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

2 pave 14 JUN 0
* TIME

NINETEENTH CONGRESS
First Regular Session

House Bill No, 8940

Lone District, Quirino

AN ACT DECLARING NOVEMBER OF EVERY YEAR AS NATIONAL FARMERS AND
FISHERFOLK MONTH, AND APPROPRIATING FUNDS THEREFOR

EXPLANATORY NOTE

Around 40% of employed Filipinos are involved in the agricultural sector, with output accounting for
about 20% of GDP. This is a testament to farmers’ perseverance and investment of land, labor, and
resources to produce harvest. Despite this however, the recognition of farmers, as vital to economy
and food security, is overdue.

Farmers’ Days had been previously declared by previous administrations including Presidents Jose P.
Laurel and Ferdinand Marcos, but these have regretfully been put to disuse; there are likewise
fragmented efforts, such as some localities conducting their own celebrations. It is time that a
nationwide, collective, united effort to honor our hitherto humble farmers is made. It is hoped that by
doing so, more will be encouraged to enter farming as a profession and noble vocation.

Thus, this bill seeks to promote agriculture and fishery development and give farmers and fisherfolk
more opportunities to maximize their incomes and increase their contribution to the nation’s wealth.
Hence, the State should promote and raise awareness of the significant contribution of farmers and
fisherfolk in nation- building and their specific role in putting food on our tables. Thus, government
departments such as the Department of Education, Department of Agriculture, and Department of
Agrarian Reform are invited to lead the celebration, and remind Filipinos, of our farmers’ rightful
place of honor. Not just for a day — which can slip by and be fleeting - but for a month. This bill seeks
the declaration of November as “Buwan ng Magsasaka” or “National Farmer's Month.” All schools
and relevant government offices shall ensure a fitting celebration for the month-long event.

This measure previously passed the third reading in the 18* Congress. It was proposed by
Representatives Faustino Michael Carlos T. Dy III, Eric G. Yap, Rico B. Geron, Rosanna “Ria”
Vergara, Deogracias Victor “DV” B. Savellano, Anthony Petre “Onyx” D. Crisologo, Rudys Cesar G.
Farifias I, “Kuya” Jose Antonio R. Sy-Alvarado, Virgilio S. Laeson, Conrado M. Estrella III, Faustino
“Inno” A. Dy V, Kristine Singson-Mechan, Solomon R. Chungalao, Jose Gay G. Padiernos, Samantha
Louise Vargas Alfonso, lan Paul L. Dy, Mark O. Go, Ed Christopher S. Go, Ramon C. Nolaso Jr.,
Maximo Y. Dalog Jr., Rose Marie “Baby” J. Arenas, Luisa Lloren Cuaresma, Joseph “Jojo” L. Lara,
Sandra Y. Eriguel MD., Christopher V.P. De Venecia, Evelina G. Escudero, Pablo John F. Garcia,
Henry S. Oaminal, Stella Luz A. Quimbo, Strike B. Revilla, Rufus B. Rodriguez, Ruffy B. Biazon,
Peter John D. Calderon, Luis N. Campos Jr., Junie E. Cua, Manuel Jose “Manmix” M. Dalipe, Paul
Ruiz Daza, John Michael R. Duavit, Vincent Franco “Duke” D. Frasco, Greg G. Gasataya, Ruwel

/* recewen


Peter S. Gonzaga, Teodorico T. Haresco Jr., Romeo S. Momo, Manuel T. Sagarbarria, Jose “Ping-
Ping” I. Tejada, Micaela S. Violago, Antonio “Tonypet” T. Albano, Yasser Alonto Balindong, Alfel
M. Bascug, Jose Francisco “Kiko” B. Benitez, Gabriel H. Bordado Jr., Argel Joseph T, Cabatbat,
Wilfredo “Willy” S. Caminero, Carl Nicolas C. Cari, Sergio C. Dagooc, Cheryl P. Deloso-Montalla,
Abdullah D. Dimaporo, Mohamad Khalid Q. Dimaporo, Alan “Aldu” R. Dujali, Michael B.
Gorriceta, Eduardo “Eddie” R. Gullas, Godofredo N. Guya, Glona G. Labadlabad, Edward Vera Perez
Maceda, Maricel G. Natividad-Nagafio MD., Jose “Jun” L. Ong Jr., Pablo C. Ortega, Allan Benedict
S. Reyes, Geraldine B. Roman, Joy Myra Salvador-Tambunting, Alyssa Sheena P. Tan, Angelina
“Helen” D.L. Tan. MD., John Reynald M. Tiangco, Lucy Torres-Gomez, Kristine Alexie B. Tutor,
Presley Cheng De Jesus, Lorenz R. Defensor, Jonathan Keith T. Flores, Dahlia A. Loyola, Florida
“Rida” P, Robes, Irene Gay F. Saulog, and Wilfrido Mark M. Enverga as principal authors thereof.

In view of the foregoing, approval of this measure is eamestly sought.

MIDY. CUA
Repréentative
Lone Digtrict, Quirino


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

NINETEENTH CONGRESS
First Regular Session

House Bill No. 8540

Introduced by Representative Midy N. Cua
Lone District, Quirino

AN ACT DECLARING NOVEMBER OF EVERY YEAR AS NATIONAL FARMERS AND
FISHERFOLK MONTH, AND APPROPRIATING FUNDS THEREFOR

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

SECTION 1. Declaration of Policy. — It is hereby declared the policy of the State to accord the
highest priority to the development of agriculture and fishery and give farmers and fisherfolk more
opportunities to maximize their incomes and increase their contribution to the nation’s wealth,
Towards this end, the State shall promote and increase awareness on the significant contribution of
farmers and fisherfolk in nation building and their specific role in putting food on our tables.

SEC. 2. Buwan ng Magsasaka at Mangingisda. - November of every year is hereby declared as
“Buwan ng Magsasaka at Mangingisda.” All schools and relevant government offices shall ensure
suitable celebration for the month-long event.

SEC. 3. Implementing Rules and Regulations. — Within ninety (90) days from the effectivity of this
Act, Department of Education, in collaboration with the Departments of Agriculture, Agrarian
Reform, Science and Technology, Interior and Local Goverment, and Commission on Higher
Education (CHED) and their attached offices shall formulate the necessary rules and regulations for
the proper implementation of this Act.

SEC. 4. Appropriations. ~ The amount necessary to initially implement the provisions of this Act shall
be charged against the appropriations of the concerned departments and agencies for the current year.
Thereafter, such sums as may be necessary for its continued implementation shall be included in the
appropriations of the concemed departments and agencies in the annual General Appropriations Act
(GAA).

SEC. 6. Separability Clause. — If any provision of this Act is held unconstitutional or invalid, all other
provisions not affected thereby shall remain valid.

SEC. 7. Repealing Clause. - All laws, decrees, executive orders, rules and regulations or parts thereof,
which are inconsistent with this Act, are hereby repealed, amended or modified accordingly.

SEC. 8. Effectivity. - This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after its publication in the Official
Gazette or in a newspaper of general circulation.


Approved,