Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Quezon City
NINETEENTH CONGRESS
Second Regular Session
House Bill No.  9861
Introduced by Rep. ANGELO MARCOS BARBA
2nd District, Ilocos Norte
EXPIANATORy NOTE
The com is one of the most valuable crops in the Philippines, second to
rice.1  With about fourteen (14) million Filipinos considering com as their staple food,
and about six hundred thousand (6oo,ooo) farm households relying on com as their
primary source of livelihoodi, its significance in the country's agricultural landscape
and Filipino way of life cannot be overstated.
The  Philippine  com  industry at present has  seen  a  recent  increase  in
production,  thereby seeing  the  apparent  potential  of the  same  for  export due  to
surplus. 3   However,   the   industry  remains   relatively  underdeveloped   and  faces
challenges, such as high production costs, seeds, fertilizers, labor, environmental and
topographical  concerns,  which  largely  affect  the  entirety  of  the  country's  com
industry---both in quantity and quality.
While the Department of Agriculture (DA) and the Department of Science
and Technology (DOST) have research institutions under their wing specializing in
major crops and other related industries research, there is yet to have a specialized
research bureau that shall be tasked to conduct such intensive studies for corn, an
undervalued crop that has so much potential.
In line with the foregoing concern, this measure has been crafted. This
legislation aims to fully develop and utilize corn as one of the most essential crops in
the country, primarily in the pursuit of food security and self-sufficiency.
\Baicotide, 0. (n.a.). Corn in the Philfopines: Its Production and Research Activities With Emphasis on Dou)ng Mildeu).
Retrieved 4 September 2o23, from httus: //www.iircas.fro.iD/sites/default/files/Publication/tars/tars8-  21-ao.ndf
2Gc>m Program (n.d.). Department of Agriculture-Regional Office Ill (DA-RF0 Ill) wchsite. Rctrie`ed 4 September 2o23,
fromhttDs://rfeqLda.cov.I]h/com-nrogram/
3Philippines ready to export com; surplus harvest seen in 2oi7. (2oi7, January ig).    Dapczrz77wh o/Ag7iouJftire uAedstte.
Retrieved 4 September 2o23, from httDs: / /www.da.cov.I]h /t]hiliDDines-readv+o€xoort-com-surplus-harvestrseen-in-2o 1


2
Republic  of the  Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Quezon City
NINETEENTH CONGRESS
Second Regular Session
9861
House Bill No.
Introduced by Rep. ANGELO I`IARCOS BARBA
2nd District, Ilocos Norte
AV Aor
PROMOTING AND SUPPORTING THE DEVELOPMENT OF THE
CORN INDUSTRY, ESTABIISHING THE PHIIIPPINE CORN
RESEARCH INSTITUTE (PHIIjcoRN), AND FOR OTHER
PURPOSES, AND APPROPRIATING FUNDS THEREFOR
Be  it  enacted ky  the  Senate  cmd  the  House  Of Representatives  Of the
Philippines in Congress assembled:
SEcrloN  1.  SJiort  n.rze.  -  This Act  shall be  known  as  the  "Com
Ind:usm/ Developme:n:I Act Of 2o24."
SEcrloN 2. Declaration o/PoHc!/. -The State hereby declares its
policy to promote and support the development of the corn industry, increase
the income of corn farmers and farm workers through improved productivity,
product diversification, and employment generation.
To achieve these goals, the State shall establish productivity improvement
programs, provide the necessary infrastructure support, enhance research and
development    on    product    diversification,     provide    human    resource
development and extension services, and provide financial assistance to small
com farmers and farm workers.
SECTION  3.  Corn End:ustry  Development Committee.  - rThe
Corn   Industry  Development  Committee,   hereinafter  referred  to   as  the
Committee, is hereby created under the Office of the President, and shall be
composed the following members :
(a)        Secretary of Department of Agriculture (DA) as chairman;
0))        Secretary of Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE);


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(c)   Director  General  of Technical  Education  and  Skills  Development
Authority (TESDA) ;
(d)   Secretary of Department of Science and Technology (DOST);
(e)   Secretary  of  Department  of the  Interior  and  I.ocal  Government
(DILG);
(I)   Commissioner of commission of Higher Education (CHED);
(g)   Commissioner of Professional Regulation Commission (PRC);
(h) Secretary of National Economic Development Authority (NEDA) ;
(i)   Secretary of Department of Transportation (DOTr);
0) Secretary of Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH);
0{)   Representative of philippine Ports Authority (PPA);
0) Representative of National Irrigation Administration (NIA) ;
(in)    Secretary of Department of Environment and Natural  Resources
(DENR); and
(n) Commissioner of Bureau of Customs (BOC).
The Committee is hereby mandated to implement the provisions of this
act.
SECI'ION 4. Prodrctiuit!/ Jmprouement Progral.I.is. - To boost
the production of corn, and increase the incomes of corn farmers and farm
workers,   the   following   Productivity   Improvement   Programs   shall   be
implemented:
(a)  Fami  Support  Program  -  The  Committee,  particularly
Department  of  Agriculture  (DA)  shall  make  available  a
support  program  which  shall  include,  among  others,  the
provision  of socialized  credit,  and  farm  management  and
technical assistance services. Socialized credit shall be made
available, through the Land Bank of the Philippines (LBP),
for the  acquisition  of farm  inputs,  farm  machineries  and
implements necessary for the continuous production of corn :
Provided  that  the  loans  shall  be  made  available  to  corn
farmers duly registered with the DA: Provided, further, that
the lender shall have a lien on the harvest of farmers who
obtained the loan until the crop loan is fully paid: Provided,
finally,  that farmer  borrowers  cannot be  granted  another
loan until existing loans are fully paid.  Farm Management


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and   Technical   Assistance   Services   -   The   Committee,
particularly   the    DA,   the    Department   of   ljabor   and
Employment  (DOLE),  the  Technical  Education  and  Skills
Development  Authority   (TESDA),   state  universities   and
colleges    (SUCs),    and    other    concerned    private    and
non-government organizations (NGOs), shall formulate and
implement a deployment program of agricultural engineers,
agriculturists and farm technicians for the provision of farm
management   and   technical   assistance   services   to   corn
farmers.
a) Farm Mechanfaan.on Program  -  Com farmers and farm
workers   shall   be   encouraged   and   trained   to   utilize
appropriate agricultural machinery and equipment necessary
for the efficient planting, cultivation, care and maintenance,
harvesting and  handling of com  and  its by-products.  The
Committee,  particularly the  DA,  in  partnership  with local
government units (LGUs), consistent with the provisions of
Republic Act No. 1o6ol, otherwise known as the Agricultural
and  Fisheries  Mechanization  I.aw,   Shall:   Introduce  and
expand the use of machineries for the different stages of and
com farming; and, Formulate and implement a Corn Farm
Mechanization  Program  at the barangay level.  To develop
and  deploy  appropriate  machineries  and  equipment,  the
Committee particularly the DA, through its research centers,
in collaboration with the Philippine Center for Postharvest
Development and Mechanization, the Bureau of Agricultural
Research, SUCs, other concerned government agencies, and
industry stakeholders, shall formulate and conduct research
development   and   extension   programs   for   com   farm
mechanization and engineering.
SECTION  5.  Research  and  DetJezopmerit.  -  The  Committee,
pardcularly the  DA,  in  coordination  with  the  Department  of Science  and
Technology (DOS T), as we" as relevant SUCs, and government research and
development institutions, and the private sector, shall intensify researches on
high yielding or flood resistant com varieties; pest control and prevention;
latest farming and harvesting technologies; soil analysis and fertility mapping
of com areas; weather monitoring and climate change adaptation measures;
and other viable products that can be derived from corn,
SEcrl0N 6. Ej[£enst.ori SertJfces. - Extension services that can be
provided shall include, but not limited to, provision of technical assistance and


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advice,  conduct  of tests,  propagation,  and  dissemination  of high  yielding
varieties, and operation of demonstration farms.
SECITORT    7.    Hu:man   Resources    Development.    -   The
Committee,   particularly  the   DOLE,   in  collaboration  with  the   DA,   the
Commission  of  Higher  Education  (CHED),  the  TESDA  the  Professional
Regulation Commission  (PRC),  and the private sector, shall formulate  and
implement a Human Resources Development (HRD) Master Plan for the corn
industry which shall include, but not limited to, the following:
(a) Capacity-building, skills trainings, institutional strengthening of corn
industry workers and small farmers and their organizations to actively
contribute in productivity and competitiveness;
a) Conduct of capability trainings or attendance to local or international
trainings and seminars by corn farmers and farm workers on the latest
technologies related to corn farming and production of other products
from corn;
(c)  Formulation   and   implementation   of  competency  standards   and
training regulations for technical vocational education and training for
the corn industry by the TESDA;
(d)  Scholarship programs for the underprivileged but deserving college
and postgraduate students who are taking up courses in relevant fields
of discipline in SUCs which have programs in agriculture, agricultural
engineering   and   mechanics,   and   chemical   engineering;   and   for
vocational  courses  and  skills  development  for  farmers  and  farm
technicians and skilled corn farm workers; and
(e) Upgrading of facilities, faculty development and strengthening of the
on-the-].ob   training    programs    for   agri-based   higher   education
institutions in corn areas towards the production of highly employable
and globally competitive graduates needed by the corn industry.
SECI'ION 8. Jnrfuusrfucfure Support. - To facilitate the transport,
marketing and expolt of corn produce and other products derived there from,
and complement produchvity improvement measures in this Act, transport
infrastructures,   farm-to   market   roads   and   irrigation   facilities   shall   be
provided.
(a)   rransporf     J7ifastrttcfures     -     The     National     Economic
Development Authority  (NEDA),  the  Department  of Transportation
(DOTR), the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH), and


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the  Philippine  Ports  Authority  (PPA)  shall  include  in  their  annual
Development Plans and Priority Investment Programs the immediate
construction and/or improvement of existing transloading ports for
coast-wide  transport,  sale  or  export  of corn  products  in  key  corn
producing areas.
0))  Fat.i'n-to-Market Roads - The NEDA, the DA, the DPWII, and
concerned local government units (LGUs), shall include in their annual
Priority  Investment  Programs  the  immediate  construction  and/or
rehabilitation of farm-to-market roads in key corn producing areas.
(c)   Jm.gait.on  - The National Irrigation Administration (NIA), the
Bureau  of  Soils  and  Water  Management  (BSWM),  and  concerned
LGUs,  in  coordination  with  the  DA,  shall  construct  appropriate,
efficient  and  cost  effective  irrigation  facilities,   pump   and  other
pressurized irrigation  systems,  rain  capture  and water  impounding
facilities in corn producing areas. The DA and NIA shall include in its
annual budget the item or provision on construction and rehabilitation
of irrigation facilities, rain capture and water impounding facilities in
corn producing areas.
SHCTroEN 9 . Classiifecation and Regulation Of Supply Of Corm.
-  The  Committee,  particularly  the  DA,  in  the  exercise  of  its  regulatory
authority,   shall   classify   imported   com   according   to   their   appropriate
classification when imported at a time that domestic productions are sufficient
to meet domestic requirements. The Bureau of Customs (BOC) shall require
importers  or  consignees  to  secure  from  the  DA  the  classification  of the
imported corn prior to its release.
SECI`I0N lo. Approprt.ah.ous. - In the succeeding years from the
effectivity of this Act, the amount of Four billion pesos (P 4,ooo,ooo,ooo.oo)
shall be appropriated annually and to be allocated as follows:
(a) Twenty percent (2o%) for socialized credit under the Farm Support
and Farm Mechanization Programs;
a)Fifteen     percent     (15%)     for     research     and     development,
capability-building    and    technology   transfer    activities    under
Research   and   Development,   Extension   Services   and   Human
Resources Development;
(c) Fifteen percent (5%) for scholarship grants to be provided under
paragraph (d) of Section 7 of this Act; and


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(d) Fifty percent (6o%) for infrastructure support programs.
In  the  identification  and  prioritization  of  specific  programs  and
projects, the Committee, particularly the DA shall conduct prior consultations
with corn farmers and farm workers, and producers of corn by-products. The
Committee shall issue the necessary guidelines for this purpose.
SmcTroIN  11.  Impleme.n:ting  Rules  and  Regulations.  The
Committee shall create the implementing rules and regulations for this Act
within  ninety  (9o)  days  of  its  enactment,  in  consultation  with  relevant
government agencies and corn industry stakeholders.
SEcrloN 12. SeparabiHty CZouse. ~ If any provision of this Act is
declared unconstitutional, the validity of the remaining provisions hereof shall
remain in full force and effect.
SEcrloN  13.  Rapen[ing  Czause.  -  All  laws,  decrees,  executive
orders  and  rules  and  regulations  or  parts  thereof  inconsistent  with  any
provision of this Act are hereby repealed, modified or amended accordingly.
SECTION 14. Effectr.ut.ty Clause. - This Act shall take effect after
fifteen (15) days from its publication in the Official Gazette or in at least two
(2) newspapers of general circulation.
Approved,