EIGHTEENTH CONGRESS OF THE 
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES 
First Regular Session
S. No.
SENATE
474
'tDl.if d[ :!r 
r rtTi "
*19 
JUL 15 
A10 39
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Introduced by Senator Ralph G. Recto
AN ACT
PROVIDING FOR THE FAIR AND EQUITABLE ALLOCATION OF FARM-TO- 
MARKET ROADS PROJECTS OF THE DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE
EXPLANATORY NOTE
Farm-to-market roads offer distinct advantages to the agricultural sector. One, it 
increases farmers' profit, reduces transportation costs and post-harvest losses and 
introduces competition among traders and suppliers alike. Second, it provides access to 
social services and agricultural support services, which in turn improves productivity of 
farm workers and enhances agricultural efficiency.
Farm-to-market roads also serve other developmental roles in the countryside. In 
an Asian Development Bank (ADB) study on the effectiveness of poverty reduction 
interventions on agrarian reform communities in the Philippines, it was observed that rural 
infrastructure -  roads, in particular -  has the strongest impact on poverty1. Rural road 
development can lead to influx of micro and small investments, short-term employment, 
enhancement of quality and frequency of public transportation, and improved access to 
medical, health, and other social services. As former National Economic Development 
Authority Director General Arsenio Balisacan argued, "investment in land quality and in 
access to infrastructure, together with sound fundamentals (i.e., fiscal and monetary 
restraint), are critical to the building of initial conditions for broad-based growth and 
development2."
For Fiscal Year 2019, P10.21 billion was appropriated under the budget of the 
Department of Agriculture (DA) for farm-to-market road projects. However, such 
appropriations came with no institutionalized mechanism to ensure equitable distribution 
of government appropriations for farm-to-market roads. This situation renders the
1 Setboonsarng, S. (2008 June). U ie  Impact of Rural Infrastructure and Agricultural Support Services on Poverty: The Case of Agrarian
Reform Communities in the Philippines. ADB Institute Discussion Paper No. 110. Tokyo: Asian Development Bank Institute.
2 Balisacan, A. M. (2001 February). Pathways of Poverty Reduction, Rurai Deveiopment and Transmission Mechanisms in the Philippines.
Paper presented at the Asia and Pacific Forum on Poverty: Reforming Policies and Insbtubons for Poverty Reduction. Manila, 
Philippines.


allocation of farm -to-m arket roads vulnerable to exploitation by unscrupulous individuals 
who seek to further their own personal and political interests.
This bill seeks to make countryside development inclusive through fair and 
equitable distribution of government resources. It establishes a formula for the allocation 
of farm -to-m arket road appropriations, taking into account the exigencies of factors such 
as land area and population. Additionally, it penalizes willful misallocation of farm -to- 
market road appropriations with incarceration and perpetual disqualification to hold public 
office. Through the adoption of criteria for farm-to-market roads allocation, this bill seeks 
to ensure that no locality shall be left behind.
In light of this, the approval of this bill is earnestly sought.
/mdg


EIGHTEENTH CONGRESS OF THE 
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES 
First Regular Session
S. No
SENATE
474
f;;.
^ j," 'A<5f'iri'nf ; l| i'; 
ft«i«
•19 
JUL 15 
A10:39
K L l L>' : r..,
Introduced by Senator Ralph G. Recto
AN ACT
PROVIDING FOR THE FAIR AND EQUITABLE ALLOCATION OF FARM-TO- 
MARKET ROADS PROJECTS OF THE DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE
Be it  enacted by the Senate and House o f Representatives o f the Philippines in Congress 
assembled:
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Section 1. Short Title. -  This Act shall be known as the "Farm-to-Market Roads fo r
2 
AH A ct o f 2019."
3 
Sec. 2. Declaration o f Policy. -  It is hereby declared the policy of the State to
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encourage rural development and to empower the agricultural sector towards meaningful
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and inclusive economic development. Accordingly, the State shall provide for the
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development of the agricultural sector of the entire country through the fair and equitable
7 
provision of adequate and appropriate services, infrastructure and resources. With this end
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in view, the State shall ensure the effective utilization of government resources through
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the establishment of a mechanism that would ensure the fair and equitable allocation of
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farm -to-m arket road projects of the Department of Agriculture (DA).
11 
Sec. 3. Definition o f Farm-to-Market Road. -  For the purpose of this Act, the term
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"Farm-to-Market Road" refers to a road linking the agriculture and fisheries production
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sites, coastal landing points or post-harvest facilities to the markets, and arterial roads or
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highways.
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Sec. 4. Allocation o f Farm-to-Market Roads. -  Notwithstanding any provision of the
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law to the contrary, the appropriations for farm-to-market road projects under the DA
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shall be allocated among provinces and municipalities in the following manner:
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(a) Thirty percent (30% ) of farm-to-market road appropriations to be allocated for
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provinces; and
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(b) Seventy percent (70% ) of farm-to-market road appropriations to be allocated
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for municipalities:


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Provided, That the share of each province and municipality shall be determined on the 
basis of the following formula:
(a) Twenty-five percent (25% ) of farm-to-market road appropriations to be 
allocated pro rata according to the population of the province or municipality in relation to 
the total population of the country;
(b) Fifty percent (50% ) of farm-to-market road appropriations to be allocated pro 
rata according to the land area of the province or municipality in relation to the total land 
area of the country; and
(c) Twenty-five percent (25% ) of farm-to-market road appropriations to be 
allocated equally among the provinces or municipalities.
Sec. 5. Im plementing Rules and Regulations. -  Within sixty (60) days from the 
effectivity of this Act, the DA shall, in coordination with the Department of Public Works 
and Highways (DPWH) and the Department of Budget and Management (DBM), 
promulgate the necessary rules and regulations to effectively implement the provisions of 
this Act.
Sec. 6. Separability Clause. -  If, for any reason, any provision of this Act is declared 
unconstitutional or invalid, such parts or portions not affected thereby shall remain in full 
force and effect.
Sec. 7. Repealing Clause. -  All laws, executive orders, presidential decrees, 
issuances, rules and regulations or parts thereof inconsistent with the provisions of this Act 
are hereby repealed or modified accordingly.
Sec. 8. Effectivity. -  This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days following its 
publication in at least two (2) newspapers of general circulation or in the OfTicial Gazette.
Approved,