Z ‘REPRESS
Republic of the Philippines °
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

Quezon City, Metro Manila

Twentieth Congress
First Regular Session

HOUSE BILL no4334

Introduced by Representative RAYMOND ADRIAN SALCEDA

AN ACT
INSTITUTIONALIZING A NATIONAL SOIL HEALTH PRESERVATION
PROGRAM, PROVIDING FOR THE CONSERVATION, RESTORATION, AND
SUSTAINABLE MANAGEMENT OF SOIL RESOURCES, AND FOR OTHER
PURPOSES

EXPLANATORY NOTE

Soil is the foundation of agriculture and food security. Yet across the Philippines, soil
resources are under increasing pressure from erosion, nutrient depletion, pollution, and
unsustainable land management. According to the Department of Environment and Natural
Resources (DENR), nearly half of the country’s total land area is affected by soil erosion,
reducing farm productivity, damaging river basins, and accelerating siltation of reservoirs and
irrigation systems.

The Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) has warned that more than one-third of
the world’s soils are moderately to highly degraded due to erosion, nutrient imbalance,
salinization, compaction, and chemical contamination. In the Philippines, the excessive and
imbalanced use of chemical fertilizers has contributed to the decline of soil fertility and organic
matter content. At the same time, watershed degradation and deforestation worsen the erosion
of topsoil, costing the economy billions in lost yields and environmental services every year.

Healthy soils are critical not only for crop production but also for water regulation,
biodiversity, and climate resilience. Soils act as carbon sinks, filter pollutants, and regulate
floods and droughts. The loss of soil health undermines the productivity of farmers, threatens
national food security, and increases vulnerability to climate shocks.

This proposed measure seeks to institutionalize a National Soil Health Preservation
Program (NSHPP) under the Department of Agriculture (DA), in coordination with the Bureau
of Soils and Water Management (BSWM), the Department of Environment and Natural
Resources (DENR), the Department of Science and Technology (DOST), and local government
units (LGUs). The program wil

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. Establish a nationwide soil monitoring and mapping system integrated with the

Registry System for Basic Sectors in Agriculture (RSBSA);

. Identify degraded soils and implement targeted rehabilitation measures;

. Provide farmers with soil testing, fertility management plans, and training on

sustainable practices;

|. Promote the balanced use of organic, biofertilizers, and climate-smart technologies;

. Support agroforestry, contour farming, and vegetative erosion control to maintain soil

integrity; and

. Integrate soil health preservation in local government agricultural and land use

planning.

The bill further provides incentives to farmers, cooperatives, and LGUs that adopt soil-

preserving practices, including crop insurance discounts, access to concessional credit, and
eligibility for green financing. These measures will complement national laws such as the
Green Jobs Act (RA 10771) and the Sagip Saka Act (RA 11321).

By passing this measure, the Philippines will protect its most fundamental agricultural

resource. Preserving soil health ensures stable food production, reduces environmental
damage, improves rural livelihoods, and strengthens resilience against climate change.

In view of the foregoing, the immediate passage of this measure is earnestly sought.

RAYMO: KAN SALCEDA


Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Quezon City, Metro Manila

Twentieth Congress
First Regular Session

HOUSE BILLNO. 4334

Introduced by Representative RAYMOND ADRIAN SALCEDA

AN ACT
INSTITUTIONALIZING A NATIONAL SOIL HEALTH PRESERVATION
PROGRAM, PROVIDING FOR THE CONSERVATION, RESTORATION, AND
SUSTAINABLE MANAGEMENT OF SOIL RESOURCES, 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 “National Soil Health
Preservation Act.”

SEC. 2. Declaration of Policy. It is the policy of the State to protect, conserve, and
restore soil health as a vital national resource to ensure food security, climate resilience,
sustainable livelihoods, and ecological balance. The State shall strengthen soil conservation
and fertility management, institutionalize soil health monitoring, and support farmers in
adopting sustainable practices.

SEC. 3. Definition of Terms. For purposes of this Act:

(a) Soil health refers to the continued capacity of soil to function as a vital living
ecosystem that sustains plants, animals, and humans;

(b) Soil degradation refers to the decline in soil’s physical, chemical, and biological
properties due to erosion, nutrient depletion, salinization, pollution, or unsustainable
practices;

(©) Soil conservation practices include contour farming, agroforestry, cover cropping,
crop rotation, organic fertilization, and vegetative buffer strips; and

(4) Soil health monitoring refers to the systematic collection of soil data, including
fertility, pH, organic matter, and contamination levels, to guide policy and farm-level
decisions.


SEC. 4. National Soil Health Preservation Program (NSHPP). There is hereby
established a National Soil Health Preservation Program, to be led by the Department of
Agriculture (DA), in coordination with the Department of Environment and Natural Resources
(DENR), Department of Science and Technology (DOST), state universities and colleges
(SUCs), and local government units (LGUs).

The Program shall:

(a) Establish a nationwide soil monitoring and mapping system, integrated with the
Registry System for Basic Sectors in Agriculture (RSBSA);

(b) Identify priority degraded soils for restoration and rehabilitation;
(©) Provide farmers with training, soil testing kits, and fertility management plans;

(d) Promote the use of organic and biofertilizers, balanced fertilization, and climate-
smart practices;

(c) Support agroforestry, contour farming, and vegetative erosion control to maintain
soil structure; and

(8) Integrate soil health preservation in LGU land use and agricultural plans.

SEC. 5. Soil Health Research and Extension, The Bureau of Soils and Water
Management (BSWM), in partnership with SUCs, shall conduct research and develop
technologies for soil fertility enhancement, climate adaptation, and erosion prevention. The
Agricultural Training Institute (ATI) and TESDA shall integrate soil health into training
programs for farmers and extension workers.

SEC. 6. Incentives. Farmers, cooperatives, and LGUs that adopt soil health preservation
measures shall be eligible for:

(a) Crop insurance from the Philippine Crop Insurance Corporation (PCIC) with
premium discounts;

(b) Access to credit programs under the Agricultural Credit Policy Council (ACPC);

(c) Green financing incentives under Republic Act No. 10771 (Green Jobs Act); and

(4) Inclusion in procurement programs under the Sagip Saka Act (RA 11321).

SEC. 7. Appropriations. The initial amount necessary to implement this Act shall be
charged against current appropriations of the DA and DENR. Thereafter, funding shall be
included in the annual General Appropriations Act. LGUs shall allocate a portion of their

development funds for soil health preservation activities.

SEC. 8. Implementing Rules and Regulations, Within ninety (90) days from the
effectivity of this Act, the DA, in consultation with DENR, DOST, SUCs, and LGUs, shall
promulgate the implementing rules and regulations,


SEC. 9. Separability Clause. If any provision of this Act is declared invalid or
unconstitutional, the other provisions not affected thereby shall remain in full force and effect.

SEC. 10. Repealing Clause. All laws, dectees, executive issuances, and regulations
inconsistent with this Act are repealed or modified accordingly.

SEC. 11. Effectivity. This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after its publication in
the Official Gazette or in a newspaper of general circulation.

Approved,