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

Sixteenth Congress
First Regular Session

2000

HOUSE BILLNO.

Introduced by Representative Sharon S. Garin

EXPLANATORY NOTE.

This bill is a re-filing of the HB 6681 which was approved by the House on February 4,
2013 and is transmitted to and received by the Senate on February 6, 2013.

The Philippines has an average annual rainfall of about 2,400 mm which is enough to
meet the annual water demand for crop production. However, this amount of rainfall is not
evenly distributed throughout the year in most parts of the country. in some areas, there is
“too much” rainfall, resulting to excessive surface run-off, severe erosion, siltation of rivers,
and flooding during the rainy season. And in other parts of the country, there may be “too
little” to provide a sustained base flow to support crop production especially during the dry
season, particularly in the upland areas.

The situation is further aggravated by the continuous degradation of our
watersheds. Watersheds have been subjected to various forms of degradation such as
indiscriminate logging and slash-and-burn practices (“kaingin”), with the resulting loss of
forest cover from 17 million hectares in 1934 to only about 5.33 million hectares in most
recent estimates (LGSP, 2003). But if properly managed, watersheds can provide a
continuing flow of water to a particular water body (e.g. river, creeks and streams) and to
man-made “water use outlets” such as dams, irrigation systems, or water supply take-off
points.

Moreover, about 45% of the arable lands in the Philippines have been moderately to
severely eroded, triggering the movement of subsistence farmers to marginal lands with the
hope of meeting their day-to-day food requirement. Approximately 5.2 M hectares are
severely eroded and 8.5 M hectares are moderately eroded resulting to 30-50% reduction in
soil productivity and water retention capacity. This situation will predispose the degraded
lands to drought and other water availability problems.



Arelated challenge is the country’s perennial problem of food insufficiency in light of
‘our growing population. This calls for the development of new areas for food production.

The development and management of the country’s water resources are critical
interventions because the availability of water (or lack of water) impacts on the country's
ability to increase agricultural 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 need, therefore, to ensure
water availability for sustainable agricultural development while parallel interventions
should be pursued to arrest rapid environmental degradation.

This 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 marginalized farmers in the rain-fed
uplands.

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 small inland valleys 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 is also one of the priority thrusts of the
government under Executive Order 606 (Pursuing Sustainable Upland Development
Anchoring on Food, Wood and Non-Wood Security and Economic Productivity). Rainwater
harvesting can contribute to the attainment of sustainable upland development through the
involvement of local communities who will manage and maintain both the rainwater
harvesting systems and the local 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 activities. There
are various soil conservation measures that could be implemented in the uplands to protect
the environment while attaining agricultural productivity. These will 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 farm household
income, protect resource base and/or environment and prepare the community against the
threats of upcoming natural calamity.

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

ATTY. SHARON S. GARIN
AAMEAS-Owa Party-list


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

Sixteenth Congress
First Regular Session

vousesino._ _2000

Introduced by Representative Sharon S. Garin

ANACT
PROMOTING SOIL AND WATER CONSERVATION TECHNOLOGIES AND APPROACHES
FOR SUSTAINABLE LAND MANAGEMENT IN THE PHILIPPINES
AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES

SECTION 1. Short Title. This Act shall be known as the “Soil and Water Conservation Act of
2013.”

SECTION 2. Declaration of Policy. It is hereby dectared the policy of the State to promote
and support soil and water conservation technologies and approaches through the
development, promotion, and implementation of soil and water conservation measures and
practices including rainwater harvesting to enhance decision-making, planning, and
potential up-scaling of good practices. Towards this end, the State shall support Sustainable
Land Management (SLM) programs for livelihood improvement, particularly of upland
farmers and indigenous people, and for the prevention of land degradation and protection
of the environment and natural resource base.

SECTION 3. Definition of Terms. As used in this Act, the following terms shall mean:

a) Land degradation refers to the reduction or loss of the biological or economic
productivity and complexity of rain-fed cropland, irrigated cropland, range, pasture,
forest, and woodlands resulting from land use or from processes or combination of
processes arising from human activities and habitation pattern such as a) soil erosion
caused by wind and/or water; b) deterioration of the physical, chemical, and
biological or economic properties of soils; and c) long term loss of natural vegetation.

b) Organic agriculture refers to production system that sustains the health of soils,
ecosystems and people. It relies on ecological processes, biodiversity and cycles
adapted to local conditions, rather than the use of inputs with adverse effects.
Organic agriculture combines tradition, innovation, and science to benefit the shared
environment and to promote fair relationship and good quality of life for all involved.


d)

e)

f)

8)

h)

i)

}

k)

Rain-fed area refers to an area not served by any irrigation facilities and mainly
relies on rainfall for crop and animal production.

Rainwater harvesting system refers to a system that collect, accumulate, and store
rainwater and surface runoff for purposes of supplemental irrigation, inland fish
production, and other agricultural purposes. For the purpose of this act, small-scale
rainwater harvesting system refers to reservoir storage facilities with a height of not
more than five (5) meters and a surface area of not more than 2,500 sq. meters.

Sloping Agricultural Land Technology (SALT) refers to a simple, applicable, low-cost
method of upland farming which consists of alley farming in which field and
perennial crops are grown in bands 4-5 meters wide between contoured rows of
leguminous trees and shrubs.

Soil and Water Conservation Technologies refers to measures that control soil and
water degradation and enhance productivity in the field.

Soil and Water Conservation Approaches refers to ways and means of support that
help to introduce, implement, adapt, and apply soll and water conservation
technologies in the field.

Soil and Water Conservation Guided Farm (SWCGF) refers to a farm established to
showcase appropriate soil and water conservation technologies for possible
replication and up-scaling. It is also an approach that facilitates the proper
implementation of soil and water conservation technologies through the provision of
technical assistance in the field survey, soil and water conservation farm planning,
and implementation of the plan.

Soil and Water Conservation Farm Plan refers to a plan that considers the right mix
of farm enterprises and appropriate soil and water conservation technologies, which
is formulated with reference to existing bio-physical and socio-economic conditions
of the farm and in consultation with farmer-cooperators.

Soil Conservation refers to the management of soil to prevent or reduce soil erosion
and depletion by wind and water.

Sustainable Land Management (SLM) refers to the use of land resources, including
soils, water, animals and plants, for the production of goods to meet changing
human needs, while simultaneously ensuring the long-term productive potential of
these resources and the maintenance of their environmental functions.

Upland refers to the extensive portion of land located within 100-500 meters above
sea level (masl) with slope of less than 18%.


m) Water Conservation refers to the protection, development, and efficient
management of water resources for beneficial purposes.

n) Watershed refers to a land area drained by a stream or fixed body of water and its
tributaries having common outlet for surface runoff. This includes small watershed
with area of 10,000 hectares and below; medium scale watershed with area of more
than 10,000 hectares to 50,000 hectares; and large scale watershed with an area of
50,000 hectares and above.

0) Watershed management refers to the process of guiding and organizing land and
other resource uses in a watershed to provide desired goods and services without
adversely affecting soll, water and other natural resources.

p) Watershed protection refers to a management strategy to control soil erosion and
prevent illegal cutting of vegetations and other land degrading activities in the
watershed.

SECTION 4, The National Soil and Water Conservation Program. In order to the address the
problem of land degradation which affects the state and management of our natural
resources, a National Soil and Water Conservation Program, hereinafter referred to as the
Program, is hereby established. The Program shall foment synergies between agricultural
productivity improvement and sustainable land management through the promotion and
implementation of soil and water conservation technologies and approaches.

The Bureau of Soil and Water Management (BSWM), in consultation with concerned
agencies and other stakeholders, shall prepare the National Soil and Water Conservation
Program subject to the approval of the Secretary of the Department of Agriculture (DA).
Upon implementation of this Act, the BSWM shall submit Annual Report and Progress
Report as may be required, within five (5) years, to the Secretary of the Department of
Agriculture for review and assessment.

SECTION 5. Goals and Objectives. Pursuant to the above declaration, the Program shall
‘support the implementation of Sustainable Land Management (SLM) projects for livelihood
improvement and prevention of land degradation in the uplands. As such, it shall adopt the
following objectives:

a) To establish one thousand (1,000) Soil and Water Conservation Guided Farms within
five (5) years from the effectivity of this Act to showcase sustainable land
management best practices such as but not limited to sloping agricultural land
technology, organic-based agriculture, farm waste and residue management,
wastewater recycling and re-use, rainwater harvesting or combination of two or
more of these practices including approaches to implement these practices;

b) To establish ten thousand (10,000) units of small-scale rainwater harvesting systems
consisting of rainwater reservoir development, watershed management, and service


area development in strategic upland areas throughout the country, within five (5)
years from the effectivity of this Act; and

) To capacitate and empower Local Government Units (LGUs) and farmers associations
in the implementation and operationalization and maintenance of soil and water
conservation model farms and rainwater harvesting system.

SECTION 6. Implementing Agency. The Department of Agriculture (DA), through the Bureau
of Soils and Water Management (BSWM) and the DA-Regional Field Units (DA-RFUs), shall
provide the technical and administrative support in the implementation of the Program and
all other policies and objectives of this Act, and perform such other duties as may be
assigned to it by the Secretary of the Department of Agriculture.

SECTION 7. Farmers Associations. Farmer-cooperators and program recipients shall be
organized into associations and/or cooperatives and shall be capacitated on soil and water
conservation. As such, the BSWM and DA-RFUs in coordination with concerned local
government units (LGUs) shall provide trainings on soil and water conservation and shall
assist them in accessing available credit windows to sustain the operation and
maintenance soil and water conservation facilities to be established.

The BSWM and DA-RFUs, in coordination with concerned LGUs, shall assist and facilitate
the registration of such associations and/or cooperatives for purposes of participation in
the National Soil and Water Conservation Program: Provided, That the farmers shall select
their leaders in accordance with the constitution and by-laws that they will formulate and
firm-up.

Section 8. Soil and Water Conservation Guided Farms. Soil and Water Conservation Guided
Farms (SWCGF) shall serve as model farms that will showcase soil and water conservation
approaches and technologies in the uplands. These will provide a multiplier effect by
encouraging other farmers to engage in soil and water conservation. For this purpose,
SWCGF shall be established in cluster within high impact areas such as watershed,

Potential sites shall be identified and selected, using approved site selection criteria,
in coordination with concerned LGUs and farmers associations. Selected sites shall be
subjected to various field surveys, bio-physical characterization, and socio-economic
profiling as inputs in the preparation of Soil and Water Conservation Farm Plan: Provided, it
shall be prepared in consultation with farmers based on the sites’ bio-physical
characteristics, market potential of crops to be produced, and capability and resources of
farmer-cooperators to manage the farm. The Soil and Water Conservation Guided Farms
shall be established in accordance with the Soil and Water Conservation Farm Plan, farmers’
capabilities and preferences, and available resources.

The concerned LGUs through the Office of Municipal Agriculturist shall provide
agriculture support and services to the farmer-cooperators of Soil and Water Conservation
Guided Farms to ensure its sustainability and facilitate broader adoption by more farmers
within a locality.


SECTION 9. Small-scale Rainwater Harvesting Structures. Small-scale rainwater harvesting
structures shall be designed and established in cluster to store rainwater and surface runoff
within a watershed. Potential sites shall be identified and selected using approved site
selection criteria in coordination with concerned LGUs and farmers associations. Selected
sites shall be subjected to various field surveys, bio-physical characterization and socio-
economic profiling. The small-scale rainwater harvesting structures shall be implemented in
accordance with the approved engineering plans and design, and field distribution which
shall be prepared by concerned LGUs with technical assistance from BSWM and DA-RFUs.

The 8SWM shall turn over the small-scale rainwater harvesting structures to the
concerned LGUs wherein said structures are located. Subject to the requirements to be set
by BSWM, the LGU shall accordingly entrust and delegate the operation and maintenance of
structures to duly organized farmers associations as recipients.

Appropriate cropping pattern and calendar that will optimize the use of stored
rainwater shall be prepared by farmers with technical assistance from the LGUs through the
Office of the Municipal Agriculturist.

SECTION 10. Research, Development and Extension Services. Research and development
and extension on soil and water conservation shall be an important component of the
program to provide a dynamic technology development, information dissemination and
extension support in the implementation of the program. Research and development shall
cover but not limited to the following areas: rainwater harvesting design methods, runoff
management technologies, soil moisture conservation impacts, and groundwater recharge
enhancement.

The BSWM, the Bureau of Agricultural Research (BAR) and the Agricultural Training
Institute (ATI) of the DA; the Ecosystem Research and Development Bureau (ERDB) of the
Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR); and concerned State
Universities and Colleges (SUCs), through proper and appropriate institutional
arrangements, shall provide technical support and assistance in the conduct of research and
development and in the provision of extension services on soil and water conservation to
LGUs and farmers associations and cooperatives.

‘The BSWM and ATI are further directed to assist the LGUs in the conduct of trainings
for beneficiaries and/or cooperators of Soil and Water Guided Farms and small-scale
rainwater harvesting systems prior to operation and/or turn-over of said facilities.

SECTION 11. implementing Rules and Regulations. The Department of Agriculture, thru the
Bureau of Soils and Water Management, in consultation with other concerned agencies and
stakeholders, shall promulgate the necessary rules and regulations to implement this Act
within five (5) months upon the enactment of this Act.

SECTION 12. Appropriations. The amount necessary for the initial implementation of this
‘Act shall be charged to the budget of the Department of Agriculture under the current

7


General Appropriations Act. Thereafter, such sums as may be necessary for its continued
implementation shall be included in the annual General Appropriations Act.

SECTION 13. Repealing Clause. All laws or parts thereof, decrees, orders, rules and
regulations inconsistent with the provisions of this Act are hereby repealed or modified
accordingly.

SECTION 14. Separability Clause. If any of the provisions of this Act is declared invalid, the
other provisions which are not affected thereby shall remain to be in full force and effect,

SECTION 15. Effectivity Clause. This Act shall take effect immediately following its
publication in a newspaper of general circulation or in the Official Gazette, whichever comes
first.

Approved,