FIFTEENTH CONGRESS OF THE 
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES 
First Regular Session 
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SENATE 
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Introduced by Senator Antonio "Sonny" F. Trillanes IV 
Explanatory Note 
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Being an agricultural country, it is sad to note that the Philippines' agriculture and fisheries 
sector are among those which have been most neglected. We still import most of our food 
requirements because we are unable to raise enough food for our people. Ironically, while about 
seventy percent (70%) of our people are engaged in agriculture, only twenty percent (20%) of the 
sector contributes to our gross domestic product (ODP). 
As a result, there is very little investment in the agricultural and fisheries sectors. For every peso 
loan extended in the country, only a centavo goes to agriculture. To make matters worse, the 
Filipino farmers have grown old. At 67 years, they are older than all of their Asian counterparts 
and produce less than the Vietnamese, Thai, and Chinese farmers. Moreover, the Filipino 
farmers resist the application of modern technology relying instead on outmoded and outdated 
traditional farming methods. 
The current situation in the agriculture and fisheries sector has likewise affected our young 
graduates. More agriculture and fisheries graduates choose to concentrate on other fields. They 
would rather go to the cities or go abroad to work as domestic helpers or caregivers after four (4) 
years of college. But they cannot be blamed for this because aside from an educational system 
that promotes employment rather thaI]. entrepreneurship, they find little or no prospects in 
agriculture or fisheries. 
Therefore, this bill aims to further strengthen the active participation of the Filipino youth in 
agricultural productivity by institutionalizing the Young Farmers Program (YFP). The YFP 
intends to equip the youth with the necessary technical and entrepreneurial skills, to provide 
them production and marketing support, and to aid them in capital formation with the hope that 
they may contribute to food security, generate employment in the countryside and energize the 
agri-fisheries sector to meet the challenges of globalization. 
This proposed legislative measure further intends to effectively instill to the Filipino youth the 
needed dedication and commitment to be effective partners in nation-building in order to attain 
sustainable development in the agriculture and fisheries sectors, which will help the country's 
economic recovery program. 
In view of the foregoing, the early passage of this bill is earnestly requested . 
...--f;;~--'O>4"-s-oJ~.~lt.",NES IV 
Senator 
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FIFTEENTH CONGRESS OF THE 
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES 
First Regular Session 
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) 
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SENATE 
339 
S.Noo ___ _ 
Introduced by Senator Antonio "Sonny" F. Trillanes IV 
AN ACT 
INSTITUTIONALIZING THE YOUNG FARMERS PROGRAM, PROVIDING FUNDS 
THEREFOR AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES 
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the Philippines in Congress 
assembled: 
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SECTION 1. Title. - This Act shall be known as the "Young Farmers Program Act of 
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2010." 
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SEC. 2. Declaration of Policy. - It is hereby declared the policy of t he State to instill in 
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the Filipino youth the necessary dedication and commitment to be effective and self-sustaining 
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partners for the further productivity and development of the country's agricultural and fisheries 
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sector through entrepreneurship and agribusiness. 
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SEC. 3. Statement of Objectives. - This Act shall have the following objectives: 
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a) To encourage young agriculture and fisheries graduates to go into agribusiness and 
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nurture them to become entrepreneurs and strong partners in nation building; 
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b) To prevent the departure of young farmers for urban centers by generating more 
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employment oppOltunities in the countryside; 
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c) To enlist young and competent entrepreneurs in enhancing the competitiveness of 
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local agriculture and fisherie~; 
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d) To demonstrate to 
young graduates the high income potential in agribusiness thru 
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value-adding activities; 
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e) To underscore to the youth their important role in economic development. 
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SEC. 4. Definition of Terms. - The following terms shaH be defined under this Act: 
a) "Program" refers to the Young Farmers Program or YFP as established under this 
Act; 
b) "Department" refers to the Department of Agriculture; 
c) "Youth" refers to individuals 18-35 years old at the start of the Program or who are 
born after the approval of this Act - Provided, That they are college graduates or 
individuals with at least two (2) years of college education or have completed a 
vocational course and are currently engaged in an agribusiness or agriculture-related 
enterprise or have, at least, three (3) years experience in agribusiness. 
d) "Young Farmer Entrepreneur" or "YFE" refers to an individual 18-35 years old, a 
graduate of any Agriculture, Fisheries, or Agribusiness course and presently 
unemployed or a college graduate of any course but presently engaged in an 
agriculture or fisheries enterprise who shall submit a project proposal or feasibility 
study for possible funding. Upon approval of hislher project, the YFE shall undergo 
training to be conducted by the Department, in coordination with state colleges and 
universities (SCUs), after which he/she shall be expected to implement his project. 
e) "Young Farmer Volunteer" or "YFV" refers to an individual 18-35 years old, a 
graduate of any Agriculture, Fisheries, or Agribusiness course who shall be chosen 
from the SCUs to represent their respective regions. The YFV shall undergo training 
to be conducted by the Department, in coordination with state colleges and 
universities (SCUs), after which he/she shall be deployed to his/her region to 
undertake advocacy activities and monitor the YFEs in hislher region 
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SEC. 5. Implementation of the Program. - An Executive Conunittee is hereby created to 
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implement the Young Farmers Program (YFP) to be composed of representatives [rom the 
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National Agriculture and Fishery Council (NAFC), the Agricultural Fishery Council Foundation 
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of the Philippines, Inc. (AFCFPI), the Agricultural Training Institute (A TI), Quedancor and the 
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Congressional Oversight Conunittee onAgriculture and Fisheries Modernization (COCAFM). 
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The YFP Executive Committee shall oversee aud monitor the implementation of the 
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Program. It shall likewise promulgate rules and regulations to implement the Program aud adopt 
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procedures aud guidelines to effectively carry out the Program. 
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SEC. 6. Role of LGUs. - The LGUs shall endeavor to support the Program through 
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additional counterpart funding assistauce, production, processing, aud technical and marketing 
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support. 
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SEC. 7. Role of the seus. - The SCUs shall assist the YFEs in preparation of project 
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proposals and feasibility studies. They may endorse projects to the YFP Executive Committee. 
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They shall likewise provide technical support to the YFEs aud YFV s. 
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SEC. 8. Funding. - The sum of Fifty million pesos (PSO, 000, 000) is hereby 
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appropriated out of any savings or unexpended balance in the National Treasury not otherwise 
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appropriated, to cover the amounts needed for the initial year of implementation. Thereafter, 
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such amount as shall be needed for the Program shall be included in the budget of the 
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Department of Agriculture. 
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SEC. 9. Effectivity. - This Act shall take effect thirty (30) days after its publication in the 
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Official Gazette or in at least two (2) national newspapers of general circulation. 
Approved, 
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