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

TWENTIETH CONGRESS
First Regular Session

House Bill No. 3286

INTRODUCED BY HONORABLE JANICE V. DEGAMO

EXPLANATORY NOTE

Agriculture and fisheries remain the backbone of the rural economy in the Third
District of Negros Oriental. Despite the hard work of our farmers and fisherfolk, they
continue to face significant challenges in accessing stable markets, earning fair prices, and
transporting their goods efficiently to consumers. The persistent layers of middlemen and the
lack of local trade infrastructure further erode their income and discourage agricultural
productivity.

This bill, entitled “Kadiwa Agri-Food Terminals and Trading Centers of the Third
District of Negros Oriental Act,” seeks to institutionalize a sustainable solution by mandating
the establishment of Kadiwa Centers across the Third District. These centers will serve as
Agri-Food Terminals and Trading Centers, allowing farmers and fisherfolk to directly sell
their products to consumers, food retailers, and institutional buyers, cutting unnecessary costs
and increasing their income.

This proposed legislation empowers the Department of Agriculture (DA), in
coordination with Local Government Units (LGUs), to roll out a comprehensive, localized
agri-trade strategy. It also mandates the DA to craft a development plan including logistics,
marketing, research, and capacity-building, with both short- and long-term targets.

Through this Act, we invest in the prosperity of our local producers, stabilize food
prices for our communities, and promote inclusive economic growth.

In view of the foregoing, the immediate passage of this bill is carnestly sought.

ict of Negros Oriental



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

TWENTIETH CONGRESS
First Regular Session

House Bill No. _3286

Introduced by HONORABLE JANICE V. DEGAMO

—_— See

AN ACT
MANDATING THE ESTABLISHMENT OF KADIWA CENTERS AS AGRI-FOOD
TERMINALS AND TRADING CENTERS IN THE THIRD DISTRICT OF NEGROS
ORIENTAL AND PROVIDING FUNDS THEREFOR

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

SECTION 1. Short Title. -This Act shall be known as the “Kadiwa Agri-Food
Terminals and Trading Centers of the Third District of Negros Oriental Act”.

SEC. 2. Declaration of Principles and State Policies. - \t is hereby declared the
policy of the State to assist our farmers and fisherfolk by providing them a venue to market
and trade their produce and give them access to buyers at affordable prices. Toward this end,
instituting a program for the creation of a district-wide system of agricultural and fisheries
food terminals is hereby established. The goal of these agri-trading centers is to provide an
avenue where farmers and fisherfolk can directly sell their products to consumers and food
suppliers. Moreover, this endeavors for higher mobility for locally-produced agricultural
products to the whole province, and eventually to the whole country at a cheaper cost of
transportation.

SEC. 3. Establishment of Kadiwa Agri-Food Terminals. — The Department of
Agriculture (DA), in close coordination with the Local Government Units (LGUs) of the
Third District of Negros Oriental, shall establish and manage Agri-Food Terminals and
Trading Centers in the Third District of Negros Oriental. The mandatory establishment of
these Agri-Food Terminals by the aforementioned LGUs shall select among the following
modes:

a. Kadiwa Retail or Direct Selling - establishing physical food terminals to
accommodate farmers and fisherfolk’s products for sale to customers and
food suppliers;


b. Kadiwa on Wheels - using rolling stores in vehicles to bring agri-fishery
products to barangays and villages;

c. Kadiwa sa Pamahalaan - establishing trading centers within the proximity
of the govemment’s property/office through partnership with the DA or
other government agencies within the LGU.

SEC. 5. Kadiwa Food Terminal Plan. — n line with this Act, the Department of
Agriculture shall develop the following:

a. Comprehensive plan of rolling out the program in every city and
municipality;

b. Outlined process and mutual assistance between the DA, LGUs, and other
concerned government agencies and the private sector,

¢. Schedule of short-term, medium-term, and long-term targets on research
and development, marketing, trade promotion/initiatives, capacity-building,
among others.

SEC. 6. Appropriations. - The amount of Five Hundred Million (Php 500,000,000)
is hereby appropriated for the initial year of implementation of this Act, thereafter, the
amount as may be properly determined by the Department shall be included in the budget of
the Department for implementation and continued expansion of this program. In addition, the
establishment and operation of terminals and centers will be made with the available
participatory fonding from the national government with adequate equity from the Local
Government Units.

SEC. 7. Implementing Rules and Regulations. — Within sixty (30) days from the
effectivity of this Act, the Secretary of Agriculture and the Secretary of Interior and Local
Government, in consultation with appropriate government agencies and other stakeholders,
shall promulgate the necessary rules and regulations to implement this Act. The
implementing rules and regulations shall include a template to guide the Third District of
‘Negros Oriental inthe establishment of their own Agri-Food Terminals and Trading Centers.

SEC. 9. Separability Clause. — If, for any reason, any section of this Act shall be
deemed unconstitutional or invalid, the other sections or provisions hereof shall not be
affected and shall thereby remain in force and effect.

SEC. 10. Repealing Clause. All laws, executive orders, decrees, instructions, rules
and regulations contrary to or inconsistent with any provision of this Act are hereby repealed
or modified accordingly.

SEC. 11. Effectivity. - This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after its publication
in the Official Gazette or in a newspaper of general circulation

Approved,