EIGHTEENTH CONGRESS OF THE
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REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES
)
First Regular Session
)
20
SENATE
S. No. 1422
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u'l’tai'p
20 APR 16 A 8:46
Introduced by SENATOR RAMON BONG REVILLA, JR.
AN ACT
PROVIDING FOR THE MAGNA CARTA OF YOUNG FARMERS
EXPLANATORY NOTE
Agriculture is an important industry in our country but through the years, it 
has been beset with various challenges.
According to the 2019 Selected Statistics on Agriculture published by the 
Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA), "the agriculture sector employed 10.0 million 
persons and it represented a share of 24.30 percent to the national employment" in 
2018.
The National Economic and Development Authority (NEDA) made a 
comprehensive analysis of the labor force involved in the country's agriculture sector 
in its R&D Policy Note Volume 1 No. 1 published in October 2019 entitled, "Out- 
Migration in Agriculture: An Analysis of the Loss of Labor in the Agriculture Sector in 
the Philippines". According to the said publication, there has been a persistent 
downtrend in the net employment in the Philippine agriculture, hunting and forestry 
(AHF) beginning 2012 and this has been accompanied by an aging agricultural 
workforce with lower educational attainment.


From 2010 to 2017, the average age of agricultural workers increased from 
38 years old to 40 years old and their average years of schooling is 6.8 years which 
is iower than that of other industries. NEDA explains this by stating that, "out-of­
agriculture migrants are mostly young workers with at least high school education. 
Younger workers have shown no interest in fanning and most of them move out of 
agriculture upon reaching high school."
The NEDA publication further reveals that sociocultural bias against 
agriculture as being a poor man's job, aiongside with the preference for white coiiar 
jobs contribute to the declining interest to agricuiture of the youth, even among 
those who finished agriculture-related courses.
The said pubiication concluded with a set of policy recommendations, among 
which is the engagement of the youth in farming.
In response to the ageing population of Filipino farmers, the Department of 
Agriculture (DA) initiated steps to strengthen the participation of the youth in the 
promotion of the agriculture sector. In January 2020, the Kapital Access for Young 
Agripreneurs (KAYA) and Agrinegosyo were launched under the DA's Agricultural 
Credit Poiicy Council (ACPC). These two (2) new loan programs, totalling to Php2 
biliion, encourages "agribusiness-minded" Filipino youth, particulariy those who are 
18-30 years oid, to try farming by providing them the needed financial assistance.
This proposed Magna Carta of Young Farmers seeks to provide a framework 
to fuliy utilize and maximize the capacity and potential of the youth in promoting and 
improving the country's agricuiture industry. Through appropriate education and 
training, coupled with sufficient support for technology, credit and capital, the new 
generation of creative and innovative youngsters wiil become active agents of 
achieving our goais for food production and sustainability.
A similar measure was filed in the House of Representatives by Congressman 
Christopher V.P. De Venecia. This measure is supported by various farmers'


organizations and other stakeholders, as well as by the Philippine Legislators' 
Committee on Population and Development (PLCPD) and NEDA.
In view of the foregoing, the immediate passage of this bill is highly 
recommended.
RAMON/BONG REVILLA, JR.


EIGHTEENTH CONGRESS OF THE 
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REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES 
)
First Regular Session 
)
SENATE
S. No. 1422
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20 APR 16 A 8'46
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Introduced by SENATOR RAMON BONG REVILLA, JR.
AN ACT
PROVIDING FOR THE MAGNA CARTA OF YOUNG FARMERS
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representative of the Philippines in 
Congress assembled:
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Section 1. Short We. - This Act shall be known as ''The Magna Carta of
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Young Farmerd’.
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Sec. 2. Declaration of Policy. - The following are hereby declared to be the
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policies of the State:
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a) The State hereby declares "Young Farmers" as an individual whose
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primary source of income comes from agriculture, with an age range of
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15-35 years old, is owner, worker, or tenant or lessee of the land in
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which they personally cultivate and till;
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b) The State recognizes young farmers as a separate basic sector with its
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own distinct rights and responsibilities;
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c) The State recognizes young farmers as supplemental income earners in
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the family farms playing a major role in augmenting their family's
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proceeds. Doing so entails working odd jobs to sustain the family's
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source of income most especially in non-harvesting seasons;
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d) The State acknowledges the invaluable role of young farmers who are
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present in the value chain process starting from production, to
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processing, to value-adding up to marketing;


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e) The State recognizes the role of young farmers as eco-warriors and
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staunch advocates of environmental protection; and,
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f) The State recognizes the indispensable contribution of young farmers
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to the overall food security and national economy.
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Towards this end, the State shall establish mechanisms for the promotion and
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protection of young farmers' rights that will ensure their empowerment, productivity,
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and competitiveness in the local and international trade.
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Sec. 3. Definition of Terms. - As used in this Act, the following terms are
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defined as follows:
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a) Agriculture' refers to farming in all of its branches and the cultivation
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and tillage of the soil, dairying, the production, cultivation, growing and
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harvesting of any agricultural, aquacultural, floricultural or horticultural
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commodities, the growing and harvesting of forest products upon
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forest lands, the raising of livestock including horses, the keeping of
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horses as a commercial enterprise, the keeping and raising of poultry,
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swine, cattle and other domesticated animals used for food purposes
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and any forestry or lumbering operations, performed by a farmer;
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b) All-around farm worker^' refers to all types of work in the farm,
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performed by an individual or a group of people, which is oftentimes
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assigned to more laborious tasks such as harvesting, plowing, pianting,
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application of fertilizers and farm supervision;
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c) "Discriminatiorf refers to any distinction, exclusion or restriction which
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has the effect or purpose of impairing or nullifying the recognition,
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enjoyment or exercise by young farmers, irrespective of their age,
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status of income, on a basis of equality, human rights and fundamental
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freedoms in the political, economic, social, cultural, civil, or any other
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field. It includes any act or omission, including by law, policy,
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administrative measure, or practice, that directly or indirectly excludes
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or restricts young farmers in the recognition and promotion of their
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rights and their access to and enjoyment of opportunities, benefits, or
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privileges. A measure or practice of generai application is
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discrimination against young farmers if it fails to provide for


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mechanism to offset or address disadvantages or limitations of young 
farmers, as a result of which they are denied or restricted in the 
recognition and protection of their rights and in their access to and 
enjoyment of opportunities, benefits, or privileges: Provided, That 
discrimination compounded by or intersecting with other grounds, 
status, or condition, such as ethnicity, age, poverty, or religion shall be 
considered discrimination against young fanners under this Act;
d) "Eco-warriord' refers to the staunch advocates of environmental 
protection and practitioners of sustainable farming;
e) "Food Security refers to the condition in which all people, at all times, 
have physical, social and economic access to sufficient safe and 
nutritious food that meets their dietary needs and food preferences for 
an active and healthy life (as defined by the United Nations Committee 
on World Food Security);
f) "Famiiy Farming’ is a means of organizing agricultural, forestry, 
fisheries, pastoral and aquaculture production which is managed and 
operated by a family and predominantly reliant on family labour, 
including both women and men;
g) yKLessed' refers to a person who, by themselves, or with the aid 
available from within their immediate farm household, cultivates the 
land, belonging to or lawfully possessed by another, with the latter's 
consent, for purposes of agricultural production, for a price certain in 
money or in produce or both. The term is distinguished from a civil 
lessee as understood in the Civil Code of the Philippines;
h) "'Organic!' refers to the particular farming and processing system, 
described in the standards and not in the classical chemical sense. The 
term "organic" is synonymous in other languages to "biological" or 
"ecological". It is also a labelling term that denoted products 
considered organic based on the Philippine National Standards for 
organic agriculture;
i) "Organic Agricuiturd' refers to all agricultural systems that promote the 
ecologically sound, socially acceptable, economically viable and


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shall:
technically feasible production of food and fibers. Organic agricuiture 
dramaticaliy reduces external inputs by refraining from the use of 
chemical fertilizers, pesticides and pharmaceuticals. It also covers 
areas such as, but not limited to, soil fertility management, varietal 
breeding and selection under chemical and pesticide-free conditions, 
the use of biotechnoiogy and other cultural practices that are 
consistent with the principles and policies of this Act, and enhance 
productivity without destroying the soil and harming fanners, 
consumers and the environment as defined by the International 
Federation of Organic Agriculturai Movement (IFOAM): Provided, That 
the biotechnology herein referred to shall not include genetically 
modified organisms or GMOs;
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Sustainability'' refers to meeting the needs of the present without 
compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs 
as defined by the United Nations Worid Commission on Environment 
and Development;
k) " Tenant' refers to a person who, themselves, or with the aid avaiiable 
from within their immediate farm household, cultivates the land 
belonging to, or possessed by another, with the latter's consent for 
purposes of production, sharing the produce with the landholder under 
the share tenancy system, or paying the landholder a price certain or 
ascertainable in produce or in money or both, under the leasehold 
tenancy system;
l) " Young Farmerd' refers to an individual whose primary source of 
income comes from agriculture, with an age range of 15-35 years oid, 
is owner, tenant, lessee or worker of the land in which they personaliy 
cultivate and till
Sec. 4. State as Primary Duty Bearer. - The State as the Primary duty bearer
a) Recognize and promote the rights of young farmers defined and 
guaranteed under this Act;


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b) Lead against the discrimination and coercion or violence, be in
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physical, verbal, sexual, emotional, psychological, spiritual or cultural in
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nature of young farmers;
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c) Endorse farm products produced by young farmers for economic
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development nationwide;
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d) Promote and fulfill the rights of young fanners in all aspects including
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but not limited to their rights to food security, education and training
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and access to land.
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The State shall take measures and establish mechanisms to promote the
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coherent and integrated implementation and enforcement of this Act and related
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laws, policies, or other measures to effectively recognize young farmers as a distinct
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basic sector, stop discrimination against young farmers and farming in general, and
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advance their rights and responsibilities.
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Sec. 5. Duties of State Agencies and Instrumentalities. - The
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abovementioned duties of the State shall extend to all agencies, offices, and
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instrumentalities at all levels and government-owned and controlled corporations,
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subject to the Constitution and pertinent laws, policies, or administrative guidelines
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that define specific duties of state agencies and entities concerned.
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Sec. 6. Duties of Private Sector. - It is the duty of the private sector to
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support young farmers' agenda through social partnerships between people's
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organizations and industries. Private sectors are encouraged to assist in iand reform
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mechanisms, rural development initiatives which includes livelihood strategies,
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sensitive to the plight of young farmers, as part of their corporate social
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responsibility duties.
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Sec. 7. Non-Diminution of die Rights of the Young Farmers. - Ali other young
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farmers' rights and programs provided under existing laws shall remain in full force
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and effect: Provided, That it follows the definition of a young farmer as stated in this
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Act.
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Sec. 8. Education and Training. - The State shall ensure equal access to
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quality education and training of young fanners and encourage partnership and
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linkage with state universities and colleges (SUCs) on information and technoiogy
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transfer to young farmer individuals and organizations.


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a) Scholarship. - Any graduate of Technical and Livelihood Education with
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specialization on Agriculture and Fisheries under the K to 12 curriculum
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shall be entitled to scholarship grant incentives to any agricultural and
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fisheries related courses in any SUC of choice upon compliance of the
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following conditions:
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1) Completion of the application requirements of the SUC; and,
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2) Meet the minimum rating qualification in the admission level of
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chosen SUC.
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b) Agricultural Training Service Extension. - Agricultural SUCs shall serve
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as an extension service provider for practical application, learning
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seminars, hands-on training 
and knowledge 
on technological
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advancements of young farmers' organizations and individuals through
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the proper facilitation of the Department of Agriculture (DA).
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Sec. 9. Access to Technology, Credit and Capital. — The State shall ensure
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that young farmers are provided the following:
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a) Equal access to farm technologies and mechanization;
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b) Ensure innovation, development and proliferation of young famner-
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friendly technologies and mechanization agricultural production 
and
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processing;
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c) Equal access to formal sources of credit and capital including forms of
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clean loans and Mortgage, Redemption and Insurance (MRI); and,
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d) Equitable share to the produce of farms and aquatic resources.
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Sec. 10. Access to Information. — Young farmers' access to information
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regarding policies, programs, projects, subsidies, and funding outlays that affect
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them, shall be ensured.
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Sec. 11. Right to Resources for Food Production. - The State shall guarantee
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young farmers' vital role in the food production and food security by prioritizing their
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rights to land, technical training and assistance, access to seeds and farm inputs,
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and assistance for product and market linkage and development.
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a) Land Transfer Tax Exemptions. - Transactions including, but not
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limited to, purchase, inheritance and donation of land, which is one (1)
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hectare and below, to young farmers, as defined under this Act, are


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hereby exempt from all taxes of whatever kind: Provided, however, 
That the beneficiary guarantees that the iand wiii be kept and 
maintained by him or her for at ieast five (5) years.
b) Land and Farm Pianning Management. - The Department of 
Agricuiture (DA) shaii provide fuii assistance to young farmers, from 
the nationai scaie down to community ieveis as regard to farm 
pianning and management to ensure maximum utiiization, production, 
profitabiiity and sustainabiiity of their farms. The department shaii 
utiiize existence of Farmer Fieid Schoois and Agricuiturai Extension 
Training Centres as iearning sites to ensure fuii-scaie assistance to 
young farmers.
c) Nationai Young Farmers Roadmap. - The DA, inciuding its attached 
agencies and corporations, in coordination with the Department of 
Agrarian Reform (DAR), Department of Environment and Naturai 
Resources (DENR), Department of Trade and Industry (DTI), 
Department of Science and Technoiogy (DOST), Department of 
Education (DepEd), Nationai Commission on Indigenous Peopies 
(NCIP), Nationai Youth Commission (NYC), Phiiippine Coconut 
Authority (PCA), Commission on Higher Education (CHED), Nationai 
Anti-Poverty Commission (NAPC) and aii agricuiturai-reiated agencies 
attached under the Office of the President (OP) shaii formuiate and 
impiement a Nationai Young Farmers Pian within one hundred and 
twenty (120) days from the effectivity of this Act. The roadmap shaii 
serve as the convergence program of government iine-agencies to 
ensure the maximum roie of young farmers in food security. It shaii 
aiso present measures that wiii aiiocate safe, cuituraiiy acceptabie, 
nutritionaiiy adequate diet through a sustainabie food system that 
maximizes seif-reiiance and sociai justice. The pian shaii inciude the 
foiiowing:
1) A coior-coded map on the nationai status of the country's food 
security;


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2) Baseline data research on young farmers through a Young
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Farmers Registry System which includes young farmers' socio-
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economic status;
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3) Community-based Food Security Plan that shall identify viabie
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food security systems particular to the roles of young farmers
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along the food value-supply chain; and,
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4) Index of programs of identified government agencies as to the
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development of young farmers.
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d) Young Farmer Community Seed Banks. - DA shall facilitate the
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selection, establishment and management of strategic community-
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based seed banks to ensure sustainable food and agricultural resource
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for young farmers.
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Sec. 12. Environmental Protection. — DA, in partnership with DENR and DOST
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shall establish model farms that feature sustainable farming practices such as
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integrated and diverse organic farming systems, organic urban farming systems, and
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the like to serve as knowledge transfer and training institutions to young farmers
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and agricultural workers and provide an avenue for the active participation of young
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farmers in environmental protection and practice of sustainable farming.
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Sec. 13. Recognition and Preservation of Cultural Identity and Indigenous
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Farming Traditions. - The State shall respect, preserve and maintain knowledge,
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innovations and practices of indigenous and local communities of young farmers
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embodying traditional lifestyles relevant for the conservation and sustainable use of
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biological diversity.
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Sec. 14. Creation of the National Young Farmers Council. - There is hereby
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created the National Young Farmers and Fisherfolks Council which shall be attached
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to the National Agricultural and Fishery Council of DA.
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The Council shall have the following powers and functions:
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a) Act as an advisory, recommendatory and consultative body to ensure
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the success of the department's programs and activities pertinent to
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Young Farmers;


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b) Perform oversight functions as regards to young farmers' programs
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and projects of the Department including its attached agencies and
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corporations.
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Sec. 15. Representation and Participation. - The State shall ensure young
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farmers' representation in the decision-making and policy-making processes initiated
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by government and private entities including but not limited to the National and
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Local Agrarian Reform Councils, National Organic Agricultural Board, National Youth
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Commission and the National Anti-Poverty Commission to fiilly realize their roles as
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agents and partners for development.
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Sec. 16. Strengthen Young Farmer Organizations. - DA, together with DAR,
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DTI, DOST, NYC, DepEd, CHED and CDA shall create a training module on
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organizational management and development specific to the sensitivity and needs of
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young farmer organizations within one hundred twenty (120) days upon the
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effectivity of this Act to assist and provide young farmer organizations capacity-
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building, organizational management and development schemes.
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Sec. 17. Legai Protection on Negotiations and Trade Partnership Agreements.
17 - The State shall ensure provision of safeguard clauses for vulnerable, sensitive and
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volatile sectors to preserve family farming model of the Philippines.
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Sec. 18. Farm Insurance. — Young Farmers shall automatically become
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members of the Philippine Crop Insurance Corporation (PCIC) as protection from
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losses of non-crop agricultural assets from force majeure.
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Sec. 19. Impiementing Rules and Regulations. - Within ninety (90) days from
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the effectivity of this Act, DA, in coordination with Philippine Council for Agriculture
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and Fisheries (PCAF), Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR), DAR,
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DENR, DTI, DOST, DepEd, CHED, NYC, and NAPC shall issue the necessary rules and
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regulations for the implementation of this Act.
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Sec. 20. Appropriation of Funds. - The amount necessary for the
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implementation of this Act shall be charged from the budget allocation of the DA
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including its attached agencies and corporations, DAR, DENR, DTI, DOST, DepEd,
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CHED and NAPC. Such amounts necessary for the continued implementation of this
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Act shall be included in the annual General Appropriations Act.


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Sec. 21. Separability Clause. - If any provision or part hereof is held invalid
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or unconstitutional, the remainder of the law or the provision or part not otherwise
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affected shall remain valid and subsisting.
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Sec. 22. Repealing Clause. - Any law, presidential decree or issuance,
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executive order, letter of instruction, administrative order, rule, or regulation
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contrary to or inconsistent with the provisions of this Act are hereby repealed,
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modified, or amended accordingly.
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Sec. 23. 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 general circulation.
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Approved,
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