TWENTIETH CONGRESS OF THE ) 
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES ) 
First Regular Session 
)
jiJL -7 P1 33
S. No.
SENATE
222
Introduced by Senator FRANCIS N. PANGILINAN
AN ACT
PROVIDING POST-HARVEST FACILITIES TO RICE FARMERS
EXPLANATORY NOTE
Article XIII, Section 5 of the 1987 Constitution provides that "[t]he State shall 
recognize the right of farmers, farmworkers, and landowners, as well as 
cooperatives, and other independent farmers' organizations to participate in the 
planning, organization, and management of the program, and shall provide support 
to agriculture through appropriate technology and research, and adequate financial, 
production, marketing, and other support services."
Republic Act No. 10601 or the "Agriculture and Fisheries Mechanization 
(AFMech) Law" supports the required support or interventions by "mandating the 
development, promotion, and adoption of modern, appropriate, cost-effective, and 
environmentally safe agricultural and fisheries machinery and equipment. This is to 
enhance farm productivity and efficiency, achieve food security and safety, and 
increase farmers' and flsherfolks' income."
Despite efforts to enhance mechanization, however, the lack of postharvest 
facilities is one of the challenges that our government is trying to address since it 
continues to significantly impact the Philippine rice industry. A study cited that


among the key constraints in the development of postharvest technology include the 
lack of infrastructure support and lack of government policy and implementation.1
Recent data from the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) and the 
Philippine Center for Postharvest Development and Mechanization (PhilMech) in 2025 
indicated a high post-harvest loss rate of 14,5% in rice production.2 Said losses 
occur at various stages, including harvesting, piling, threshing, drying, and milling, 
cumulatively resulting in substantial reduction in the country's rice supply.
The Rice Tariffication Law (Republic Act No. 11203) as amended by Republic 
Act No. 12078, aimed to address said postharvest losses by allocating 50% of the 
Rice Competitiveness Enhancement Fund (RCEF) to the PhilMech for the provision of 
modern farm equipment.
It was reported that between 2019 and 2024, the PhilMech, through the 
RCEF, delivered 29,599 units of farming equipment. These equipment include 
machines for land preparation, harvesting and milling, and was distributed to 6,385 
farmers' cooperatives and associations (FCAs) and 368 local government units 
(LGUs). PhilMech's assessment highlights that this mechanization effort has been 
effective in reducing post-harvest losses. Specifically, it has helped reduce losses by 
31,841 metric tons annually, translating to an estimated savings of P541.3 million 
and boosting food security.3
1Andales, Silvestre C. and Gragasin, Engr. Michael. "Priorities and Constraints of Postharvest Technology in the Philippines. 
Available 
at 
httDs://wvw.iircas.qo.lp/sltes/default/files/Dublication/intlsvmD/intlsvmp-7 9-
16.pdf#:~:text=Some%20of%2Qthe%20maior%20constraint5%20in%20the.and%20lack%20of%20oovemment%20policv%2
Qand%2QimDlementation.(Accessed on June 30, 2025).
2 [Agriculture] Final Report on "Data Collection Survey for Post-Harvest Modernization of Rice in the Republic of the Philippines"
has been published. Published on June 9, 
2025. Available at
httDs://www.iica.QQ.lp/enalish/overseas/Dhilippine/information/press/2025/1570174 59671.html#:~:text=At%20the%20same
%20time%2C%20the%20Dostharvest%20loss.at%2Q14.5%25%2C%20indicatinq%20siqnificant%20room%20for%20innprove
mpnt-fttext=Given%20the%20above%20context%2C%20the%20PhiliPPine%20Govemment.for%20irriqation%2C%20mechan
ization%2C%2Qand%20post%2Dharvest%2C%20amonq%20others. (Accessed on June 29, 2025).
3 Philippines sees gains in rice sector through unified efforts. Published on January 24, 2025. Available at 
https://www.da.aQv.Dh/ph-sees-Qains-in-rice-sector-throuqh-unifled-
efforts/#:~:text=Addifa'onallv%2C%20data%20show%20that%20between.production%20costs%20dropped%20bv%20Pl .
(Accessed on June 29, 2025).


In 2024, the drive for modernization has increased the mechanization level of 
rice farms to 2.77 horsepower per hectare, which is up from 2.68 horsepower per 
hectare in 2019. Combine harvesters and four-wheel tractors accounted for 52% and 
29%, respectively, of the increase in farm power.4
Despite these advancements, however, the rice sector continues to face 
challenges such as typhoons, climate events like El Nino and La Nina, and high input 
prices. Crucial interventions such as the establishment of postharvest facilities should 
therefore be prioritized to reduce post-harvest production losses and strengthen our 
rice industry.
This bill proposes that the government directly constructs and provides 
essential postharvest facilities, such as warehouses, modern rice mills, and efficient 
transport facilities. These facilities would then be sold at cost to accredited farmer 
cooperatives, empowering them with the interventions/infrastructure needed to 
improve their productivity and competitiveness.
In view of the foregoing, the approval of this bill is earnestly sought.
IGILINAN
FRANCIS N. n
Senator
1 Ibid.


TWENTIETH CONGRESS OF THE ) 
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES ) 
First Regular Session 
)
JM! -7 PI 33
SENATE
S. No. 222
Introduced by Senator FRANCIS N. PANGILINAN
AN ACT
PROVIDING POST-HARVEST FACILITIES TO RICE FARMERS
Be enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the Philippines in 
Congress assembled:
1 
Section 1. Title- This Act shall be known as the "Post-Harvest Facilities
2 
Support Act of 2025."
3 
Sec. 2. Declaration of Policy- It is the policy of the State to promote
4 
agricultural and rural development. Specifically, the State aims to raise farm incomes
5 
to a level high enough to allow farmers to satisfy their material needs and enhance
6 
their self-esteem. It is also the policy of the State to encourage and strengthen non-
7 
government organizations, such as farmer organizations, cooperatives, and
8 
enterprises.
9 
Sec. 3. Post-Harvest Facilities- The Department of Public Works and
10 
Highways, in consultation with the Department of Agriculture, the Department of
11 
Agrarian Reform, and farmer cooperatives shall construct warehouses and rice mills
12 
in every rice producing municipality and city in the Philippines: Provided, That in the
13 
initial phase of the program, every district with at least one rice-producing
14 
municipality shall be the beneficiary of at least one warehouse and rice mill.
15 
Additionally, the Department of Trade and Industry, in consultation with the
16 
Department of Agriculture, the Department of Agrarian Reform, and farmer
17 
cooperatives, shall provide the equipment and machinery required to operate these


1 
warehouses and rice mills such as Flatbed Dryers and Threshers, as well as the
2 
necessary transport facilities.
3 
Sec. 4. Acquisition of Farmer Cooperatives- The warehouses and rice mills,
4 
including the equipment and machinery required to operate them, shall be sold at
5 
cost to accredited farmer cooperatives which will be given twenty five (25) years to
6 
amortize the facilities.
7 
Sec. 5. Appropriations.- The amount necessary for the effective
8 
implementation of this Act shall be charged against the current appropriations for
9 
Department of Agriculture. Hereafter, such amount as may be necessary for its
10 
continued implementation shall be included in the annual General Appropriations
11 
Act: Provided, that funding support for agencies implementing the Program shall be
12 
included in the necessary appropriations for this Act.
13 
Sec. 6. Implementing Rules and Regulations.- Within thirty (30) days from the
14 
effectivity of this Act, the Department of Public Works and Highways, the
15 
Department of Agriculture, the Department of Agrarian Reform, and the Department
16 
of Trade and Industry shall jointly promulgate the implementing rules and
17 
regulations necessary for the full implementation of this Act.
18 
Sec. 7. Stakeholder Consultations.- The aforementioned implementing
19 
agencies of this act shall conduct beneficiaries and project stakeholders consultation
20 
from the planning to evaluation stages of the post-harvest facility project. The
21 
formation of the local project's Technical Working Group (TWG) that shall lead the
22 
consultation, updating and evaluation of the project is hereby created.
23 
Sec. 8. Separability Clause.- If any provision of this Act is declared invalid or
24 
unconstitutional, the other provisions not affected by such declaration shall remain in
25 
full force and effect.
26 
Sec. 9. Repealing Clause.- All laws, executive orders, administrative orders,
27 
and rules and regulations inconsistent with this Act are hereby repealed or amended
28 
accordingly.
29 
Sec. 10. Effectivity Clause.- This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after its
30 
complete publication in the Official Gazette or in two (2) newspapers of general
31 
circulation.
Approved,