Republic of the Philippines 
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES 
Quezon City 
TWENTIETH CONGRESS 
First Regular Session 
House Bill No. 1305 
Introduced by Representative STEPHEN JAMES T. TAN 
EXPLANATORY NOTE 
In July 2024, there were a 1.02 million unemployed youth in the 
Philippines. This figure represents a 172,000 increase, compared to the previous 
year. Specifically, this refers to individuals aged 15-24 years old. The youth labor 
force participation rate was 34.2% in July, with an employment rate of 85.2%. 
The total employment comprises 49.15 million people of which 24% comprises 
the agricultural employment. But the challenges concerning agriculture are 
that fishermen and farmers had the highest poverty incidence among the 
country’s basic sectors, according to the National Statistical Office. Average age 
of farmers in the Philippines is between 55 years old to 57 years old. In the 
Philippine setting, new generations of Filipinos refuse to go farming, and that is 
a threat to food security. Experts predict that the Philippines will 
face a critical shortage of farmers in 10 to 12 years. More so, in 
many countries of Asia, the skills of the Filipino youth in rural areas are not 
fully harnessed for the agricultural industry. As a result, traditional farming 
methods are gradually fading as a practice in rural communities. Other 
national, local governments and international agencies often overlook the 
youth’s potentials. Most rural youth are unemployed, underemployed, or forced 
to work in urban communities. 
Making farming more profitable is the first step to attract younger people 
to the agricultural sector. Viable ventures should be established into the 
production of high-value crops that has local following or have export potential 
in raw or processed forms like coffee, cacao, mango, cassava, palm, and rubber. 
In preparing the youth to the agricultural sector, the current curriculum must 
improve and emphasize   in   agriculture, food   technologies production, 
biotechnology and chemistry, economics, international trade and enterprise. 
Entrepreneurship is often perceived as a driver for growth and job creation 
as well as means to make economies more competitive and innovative. However, 
supporting entrepreneurship goes beyond simply helping entrepreneurs or 
would-be entrepreneurs, and providing administrative and financial conditions 
conducive to business creation. It also allows spurring entrepreneurial spirit 
throughout society, in particular among the youth, stimulating their creativity, 
initiative, and sense of responsibility as well as providing the skills and 
knowledge needed to set up and run a business. Hence, education and training 
are vital for changing cultures and igniting entrepreneurial mindsets at an early 
age. 
July 7, 2025
8:00 am


In view of the foregoing, the passage of this bill is earnestly sought. 
STEPHEN JAMES T. TAN 
Representative, First District of Samar


Republic of the Philippines 
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES 
Quezon City 
TWENTIETH CONGRESS 
First Regular Session 
House Bill No. 1305 
Introduced by Representative STEPHEN JAMES T. TAN 
AN ACT 
STRENGTHENING THE FILIPINO YOUTH INVOLVEMENT 
IN AGRICULTURE AND ENTREPRENEURSHIP 
Section 1. Short Title. This Act shall be known as the “Young Agripreneurs Act of 
2022.” 
Section 2. Coverage. This Act shall apply to all provinces, cities and 
municipalities. 
Section 3. Definition of Terms. – For purposes of this Act, the following terms 
shall be defined as follows: 
(a) Youth – as defined in Republic Act 8044, refer to citizens who are within
the ages 15 to 30 years old;
(b) Provinces and Highly Urbanized Cities – a center providing trainings,
assistance, and opportunities; monitoring and evaluation programs,
projects, ad activities; and facilitating partnerships among stakeholders in
the promotion of youth involvement in agriculture; and
(c) Agripreneur – one who organizes, manages, and assumes the risks of a
business or enterprise in agriculture.
Section 4. Rationale. All provincial and city government are mandated to 
establish Youth Agricultural Hubs that will help and guide the youth that will 
provide greater opportunities and engage the youth in agriculture. 
Section 5. Creation of Youth Agricultural Hubs. The following agricultural hubs 
are hereby established: 
(a) Provincial Government shall conduct an assessment to determine
placement of the Youth Agricultural Hubs in the provinces and highly
urbanized cities. Municipalities with sufficient funds have the discretion
to create their own Youth Agricultural Hubs subject to the provision of Sec.
9 hereof for the necessary funding.
(b) Cities and municipalities shall encourage partnerships with different
government agencies and other stakeholders.
(c) The Department of Agriculture regional offices shall perform oversight
functions and assign personnel to fulfill the functions of the Youth


Agricultural Hubs. 
 
Section 6. Functions of the Youth Agricultural Hubs. The Youth Agricultural Hubs 
shall have the following functions: 
 
(a) Shall facilitate trainings for the youth focusing on agriculture, financial 
literacy, entrepreneurship, and other related courses; 
 
(b) Shall be a venue for research farming extensions; 
 
(c) Shall coordinate and establish partnerships with government agencies, 
LGUs, and non-government organizations, civil society, private sector, 
among others; 
 
(d) Shall facilitate the request for additional financial assistance and 
referral to appropriate funding agencies; 
 
(e) Shall monitor implementation and evaluate progress of the approved 
and funded projects; 
 
(f) Shall prepare and submit progress reports of the approved and funded 
projects to the LGUs; and 
 
(g) Shall organize programs, projects, and activities to further promote 
youth engagement in agriculture. 
 
Section 7. Youth Agripreneurship Trade Fair. There shall be a series of youth 
agripreneurship trade fairs showcasing the youth’s agricultural products. 
 
(a) Schedule: 
 
i. 
Provincial Level every September; 
ii. 
Regional Level every October; and 
 
iii. 
National Level every November. 
 
 
(b) Events: 
 
i. 
Project Pitching Competition; 
ii. 
Awarding of Outstanding Youth-Led Agricultural Programs, 
Projects, and Activities; and 
iii. 
Other youth-related agricultural activities. 
 
Section 8. Coordinating Agencies: 
 
 
(a) Department of Agriculture 
(b) Department of Agrarian Reform 
(c) Department of Trade and Industry 
(d) Department of Science and Technology 
(e) Department of Interior and Local Government 
(f) Department of Social Welfare and Development (SLP) 
(g) Technical Educational Skills Development Authority 
(h) Department of Education 
(i) Commission on Higher Education 
(j) National Youth Commission 
(k) National Economic and Development Authority 
(l) Philippine Statistics Authority 


(m)National Commission on Indigenous People 
(n) National Council on Disability Affairs 
 
Section 9. Appropriation. The three percent (3%) of the Internal Revenue 
Allocation (IRA) of the LGU concerned shall be appropriated for the Youth 
Agricultural Hubs and may be increased as determined to be appropriate by the 
LGU. 
 
Section 
10. 
Repealing 
Clause. 
All 
laws, 
decrees, 
executive 
orders, 
proclamations, rules and regulations, or parts thereof inconsistent with this Act 
are hereby amended, modified, or repealed accordingly. 
 
Section 11. Separability Clause. If any provision of this Act is held invalid or 
unconstitutional, the other provisions not affected hereby shall remain valid and 
enforceable. 
 
Section 12. Effectivity Clause. This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days from 
the date of its publication in the Official Gazette or at least two (2) newspapers 
of general circulation. 
 
 
Approved,