Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES /
Queson City

EIGHTEENTH CONGRESS
First Regular Session

1751

HOUSE BILL NO.

Introduced by HON. LUIS RAYMUND “LRAY” F. VILLAFUERTE, JR.

EXPLANATORY NOTE

At the start of the millennia, the Philippines envisioned to become the premier
agritourist destination in Asia, fusing together the tourism and agriculture industry to
produce a niche product to rival that of Japan and Thailand. The Department of
Agriculture and the Department of Tourism has since worked with institutions to push
for this potential, alongside the Southeast Asian Regional Center for Graduate Study
and Research in Agriculture, Whose top advocacy has been the promotion of farm
tourism. These agencies have since identified and developed agri-tourism sites in the
country such as Sonya's Secret Garden in Cavite, the Del Monte Plantation in
Bukidnon, and Bohol Bee Farm in Bohol, to name a few.

In 2016, then-President Benigno Aquino signed Republic Act No. 10816, also known
as the "Farm Tourism Development Act of 2016". This legislation helped gain
recognition on this niche tourism product to serve as a catalyst for the development of
agriculture and fishery communities. However, despite the push from legislation, agri-
tourism still lack the priority it demands—farm tourism was excluded from the 2017
Investment Priorities Plan

This bill intends to strengthen the current efforts to develop this form of sustainable
tourism through the creation of a Bureau of Agri-Tourism. It aims to provide a
comprehensive legislative framework for the promotion of agri-tourism in the country
and implement an Agri-Tourism Research and Development Program. This will
ensure that the long-term sustainability of this sector is prioritized

The approval of this bill is earnestly sought.



Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Quezon City

EIGHTEENTH CONGRESS
First Regular Session

HOUSE BILL NO. 1781

Introduced by HON. LUIS RAYMUND “LRAY” F. VILLAFUERTE, JR.

AN ACT
PROMOTING AGRI-TOURISM BY IDENTIFYING AREAS THAT ARE VIABLE
FOR DEVELOPMENT AND STRENGTHENING THE INDUSTRY AS A WHOLE

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

SECTION 1. Short Title. — This shall be known as the "Agri-Tourism Development Act
of 2018."

SECTION 2. Declaration of Policies. — The State recognizes that the agriculture and
fisheries sector are vital to the economy.

The State also recognizes that tourism is a primary source of income for our peopie
Particularly those in remote and underdeveloped areas of our country.

Itis hereby declared the policy of the State to promote, propagate, develop further and
implement the agri-tourism centers in the Philippines that will cumulatively help farmers
by creating other sources of income apart from their harvests. Towards this end, a
comprehensive program for the creation of agri-tourism sites is hereby established.

The State recognizes and supports the central role of the farmers, indigenous people and
other stakeholders at the grassroots in this program.


SECTION 3. Definitions. — As used in this Act, the following terms shall refer to”

a. "Agri-tourism” shall refer to the practice of inviting visitors to any stage of the
agricultural process for purposes of encouraging the sale of agricultural products
‘or to earn income through their visit;

b. "Secretary" shall refer to the Secretary of the Department of Agriculture,

SECTION 4. Creation of the Position of Undersecretary for Agri-Tourism. —

There is hereby created in the Department of Agriculture the position of Undersecretary
for Agri-Tourism, solely for the purpose of attending to the needs of the agri-tourism
industry, to be appointed by the President. Such Undersecretary shall have the following
functions:

a. set policies and formulate standards for the effective, efficient and economical
operations of the agri-tourism industry in accordance with the programs of the
government;

b. exercise overall supervision over all functions and activities of all offices and
instrumentalities and other offices related to agri-tourism including its officers;

. establish, with the assistance of the director, such regional, provincial and other
agri-tourism officers as may be necessary and appropriate and organize the
internal structure of Bureau of Agri-Tourism in such manner as is necessary for
the efficient and effective attainment of its objectives and purposes; and

d. perform such other functions as may be necessary or proper to attain the
objectives of this Act.

SECTION 5. Creation of the Bureau of Agri-Tourism. — The Bureau of AgriTourism (BAT)
is hereby created with the following functions:

a. prepare and implement a Comprehensive National Agri-Tourism Industry
Development Plan;

b. recommend to Congress and to the President the areas that are prime for agri-
tourism but require infrastructure projects such as farm-to-market roads;

C. provide for the registration and the issuance of identification cards to agritourism
farmers;

d, monitor and review agri-tourism agreements between Filipino citizens and
foreigners who seek to invest in the agri-tourism sector;


€. formulate and implement a Comprehensive Agri-Tourism Research and
Development Program, such as, but not limited to, organic farming, sea farming,
sea ranching, tropical/ornamental fish and seaweed culture, plantation tours,
livestock and farm fieldtrips, aimed at increasing resource productivity, improving
resource use efficiency, and ensuring the long-term sustainability of the country's
agri-tourism program;

f. establish and maintain a Comprehensive Agri-Tourism Information System;

8. provide extensive development support services in all aspects of agri-tourism
creation and marketing;

h. provide advisory services and technical assistance on the improvement of the
industry;

i, advise and coordinate with LGUs on the maintenance of proper sanitation and
hygienic practices in agri-tourism sites;

j. coordinate with LGUs and other concerned agencies for the establishment of
productivity enhancing and market development programs in agri-tourism
communities;

k. enforce all laws, formulate and enforce all rules and regulations goveming the
conservation and management of agri-tourism sites;

|. assist the LGUs in developing their technical capability in the development,
management, regulation, conservation, and protection of agri-tourism sites;

™m. perform such other related functions which shall promote the development,
conservation, management, protection and utilization of agri-tourism sites.

SECTION 6. Composition of BAT. — As a line bureau, the BAT shall be headed by a
Director and assisted by two (2) Assistant Directors who shall supervise the
administrative and technical services of the bureau respectively. It shall establish
regional, provincial and municipal offices as may be appropriate and necessary to carry
out effectively and efficiently the provisions of this Act.
SECTION 7. Educational Campaign at all Levels. — The Department, the Commission
on Higher Education, the Department of Education and the Philippine Information
Agency shall launch and pursue a nationwide educational campaign to.

a. help realize the policies and implement the provisions of this Act;
b. promote agri-tourism and inform the public of new agri-tourist destinations; and
¢. promote the principle of sustainable development


SECTION 8. Infrastructure Support. — The Department, in cooperation with concemed
agencies, shall:

@. prepare and implement a nationwide plan for the development of agri-tourism
fishing ports and markets;

b. prioritize the construction of farm-to-market roads linking the agri-tourism sites
to markets, bus terminals, train stations, airports, coastal landing points and
arterial roads/highways;

. establish and maintain quality laboratories in identified areas and prescribe the

°

highest standards for the operation and maintenance of such agri-tourism sites;

i

|. arrange and make representations with appropriate funding institutions to
finance such facilities for the use of the agri-tourism cooperatives/associations;
and

2

- develop and strengthen marketing facilities and promote cooperative marketing
systems.

SECTION 9. Strict Compliance with Environmental Laws. — The utilization and
development of all areas under this Act shall be regulated by the Department of
Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) pursuant to all laws and statues on the
utilization and protection of natural resources and the environment, and must strictly
comply with the land use plan approved by the local goverment unit concerned and
the requirements imposed by existing DENR rules, regulations, and other issuances,
taking into consideration the sustainable use and development of the area.

SECTION 10. Incentives for Municipal and Small-Scale Agri-Tourism Businesses. —
Municipal and small-scale agri-tourism farmers shall be granted incentives which shall
include, but are not limited to, the following

a. Capability-building program for targeted parties shall be developed by the
Department to promote greater bankability and credit worthiness of municipal
and small-scale agri-tourism farmers. Such program shall include organizing
activities, technology transfer, and skills training related to agri-tourism, as well
as credit management; and

b. An information campaign shall be conducted to promote the capabilitybuilding
and credit programs. The campaign shall ensure greater information
dissemination and accessibility to targeted agri-tourism farmers.


SECTION 11. Funding. — The amount of two hundred fifty million pesos (Php
250,000,000.00) is hereby appropriated for the initial year of this Act. Every year
thereafter, Congress shall allocate an amount not less than thirty million pesos (Php
30,000,000.00) to be included in the budget of the Department for the implementation
and continued expansion of this program.

SECTION 12. implementing Rules and Regulations. — The Secretary shall adopt rules
and regulations to implement the provisions of this Act within ninety (90) days from the
date of effectivity of this Act.

SECTION 13. Separability Clause. — Should any provision herein be declared
unconstitutional, the same shall not affect the validity of the other provisions of this Act.

SECTION 14. Repealing Clause. — All laws, decrees, orders, rules, and regulations or
other issuances or parts inconsistent with the provisions of this Act are hereby
repealed, amended, or modified accordingly.

SECTION 15. Effectivity Clause. — This Act shall take effect in fifteen (15) days after

Publication in the Official Gazette or in one (1) newspaper of general circulation in the
Philippines.

Approved,