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Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Quezon City

SEVENTEENTH CONGRESS
Third Regular Session

House Bill No. 8687

Introduced by Representative John Marvin “Yul Servo” C. Nieto

EXPLORATORY NOTE:

As a manifestation of support to this timely piece of legislation, this
representation respectfully refiles this bill, which has constantly been receiving
support from the past and present Congress.

It is the policy of the State to enjoin the youth to be active contributors to
development. The proposed measure aims to enable the youth to actively
contribute in rural development by encouraging them to engage into
agricultural and fisheries production and agri-business activities. Their active
Participation will be of great help in supporting different government efforts and
initiatives to attain food security, promote agricultural value chain development,
and boost job generation in the countryside.

This representation also believes the proposed measure will of great help in
securing the future and continued growth of the agriculture sector as it may
serve as a means to introduce and encourage the younger generation to enter
the sector.

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

JOHN IN “YY. SERVO” C. NIETO


Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Quezon City

SEVENTEENTH CONGRESS
Third Regular Session

8687
House Bill No.

Introduced by Representative John Marvin “Yul Servo” C. Nieto

AN ACT CREATING THE NATIONAL YOUTH AGRIPRENEURSHIP
PROGRAM AND PROVIDING FUNDS THEREOF

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 “National Youth
Agripreneurship Program Act.”

SECTION 2. Declaration of Policy. - It shall be the policy of the State to
enjoin the youth to be active contributors in rural development by encouraging
them to engage into agricultural and fisheries production and agri-business
activities to support the attainment of food security, promote agricultural value
chain development, and boost job generation in the countryside.

SECTION 3. Definition of Terms. - For purposes of this Act, the following
terms are hereby defined:

a. Agripreneurship - refers to agriculture- and __fisheries-based
entrepreneurial endeavors that are fuelled by innovativeness, dynamism,
empowerment, and sustainability.

b. Youth - refers to Filipinos 15-30 years old in accordance to Republic Act
8044 also known as “Youth in Nation Building Act."

SECTION 4. National Youth Agripreneurship Program. - There is hereby a
National Youth Agripreneurship Program - hereinafter referred to as the
Program - that shall promote youth participation in agricultural and fisheries
development through agripreneurship. The Program is open to all youth
organizations registered with the National Youth Commission (NYC).

The Program shall be guided by the following principles:


. For a youth organization to qualify as beneficiary of the Program it must

meet the following requirements:

1. Completed social preparation activities such as, but not limited to,
orientation about the Program, assessment of the community's
socio-economic profile and needs, and study on the available
agricultural or fishery resources or crop compatibility of lands.

2. Completed capacity-building programs that shall have assisted them
in preparing a comprehensive business plan and trained them in
setting up and managing the proposed agri-business endeavor.

3. Completed a financial literacy program.

. Non-collateral credit support, through the Land Bank of the Philippines

(LBP), will be provided to the beneficiaries based on the schedule
indicated in the submitted business plan. Provided, That the release of
tranches to the beneficiaries shall be based on the business plans and
subject to evaluation of the monitoring reports.

. The Department of Agriculture (DA) shall prioritize the beneficiaries in the

provision of grants or assistance such as, but not limited to, seedlings,
fertilizers, and other farm inputs, farm/fishery tools and equipment,
starting stocks, small irrigation projects, post-harvest facilities, and crop
insurance.

. The Department of Science and Technology (DOST) shall provide

assistance in product development, quality control, and packaging.

. The Negosyo Centers shall assist the beneficiaries in promoting their

products to the domestic and foreign markets.

. The beneficiaries shall be subject to the regular monitoring and review of

the Youth Agripreneurship Office. Only those who comply with their
respective business plans will be able to continue in the Program.

SECTION 5. Creation of the Youth Agripreneurship Office. - There shall be
a Youth Agripreneurship Office (YAO) to be established in every region. The YAO
shall be attached to the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI).

The YAO shall perform the following functions:

e

a. Accept and evaluate applications of youth organizations;
b.

Facilitate the conduct of all necessary programs and monitor their
completion by all beneficiaries;

Coordinate with the DA, DOST, DTI, and other relevant agencies in the
provision of assistance to the beneficiaries based on the approved
business plans; and,

|. Monitor the execution of the business plans and implement remedial

measures should the need arise. Provided, That the YAO shall set a limit
on the number of projects to be monitored by each monitoring officer.
Provided further, that the YAO shall implement measures to prevent over-
familiarization of monitoring officers.


SECTION 6. Youth Agripreneurship Fund. - One Billion Pesos
(P1,000,000,000.00) shall be allocated to create the Youth Agripreneurship
Fund - hereinafter referred to as the Fund - that shall be managed by the LBP.
The Fund shall be used solely to provide loans to the beneficiaries of the
Program. All re-payments shall be reverted back to the Fund.

SECTION 7. Spin-off from Beneficiary Youth Organizations. - Individual
youths or small groups may spin off from their mother youth organization and
avail of the benefits of the Program, subject to the same monitoring
procedures, upon validation of their capability to engage in agri-business
independently.

SECTION 8. Information Dissemination. - The Philippine Information
Agency, in coordination with the YAO, the DA, and the DOST, shall ensure the
proper and adequate information dissemination of the contents and benefits of
this Act to pertinent media entities and all cities, municipalities and barangays.

SECTION 9. Appropriations. - The amount necessary to carry out the initial
implementation of this Act shall be sourced from the current budget of the DTI,
DA, and DOST. Thereafter, such sums as may be necessary for the continued
implementation of this Act shall be included in the succeeding General
Appropriations. Act.

SECTION 10. Congressional Oversight Committee. - There is hereby
created a Congressional Oversight Committee to monitor and oversee the
implementation of the provisions of this Act. The Committee shall be composed
‘of six (6) members from the Senate and six (6) members from the House of
Representatives with the House Chairperson of Small Business and
Entrepreneurship Development and Senate Chairperson of Trade, Commerce,
and Entrepreneurship as Joint Chairpersons. The five (5) members from each
chamber shall be designated by the Senate President and the Speaker of the
House of Representatives respectively. The minority shall have at least two (2)
representatives from both chambers.

SECTION 11. Sunset Review. - As the need arises, or within three (3) years
after its effectivity, the Congressional Oversight Committee shall conduct a
sunset review of this Act. The term “sunset review" shall mean a systematic
evaluation of the accomplishments and impact of this Act, as well as the
performance and organizational structure of its implementing agencies, for
purposes of determining remedial legislations.

SECTION 12. Implementing Rules and Regulations. - The Secretary of
Trade and Industry, in consultation with the appropriate agencies as may be
deemed necessary, shall formulate the necessary rules and regulations to
implement the provisions of this Act within ninety (90) days after its approval.


SECTION 13. Repealing Clause. - All laws, decrees, executive orders,
proclamations, rules and regulations, or parts thereof inconsistent herewith are
hereby repealed or modified accordingly.

SECTION 14. Separability Clause. - If any provision of this Act is held invalid
or unconstitutional, the other provisions not affected hereby shall remain valid
and subsisting.

SECTION 15. Effectivity. - This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after its
publication in at least two (2) national newspapers of general circulation.

Approved,