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REPUBLIC OF 'THE PHILIPPINES 
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illL 24 175 .:T 
Second Regular Session 
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INTRODUCED BY HONORABLE MAR R O U S  
EXPLANATORY NOTE 
Since the end of 2007, global rice prices have increased nearly two--fold, spiking at 
US$1,025.00/MT in April-May 2008 before settling at current prices of US$780.00/MT. To 
date, domestic price is Php37.OOkg for regular-milled rice and Php39.00kg for well-milled 
rice. As a result, Filipinos, fighting to stretch the last peso, have had to scramble for access to 
government subsidized NFA.-rice, the supply of which has clearly not been enough to meet 
demand. It is estimated that these sharp food price spikes are likely to increase the incidence 
of poi'erty from 33% in 2006 to %0/, in 2008, wiping out any positive impact of recent 
growth on poverty.' 
Unfortunately, even without the global rice price spikes, a rice crisis was already 
foreseen to occur in the Philippines sooner or later. Over the last three years, the rice yield 
gap has been an average of 2.1 MT, costing the country at least US$2 Billion in rice 
importations since 2002. This rice yield gap is directly correlated to our agricultural 
prodwtivity growth which averaged a shameful 0.2 over the last 30 years, only 13% and 16% 
the productivity growth of Indonesia and Thailand respectively. With low rice productivity 
growth and rapid population growth, rice consuinption has outpaced rice production 
necessitating rice importation. Despite the early warnings of a looming crises however, the 
Executive failed to take corrective action, insisting on maintaining the stahis quo -- a posture 
that continues even. today. 
Clearly, there js an urgen.t need for the agricultural sector to take deliberate and 
concerted action: to minimize the rice yield gap and achieve enduring rice sufficiency for the 
country. Equally clear is that to achieve these goals, a serious reorientation of the current 
policies of the agricultural sector is demanded, for it is these policies that have brought the 
country to this crisis point in the first place. This bill seeks such a reorientation. 
This measure thus provides for medium to long term actions to achieve sustained rice 
sufficiency embodied in a ten-year accelerated agricultural investment plan. Specifically, it 
identifies additional allocations on top of regular appropriations for agricultural research and 
development (R&D), extension services, and irrigation, and governance reform designed to 
close the 30-40% gap between actual farmer yields and expected or optimal yields. These 
additional allocations will support the strategic interventions under the proposed bill which 
include the undertaking of location- specific, resource-sensitive and participatory R&D to 
maximize the impact of rice research and development; financial support for LGU extension 
Balisacan, May 2008. 
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services that will ‘ensure a decentralized extension program responsive to farmers’ needs 
including on-farm diagnosis, field results demonstrations on new technology, information 
and communication linkage facilitation between farmers and market, financial and 
knowledge institutions; and the prioritization and development of small-scale irrigation, 
private-sector led minor irrigation systems, development of irrigation systems in priority 
river basins ideal for rice farming and rehabilitation of existing irrigation systems (vis-his 
constructing new large-scale irrigation systems). A moratorium on conversion is also 
imposed on lands the irrigation systems of which were installed as part of the national 
irrigation investment plan. An inventory of existing irrigation facilities to identify those that 
will need rehabilitation is also mandated under the proposed measure. 
The transformation and reorientation of the National Food Authority into a buffer 
stock management agency will be completed at the end of the 10 year agricultural 
investment plan provided under the proposed measure. 
Finally, improved sector governance is required in order that the government 
interventions under the proposed agricultural investment plan will succeed. While the 1991 
Local Government Code devolved agriculture research and extension to the LGUs, the 
national government has thus far reneged on their support and coordination functions in 
term.s of information, technology as well as budgeting. Therefore, this bill ensures sustainable 
financing of small-scale agriculture through a bottom:up approach to budgeting, rice market 
in.formation exchange through the construction of on-site agricultural research facilities, 
technical assistance in the design, use and maintenance of post-harvest facilities, and capacity 
building programs for LGU on-site agriculture extension workers. 
Status quo agricultural programs and policies have clearly shortchanged the Filipino 
people. We must take action now to hlfill our responsibility to achieve enduring food 
security for present and future generations. The problems of hunger and food insecurity have 
global dimensions and are likely to persist. Attaining food security is a complex task for 
which the primary responsibility rests with individual governments. 
In view of the foregoing, urgent approval of this bill is earnestly requested. 


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FOURTEENTH CONGRESS OF THE 
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REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES 
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Second Regular Session 
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S E N A T E  
S. B. No. 
INTRODUCED BY HONORABLE MAR ROXAS 
AN ACT 
FOR THAT PURPOSE AN AGRICULTUML RENAISSANCE PROGRAM 
INVESTMENT PROGRAM DIRECTED AT RESEARCH & DEVELOPMENT, 
EXTENSION SERVICES, IRRIGATION AND IMPROVED AGRICULTURE 
SECTOR GOVERNANCE, INSTITUTIONALIZING KEY REFORMS IN 
AGRICULTURAL MANAGEMENT, APPROPRIATING FTJNDS THEREFOR 
AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES. 
To ACHIEVE ENDURING RICE AND FOOD SUFFICIENCY, MANDATING 
ANCHORED 
ON 
A 
10-YEAR 
ACCELERATED 
AGRICULTURAL 
Be it enacted by the Senate and House cf Representatives of the Philippines in 
Congress assem bled: 
CHAPTER 1 
GENERAL 
PROVISIONS 
SECTION 1. Sholr Etle. - This Act shall be known as the "Agricult~ra~Ren~issance 
and 
Food Sufficiency Act of 2008. " 
SEC. 2. Declaratjon of Poljcy The State hereby reaffirms the fundamental right of 
every person to adequate food and to be free from hunger. The achievement of self- 
sufficiency in food, particularly the staple food rice, is therefore adopted as a primary State 
policy. Towards this end, key reforms for the advancement of, and support to agricultural 
research and development '(R & D), extension services, and small scale irrigation shall be 
undertaken to cultivate an agricultural framework that encourages the achievement of rice 
sufficiency. 
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Pursuant to this, the State shall maximize the impact of rice R & D by undertaking 
location-specific, resource-sensitive and participatory R & D, strengthening research- 
extension linkages and hastening technology commercialization. At the same time, the State 
shall create a decentralized rice extension system to help accelerate the transformation of 
rice production from a resource-based industry to a technology-based industry, at the same 
time empowering LG1J extension workers and farmers. Recognizing the role of the private 
sector, the State shall also provide focused support to more affordable and feasible small-scale 
irrigation systems, the rehabilitation of existing irrigation facilities and private-sector led 
development of existing minor irrigation systems. 
In the choice of location-specific 
irrigation projects, the economic principle of economic efficiency shall always be adhered to. 
Further recognizing that the buy-in of local governments is of paramount importance in any 
successful agricultural renaissance program, the State shall adopt a bottom-up approach to 
sector plmning and budgeting. 
.. 
SEC. 3. National Rice Development Investment Plan. The Department of Agriculture, 
hereinafter referred to as the Department, shall, within ninety (90) days from the effectivity 
of this Act, craft a ten (10) year agricultural investment program to achieve enduring rice 
sufficiency. As a necessary component of the agricultural investment program, an increase in 
allocation for agricultural research and development, extension services, and irrigation 
projects shall be identified in accordance with Section 21 of this act to ensure the 
implementation of the progrsm components set forth in this Act. Further, the components 
for an improved sector governance directed at agricultural areas devoted to rice production 
as identified under Chapter 5 of this act. shall also be a mandatory part of the national 
agricultura.1 investment plan and the bottom-up approach to planning and budgetting 
prescribed in Section 18 of this act shall be applied. 
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CHAPTER 2 
RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT 
SEC. 4. .Participatoy, Locatfon-SpecXc and Resource-Sensitive Research and 
Devehpment. - Rice research and development activities shajl be multidisciplinary and shall 
involve farmers, their organizations, and those engaged in the production and post- 
production process, including both the private and public sectors in all stages so that research 
priorities and directions are at all times responsive to their needs. The Department, in 
coordination with the local government units shall prioritize undertaking of location-specific 
and resource-sensitive research and development initiatives that focus on distinct problems 
and opportunities that may affect the course of the production system, including research in 
more efficient individual irrigation system as well as research in post-production processes. 
SEC. 5. Research-&tension Linkage. - The Philippine Rice Research Institute, 
hereinafter referred to as PhilRice, shall perform a key role in national rice research and 
development. PhilRice shall consolidate and rationalize existing National Rice Research and 
Development Network (NRRDN) initiatives and output, and shall hereafter implement a 
unified research and development agenda. The local'government units shall maximize the 
linkage provided by the NRRDN to facilitate the promotion and adoption of technologies, 
and improve the capacity of farmers and farmers organizations in technology dissemination 
through trainings in the latest available technologies and the use of innovative extension 
modalities. 
. .  . 
Research information and technology shall be communicated through the National 
Information Network (NIN) created pursuant to Republic Act 8435, otherwise known as the 
Agriculture and Fisheries Modernization Act of 1997. Continuous support shall also be given 
to the application of information communication and technology in extension for easier 
access to available technology and information. 
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The Department of Agriculture shall initiate the formulation of plans that will tighten 
partnerships among local government units (LGUs), state colleges and universities (SCUs), 
and Regional Integrated Agricultural Research Centers (RIARCs), and non-agricultural 
departments such as the Departments of Agrarian Reform, Science and Technology, and 
Environment and Natural Resources, as well as the collaboration of LCUs with farmers’ 
organizations, people’s organizations (POs), non-governmental organizations (NGOs), and 
the private sector. 
SEC. 6. Technology Commercialization. - A program for the construction of on-site 
agriculture research facilities in rice-producing provinces which will serve as strategic 
channels for transmission of rice research and technology from the Department and other 
concerned national government agencies to the local government unit shall be mapped out 
by the Department as part of the 10 year agricultural investment plan mandated by this Act. 
The Department, in coordination with the private sector, shall advance efforts to 
commercialize technology through beneficial licensing agreements or joint venture 
agreements in order to improve farmers’ access to technology, Provided however, that the 
rights of the scientist, researcher, author and other persons under Republic Act 8293 or the 
Intellectual Property Code of the Philippines shall at all times be respected. 
SEC. 7. Special Concerns in Rice Earning Research and Development. - Research 
institutions and centers shall enjoy autonomy and academic freedom. The Department, in 
collaboration with the Department of Science and Technology and other appropriate 
agencies, shall harmonize its merit and output-oriented promotion system governing the 
scientific community in order to promote increased research excellence and productivity and 
provide the government research system a competitive edge in increasing and retaining its 
scientific personnel. 
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Appropriate technology shall be used to increase the level of productivity, reduce cost 
of production, improve product quality, increase value-added for global competitiveness, and 
protect the environment. 
CHAPTER 3 
EXTENSION SERVICES 
SEC. 8. Decentralized Extension Services, - The Department shall adapt a 
decentralized rice extension services system that puts emphasis on technology transfer and 
improvement of cultural and management practices. It shall be the prime responsibility of 
the local government units to undertake appropriate farm diagnosis in order to determine the 
rice problems in their respective areas and shall prepare and intplement farm-specific 
solutions that address these problems. The extension service program of the LGUs shall 
include, but is not limited to: 
a. On-Farm Diagnoses and Advisory Services; 
b. Training of Cluster Farmer-Leaders; 
c. Field Results Demonstrations; 
d. Information and Communication Support Systems; 
e. Linkage Facilitation; and 
f. Monitoring and Evaluation 
To strengthen the capacity of the local government units and ensure their delivery of 
adequate rice extension services, the Department, together with state colleges and 
universities, shall assist the LGUs’ extensions system by extending technical assistance, 
providing capability-building programs, and releasing the national counterpart budget on 
time. 
. .  ., 
SEC. 9. Knowledge Management. - In defining the agricultural investment plan, the 
Department shall ensure that priority is given to the provision of financial support to the 
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improvement of thc quality of knowledge management in order that LGU extension workers 
and rice farmers are given timely access to relevant data and information. Pursuant to this, 
the Department shall take measures to empower LGU extension workers and farmers 
through: 
a. Establishing a feedback mechanism from farmers to on-site research facilities and 
other rice research centers; 
b. Providing support to research and extension networks to ensure smooth flow and 
exchange of data and information; 
c. Developing the capacity of the LGUs to use the value-chain approach: 
d. Developing the organizational management of LGU extension services and 
community organization development; 
e. Optimizing the principle of farmer-to-farmer and extensionist-to-extensionist 
learning approach; and 
Strengthening the use of information and communication technology. 
f. 
SEC. 10. Post-Harvest Facilities. - An inventory of all post-harvest facilities shall be 
carried out by the Department to determine those areas that are seriously lacking in post 
harvest facilities and to evaluate the performance and capacity of the same. Accordingly, the 
Department shall extend technical assistance in the design, use and maintenance of post 
harvest facilities. The Department, in coordination with the LGUs, shall devise schemes such 
as, but not limited to, lease with option to buy or amortization, that will make farmers’ 
acquisition of threshers, driers and other post harvest facilities possible. 
SEC. 11. Role offhe Private Sector in Extension. - The Department shall encourage 
the participation of farmers’ associations, cooperatives, and organizations in the private 
sector in training and other complementary extension services especially in the community 
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organizing, use of participatory approaches, popularization of training materials, regenerative 
agricultural technologies, agribusiness and management skills. 
The Department shall also assist the local government units in entering into 
partnerships with the private sector through businesses and non-government organizations, 
as well as with neighboring 1,ocal government units to more efficiently and effectively deliver 
extension services. 
CHAPTER 4 
IRRIGATION 
SEC. 12. Imgarion Investment Plan. - The ten (10) year agricultural investment plan 
shall include an irrigation investment program that identifies priority irrigation areas. For 
this purpose, the Department and the National Irrigation Administration shall conduct an 
inventory of all existing irrigation systems to identify those needing urgent rehabilitation. 
The irrigation investment plan shall include hydrological maps and be designed to advance 
the use of more affordable small-scale irrigation systems and promote private sector-led 
development of minor irrigation systems; Provided, that the irrigation investment plan shall 
prioritize the development of irrigation systems in major river basin areas identified as ideal 
for rice farming; Provided further that the irrigation investment plan shall include a 
comprehensive strategy for the sustainable use of these same river basin areas for irrigation 
to optimize its resources; 
Priority shall also be given to the rehabilitation of existing irrigation systems as 
identified in the DA and NIA inventory under the preceding paragraph rather than on 
construction of new large-scale irrigation systems. All irrigation projects to be constructed 
pursuant to the irrigation investment plan should be location-specific and supported by 
feasibility studies and social cost-benefit analysis indicating that the same is the most viable 
and beneficial irrigation system for the locality. 
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Funding from other sourccs other than as stated in this Act such as international 
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donor agencies sliall also be encouraged and duly identified in the investment plan stated 
above. 
SEC. 13. Conversion of Irr&ated Land - The Department shall conduct a survey of all 
irrigated lands to determine those irrigated lands that can still be sustainably utilized for food 
prodnction. Thereafter, such irrigated lands identified as still suitable for food production 
and other agricultural purposes shall be subject to a ten year moratorium €rom conversion 
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All agricuitural lands so delineated which will benefit from the irrigation investment 
plan created pursuant to the preceding section shall not be converted to other uses for a 
period of ten (10) years from the time that the irrigation system has been installed. 
SEC. 14. Monitoring and Evaluation. - The Department shall monitor the 
implementation of irrigation projects that are part of the irrigation investment plan created 
under this Act. 
A review of the condition of all existing irrigation systems shall be 
conducted by the Department every two (2) years to determine their viability or 
ineffectiveness. For purposes of this section, the Department shall employ the services of 
independent evaluators to assess the over-all impact of the country's irrigation development. 
CHAPTER 5 
IlllI'ROvED SECTOR GOVERNANCE 
SEC. 15. Rice Market Information. - The Bureau of Agricultural Statistics (BAS) shall 
ensure that reliable and updated market information on relevant market indicators is 
available and accessible to farmers and all other persons or entities involved in the trade of 
rice, such as, but not limited to: 
. .  
(a) domestic production; 
(b) current stocks; 
(c) imports and exports; 
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(d) demand situation; 
(e) prices of rice in different markets; and 
(0 prices and demand situations of substitute products and inputs to rice 
production (e.g., seeds, fertilizers, chemicals, etc.) 
SEC. 16. Rural Fihance. - The national government shall encourage a more active 
participation of private financial institutions in the rural financial markets that will meet the 
demand for financial services of small client-farmers. Local government units shall likewise 
encourage and support private sector interventions and programs aimed at extending long- 
term credit to finance smallholder agriculture and mobilizing intermediate long-term 
investment credit. 
CHAPTER 6 
Implementing Mechanism 
SEC. 17. Role of &e National Food Authority. - Henceforth, the NFA shall be 
primarily tasked to maintain and manage the rice reserve requirements of the country, and 
exercise all of its other regulatory and developmental functions pursuant to Presidential 
Decree 1770. Accordingly, the NFA shall have completely relinquished its rice importation 
function to the private sector at the end of the ten (IO) year agricultural investment plan 
created pursuant LO Section 3 above. The NFA shall review on an annual basis, the buffer 
stock requirements at the national and local level, and shall implement measures to ensure 
that the rice reserve requirements of the country are regularly met and maintained. 
SEC. 18. Bottom-Up Approach Budgeting. - The Department shall henceforth adapt a 
bottom-up approach in the formulation of their budget. To ensure that the LGUs are a 
paramount consideration in the formulation of the budget plan, the budget structure shall 
have in the first level of allocation the functional level computed based on the local 
government unit’s rice program’s general objectives and the relative contribution of each 
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functional level to the program's goals, Provided that the budget plan of the Department 
shall be consistent with the specific increases in allocation for agricultural research and 
development, extension and, irrigation programs.mandated by Section 22 below. 
The Department shall also develop a transparent system of matching grants to local 
government units in order to implement critical national and local government programs 
undei the 10 year agricultural investment plan. 
SEC. 19. Reporto~al Requirements. - The Secretary of Agriculture shall submit an 
annual report of its performance on the ten (10) year agricultural investment plan to the 
Office of the President and to the Congressional Oversight Committee hereinafter created: 
Provided, That the report shall have been subjected to validation and evaluation by an 
independent panel of experts to be appointed by the President for this purpose. It shall also 
submit all other reports and information as may be required by the Congressional Oversight 
Committee. 
The annual report shall contain the status of the following: 
(1) Situation and Outlook; 
(2) Performance Standards; 
(3) Implementation of the Irrigation Investment Plan; 
(4) Conduct of Research and Development efforts; 
(5) Conduct of delivering Extension Services; 
(6) Outcomes and performance vis-his targets and staiidards covering the previous 3 
years 
(7) Such other information or data relevant to the functions of the Department in the 
performance of their mandate and functions that may be required by the Office of 
the President or the Congressional Oversight Committee. 
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The Department of Agriculture shall also keep and maintain records and a database 
containing the above-enumerated information, which shall be made readily available to the 
public subject to payment of reasonable fees for reproduction. 
SEC. 20. Congressional Overnight Committee on Agrarian Renaissance and Food 
Suficiency Program. - A Congressional Oversight Committee on Agrarian Renaissance and 
Food Sufficiency Program is hereby created to be co-chaired by the Chairs of the Committee 
on Agriculture and Food of both Houses, and composed of six members of each House, to be 
designated by the Senate President and the Speaker of the House, who shall endeavor to have 
the various regions of the country represented. The Congressional Oversight Committee 
shall meet bi-annually to review and assess the status of the national agricultural investment 
plan. 
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CHAPTER 7 
Miscellaneous Provisions 
SEC. 21. Appropriation. - In addition to the regular budget of the Department of 
Agriculture, the amount of One billion and one hundred million pesos (Php1,100,000,000) 
shall be appropriated to the Office of the Secretary of Agriculture for the first year of 
implemenlation of this Act; Provided, that this additional appropriation shall be maintained 
for the next nine (years) indexed for inflation; Provided, fui-rher that the amount shall be 
allocated and disbursed according to each intervention area as follows: 
a. at least 32% for research and development purposes as mandated under Chapter 2 
of this Act; 
b. at least 198% for extension service purposes as mandated under Chapter 3 of this 
Act; and 
c. at least 498% for irrigation purposes as mandated under Chapter 4 of this Act. 
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SEC. 22. Ruies and lZegu1ations. - The Department o€ Agriculture, in consultation 
with relevant government agencies and LGUs, farmer organizations and other stakeholders, 
shall, within one hundred twenty (120) days from the effectivity of this Act, promulgate the 
necessary rules and regulations to effectively implement the provisions of this Act. 
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SEC. 23. Separability Clause. - If, for any reason, any section or provision of this Act 
shall be held unconstitutional or invalid, the other section or provision not otherwise 
affected shall remain in'full force and effect. 
SEC. 24. Repealing Clause. - All laws, presidential decrees, executive orders, 
proclamations, rules and regulations which are inconsistent with the provisions of this Act 
are hereby repealed or modified accordingly. 
S ~ C .  25. EB&ctivity Clause. - This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after its 
publication in the Official Gazette or in at least two (2) newspapers of general circulation. 
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Approved, 
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