Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Quezon City

‘TWENTIETH CONGRESS
First Regular Session

House ani No. 3362

Introduced by: Hon. Iris Marie D. Montes

AN ACT
ESTABLISHING AN AGRICULTURE INFORMATION SYSTEM IN ALL CITIES AND
MUNICIPALITIES

EXPLANATORY NOTE

An agricultural information is an agricultural information that is generated,
transformed, transferred, consolidated, received and fed back in such a manner
that these processes function synergistically to underpin knowledge utilization by
agricultural producers.’

As an essential input to agricultural education, research and development
and extension activities, agricultural information is an important factor that
interacts with other production factors such as land, labor, capital and
managerial ability.?

The Philippine Institute for Development Studies notes that “In the
Philippines, agriculture started growing at an adequate pace in the 1960s and
1970s thanks to new technologies at the time (e.g., the Green Revolution seeds).
Agribusiness also started in key export crops (e.g., bananas and pineapple), with
coconut and sugarcane enjoying a worldwide commodity price boom. However,
growth retreated in the 1980s and 1990s but recovered in the 2000s due to
another price surge in the latter part of the decade. However, in the 2010s,
growth receded to just under 2 percent.’?

Accordingly, from 2010 to 2019, the poultry industry had been the key
driver of growth in agriculture, while crops have stagnated while fisheries further
contracted in 2014-2018, faring even worse than crops primarily because of
climate change as well as overfishing and the destruction of natural habitats.

1 Réling, N. G. (1988). Extension Science. Information System in Agricultural
Development,

Cambridge University Press, Cambridge

2 Demiryirek, K., Erdem H., Ceyhan V., Atasever S., and Uysal O. (2008). “Agricultural
Information System and Communication Networks: The Case of Dairy Cattle Farmers in
Samsun Province of Turkey." Information Research 13: 343.

3 Philippine agriculture: Current state, challenges, and ways forward, Philippine Institute
for Development Studies, Policy Notes, Roehlano M. Briones, No. 2021-12 (December
2021)


The study observed that one reason behind the relatively weak
performance of agriculture is the lack of competitiveness as manifested by the
sector’s weak export performance where Philippine agricultural exports have
lagged far behind its Southeast Asian neighbors.

As of 2022, the agriculture sector posted its lowest contribution to the
national economy over a five-year period.*

This notwithstanding, the National Economic Development Authority says
that in 2023, the agriculture sector generated more than 500,000 jobs> and data
based on the Agriculture and Fisheries Indicators System from 2019 to 2023
reveals that the number of employed persons in agriculture, forestry, and fishing
(AFF) in the country reached 11.19 million in 2023, which corresponds to a 3.3
percent increase from the recorded number of employed persons in AFF during
the previous year.

Indeed, farmers and fisherfolks play a significant role in achieving
agricultural modernization and industrialization that will ensure the country’s
food security.

These farmers and fisherfolks have to be listed and identified in the
government's official list of farmers and fisherfolks to be able to enjoy various
benefits provided for them. For owners of coconut farms not more than five
hectares, tenants, tillers, growers, or farm workers, they will receive benefits
stipulated in Republic Act 11524, otherwise known as the Coconut Farmers and
Industry Trust Fund Act. They can also select or be selected as representatives
in the PCA Board. For rice farmers to be able to access the inbred rice seeds for
planting from PhilRice under the Rice Tariffication Law or RA Republic Act 11203
that created the RCEF, they have to be listed in the Registry System for Basic
Sectors in Agriculture (RSBSA).

Also, the Philippine Crop Insurance Corporation (PCIC) in order to cover
the investment of subsistence farmers and fisherfolks in agricultural production
such as in rice, corn, livestock, high value crops farmers, fishers and aqua
culturist and their nonagricultural assets, they have to be in the RSBSA. It
identifies who would be beneficiaries for different agriculture-related programs
and services of the government, including the granting of free premium for
agricultural Insurance.

The RSBSA is an electronic compilation of basic information of farmers,
farm workers, fishers, and other target agriculture-related beneficiaries of the
government.

Their data are encoded in the farmers and fishery registry system
managed by the DA Central Office.

* Agriculture sector remains lowest GDP contributor, Danessa Rivera, The Philippine Star,
June 20, 2023

5 Agriculture created more than 500,000 jobs in December—NEDA official, February 10, 2024, Presidential
Communications Office _(https://pco.gov-ph/news_releases/agriculture-created-more-than-500000-jobs-in-
december-neda-official/) Accessed on 13 July 2025


The identified beneficiaries of the Department of Agriculture, the
Department of Agrarian Reform, the Department of Environment and Natural
Resources and the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources, the Irrigators
Association have to be listed, cross checked and regularly updated in one unified
list.

In this light, this bill seeks to establish the Agriculture Information System
(AIS) in all cities and municipalities in the country to create one centralized
database under the Department of Agriculture that will link all systems to
streamline the country's agricultural planning process.

The AIS, at the local level, shall serve as an online database where
information on the demand for specific agricultural and fisheries commodities is
gathered and uploaded simultaneously with production data to enable farmers to
market their produce to buyers through online means.

Ultimately, the bill aims to advance the welfare of all Filipino farmers and
enable them to further contribute in the overall development of the country.

This measure, which was approved by the House of Representatives in the
previous Congress, i: line with Section 5, Article XIII of the 1987 Constitution,
which directs the State to “provide support to agriculture through appropriate
technology and research, and adequate financial, production, marketing, and
other support services.”

In view thereof, approval of this bill is earnestly sought.

oa Tides ies

Kababathan Kabalikatan para sa Kapakanan
‘at Kaunlaran ng Bayan (4K) Party-list


Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Quezon City

‘TWENTIETH CONGRESS
First Regular Session

HOUSE BILLNO. 3362 _

Introduced by: Hon. Iris Marie D. Montes

(AN ACT
ESTABLISHING AN AGRICULTURE INFORMATION SYSTEM IN ALL CITIES AND
MUNICIPALITIES,

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

SECTION 1. Short Title. — This Act shall be known as the “Agriculture
Information System Act.”

SEC. 2, Declaration of Policy. — It is the policy of the State to uplift the
socioeconomic conditions of farmers and farming communities nationwide in order to
promote their welfare and empower their sector in the overall development and
progress of the country. Pursuant to this, an integrated, computerized, web-based
agricultural commodity supply inventory and registry system linking farmers and
organized communities all over the country needs to be established to provide an easy-
go to-access local and global real time information for agricultural commodities, with an
end view of creating a wider range of market linkages among farmers and
agricultural buyers. Furthermore, through a synchronized agriculture information
system, the National Government shall have access to real-time agricultural
information which can rationalize the objectives and policy directives in the
agricultural sector.

SEC. 3. Objectives, —This Act aims to attain the following objectives:

(a) Provide an up-to-date database of agricultural and fisheries products
ina locality;

(b) Foster information sharing between farmers and potential buyers
of agricultural and fisheries products;

(c) Secure a market for agricultural and fisheries products and ensure
appropriate return of investment for farmers and fisheries stakeholders;

(d) Allow local government units to manage a secure and independent
platform that creates linkages for farmers and fisheries stakeholders;

(e) Provide data on specific commodities that are readily available in a
particular locality for purposes of production monitoring in order to meet the
demands of the market; Provide a secure, transparent, and independent modern


web application that may be accessed anytime by the public through a multi-
platform support or cross-platform support devices which can be linked to existing
systems in the Department of Agriculture (DA); Streamline training and seminars
in the management of the operations;

(d) Allow local government units to manage a secure and independent
platform that creates linkages for farmers and fisheries stakeholders;

(e) Provide data on specific commodities that are readily available in a
particular locality for purposes of production monitoring in order to meet the
demands of the market;

(f) Provide a secure, transparent, and independent modern web application
that may be accessed anytime by the public through a multi-platform support or
cross-platform support devices which can be linked to existing systems in the
Department of Agriculture (DA);

(g) Streamline training and seminars in the management of the operations;

(h) Monitor the use of inputs given by producers, buyers, and other segments
of the value-chain including information during post-harvest and processing; and

(2 Ensure that all forms of assistance given to local government units
(LGUs), registered cooperatives and other qualified individuals and organizations
are monitored.

SEC. 4. Agriculture Information System. — All cities and municipalities are
hereby mandated to establish an Agriculture Information System (AIS). The AIS
shall serve as a dynamic online computer database where information on the
demand for specific agricultural and fisheries commodities is gathered and
uploaded simultaneously with the production data from farmers in every barangay.
The AIS shall merge and synchronize agricultural data from different sources into a
cohesive database designed to facilitate linkages from place of origin or the farm to
local, and ultimately, global markets. The AIS shall also be integrated with the
existing systems of the DA.

The information system shall have the following features and contents:

(a) Municipal and city-wide identification of individual farmers, fish breeders,
and fisherfolk as well as qualified organizations which produce specific farm and
fisheries products, regardless of quantity;

(b) Crop harvest, volume, and type forecasting;

(c) Inventory of specific classification of crop varieties planted, livestock
and type of fish raised in a particular LGU;

(d) Farmers’ and fisherfolk demographics, induding age group, gender, ethnic
group, income, seminars and trainings attended, and assistance received;

(e) Selected reports presented in both tabular and graphical form;


(f) Registry of farmers’ contact details and farm location to facilitate market
linkages;

(g) Search engine which allows farmers, fish breeders, and fisherfolk to look
for potential and actual buyers and for such buyers to search for farms, farmers, and
available agricultural and fisheries products; and

(h) Customizable dashboard which is accessible only to registered farmers
and fisherfolk clients and contains the farmers and fisherfolk's profile such as the
area of the farm or fishpond, crops planted, livestock and type of fish raised.

SEC. 5. Registration. — All cities and municipalities shall encourage and
facilitate the free registration of all farmers, fisherfolk, as well as buyers transacting
within their respective areas in the Information System.

SEC. 6. Functions and Responsibilities of Cities and Municipalities. — The
LGU shall exercise the following functions and responsibilities:

(a) The Municipal Agriculture Office, in coordination with the Municipal
Agrarian Reform Office, shall gather, encode, and consolidate all pertinent
data on the profile and demographics of farmers, fisherfolk as well as buyers;

(b) Monitor and contro! farm inputs including machineries and equipment;

(c) For municipalities and component cities, prepare and submit real time data
under (a) and (b) to the provincial agricultural office and to the respective regional
offices of the DA;

(d) For highly urbanized cities, submit real time data to the respective
regional offices of the DA;

(e) Establish farmer and buyer linkages and act as a gatekeeper at the
city or municipal level in the nationwide marketing of agricultural products; and

(e) Serve as the Web administrator at the municipal or city level and
be responsible for integrating farm and fisheries locations into the geographic
integration system map.

SEC. 7. Functions and Responsibilities of the Province. — The provincial

government shall have the following functions and responsibilities:

(a) The Provincial Planning and Development Office (PPDO) is the web
administrator at the provincial level and is responsible for integrating farm and
fisheries data into the geographic integration system maps for agriculture and
fisheries;

(b) The Local Economic and Investment Promotion Office (LEIPO)
acts as the lead administrator of the AIS in the provincial level and ensures the
balance between supply and demand;

(©) The Provincial Agricultural Office monitors the submission of reports from
municipalities and component cities, and ensures the completeness, accuracy,

5


and validity of data submitted by the Municipal Agricultural Offices and the
Municipal Agrarian Reform Offices; and

(d) Except for highly urbanized cities, prepare and submit such data to the
regional office of the DA.

SEC. 8. Functions and Responsibilities of the Regional Office of the DA. —
The regional office of the DA shall have the following functions and responsibilities:

(a) Integrate the data provided by the provinces and highly urbanized cities
in the existing information systems of the DA such as the National Farmers and
Fisheries Information System (NFFIS) which is a web-based data collection system
that serves as a platform for updating the Registry System for Basic Sectors in
Agriculture (RSBSA);

(b) Collaborate with the regional offices of the Department of Trade and
Industry (DTI) in order to facilitate the availment of the various programs of the
DTI as well as strengthen market linkages through such programs;

(c) Recommend to the central office of the DA appropriate interventions
in the form of marketing, importation, and training assistance, as may be needed;

(d) Validate the data from the LGUs acting as the system administrator at
the regional levels and provide real-time report to the central office of the DA; and

(e) Endorse for financial assistance the qualified fifth and sixth class
municipalities that can be given assistance in establishing and maintaining their
respective AIS.

SEC. 9. Functions and Responsibilities of the Central Office of the DA. —
The central office of the DA shall have the following functions and responsibilities:

(a) Allocate blinding for the integration of the AIS with existing information
systems;

(b) Coordinate with the Department of Information and Communications
Technology (DICT) to upgrade, expand, and integrate its information systems;

(c) Ensure that the implementation, appropriate verification processes
and information safeguards are in place pursuant to existing laws and regulations, in
coordination with the DICT, Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA), National
Privacy Commission (NPC), Department of the Interior and Local Government
(DILG) and the Department of Science and Technology (DOST);

(d) Approve the prioritized interventions by the regional offices and allocate
corresponding funding;

(e) Collaborate with other agencies for the creation of market linkages in
the domestic and intemational markets; and

(f) Provide safety nets in the import and export of agricultural products in
order to support farmers.


SEC. 10. Duties of the Secretary. _— The Secretary of the DA shall
monitor and ensure the compliance of all cities and municipalities as
provided for under this Act and shall, as soon as practicable, establish a
centralized AIS that shall integrate and link all existing agricultural
information systems in the country.

SEC. 11. Reports. — The Secretary of the DA shall prepare and submit to
the President and both Houses of Congress an annual report on the
implementation of the program which shall contain information on accomplishments
achieved and recommendations for improvements thereof.

SEC. 12. Appropriations. — The Secretary of Agriculture shall include in the
Department's programs the establishment of the integrated and centralized AIS,
the funding of which shall be included in the annual General Appropriations
Act. The LGUs shall provide the necessary funds for the establishment of
an AIS in their respective annual budgets.

SEC. 13. Implementing Rules and Regulations. — Within ninety (90)
days after the effectivity of this Act, the Secretary of Agriculture shall
promulgate rules and regulations for the effective implementation of this Act.

SEC. 14. Separability Clause. — If any provision of this Act is declared
invalid or unconstitutional,the other provisions not affected by such declaration
shall remain in full force and effect.

SEC. 15. Repealing Clause. — All laws, presidential decrees, executive orders,
ules and regulations or parts thereof which are inconsistent with the provisions
of this Act are hereby repealed or modified accordingly.

SEC. 16, Effectivity. — This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after its
publication in the Official Gazette or in a newspaper of general circulation.

Approved,