TWENTIETH CONGRESS OF THE 
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES 
First Regular Session
infflf.' ;11
)
SENATE 
S. No. "^43
25 JUL 21 P1 :43
fttCEiVLDC:
Introduced by Senator JV Ejercito
AN ACT
MANDATING THE DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE TO ESTABLISH A 
NATIONAL AGRICULTURAL CROP PROGRAM, APPROPRIATING FUNDS 
THEREFOR, AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES
EXPLANATORY NOTE
According to the Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA), agricultural land in the 
Philippines has shrunk to 6.16 rnillion hectares as of the 2022 Census of Agriculture 
and Fisheries, this is a sharp decline from 9.97 million hectares in 1991. In the same 
report, the average farm size also decreased dramatically, from 3.61 hectares in 1970 
to just 0.83 hectares in 2022. That is why it is important to ensure strategic, efficient 
crop use based on regional capacity and conditions. 1
The Department of Agriculture estimates that crop wastage due to post-harvest 
inefficiencies remains between 15-25% for key staples like vegetables, rice, and fruits 
as of 2025.2 This results in billions of pesos in wasted produce and foregone income 
for farmers. Regional overproduction of a certain crops while others face shortages 
also leads to price fluctuations and consumer instability.
This bill seeks to establish the National Agricultural Crop Program (NACP) under 
the DA. The NACP will consider the country's existing agricultural lands and the crop
1 PSA (2024.) 2022 Census of Agriculture and fisheries
2 Department of Agriculture (2023). Post- Harvest Loss Assessment Report. Agricultural Training Institute


or farm products responsive to its natural resources. This will create a regional 
production map and provide targeted technical and financial support to farmers and 
cooperatives. Furthermore, there shall be a continuing research and development on 
the propagation of other agricultural products that may be planted, cultivated and 
harvested in the country.
In view of the foregoing, the approval of this bill is earnestly sought.
'TT'o-’'
3V EJERCITO


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,>y. i I
TWENTIETH CONGRESS OF THE 
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES 
First Regular Session
)
SENATE 
S. No. 743
25 JUL21 PI :43
Rtai-'Ljti;
Introduced by Senator JV Ejercito
AN ACT
MANDATING THE DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE TO ESTABLISH A 
NATIONAL AGRICULTURAL CROP PROGRAM, APPROPRIATING 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. Short Title. -This Act shall be known as the" National Agricultural Crop 
Program of2025."
Sec. 2. Declaration of Policy. —It is the policy of the State to boost the agricultural 
sector as one of the prime movers of the country's economic development. A 
sustainable agriculture is a sure indication of food security for our people. Hence, 
agricultural productivity and enhanced food guality should be promoted and protected, 
in order to ensure brighter and healthier nation.
Sec. 3. The National Agricultural Crop Program (NACP). - There shall be a 
comprehensive agricultural crop program in the country. For this purpose, the 
Department of Agriculture (DA) is mandated to identify existing agricultural lands, 
recognize and determine the specific agricultural crop or farm products responsive to 
each region's natural resources, assess the corresponding quantity to be produced for 
each harvest season, and analyze and formulate diversification or variety of 
agricultural crops, based on the topographical features of each region in the country.
Pursuant to this Program, the DA shall, as far as practicable, identify the 
municipalities, cities, or provinces for each region, that would plant, cultivate, nourish.


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and harvest selected varieties of vegetables, fruits, and other agricultural crops, based 
on the topographical features of each area, and its corresponding climate conditions.
In consultation with the local government units, farmers' groups and 
cooperatives, and other farm growers, traders and consumer groups, there shall be 
an assessment of the quantity of agricultural crops to be produced for each harvest 
season.
The end goal of this Program is to properly manage crop growth, seed 
germination, sustained productivity, and manage pre-harvest and post-harvest 
marketing all over the country. It aims to provide sufficient supply of agricultural 
products, and avoid overabundance of production of goods.
Sec. 4. Objectives of the Program. - The DA, in formulating the National 
Agricultural Crop Program, shall be guided by the following objectives:
a) Maximize agricultural production based on each region's natural 
resources, and topographical settings;
b) Monitor agricultural produce and crop maintenance in each region;
c) Properly manage agricultural crop cultivation and harvest in each 
municipality or city or province in every region;
d) Avoid unnecessary overproduction of vegetables, fruits, and other food 
crops and other local agricultural products in one area;
e) Strictly monitor price stability of agricultural products;
f) Ensure steady supply of agricultural crops to consumers;
g) Assist farmers' groups, cooperatives, and local growers and traders in 
transporting goods from farm to market, and access to other institutional 
buyers; and
h) Equally distribute oversupply of produce. If there is any, to consumers, 
exporters, restaurants, hotels and other institutional buyers.
Sec. 5. Coverage. - The Program envisioned under this Act shall cover seeded 
plants, trees, vegetables, fruits, root crops, and other food crops planted, cultivated, 
and harvested in different regions in the country, which shall be commercially available 
to retail and wholesale purchases.
Sec. 6. Inventory of all agricultural lands. - The DA, in coordination with the local 
government units, shall conduct an inventory of all existing agricultural lands In the


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country, including the present crops planted, cultivated and harvested in each region. 
Such inventory shall be maintained and regularly monitored and updated by the 
Department of Agriculture.
Sec. 7. Continuing Research andDeveiopment-The DA, with the assistance of 
the Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG), Department of Science and 
Technology (DOST), Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR), and 
other related government agencies, shall conduct a continuing research and 
development on the propagation of other agricultural products that may be planted, 
cultivated and harvested in the country. Likewise, an in depth-study and investigation
shall be made on applicable technological advancement in the field of agricultural 
crops.
Sec. 8. Technical and Financial Assistance by the Department of Agriculture. - 
Upon completion of the Program, the DA shall provide the necessary technical and 
financial assistance to farmers' groups, farmers' cooperatives, local government units, 
non-government organizations involved in agricultural crops. High quality seedlings, 
organic fertilizers, irrigation, soil, may likewise be provided by the DA. Accessibility to 
organic fertilizer, cold storage facilities, equipment to load vegetables and fruits, and 
other post-harvest activities and facilities, may likewise be extended to farmers' groups 
and cooperatives by the DA.
Sec. 9. Appropriations. - The initial amount necessary to implement the 
provisions of this Act shall be charged against the current appropriations of the DA. 
Thereafter, such sums as may be necessary for the continued implementation of this 
Act shall be included in the succeeding General Appropriations Act.
Sec. 10. Implementing Rules and Regulations. - The DA, together with the DILG, 
DOST, DENR, shall within ninety (90) days the effectivity of this Act, promulgate the 
rules and regulations to effectively implement the provisions of this Act.
Sec. 11. Separability Clause. - If any part or provision of this Act shall be declared 
unconstitutional or invalid, the other provisions hereof which are not affected thereby 
shall remain in full force and effect.
Sec. 12. Repealing Clause. - All laws, decrees, executive orders, memorandum 
orders, memorandum circulars, administrative orders, ordinances or parts thereof


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which are inconsistent with the provisions of this Act are hereby deemed repealed or
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modified accordingly.
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Sec. 13. Effectivity. - This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after its
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publication in the Official Gazette or in a newspaper of national circulation.
Approved,