism operator that is unlawful under either Section 14 or Section 15 of this Act or 
25 
under Section 2 of the Republic Act 3815 or the Revised Penal Code of the Philippines. 
26 
SEC. 14. Posting of Signs OIl Farm Tourism Sites. - Signs prominently placed not 
27 
more than one hundred fifty (150) meters apart along, and at each comer of the 
28 
boundaries of the farm, in letters of not less than three (3) inches in height, the words 
29 
"NO TRESP ASSlNG" and in addition thereto the name! s of the farm tourism 
30 
professional and! or operator. 
31 
SEC. 15. Removal of Notices on Farm TOIlrism Sites. - It is unlawful for any 
32 
person to willfully remove, destroy, mutilate, or commit any act designed to remove. 
33 
mutilate, or reduce the legibility or effectiveness of any posted notice placed by the farm 
34 
tourisni professional and! or operator pursuant to the provisions in this Act or as 
35 
provided by law. 
36 
SEC. 16. Implementing Rules and Regulations. - The Council is hereby given fq1l 
37 
power and authority to promulgate such rules and regulations it may deem proper and 
38 
necessary for the effective implementation of this Act. 
39 
40 


1 
SEC. 17. Separability Clause. - If any part or provision of this Act is declared 
2 
unconstitutional or invalid, other parts or provisions thereof which are not affected 
3 
shall thereby continue to be in full force and effect. 
4 
SEC. 18. Repealing Clause. - All laws, decrees, executive orders, rules and 
5 
regulations and other issuances or parts thereof, inconsistent with the provisions of this 
6 
Act, are hereby repealed or modified accordingly. 
7 
SEC. 19. Effectivity Clause. - This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after its 
8 
publication in the Official Gazette or in two (2) national newspapers of general 
9 
circulation. 
10 
11 
Approved, 
12