EIGHTEENTH CONGRESS OF THE 
)
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES 
)
First Regular Session 
)
S E N A T E
s. No. 
773
ol tijt *> iu.:U rp
*19 
JUL24 P5-15
Introduced by Senator Poe
RECEIVi OBY___
AN ACT
STRENGTHENING 
SUSTAINABLE 
AGRICULTURE 
AND 
ENHANCING 
SUPPORT FOR SMALL ORGANIC FARMERS, AMENDING FOR THE PURPOSE 
CERTAIN SECTIONS OF REPUBLIC ACT NO. 10068 OR THE ORGANIC 
AGRICULTURE ACT OF 2010
Explanatory Note
According to the National Statistics Office, the Philippine population is 
expected to increase to about 142 million by 2045. This is equivalent to 42 million 
Filipinos being born in just a span of 30 years, given the current population of 100 
million.
This projected increase in population presents a rather daunting task. 
According to the UN, population growth remains as the single most important driver 
of food demand. In other words: As the population increases, so does the demand 
for food. In the case of a developing country like the Philippines, the impact of a 
burgeoning population is more likely to be felt in the next few years to come. It is 
therefore imperative to look for more sustainable ways towards meeting the food 
needs of every Filipino, now and in the future. Now is the time to think in terms of 
food security.
In many parts of the world, organic farming is increasingly recognized as a 
viable alternative to conventional farming towards achieving food security. In a 
statistics yearbook on latest global data on organic farming produced by the 
Research Institute of Organic Agriculture (FiBL) and IFOAM -  Organics International, 
organic agriculture has indeed been increasingly taking the centerstage. From 
200,000 producers in 1999, the numbers of organic producers increased to 2.3 
million in 2014. Around 40 percent of this comes from Asia, followed by Africa, and 
Latin America. A total of 172 countries are reportedly now engaged in organic 
activities.


As of 2014, the Philippines ranked 4th in the world in terms of the number of 
organic producers. In Asia, the Philippines is among the top ten (10) countries with 
the largest organic area at 110,084 hectares or about 0.9 percent in terms of share 
to total agricultural land.
In 2010, the Philippines institutionalized the promotion and development of 
organic agriculture with the passage of Republic Act No. 10068 otherwise known as 
the Organic Agriculture Act of 2010. While the law and its corresponding program is 
supportive of the propagation of organic farming practices in the country, the 
government runs short of the necessary support that would genuinely serve the 
needs especially of small organic farmers and other small Filipino farmers and 
farmworkers wanting to shift to organic farming. The overall tone of Republic Act 
No. 10068 focuses on producing organic products for exports in the same profit- 
oriented framework of chemical-dependent agriculture as opposed to addressing the 
country's food security and food self-sufficiency.
As an alternative approach, this representation humbly submits the following 
amendments to the measure:
• 
Conduct of a nationwide educational and awareness campaign among 
consumers on the benefits of consuming organic products;
• 
Adoption of the participatory guarantee system (PCS) as a certification 
process other than the third party certification;
• 
Protection of organic resources against cross contamination by genetically 
engineered organisms including crops, livestock and poultry, and marine 
products, among others;
• 
Provision of marketing assistance to organic producers that would ensure 
decent returns thus making organic venture sustainable.
In view of the foregoing, speedy approval of this bill is eagerly sought.
/  
GRACE POE


EIGHTEENTH CONGRESS OF THE 
)
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES 
)
First Regular Session 
)
S E N A T E  
S. NO. 
77.*^
i&cuate
^
 
of ttjr&CU t.iip
•If 
JUL24 P5 -15
Introduced by Senator Poe
RECPIVtDW
AN ACT
STRENGTHENING 
SUSTAINABLE 
AGRICULTURE 
AND 
ENHANCING 
SUPPORT FOR SMALL ORGANIC FARMERS, AMENDING FOR THE PURPOSE 
CERTAIN SECTIONS OF REPUBLIC ACT NO. 10068 OR THE ORGANIC 
AGRICULTURE ACT OF 2010
Be it enacted by the Senate and the House o f Representatives o f the Republic 
o f the Philippines in Congress assembled:
1 
Section 1. -  Section 2 of Republic Act No. 10068 or the Organic Agriculture
2 
Act of 2010 is hereby amended to read as follows:
3 
It is hereby declared the policy of the State to promote,
4 
propagate, 
develop further, 
and 
implement the 
practice of
5 
ORGANIC FARMING AND OTHER SUSTAINABLE AGRICULTURE
6 
PRACTICES in the Philippines that will cumulatively condition and
7 
enrich the fertility of the soil, increase farm productivity, AND
8 
FARMERS' INCOMES; reduce pollution and destruction of the
9 
environment, prevent the depletion of natural resources, further
10 
protect the health of farmers, consumers and the general public,
11 
[and] save on imported inputs, AND PROMOTE FOOD SELF
12 
SUFFICIENCY.
13 
Towards this end, 
a comprehensive program for the
14 
promotion of community-based organic agriculture systems which
15 
include, among others, farmer produced purely organic fertilizers
16 
such as compost, [pesticides] BIOPESTICIDES and other farm
1


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inputs, together with a nationwide educational and promotional 
campaign for their use and processing[,].
LIKEWISE, 
A 
NATIONWIDE 
EDUCATIONAL 
AND
AWARENESS CAMPAIGN AMONG CONSUMERS ON THE BENEFITS 
OF 
CONSUMING 
ORGANIC 
PRODUCTS 
TO 
BOOST 
LOCAL 
PRODUCTION OF ORGANIC FOOD AND NON-FOOD PRODUCTS, as 
well as THE adoption of organic agricultural system AND OTHER 
METHODS as viable ALTERNATIVES TO IMPORT-BASED TOXIC 
FARMING METHODS shall be undertaken.
The State recognizes and supports the central role of the 
farmers, 
indigenous 
people, 
and 
other stakeholders at the 
grassroots in this program.
Sec 2 -  Section 3 on definition of terms is hereby amended to read as follows:
a. 
O rganic refers 
to 
the 
particular 
farming 
and 
processing systems, described in the standards and not in the 
classical chemical sense. The term "organic" is synonymous in 
other languages to "biological" or "ecological." It is also a labelling 
term that denotes products considered organic based on the 
Philippine National Standards for organic agriculture;
XXX
c. 
O rganic p ro d u ctio n  system  is a system designed
to:
system;
(1) enhance biological diversity within the whole
XXX
(7) develop and promote the use of biotechnology in 
agriculture BASED ON THE PRECAUTIONARY PRINCIPLE UNDER 
THE INTERNATIONAL CONVENTION ON BIODIVERSITY.


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g. 
ICom m erciaUzation\ 
PROPAGATION 
IS 
A
PROCESS OF INTRODUCING NEW AGRICULTURAL AND FISHERY 
EITHER AS 
PRODUCT, 
PROCESS, 
OR 
SERVICE THAT 
HAS 
UNDERGONE 
THE 
INTENSIVE 
INNOVATIVE 
ACTIVITIES 
OF 
ASSESSMENT, PROMOTION, AND TRANSFER NOT NECESSARILY 
FOR 
COMMERCIAL 
PROFIT 
BUT 
FOR 
THE 
PURPOSE 
OF 
PROMOTING 
ORGANIC 
AGRICULTURAL 
PRACTICES 
AND 
TECHNOLOGY ADAPTABLE TO THE LOCALITIES WHERE IT IS 
BEING INTRODUCED.
X X X
0. 
PARTICIPATORY GUARANTEE SYSTEMS (PGS) ARE 
LOCALLY 
FOCUSED 
QUALITY 
ASSURANCE 
SYSTEMS. 
THEY 
CERTIFY PRODUCERS BASED ON ACTIVE PARTICIPATION OF 
STAKEHOLDERS AND ARE BUILT ON A FOUNDATION OF TRUST, 
SOCIAL NETWORKS, AND KNOWLEDGE EXCHANGE.
Sec 3. -  Section 4 On Coverage is hereby amended to read as follows:
The provisions of this Act shall apply to the development and 
promotion of organic agriculture and shall include, but not be 
limited to, the following:
a. 
Policy 
formulation 
on 
regulation, 
registration, 
accreditation, certification, and labelling on organic agriculture;
XXX
c. 
Promotion and encouragement of the establishment 
of facilities, equipment, and processing plants that would accelerate 
the production and [COMMERCIALIZATION] PROPAGATION of the 
use 
of 
organic 
fertilizers, 
[PESTICIDES] 
BIO-PESTICIDES 
[HERBICIDES] BIO-HERBICIDES and other appropriate farm inputs; 
and
XXX


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d. 
Implementation of organic agricultural 
programs,
2 
projects, and activities, including the provision and delivery of
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support services with focus on the farmers, PRIORITIZING SMALL
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FARMERS AND THEIR ORGANIZATIONS, and other stakeholders
5
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Sec 4. -  Section 5 on the National Organic Agricultural Program is hereby
7 
amended to read as follows:
8 
There 
is hereby established a comprehensive organic
9 
agricultural 
program 
through 
the 
promotion 
and
10 
[COMMERCIALIZATION] 
PROPAGATION of 
organic 
farming
11 
practices, cultivation, and adoption of production and processing
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methods which have already been developed, or to be developed,
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continuing research and upgrading thereof, the capacity building of
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farmers and the education of consumers thereon, the extension of
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assistance to local government units (LGUs), peoples' organizations
16 
(POs), 
nongovernment 
organizations (NGOs), 
and 
other
17 
stakeholders including individuals and groups who are willing to do
18 
other pertinent activities, and documentation and evaluation of the
19 
program.
20
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Sec 5. -  Section 7 on the composition of the NOAB is hereby amended to
22 
read as follows:
23 
The NOAB shall consist of:
24 
a. 
The Secretary of Agriculture, or his duly authorized
25 
permanent representative, with a rank of 
Undersecretary, as
26 
Chairperson;
27 
XXX
28 
The representatives of small farmers and NGOs, and of agricultural
29 
colleges and universities, shall be chosen by the Secretaries of
30 
Agriculture and Science and Technology respectively, from among
31 
nominees submitted to the agency concerned by their respective
32 
national organizations. These representatives must 
REPRESENT


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THE 
LARGEST MEMBERSHIP OF FARMERS' 
ORGANIZATIONS 
NATIONWIDE, PROMOTING ORGANIC AND OTHER SUSTAINABLE 
AGRICULTURE PRACTICES AND MEMBERSHIP ADAPTING ORGANIC 
FARMING, be conversant in organic agriculture and committed to 
the policies and programs provided under this Act.
Sec 6. -  Section 16 on the registration of organic food and organic input 
producers is hereby amended to read as follows:
Registration of Organic Food and Organic Input Producers. -  
All organic food and input establishments must register with the 
director, BAFPS, registration under this section shall begin within 
ninety (90) days of the enactment of this Act. Each such 
registration shall be submitted to the director through and 
electronic portal and shall contain such information as the director 
by guidance may determine to be appropriate. Such registration 
shall contain the following information:
a. 
The 
name, 
address 
and 
emergency 
contact 
information of each organic food or input establishment that the 
registrant owns or operates;
X X X
g. 
IN THE CASE OF DIRECT SELLING TO CONSUMERS,
DONE BY SMALL OR FAMILY FARMERS, PREVIOUSLY REGISTERED 
WITH 
BAFPS 
OR 
LGU 
COUNTERPART, 
CERTIFICATION 
IS 
OPTIONAL.
Sec 7. -  Section 17 on the Labeling of Organic produce is hereby amended to 
read as follows:
The label of organic produce shall contain the name, logo or 
seal of the organic certifying body and the accreditation number 
issued by the BAFPS. [ONLY THIRD PARTY CERTIFICATION] THE


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ORGANIC LABEL SHALL ALSO INCLUDE THE TRADE NAME AND 
ORIGIN ADDRESS OF THE PRODUCE.
X X X
Sec 8. -  Section 19 on Availability of Trading post for Organic Inputs is 
hereby amended to read as follows:
Local chief executives shall establish, as far as practicable, at 
least one (1) trading post for organic inputs for every LGU in the 
area of jurisdiction. 
'THE AREA SHOULD BE IN AN AREA 
STRATEGICALLY LOCATED I.E., AT THE PUBLIC MARKET AREA,
CENTERS OF TRADING AND LOCAL BUSINESS ACTIVITIES.
Sec 9. -  Section 20 on Research, Development and Extension is hereby 
amended to read as follows:
The Bureau of Agricultural Research (BAR), as the lead 
agency, shall coordinate with the other agencies of the DA, the 
Department of Agrarian Reform (DAR), the Department of Science 
and Technology (DOST), the Department of Education (DepED), 
the Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG), the 
strategic agricultural-based state universities and colleges (SUCs), 
including private organizations, "AND NGOs and 
POs WITH 
ESTABLISHED 
TRACK 
RECORD 
IN 
THE 
PRACTICE 
OF 
SUSTAINABLE AGRICULTURAL METHODS OF PRODUCTION" to 
develop, enhance, support and consolidate activities and related 
technologies for the formulation and implementation of a unified 
and integrated organic agriculture RDE plan and programs for the 
national to the field level. The organic agriculture RDE plans and 
programs shall include, but not limited to the following:
a. 
Research, development and [COMMERCIALIZATION] 
"PROPAGATION" of appropriate, innovative and viable organic 
agricultural technologies;


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b. 
Nationwide 
promotion 
of 
deveioped 
and 
[COMMERCIALLY] viabie biodegradable farm wastes and by­
products through various extension strategies to accelerate the 
production, use and distribution of organic fertilizers; and
Sec 10. -  Sections 25 through 31 are hereby amended to read as follows:
SECTION 25. PROTECTION OF INDIGENOUS ORGANIC 
RESOURCES AGAINST CROSS-CONTAMINATION. THE INTEGRITY 
OF ORGANIC CROPS AND LIVESTOCK SHALL BE STRICTLY 
ENSURED AND MONITORED. RISK OF CROSS-CONTAMINATION 
FROM 
ENGINEERED 
CROPS 
AND 
LIVESTOCK 
SHALL 
BE 
PREVENTED 
AT 
ALL TIMES. 
BAFPS 
SHALL 
MONITOR 
ALL 
APPLICATIONS 
FOR 
FIELD-TESTINGS/PRODUCTION 
OF 
ENGINEERED CROPS AND LIVESTOCK, AND SHALL HAVE THE 
POWER TO DENY ANY APPLICATION IF IT FINDS SUFFICIENT 
CAUSE, THEREFORE.
ALL 
FIELD 
TESTING, 
PLANTING, 
OR 
RAISING 
OF 
GENETICALLY MODIFIED ORGANISMS SHOULD NOT BE ALLOWED 
IN 
THE 
VICINITY 
WHERE 
ORGANIC 
FARMING 
IS 
BEING 
CONDUCTED. BAFPS, IN COORDINATION WITH NOAB, SHALL 
IMPLEMENT AN ORGANIC ZONE TO ESTABLISH THE RADIUS 
WHERE THE 
ORGANIC 
PRODUCE IS 
NOT IN 
DIRECT OR 
IMMEDIATE 
CONTACT 
OR 
INFLUENCE 
OF 
ENGINEERED 
ORGANISMS.
IN THE EVENT OF CONTAMINATION BY GENETICALY- 
MODIFIED ORGANISMS, PATENTED OR OTHERWISE, THE LGU, 
BAFPS AND/OR ORGANIC PRODUCER MAY HOLD THE GMO 
PATENT OWNER LIABLE FOR ECONOMIC AND ENVIRONMENTAL 
DAMAGES.
SECTION 26. RECOGNITION OF LOCAL ORDINANCES AND 
OTHER ISSUANCES. CONSISTENT WITH ITS MANDATE UNDER 
SECTION 
16 -  GENERAL WELFARE OF R.A. 
7160, 
LOCAL


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GOVERNMENT UNITS (LGUS) HAVE THE POWER TO ENACT 
ORDINANCES FOR THE GENERAL HEALTH AND WELFARE OF ITS 
CONSTITUENCY.
PURSUANT TO THIS, 
LOCAL ORDINANCES, 
POLICIES 
AND/OR ISSUANCES ON AGRICULTURE, INCLUDING BUT NOT 
LIMITED TO ORGANIC AGRICULTURE AND PROHIBITION OF 
GENETICALLY MODIFIED ORGANISMS, SHALL BE RECOGNIZED BY 
ALL GOVERNMENT AGENCIES.
LGUS, IN COORDINATION WITH BAFPS SHALL STRICTLY 
MONITOR THE CONDUCT OF AGRICULTURE IN ORDER TO 
ENSURE THE QUALITY AND INTEGRITY OF ORGANIC PRODUCE. 
TESTING OR FIELD TRIALS OF ANY TYPE OF AGRICULTURAL 
PRODUCT OR METHOD SHALL REQUIRE LGU CLEARANCE APART 
FROM THE REQUIREMENTS SET BY THE GOVERNMENT AGENCY 
CONCERNED.
SEC. [25] 27. Appropriations, xxx
SEC. [26] 28 on Penal Provision. - Any person who wilfully 
and deliberately:
a. 
obstructs the development of propagation of organic 
agriculture, or the manufacture, production, sale or use of organic 
agricultural inputs. THIS MAY INCLUDE, BUT NOT LIMITED TO, 
ANY FORM OF HARASSMENT OR PERSECUTION OF GROUPS OR 
INDIVIDUALS 
PURSUING THE 
RIGHTS AND 
INTERESTS OF 
FARMERS IN FURTHERANCE OF THIS ACT, BY GROUPS OR 
INDIVIDUALS, 
CORPORATIONS 
OR 
JURIDICAL 
ENTITIES, 
INCLUDING GOVERNMENT OFFICIALS;
xxx
SEC. [27] 29. Implementing Rules and Regulations, xxx
SEC. [28] 30. Annual Report, xxx
SEC. [29] 3 1. Congressional Oversight Committee, xxx
SEC. [30] 32. Separability Clause, xxx
8


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SEC. [31] 33. Repealing Clause, xxx
2 
SEC. [32] 34. Effectivity. xxx
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Sec 11. -  Repealing Clause. All other laws, acts, decrees, executive orders,
4 
issuances, and rules and regulations or parts thereof which are contrary to and
5 
inconsistent with any provisions of this Act are hereby repealed, amended, or
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modified accordingly.
7 
Sec 12. -  Separability Clause. If any provision of this Act is subsequently
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declared unconstitutional, the validity of the remaining provisions hereof shall remain
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in full force and effect.
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Sec 13. -  Effectivity Clause. This Act shall take effect immediately after its
11 
complete publication either in the official Gazette or in a newspaper of general
12 
circulation in the Philippines.
13 
Approved,