EXPLANATORY NOTE

The Philippines has an average annua: rainfall of about 2,400 mm which Is enough te
meet the annuai water demand for ctop srocuction, However, this amount of rainfali 's not
avenly aisttibuted throughout the year in mast parts of the counsry. In some areas, tnere is
“tao much” rainfall, resulting to axcessive sucface runoff, severe erosion, siltation of rivers,
and floding curing the rainy season, Ana ‘a otner parts of the country, thera may be "too
little” te proviae a sustained base flow te supgert crop production especially during she ory
season, particularly in the uplasd areas

tuation ‘y furthes agg @ ccer’racus degadarion of our watersheds.

ve been subjactess ons of degradation sucn as inciscriminate

2 casulting 166 0 ork 27

shane int
334 to omy ao
tt properly mesuges, watertneds ces provide a continuing flow of water te a
particwiar warer body fe.g. river, creexs ans
such as dams, irrigation systems, or water suspiy taxe-off points

ices forest covar

es in o> hectares in most n rimates (LaSP,

‘carms} and to man-made "water use outlets”

Moreover, about 48% of the aravle and
severely erodec, iriggering the movemen:
nope of meeting their day-to-day fooc reouirement. Approximately 3.2 M ha are severely
eroded and 8.5 M ha are moderately eroded resuiting to 30-50% reduction In soil oreductivity
and water retention capacity. This situation wil predispose the degraded lands te drought and
other water availability problems.

in tne Philippines have been modarataly to
subsistence farmers to marginal lands with tne

A related challenge is the country's perenniat problem of foad insufficiency in ight of
our grewing population. This calls for the deve:opment of naw araas for food producti



The development and management of the country’s water resources are critical
interventions because the availability of water lor tack of water} impacts on the country’s
ability to increase agricuitural productivity. which is fundamental to food security. Protection
and efficient management of the watersheds ensure the continuous water base flow and
contribute to environmental sustainability There is a necd, therefore, to ensure water
availability for sustainable agricultural deveionment white parallel interventions should be
pursued to arrest rapid environmental degradation.

The bill, thus, aims to promote soil and water conservation technologies and practices
through the National Soil and Water Conservation Program, The targeted sector of the
program consists of local government units and marginatized farmers in the rain-fed upiands

Under the water conservation efforts in the Program, environment-friendly rainwater
harvesting structures will be constructed In the middle to upper reaches of the uplands and
watersheds with predominantly rolling to hilly topography. The depressions and smail intand
valieys in these areas can be harnessed for small water reservoir development which would
then be utilized by poor upland farming communities for agricultural production. The
envisaged Program will also include watershed protection, development and management as
major components.

Likewise, sustainable upland development 15 also one of the priority thrusts of the
government under Executive Order 606 (Pursuing Sustainable Upland Development Anchoring
on Food, Wood and Non-Waod Security and Economic Productivity). Rainwater harvesting can
conzr'bute to the attainment of sustainable upland development through the invalvement of
locai communities who will manage and maintain both the rainwater harvesting systems and
the ‘ccal watersheds, which are important in recharging ground and surface water that will
feed into the water impounding dams

Concomitant to water conservation activities are soil conservation actwities. There are
various soil conservation measures that could be implemented in the uplands to protect the
environment while attaining agricultural productivity. These witl reduce the risks of natural
disasters and enhance the adoption mechanism of farmers and communities to climate
change. Moreover, it will also enhance food security, improve farrn household Income, protect
resource base and/or environment and prepare the community against the threats of
upcoming naturai calamity.

n view of the foregoing, the passage of this bill is earnestly sought

5. GARIN N. JUAN EDGARDO M. ANGARA
wa Party List Lone District, Aurora


Aepunlic of she Snilippines
HOUSE C= X22 3ESENTATIVES
Quezon chy, ¥i

First Regu:

HOUSE BL NC.

ANAT
PROMOTING SOIL AND WATER CONSEAY AT-ON TECHNOLOGIES AND APPROACHES
FOR SUSTAINABLE LAND MANAGEMENT IN THE PHILIPPINES
ANC FOR OTHER PURPOSES

SECTION 1, Short Titte, - This Act sha:| be known as the “Sof! and Water Conservoticn Act of

2011".

SECTION 2, Declaration of Policy. It is hereby declared the policy of the State to gcomoxe and

support soi! and water conservation techno

5 and approachas through the development,

promotion, and implementation of soit and waxer conservation facilities including rainwater
harvesting systems in the country. Towards th's ang, tha State shall support sustainatle land
management (SLM) programs for livelthoad improvement, prevention of land degradation and
protection of the environment and natural resource base

ECTION 3, Definition of Terms. - As used 'n rn's Az, the following terms shall mean:

“Rainwater harvesting system” refers
coltection, storage and distri .

below greund and for groundwater -ecna-g
“Soi! Conservation’ refers to the management of soil te prevent or reduce soil erosion
anc depietion by wind and water
“Water Conservation” refers
nagement of weier resources fo-
land degradation” refers to the 7

¢ 2 system composed of three subsystems -

von a'mt to store water in containers above or

ie2 protection, development, and efficient

ficial purposes,

sion in the capacity the jand to perform

acesystem functions and servi ort soriety and development
“Pump Irrigation System for Qpen Scurces {P1S0$)" refers to system in which
ufts warec from streams, rivers, lakes, reservoirs and other surface water so
main canal for distribution in tne target sence ares

"Rain-fed” refers to an area not served by any irrigation facilities and ralias on rainfall
nd anima’ production

“Sustainable Land Management (S!.At}" refers to the usa of land resources, inciusing
scils, water, animals and plants, for the production of goods to meet changing human

for erop



needs, while simultaneously ensusing the iong-term productive potential of these
resources and the maintenance of the'r eevironmental functions.
“Soi: and Water Conservation Technoiogies” refers tc measures that control soi! and

water degradation and esharce proouctivity in the field.
3 “Soi and Water Conservation Approaches” vefers to ways and mears of susece that

hep te i @, impiement, seae:, and app soil and water conservatici

seensclog’es inthe field

3 cated within 100-500 mas: wth siope

1 “Catan” refers to tha extensive pos

cf lass than 18%.

SECTION 4, The Notional Soll and Water Conservation Program. «In ordar to the address the
provlem of land degradazion which affects the state and management of our natural rescurces,
a Navicna! Soil and Wacer Conservation Program, hereinafter referred to as the Program, is
hereny established. Tre Program shail foment synergies between agricultucal productivit
improvement and sustainabie lang management through the promation and impiementation
of sei! ane water conservation tec:nologies and aocroachas.

errs

Fhe Sureau of Sui] and Water Ma! shalt prepare the National Soli ana Wwacer
Conservation Program subject to the oppreva! of the Secretary of the Department of
Agricuiture. Upor implementation, the Sureau of Sol and Water Management shali submit an
annual siavus report within fiva {5} years to txe Sacrarary of the Department of Agricutture for
review and assessment.

SECTION 5. Goals and Ghjectives ~
adepe tie fo.cwing objectives.

ec ie ine ayeve declaration, tre Program shait

a) fo esiabliss one thousand (1,000) So. are Water Conservation Guided Farms within

¥'ve (5) years from the effectivity of cris Act to shewsase sustainable land management
best practices such as but cat limited te sloping agricultural land technclogy, organic
based ayriculture, farm waste and residue management, wastewater recycling and re-
use, rainwater harvesting or combinaticn ef two cr mora of these practices ;ncuding
approacnes to implement these practices;

b) Yo establish ten thousand (10,000) units of small-scale rainwater harvesting systems
consisting of rainwater reservoir development, watershed management, and sarvice
area development in strategic upiand areas in 80 provinces, within five (5) years from
the effectivity of this Act; and

c) To capacitate and empower LGUs ana farmers associations in the implementation and
operation and maintenance of soi! ara water conservation mode! farms and rainwater
harvesting system,

Soil and Water Management under the
rceal and admin’

2 3.1 citer policies and ebjactives of tnis

esac cerc cf Agficulture sha, sory

trative secretariat of th

formulate and inpene:
ne perfern. such other ditt
of Agrieciture in reiation to

‘2786 to it by the Secretary of the Jesanment

SECTION 7. formers and Irrigators’ Asseciations. — The Bureau of Soi and Water
Management in coordination with tie loca! government units shall encourage and assist
farmers and irrigators to organize thernseves into associations and/or cooperatives, eguiz
them with greater capability through technical assistance on soil and water conservation, and



assist them in obtaining more credit facilities to develop and operate soil anc waier
conservation facilities:

The Bureau of So! and Water Management in coordination with the ioca! government
also register and accredit such associations and cooperatives for purposes of
rin the National Soil and Water Consetvation Program: Provided, That the 3ureau
Warer Management and loca! governrrent ucits shall not directly or indirectly

units snait

participa

ine farmars in tre exercise of trei » seiection of candidates or tezdars in

is. — Ihe Bureau of Sei: end Water
culture-Regional Fieid Units (DARFUY
sh one thousand {1,000}
ne sext fe (5) years upan effectivi

Ag

CSOs} sal. estab:

nsarvation Guided Farms iSW'

as model farms that wil, showcase ane water conservation ap:

Potential sites shall be identifiec and selected, using approved site selection criteria, in
coerdination with concemec local government units and farmers assoclaticns. Selected sites
shal! be subjected to various field surveys, vio-physica! characterization, and socic-economic
profi.iag as inputs in the preparaticn of Soil and Water Conservation Farm Plan, Provided, it
shal! be prepared in consultation with farmars based on the sites’ bio-physical characteristics,
market porentia: of crops to be produced capability and resources of farmes-cooperators to
manege the farm. The Soll and Water Conservation Guided Farms shall be establisned in
accordance with the of Soll and Water Conservation Farm Plan, farmers’ capailities and
preferences, ard avaiable resources,

The concerned local governmen: writs catcugh the Office of Municipal Agricuitar'st
shai provide agriculture support and services se the farmer-cooperators of Soi: and Water
Conservaticn Guided Farms to ensure Its suscaimapii'zy and facilitate broader adopticn ay more
farmers withina locality,

SECTION 9, Rainwater Iesrvesting Structures. — The Bureau of Soll and Water Management
Bepariment of Agriculture-Regional Fis! {facilitate the construction of nes ‘ess cnan
ten thousand (10,000) units of smali-scale rainwater narvesting structures in strategic upland
areas for tne next five (8) years upon effactivicy of this Act; Provided, however, That
of Soii and Water Management shail not deguct more than ten percent (10%) for ena’
technica’, and other overhead expenses or fees.

The Bureau of Soll and Water Manage~ert shall turn over the sma
harvesting structures to the local goverament unit wherein said structure is located. Sut

water
lect te
auiremenis to be set by Bureau of Sc!’ and Water Management, the local government

un

maintain

cordingly select farmer and/or irr'gator's associations to operate,
structure

age. and

shal a

LO. Watershed Mindogerment Plas.
aravide technica} support and assistance te che wocal government unl
Watershed Management Plan (WMP in critica! watersheds
tarvasting facilities chat will be established xz

SECTION 2 Evraau of Soi! and Water Management snail
is In the preparation of

cluding watersheds af Rainwater

ougn this Act


SECIION 13, Research, Development ond Extension Secsices. — The Bureay of Scil and Water
Management ana the Agricultucai Training institute urder the Department of Agricuiture, and
tne State Universities and Colieges with agricuitural programs, shall provide comprehe:
technical assistance In research, devetopment ano extension services on soli and water

conservation approaches and tachnoiogies to jocal government units and farmers and
sociations

t Dapartment of Agriculture

ne Sureau ef Soi, and Water Mi
further directed to assist the
veneficiaries and/or cooperacars of Sci

acament unis in the conduct of

Jeo Fi

narvasting systems pilot i oparaten anc/e ove: of said facilities, As such, she Bureau of

and secpara

training modul

Soi ang Wor Management sali deva.c.

atre

conara! training nstite tg of Irainers for agricultural tackaicians

ar

16.

THON Jeipiementing Rules aed - A Committea, composea of a
vagrasacxative from the Deparment cf Ay
Agricuzurai Training :nstitura, National
Board, Department of Environment and Natural §
Loca! Government, Philippine information Agency tegether with a representative from the
State Universities and Colleges with agricultural programs, duly recognizec farmers’ and
irrigators’ associations, and duly recognized agricuitura! engineers’ association, shal: formulate
and preseribe, after pubile hearing and pusiication as reauired by law, the implementing rules
and reguiations in ordar to rarry out the provisions of this Act. The representaiives from the
Department of Agriculture and Sureau of Sei} and Water Management shall be the chairman
and the vice-chairman, respectively, of the Committae,

sure, Sureau of Solls anc: Water Management,

gation Acministration, National Water Resources

sources, Department of tha Intatier and

SECTION 13. Appropriations. - Tre amcunt necessary to carry out the purposes a} Act is
heresy authorized io be appropriated in che General Apsropriations Act te be mace avaliable
wichi thereaer, continuing appropriations shall

one (1) year fram the approval of tus Act.
be ape-ertiated in subsequent Genara’ Asprepratiors Ants: Provided, Thas the aporepriation,
se sutnoses of tris Act, shall not be “eaures ey Congress beiow the ameunt agprcoriates
vious year and, after agproval, sa: oe aciemelically and regularly reieasec.

SECTION 14 Repeoting Clause. «AN aws ov

parts chereof, decrees, arcars, sles ana
onsissant with the provisions ef tr

regulations ine

's Act are hereby repealed or modified
accorsing!y

SECTION 15, Separability Clause. - If any of ine provisions of this Act is deciared invatid, the
other provisions which are not affected theveay shal! remain to be in full force and effect.

SECTION 16. effectivity Clouse. - This Act sha'i taxa effect immediately following ‘ts puvication
ina newspaper of general circulation or in the Officiai Gazette, whichever comes first.

Aperaved