TWENTIETH CONGRESS OF THE ) 
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES ) 
First Regular Session 
)
25
JL -3 25 50
SENATE
S.B. No. 114
Introduced by SENATOR IMEE R. MARCOS
AN ACT
ESTABLISHING THE YOUNG FARMERS AND FISHERFOLK CHALLENGE 
PROGRAM, CREATING FOR THE PURPOSE THE YOUNG FARMERS AND 
FISHERFOLK CHALLENGE COUNCIL, APPROPRIATING FUNDS THEREFOR,
AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES
EXPLANATORY NOTE
Article I, Section 21 of the 1987 Constitution provides that, "The State shall 
promote comprehensive rural development and agrarian reform." Further, the 
Constitution provides that the State shall promote industrialization and full employment 
based on agricultural development and agrarian reform, through Industries that make 
full and efficient use of human and natural resources which are competitive in both 
domestic and foreign markets.
However, laggardly poverty reduction numbers in the Philippines are even 
weaker in the rural sector. Most families in the countryside depend on agriculture as 
their primary, and often sole, source of income. According to the 2023 Family Income 
\ and Expenditure Survey, fisherfolks and farmers continue to post one of the highest 
poverty incidence among the basic sectors at 27.4% and 27%, respectively. Only 
indigenous peoples posted a higher poverty incidence among the basic sectors at 
32.4%.
The youth cohort, comprising more than 40% portion of the Philippine 
population, more and more often choose to leave their parents' farms, rejecting 
agriculture-related activities for the more profitable professions available in the cities. 
The study of Professor Florencia Palis in 2020, entitled "Aging Filipino Rice Farmers and 
Their Aspirations for Their Children"p\aces the average age of Filipino farmers at 53 
years old., posing a serious threat to national food security by 2030.


As of 2025, the Philippine youth sector (15 to 40 years old) numbers almost 49 
million individuals. According to the April 2025 Labor Force Survey, the overall youth 
unemployment rate is 11.5%, significantly higher than national unemployment at 
4.1%. The failure to generate jobs and opportunities for the youth is not merely a 
development obstacle, it also impedes social justice and threatens national security.
By challenging the youth sector to participate in agriculture, this bill seeks to 
address poverty, inequality, and the lack of social mobility. Until today, young farmers 
are burdened by their lack of access to knowledge, information and education; the lack 
of available land to till or affordable credit; a lack of "green jobs", and hardly any 
consultation or participation venues for the youth in agricultural policy debate and 
formulation.
This bill seeks to address the myriad problems of the youth in the countryside 
by institutionalizing the Young Farmers and Fisherfolk Challenge Program which, 
through a whole-of-government approach, undertakes the renewed participation of 
young farmers and fisherfolk in the development of rural areas.
In view of the foregoing reasons, the passage of this bill is earnestly sought.


TWENTIETH CONGRESS OF THE ) 
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES ) 
First Regular Session 
)
25 JUL-3 ?5:50
SENATE
S.B. No. 114
Introduced by SENATOR IMEE R. MARCOS
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AN ACT
ESTABLISHING THE YOUNG FARMERS AND FISHERFOLK CHALLENGE 
PROGRAM, CREATING FOR THE PURPOSE THE YOUNG FARMERS AND 
FISHERFOLK CHALLENGE COUNCIL, APPROPRIATING FUNDS THEREFOR,
AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the Philippines in Congress 
assembled:
SECTION 1. Short Title. - This Act shall be known as the "Young Farmers and 
Fisherfolk Challenge Act".
SEC. 2. Declaration of Policy. - It is hereby declared the policy of the State to 
recognize and engage the role of the youth in nation building and rural development, 
providing for this purpose access to knowledge, information and education, access to 
land, new sources of financial services and capital, green jobs, access to new and niche 
markets, and participation in policy dialogue.
SEC. 3. Young Farmers and Fisherfolk Challenge Program. - There is hereby 
established a "Young Farmers and Fisherfolk Challenge Program", hereinafter referred 
to as the " YFFC Prograrrf, that shall support and empower the young farmers and 
fisherfolk to be active partners in food security and agricultural development and 
modernization. The Program shall encourage the youth to pursue a career or engage in 
activities related to agriculture, ensure young farmers and fisherfolk participation in 
policy formulation and program implementation relative to the agriculture sector, and 
provide institutional support for agri-business and agri-entrepreneurship initiatives of 
the youth to fully realize their role as agents and partners for development.
SEC. 4. Beneficiaries of the YFFC Program. - The YFFC Program is intended to 
support young farmers and fisherfolk between eighteen (18) to thirty (30) years of age, 
who are engaged in farming and fisheries activities, and are included in the Registry


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System for Basic Sectors in Agriculture (RSBSA). The Department of Agriculture (DA), 
in coordination with the Local Government Units (LGUs) shall update its existing 
database to reflect these indicators.
SEC. 5. Creation of a Young Farmers and Fisherfolk Challenge Council. - There 
is hereby created the "Young Farmers and Fisherfolk Challenge Council", hereinafter 
referred to as the "Council", to properly oversee the implementation of the Program. 
The Council shall be composed of the following:
(a) Secretary of the DA or a duly authorized representative who is at least an 
Undersecretary, who shall be the Chair;
(b) Representative of the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) who shall 
likewise be an Undersecretary;
(c) Representative of the Department of Science and Technology (DOST);
(d) Representative of the Department of Agrarian Reform (DAR);
(e) Representative of the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority 
(TESDA);
(f) Representative of the Department of the Interior and Local Government 
(DILG);
(g) Representative of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources 
(DENR);
(h) Representative of the National Youth Commission (NYC); and
(i) Representative of the League of Provinces of the Philippines (LPP);
The Philippine Council for Agriculture and Fisheries (PCAF) shall serve as its 
Secretariat.
SEC. 6. Powers and Functions of the Council. - The Council shall have the 
following powers and functions:
a. Formulate the YFFC Program, in consultation with research institutions such 
as the Southeast Asian Regional Center for Graduate Study and Research in 
Agriculture (SEARCA), Philippine Council for Agriculture, Aquatic and Natural 
Resources Research and Development (PCAARRD), University of the 
Philippines - Los Banos (UPLB) and other relevant State Universities and 
Colleges;
b. Develop, in coordination with various departments and agencies, specific 
action plans for unambiguous tasking and quick implementation;
c. Create special programs for marginalized sectors such as young farmers and 
fisherfolk from urban poor, women, indigenous people, and the Bangsamoro 
Autonomous Region of Muslim Mindanao (BARMM);


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d. Develop initiatives in new farm sectors such as "smart farming" farm tourism, 
agro-, aqua-, and hydroponics, organic and boutique vegetables;
e. Identify relevant training and livelihood budgets in different departments and 
agencies, including start-up capital;
f. Implement the departments' and agencies' action plans, engaging the 
assistance of the LGUs and Sanqguniang Kabataan (SK);
g. Identify the best practices in the implementation of the program as well as 
emerging best practices in agriculture such as smart farming and farm tourism 
in compliance with Republic Act No. 10816, otherwise known as the "Farm 
Tourism Development Act of 2016";
h. Foster the formation of new ideas and technologies by assisting agricultural 
enterprises of qualified young farmers and fisherfolk entrepreneurs, pursuant 
to Republic Act No. 11337, otherwise known as the "Innovative Start-up Act 
of 2018";
i. Initiate new packaging, promotion, and marketing events;
j. Package incentive and recognition programs/awards system;
k. Ensure participation of young farmers and fisherfolk in agri- and food tourism 
marketing events, nationally and internationally;
l. Provide on-the-job training programs for young farmers and fisherfolk in areas 
such as "green jobs", reforestation, coastal management, fisheries, and other 
rural-based jobs, through the DOLE, TESDA, and other livelihood and training 
programs;
m. Establish linkages with agricultural representatives of the Association of South 
East Asian Nations (ASEAN) and other international farming and fisherfolk 
youth associations;
n. Engage national and international leaders in formulating policies directly 
addressing young farmers and fisherfolk concerns; and
o. Monitor and evaluate the effectiveness of the implementation of this Act, as 
well as its impact on the participants and beneficiaries.
SEC. 7. Access to Knowledge, Information, and Education. - A whole 
government approach shall be utilized to inform and enlist young farmers and fisherfolk 
in agriculture:
a. Role of the DepEd - The DepEd shall include at all levels, but particularly in 
its K to 12 program, elective subjects focused on agriculture, such as garden 
farming, urban greening, reforestation and coastal management;


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b. Role of the TESDA - The TESDA, in coordination with the DICT and the DOST, 
shall add subjects in their training centers for agricultural entrepreneurship, 
"smart farming", and other advanced farming technologies, prioritizing 
programs focused on agriculture;
c. Role of the DOLE - The DOLE shall provide on-the-job training (OJT) 
programs for young farmers and fisherfolk, including the Special Program for 
Employment of Students (SPES);
d. Role of the CHED, SUCs, and Agricultural Schools - The CHED, SUCs, and 
agricultural schools shall provide scholarship grants, stipends, and subsidies 
to qualified young farmers and fisherfolk. Likewise, the CHED, SUCs, and 
agricultural schools shall provide schemes for distance, remote, and digital 
learning. The CHED shall likewise encourage the private colleges and 
universities to provide similar opportunities and schemes to qualified 
recipients. The CHED shall include agriculture in its National Service Training 
Program (NSTP) curriculum, such as garden farming, urban greening, and 
coastal management. The CHED shall likewise promulgate the policies, 
standards and guidelines for agriculture courses which shall focus on 
sustainability and the achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals 
(SDGs). Scholarships for post-graduate and doctoral degrees shall be 
provided by CHED: Provided, That private universities and colleges are also 
enjoined to provide the same.
e. Role of the DA, ATI and PCAF - The DA, through the 4-H Club of the ATI and 
the Agricultural and Fishery Youthpreneur Council (AFYC) of the PCAF, shall 
provide for scholarship grants and stipends to qualified young farmers and 
fisherfolk;
f. 
Role of the DOST and DICT - The DOST and DICT shall develop portals, utilize 
social media, and exploit other electronic technologies, to publicize the 
Program; and
g. Role of the LGU and the SK - The LGU shall inform and enlist the SK who 
shall act as trainer-leaders to qualified and interested young farmers and 
fisherfolk.
SEC 8. Access to Land, - Short-leases, free land, and agrarian reform schemes 
shall be developed to provide access to land for young farmers:


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a.
C.
d.
Role of the DENR - The DENR shall explore the possibilities of extending 
short-term leases of public land to young farmers and fisherfolk, provide free 
or subsidized land for cultivation, and develop such other packages as would 
allow young farmers to use available or unutilized agricultural land;
Role of the DAR - The DAR shall facilitate and expedite the lease, distribution, 
and award of agrarian reform land;
Role of the LGU and the SK - The LGU shall help assist the DENR in identifying 
the young farmers and fisherfolk who shall benefit the lease agreements; and 
Role of the SUCs - Whenever SUCs own or occupy excess landholdings, young 
farmers shall be given first option to use and cultivate such landholdings for 
agricultural purposes.
SEC. 9. Access to Financial Services. - Young farmers and fisherfolk shall be 
provided with financial assistance and given access to financial services such as loan/s 
or grant/s:
a. Role of the Land Bank of the Philippines (LBP) - The LBP shall develop 
favorable financial packages for young farmers and fisherfolk, waiving 
collateral, salary and other typical bank requisites;
b. Role of the DA - The DA shall develop financial packages specifically targeting 
young farmers and fisherfolk;
c. Role of the DTI - The DTI, through the Small Business Corporation (SB Corp), 
shall extend loans to the young farmers and fisherfolk for the trade and 
marketing of their agricultural products;
d. Role of the DOST, DICT, and DTI - The DOST, DICT, and the DTI, pursuant 
to Republic Act No. 11337, otherwise known as the "Innovative Start-up Act 
of 2018" and other programs shall include agricultural enterprises for qualified 
young farmers and fisherfolk-entrepreneurs in their incubation efforts;
e. Role of CHED and TESDA - CHED and TESDA shall provide financial literacy 
trainings particularly in handling and managing loans and grants;
f Role of the Private Sector - The private sector is encouraged to subcontract, 
partner, and extend financial grants, initiate social partnerships and rural 
development initiatives, as well as mentor young farmers and fisherfolk on 
livelihood strategies, as part of their corporate social responsibility and other 
community participation;
g. Role of the LGU - The LGU, in coordination with the SK, shall provide funding 
and livelihood opportunities to young farmers and fisherfolk;
h. Role of the SK - The SK, using its ten percent (10%) Development Fund, and 
other funds, shall provide entrepreneurial and finance packages for young 
farmers and fisherfolk; and


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i. Role of the NYC - The NYC, in tandem with potential youth agri-enterpreneurs, 
shall initiate donation and fundraising drives for the Program, exploiting for 
this purpose online advertising, "crowd-sourcing", and other digital means to 
generate funds for the Program.
SEC. 10. Access to "Green Jobs". - Young farmers and fisherfolk shall be given 
priority in access to green jobs, as follows:
a. Role of DOLE - The DOLE, through the SPES, shall include "green jobs", 
reforestation, coastal management, fisheries, and other rural-based jobs, in 
cooperation with LCDs. The DOLE shall prioritize young farmers and fisherfolk 
for employment in job fairs, public projects or private agro-industries and 
corporations;
b. Role of the TESDA - The TESDA shall develop on-the-job trainings, 
employment bridging initiatives, and private partnerships in producing, 
processing, packaging, and marketing young farmers and fisherfolk products;
c. Role of the DOT - The DOT shall prioritize the employment of young farmers 
and fisherfolk in eco- and agro-tours, and encourage entrepreneurship in 
farm and fishery tourism;
d. Role of the PEZA - The PEZA shall prioritize young farmers and fisherfolk for 
jobs in agro-industrial ecozones, provide access to modern farm technology, 
promote linkages in agriculture-related enterprise, and accelerate the 
creation of "green jobs" for young farmers and fisherfolk; and
e. The DA and the ATI - The DA, particularly the 4-H Club of the ATI, shall 
embark upon farming start-ups and provide training/s in new and niche 
agricultural sectors such as organic farming, agroponics, aquaponics, 
hydroponics, dairy, livestock, coffee, cacao, and other areas of farming and 
fishing. The DA and ATI shall also create opportunities for young farmers and 
fisherfolk to harness their leadership skills.
SEC. 11. Access to Market - Young farmers and fisherfolk shall have access to 
market through the following:
a.
b.
Role of the DA - The DA shall assist the young farmers and fisherfolk in selling 
the products through the Kadiwa stores in strategic location;
Role of the DTI - The DTI shall assist young farmers and fisherfolk in the 
packaging, marketing and promotion of their products, including branding, 
advertising, and subsidizing their participation in trade fairs and exhibits;


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c. Role of the DOST - The DOST shall assist the young farmers and fisherfolk 
in providing assistance and research in the food analysis of the product's 
nutritional component and content, among others;
d. Role of the LGU - The LGU shall provide subsidized rental rates for public 
retail areas and public markets, encourage agricultural tourism, and develop 
other opportunities for young farmers and fisherfolk;
e. Role of the Department of Tourism (DOT) - The DOT shall promote the 
products of young farmers and fisherfolk through tourism conventions, 
events, and other tourist souvenir sales opportunities;
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Role of the Private Sector - The private sector is encouraged to market and 
promote the products of young farmers and fisherfolk, as part of their 
Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) and other development efforts; and
g. Role of the Government Media - The government media shall promote and 
advertise the products of the YFFC Program.
SEC. 12. Engagement in Policy Dialogue. - The young farmers and fisherfolk 
are encouraged to participate in policy dialogues, as follows:
a. Role of the NYC. - The NYC shall ensure that young farmers and fisherfolk 
are represented in all decision-making bodies relating to the establishment of 
mechanisms for the promotion and protection of the rights of young farmers 
and fisherfolk;
b. Role of the SK - The SK, through local and Congressional youth 
representatives, shall liaise with the Local Government Leagues and the 
Congress of the Philippines to consult and engage young farmers and 
fisherfolk in policymaking; and
c. Role of the DA - The DA shall ensure that young farmers and fisherfolk are 
equitably represented and consulted in its decision-making process to fully 
realize the young farmers' and fisherfolk' role as agents and partners for 
national development.
SEC. 13. Waiver of Government Fees and Charges. - Subject to the exceptions 
provided in Sec. 8 of Republic Act No. 11261, otherwise known as the "First-Time 
Jobseekers Assistance Act" all government agencies and instrumentalities, including 
government-owned and controlled corporations (GOCCs), LGUs, and government 
hospitals shall not collect fees or charges from young farmers and fisherfolk. Provided, 
That such fee or charge is paid in connection with the application for and the granting 
of licenses, proofs of identification, clearances, certificates or other documents usually 
required in the course of employment locally or abroad. Provided, Further, That the 
benefit provided shall only be availed of once.


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SEC. 14. Annual Report. - The Council shall submit to the President and to both 
Houses of Congress, not later than the 30th of March of every year following the 
effectivity of this Act, a report giving a detailed account on the effective implementation 
of this Act, and recommended legislation where applicable and necessary.
SEC. 15. Implementing Rules and Regulations. - Within ninety (90) days from 
the effectivity of this Act, the DA, in coordination with the DTI, DAR, DOST, DICT, DOLE, 
and DENR shall issue the necessary rules and regulations for the implementation of this 
Act.
SEC. 16. Appropriations. - The amount needed to initially implement the 
provisions of this Act shall be charged against the appropriations of the current year of 
the concerned departments and agencies. Thereafter, such sums, as may be necessary, 
for its continued implementation shall be included in the appropriation of the concerned 
departments and agencies in the annual General Appropriations Act (GAA).
SEC. 17. Repealing Clause. - All other laws, decrees, executive orders and 
issuances, proclamations, rules and regulations, and other issuances or parts thereof 
that are inconsistent with the provisions of this Act are hereby repealed or amended, 
accordingly.
SEC. 18. Separability Clause. - If any provision of this Act shall be declared 
unconstitutional or invalid, the other provisions not otherwise affected shall remain in 
full force and effect.
SEC. 19. Effectivity. - This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after its 
publication in the Official Gazette or in a newspaper of general circulation.
Approved,