Republic of the Philippines f° x
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES [> RECEIVED 2
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Quezon City, Metro Manila I DATE.O4 SEP 5
* TIME _/, .

Twentieth Congress
First Regular Session

HOUSE BILLNO.4338

Introduced by Representative RAYMOND ADRIAN SALCEDA

AN ACT
INSTITUTIONALIZING THE GAWAD SAKA AWARDS OF THE DEPARTMENT
OF AGRICULTURE, PROVIDING INCENTIVES FOR AWARDEES, CREATING
MECHANISMS FOR LOCAL GOVERNMENT UNIT PARTICIPATION, AND FOR
OTHER PURPOSES

EXPLANATORY NOTE

‘The Gawad Saka Awards is one of the oldest and most prestigious recognition programs

of the Department of Agriculture (DA), first established in the 1970s to honor the country’s
most outstanding farmers, fisherfolk, scientists, cooperatives, and local government units. For
decades, it has provided visibility and recognition to individuals and organizations whose
contributions have significantly advanced agricultural productivity, rural development, and
food security.

Despite its long history, the Gawad Saka Awards has operated mainly as a
programmatic initiative of the DA, dependent on the priorities of successive administrations
and subject to budgetary limitations. Its institutionalization through legislation is necessary to
secure its continuity, expand its reach, and strengthen its role as a catalyst for agricultural
innovation and excellence.

The Philippines continues to face formidable challenges in agriculture and fisheries:
the aging of the farmer population, low farm incomes, limited access to technology,
vulnerability to climate change, and rural poverty. Yet across the country, countless farmers,
fisherfolk, cooperatives, researchers, and LGUs have pioneered practices and programs that
prove agriculture can be productive, profitable, and resilient. Recognizing and scaling these
success stories is vital to national food security and rural transformation.

This measure, the Gawad Saka Institutionalization Act, seeks to:

1. Institutionalize the Gawad Saka Awards as the official annual awards program of the
DA;


. Expand recognition across categories, including outstanding youth, women, scientists,
extension workers, farm families, cooperatives, and LGUs;

. Provide awardees with tangible incentives such as cash prizes, access to credit and
insurance, priority in training and extension programs, and priority for market support
initiatives:

. Grant winning LGUs additional performance incentives under the Seal of Good Local
Governance (RA 11292) and priority access to DA programs such as farm-to-market
roads, irrigation, and post-harvest facilities; and

. Establish a permanent Gawad Saka Secretariat within the DA to ensure professional
administration, transparency, and sustainability of the program.

By legislating the Gawad Saka Awards, the State affirms that agriculture and fisheries

excellence deserves the same recognition and rewards as achievements in other sectors of
society. The measure ensures that future generations of Filipinos will continue to see role
models in agriculture and that LGUs will be encouraged to prioritize agricultural development
through positive incentives.

In view of the foregoing, the immediate passage of this measure is earnestly sought.

SALCEDA


Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Quezon City, Metro Manila

Twentieth Congress
First Regular Session

HOUSE BILLNo. 4336

Introduced by Representative RAYMOND ADRIAN SALCEDA

AN ACT
INSTITUTIONALIZING THE GAWAD SAKA AWARDS OF THE DEPARTMENT
OF AGRICULTURE, PROVIDING INCENTIVES FOR AWARDEES, CREATING
MECHANISMS FOR LOCAL GOVERNMENT UNIT PARTICIPATION, AND FOR
OTHER PURPOSES

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 “Gawad Saka
Institutionalization Act.”

SEC. 2. Declaration of Policy. It is the policy of the State to recognize the role of
farmers, fisherfolk, agri-fishery organizations, scientists, and local government units (LGUs)
in ensuring food security, rural development, and agricultural modernization. The State shall
institutionalize the Gawad Saka Awards as the highest form of recognition conferred by the
Department of Agriculture to agricultural and fishery stakeholders who demonstrate
innovation, productivity, sustainability, and resilience.

SEC. 3. Institutionalization of the Gawad Saka Awards. The Gawad Saka Awards is
hereby institutionalized as an annual program of the Department of Agriculture. It shall
continue to recognize individual farmers, fisherfolk, youth, women, scientists, researchers,
organizations, cooperatives, and LGUs that have made outstanding contributions to the
advancement of agriculture and fisheries.

SEC. 4. Categories. The Gawad Saka Awards shall include, but not be limited to, the
following categories:

(a) Outstanding Farmers, Fisherfolk, and Farm Families;

(b) Outstanding Youth and Women in Agriculture and Fisheries;
(c) Outstanding Agri-Fishery Cooperatives and Rural-Based Organizations;


(d) Outstanding Agricultural Scientists, Researchers, and Extension Workers; and

(e) Outstanding Local Government Units implementing exemplary agriculture and
fisheries programs.

The DA Secretary may, in consultation with stakeholders, expand or refine the
categories based on emerging needs in the agriculture and fisheries sector.

SEC. 5. Incentives. The following incentives shall be provided to awardees:
(a) Cash prizes, plaques, medals, and certificates of recognition;

(b) Access to grants, credit, insurance, and training programs under DA, Agricultural
Credit Policy Council (ACPC), Philippine Crop Insurance Corporation (PCIC), and
other attached agencies;

() Priority for inclusion in DA extension and research partnerships, farm
mechanization programs, and market support initiatives;

(d) For awardee LGUs, priority access to DA matching grants for farm-to-market roads,
irrigation projects, or post-harvest facilities.

SEC. 6. Incentives for Local Government Units. LGUs that win Gawad Saka awards
shall be granted the following incentives:

(a) Additional performance points under the Seal of Good Local Governance (RA.
11292);

(b) Eligibility for special grants or assistance under DA's local support programs; and

(c) Priority technical assistance and project endorsement from the DA for agriculture
and fisheries initiatives.

SEC. 7. Secretariat. The Department of Agriculture, through the Office of the Secretary,
shall establish a permanent Gawad Saka Secretariat responsible for planning, implementation,
coordination, and monitoring of the awards program.

SEC. 8. Appropriations. The amount necessary for the implementation of this Act shall
be charged against the current year’s appropriations of the Department of Agriculture.
Thereafter, such sums as may be necessary shall be included in the annual General
Appropriations Act.

SEC. 9. Implementing Rules and Regulations. Within ninety (90) days from the
effectivity of this Act, the DA, in consultation with the Department of the Interior and Local
Government (DILG), National Economic and Development Authority (NEDA), and other
stakeholders, shall promulgate the rules and regulations necessary for its implementation.

SEC. 10. Separability Clause. If any provision of this Act is declared invalid or
unconstitutional, the other provisions not affected shall remain in full force and effect,


SEC. 11. Repealing Clause. All laws, decrees, executive issuances, and regulations
inconsistent with this Act are repealed or modified accordingly.

SEC. 12. Effectivity. This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after its publication in
the Official Gazette or in a newspaper of general circulation.

Approved,