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

EIGHTEENTH CONGRESS
Second Regular Session

7085

HOUSE BILL NO.

Introduced by ANG PROBINSYANO
Party-List Representative Alfred Delos Santos

EXPLANATORY NOTE

“The State shall recognize the right of farmers, farmworkers, and
landowners, as well as cooperatives, and other independent farmers’
organizations to participate in the planning, organization, and
management of the program, and shall provide support to
agriculture through appropriate technology and research, and
adequate financial, production, marketing, and other support
services.” (ARTICLE XIII, SECTION 5)

Despite being a predominantly agricultural country and the emphasis of the
advancement of the agriculture sector within the Constitution, the number of
Filipinos entering the agriculture industry is decreasing. Although the second-
largest labor sector in the country, we are seeing a sharp decline in the numbers
of those who are interested to pursue a career or a profession in this field as
evidenced in the average age of farmers at 60 years old.

A lot of other factors and issues are bringing about the difficult situation that
the agriculture sector is facing in the Philippines. The recent crisis brought about
by the COVID-19 tested our country’s ability to supply food for countrymen.
Moreover, the continued rise in our country’s population has become a more
relevant concern as the challenge of food security considering the current state
of our agricultural sector’s capacity.

With the aforementioned issues, it is only a logical response to invest in the
agriculture sector so that we can address these issues and at the same time
promote rural development and agricultural research, and establish food
security capable of supporting our country without relying too much on import
from other countries.


Investing in our youth is crucial in achieving this goal. There remains a huge
problem in inviting the youth to partake in this endeavor because of the current
situation of the agriculture sector and the better opportunities that other sectors
offer.

In order to engage the youth in this undertaking, we need to revitalize the image
of agriculture and provide avenues for growth and innovation within the
agriculture sector through education by giving out scholarships and revisiting
education curricula and various programs involving training, research,
partnerships, and business enterprises.

The youth’s ability as problem-solvers and changemakers will make this
endeavor possible and move the nation forward in advancing the state of the
agriculture sector. Through this bill, we are creating a supportive environment
for the youth to be able to find innovative possibilities where they create a future
not only for themselves but also for their communities and the whole of the
Filipino society. As the Constitution provides:

“The State recognizes the vital role of the youth in nation-building
and shall promote and protect their physical, moral, spiritual,
intellectual, and social well-being. It shall inculcate in the youth
patriotism and nationalism, and encourage their involvement in
public and civic affairs.” (ARTICLE Il, SECTION 13)

With the future of our country in mind, the passing of this bill is utmostly requested.

ALFRED C. DELOS SANTOS
Representative, Ang Probinsyano Partylist


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

EIGHTEENTH CONGRESS:
Second Regular Session

HOUSE BILL NO. 7085

Introduced by ANG PROBINSYANO
Party-List Representative Alfred Delos Santos

AN ACT PROMOTING AGRICULTURE AMONG FILIPINO YOUTH

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

SECTION 1. Short Title. - This Act shall be known as the “Kabataan Para
sa Pagsasaka Act of 2020.”

SECTION 2. Declaration of Policy. — In recognition of the huge role of
agriculture and the youth in developing our country, it is the policy of the State
to promote and support endeavors that will facilitate sustainable agricultural
development and provide avenues for active involvement and dignified status
within the agricultural sector.

Towards this end, the goals and objectives of this Act are to:

1. Recognize the crucial role of the agricultural sector as a fundamental
aspect of economic growth and societal development

2. Rebuild and recreate a new, lively, and positive image of agriculture,
especially within the youth sector

3. Revitalize the youth’s interest in agriculture through various
programs and institutional linkages and partnerships

4. Adapt and modernize education curriculum on agriculture to
include leadership, management, and business subjects

5. Promote and support research and development within the
agriculture sector to find ways to advance sustainable development
and adapting to climate change

SECTION 3. National Network of Agricultural Educational Institutions. - To
facilitate institutional connections for the implementation of the Act, there shall


be an establishment of a national network of higher education institutions that
offers agricultural courses.

SECTION 4. Higher Education Scholarships. - The Commission on Higher
Education (CHED) shall establish and allocate funds for a priority scholarship
program for those who will be taking up undergraduate, Masters, and Doctoral
programs related to agriculture. The Commission on Higher Education (CHED)
shall provide subsidies to higher education institutions in order to increase
enrollment on agriculture-related programs.

Further, the Commission on Higher Education (CHED), in cooperation with the
National Network of Agricultural Educational Institutions in Section 3, shall
coordinate and link with universities abroad who are offering postgraduate
programs on agriculture and create a continuing education program primarily
intended for instructors of higher education institutions on agriculture to
improve on teaching and research.

SECTION 5. Revising Higher Education Curricula on Agriculture. —
Education curriculum on agriculture courses in higher education institutions
shall undergo revision to include other subjects that respond to the needs of the
labor market and capacitate enterprise and development in the agricultural
sector.

This will include subjects such as, but not limited to:
Agribusiness and Entrepreneurship

Leadership and Management in Agriculture Industry

Agriculture and Information and Communication Technology (ICT)
Agricultural Research and Technology

Legal Agricultural Framework

Agriculture and Rural Development

QAP onr

Further, the Commission on Higher Education (CHED) shall spearhead a
consultative committee with members from the Department of Agriculture (DA),
Department of Agrarian Reform (DAR), higher education institutions, and other
relevant stakeholders in the process of revising higher education curriculum
pertaining to agriculture.

SECTION 6. Vocational Training Programs. - To promote further
enhancement of agricultural skills of rural youth, the Department of Agriculture
- Agricultural Training Institute (DA-ATI) and the Technical Education and Skills
Development Authority (TESDA) shall create enhanced training programs to
include leadership, capacity building, and business management aspects and
training of professional instructors to meet the needs of the labor market and
improve agribusiness management and opportunities.


Further, the Department of Agriculture - Agricultural Training Institute (DA-ATI)
and Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA), in
partnership with the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI), shall create
apprenticeship opportunities for farmers, especially the youth, with rural
agricultural micro, small, and medium enterprise (MSMEs) to enhance
entrepreneurial skills.

SECTION 7. Internship. - The Department of Labor and Employment
(DOLE) shall connect with various institutions such as the Department of
Agriculture (DA), Department of Agrarian Reform (DAR), International Rice
Research Institute (IRRI), Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) of the United
Nations, to provide internship opportunities for individuals, especially students,
who are involved with the agriculture sector.

SECTION 8. Establishment of Youth Resource Centers for Agriculture. ~ In
order to provide the youth with various resources on the study and practical
application of agriculture and other various agri-related programs, the
Department of Agriculture (DA), Department of Agrarian Reform (DAR),
Commission on Higher Education (CHED), in cooperation with the National
Network of Agricultural Educational Institutions, shall establish at least (1) main
Youth Resource Center for Agriculture in each province and if possible, an annex
center in each higher education institution providing agricultural courses.

The Youth Resource Center for Agriculture shall contain training materials,
educational resources, applicable technological equipment, and other relevant
resources related to the study and further appreciation of the agriculture sector.

Further, the Department of Science and Technology (DOST) and the Department
of Information and Communication Technology (DICT) shall be responsible for
creating technological services in these Centers to capacitate ICT learning for
youth with regards to agriculture.

SECTION 9. Youth for Agriculture Council. - There shall be a youth council
under the supervision of National Youth Council (NYC) made to monitor and
evaluate the implementation of the Act and propose further programs that
respond to the aim to invite the youth in the agriculture sector. There shall be
seven (7) members which shall include students-representatives of various
higher educational institutions offering agricultural courses.

SECTION 10. Implementing Rules and Regulation. - Within three (3)
months from the effectivity of this Act, the Chairperson of the Commission on
Higher Education, Director-General of the TESDA, National Director of the DA-
Agricultural Training Institute, Undersecretary for Department of Agriculture -
Administration, Agribusiness, and Marketing, and Regional Engagement, and
the Undersecretary of the Department of Agrarian Reform Foreign Assisted and
Special Projects Office (FASPO) shall form an ad hoc committee composed of two


representatives from each of their agencies to formulate the implementing Rules
and Regulations of this Act. Two representatives from the Agriculture Committee
of both Houses of Congress shall join the meetings as observers.

SECTION 11. Appropriations. — An initial fund of P500 million shall be
appropriated for the immediate implementation of this Act. Thereafter, such
sums as may be necessary for the continued operations and maintenance of the
programs shall be included in the annual General Appropriations Act.

SECTION 12. Separability Clause. - If any provision or part of this Act is
held invalid or unconstitutional, the remaining provisions or parts unaffected
shall remain in full force and effect.

SECTION 13. Repealing Clause. - All laws, executive orders, presidential
decrees or issuances, letters of instruction, administrative orders, rules, and
regulations contrary to or inconsistent with the provisions of this Act are hereby
repealed, amended, or modified accordingly.

SECTION 14. Bffectivity Clause. - This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days
after its publication in the Official Gazette or in a newspaper of general
circulation.

Approved,