Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Quezon City

18TH CONGRESS
First Regular Session

HOUSE BILL No. 1935

Introduced by Representative Michael L. Romero

EXPLANATORY NOTE

The Philippines is an agricultural country where 35% of its population is engaged
in farming as a main source of livelihood. Ironically, the country, for several
years, has been the biggest importer of rice in the world and still striving to attain
self-sufficiency. In fact, in the year 2009 alone, the country had imported
1,777,378,649 metric tons of rice and 303,148,863 metric tons of corn in the
total amount of US$952,740,091.00 and US$95, 153,146.00, respectively, which
contributed to the depletion of the dollar reserve of the country

The above unfortunate situation is further compounded by the burgeoning
population with an annual growth at 2.04%. With the land area of only four (4)
million hectares used for rice production in the Philippines, and this area is
decreasing in big number in favor of certain industries, subdivisions, commercial
establishment and other purposes, the government should take immediate and
effective measures geared towards improving the yield of the farmers to ensure
accessibility and affordability of rice, corn and similar farm products for all
Filipinos. Studies show that 35% of the total yield increase will be attributed to
the use of high quality seeds.

The enactment of Republic Act No. 7308, known as the “Seeds Industry
Development Act of 1992” was a monumental step towards increasing farm
productivity by developing and propagating quality seeds. However, it did not
contain a proviso for a compulsory mass production of seeds for the farmers. To
date, while the government has adopted a program to procure quality seeds for
the farmers, it has never been as comprehensive as it should be and its volume
and coverage, as well as its implementation are more matters of policy in the
leadership rather than in pursuance to a well-defined enactment



The establishment of a seeds production program will greatly enhance farm
productivity by providing the farmers with quality, hybrid and affordable seeds,
as well as the needed technical and other support services. It is in furtherance
of the thrusts of the government to attain self-sufficiency of rice and corn
production, as well to improve the lives of our famers who consistently posted
the highest poverty incidences among the other sectors.

Ceomnro Ph.D.

MICHAE!


Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Quezon City

18TH CONGRESS
First Regular Session

HOUSE BILL NO. 1935

Introduced by Representative Michael L. Romero

AN ACT

ESTABLISHING A CONTINUING NATIONAL PROGRAM FOR
HYBRID AND OTHER QUALITY SEEDS PRODUCTION AND
PROVIDING FUNDS THEREFOR, AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES

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

SECTION 1. Title - This Act shall be known as ” The National Sceds
Production Act of 2019”,

SECTION 2. Declaration of Policy - It is hereby declared the policy of the
State to optimize the farm productivity through a systematic production of hybrid
and other quality seeds which are readily available and affordable to farmers
Towards this end, the government shall formulate a system that will ensure the
production of hybrid and other quality seeds sufficient to address the
requirements of the farmers and whereby the farmers could buy seeds to various

accessible centers at a subsidize prize.

SECTION 8. Definition of Terms - For purposes of this Act, the following
terms shall be defined as follows:


a) Seed shall mean a plant material used for the production of food,
forage, fibers, industrial crops, oil, flowers, grasses, herbs, and
aquatic plants, including but not limited to, meristem and clonal
propagules such tubers, corms, cuttings, seedlings, and micro-
propagated plantlets;

b) Hybrid seeds shall mean genetically improved seeds certified by
the National Seed Quality Control Services under the Bureau of
Plant Industries with proven capacity for high yield;

c) Continuing program shall mean an all year round program of
production based on a pre-determined volume of requirement
that should be carried out on a regular basis;

d) Local levels shall mean the regional offices of the Department of
Agriculture, provincial agriculture offices and the municipal
agriculture offices;

e) Subsidize price shall mean the value of the seeds which is half of
its acquisition and/or production cost as determined by the
Department of Agriculture, through the Bureau of Plant
Industries;

SECTION 4. Coverage. The National Government shall undertake a
comprehensive program on the production of hybrid and other quality sceds,

guided by the following objectives:

a) Policy formulation on regulation and distribution of hybrid and
other quality seeds to the farmers at a subsidize cost;

b) Promotion and encouragement to the farmers of the use of hybrid
and other quality seeds in their effort to increase farm
productivity;

c) Conduct of information dissemination, seminars and other
support services to the farmers;

d) Research and development pertaining to hybrid and other quality
seeds, in
coordination with the Philippine Rice Institute and other
specialized agencies.

SECTION 5. Implementing Mechanism- The Department of Agriculture,

through the Bureau of Plant Industries is hereby designated as the implementing


Agency of this program and shall initiate, supervise, coordinate, monitor its

implementation at the national and local levels. It shall ensure the following;

a) The active participation of the private sectors in the mass
production of hybrid and other quality seeds in sufficient
quantity;

b) The seeds that shall be mass produced in sufficient quantity
should only be those hybrid and other quality seeds that are
certified by the National Seed Quality Control Services, created
under Republic Act 7308;

c) The establishments of areas devoted to the production of hybrid
and other quality seeds in each region and province, as may be
deemed necessary, to augment any deficiency of production from
the private sector.

d) The establishments of buying/distribution centers in each
municipality, through the municipal agriculture office

SECTION 6. Appropriations - The sum of One Billion pesos
(Php1,000,000,000.00) shall be appropriated for the initial implementation of
this Act which shall be incorporated in the Annual Budget of the Department of
Agriculture, and thereafter the amount necessary to carry out the program

implementation shall be incorporated in the General Appropriations Act

SECTION 7. Annual Report - The Department of Agriculture shall render

an annual report to Congress on the accomplishment of the program. A re

ew
on the viability of the program shall be made by the concerned agencies after

three (3) years of its implementation

SECTION 8. Implementing Rules and Regulations - The Depariment of
Agriculture shall issue rules and regulations to implement the provisions of this

Act within ninety (90) days from the effectivity of this Act.

SECTION 9. Penal Provisions - Any person, firm or association who shall
obstruct, impedes or in any manner defeats the purpose of this act, shall, upon

conviction, be punished with a fine of not more than One Hundred Thousand


pesos (Php 100,000.00) or imprisonment of not more than five (5) years, or both,
in the discretion of the court. Provided, that in case of a firm or association, the
penalty of imprisonment shall be imposed upon the officer(s) who knowingly

participated, abetted, or consented to the commission of such punishable acts

SECTION 10. Separability Clause - If any provision of this Act is declared
invalid or unconstitutional, the other provisions not affected thereby shall

remain in full force and effect.

SECTION 11. Repealing Clause — All laws, presidential decrees,
executive orders, presidential proclamations, rules and regulations or parts
thereof contrary to or inconsistent with this Act are hereby repealed or modified

accordingly.

SECTION 12. Effectivity Clause - This Act shall take effect fifteen (15)
days following its publication in at least two (2) newspapers of general circulation

or in the Official Gazette, whichever comes first.

Approved.