1
Republic of the Philippines 
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES 
Quezon City 
NINETEENTH CONGRESS 
First Regular Session 
HOUSE BILL NO.__________ 
_____________________________________________________________________ 
Introduced by Hon. Julienne L. Baronda  
_____________________________________________________________________ 
EXPLANATORY NOTE 
Agriculture plays a very significant role in the Philippine economy. It is no secret that the 
Philippines is primarily an agricultural country with a large portion of Filipinos supporting 
themselves through agricultural activities. At present, about a quarter of our employed 
kababayans work in the agricultural sector. Thus, the impact that it has to the country’s 
development cannot be overemphasized. Reports suggest that the contribution of the 
agriculture sector to the GDP of the country was at 9.6 percent in 2021. 
Relatedly, Article XIII, Section 5, of the 1987 Constitution provides that: 
“The State shall recognize the right of farmers, farmworkers, and landowners, as 
well as cooperatives, and other independent farmers’ organizations to participate in 
the planning, organization, and management of the program, and shall provide 
support to agriculture through appropriate technology and research, and adequate 
financial, production, marketing, and other support services.” 
In consonance with the said Constitutional mandate, there is a need to ensure that legislative 
measures are passed that would provide adequate support and assistance to Filipino farmers. 
It is therefore the intention of this bill to augment any and all support currently being 
received by them and improve the management of the supply and distribution of local 
agricultural products.  
The bill aims to establish agri-food terminals and trading centers in every province where the 
local farmers can showcase their produce and sell the same directly to interested buyers and 
wholesalers. To realize the bill’s objectives, these terminals will be established near areas 
where foot traffic is high. In so doing, the farmers will have ample opportunity to increase 
their revenue while the government will be able to prevent the smuggling of goods. 
In view of the foregoing, the passage of this bill is earnestly sought. 
          Rep. Julienne “Jam” L. Baronda 
District Representative 
September 28, 2022
3:13 pm
5246


2
Republic of the Philippines 
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES 
Quezon City 
NINETEENTH CONGRESS 
First Regular Session 
HOUSE BILL NO.__________ 
_____________________________________________________________________ 
Introduced by Hon. Julienne L. Baronda  
_____________________________________________________________________ 
MANDATING THE ESTABLISHMENT OF AGRI-FOOD TERMINALS AND 
TRADING CENTERS IN EVERY PROVINCE PROVIDING FUNDS THEREFOR 
AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES  
Be it enacted by the Senate and the House of Representatives of the Philippines in Congress 
assembled:  
SECTION 1. Short Title. - This act shall be known as the “Agri-Food Terminal and 
Trading Centers Act". 
Sec. 2. Declaration of Policies. -  It is hereby declared the policy of the State  
to give aid to farmers by providing venues to promote and market their produce and give 
them access to buyers who can offer competitive prices. Toward this end, a comprehensive 
program for the creation of a nationwide system of agricultural food terminals & trading 
centers is hereby established.  
The goal of these centers is to provide an avenue where farmers and livestock raisers 
can directly sell their products to institutional buyers and gain higher profit; moreover, this 
endeavor for a higher mobility for locally produced agricultural products to the whole 
country for cheaper cost of transportation. 
Sec. 3. Definition of Terms. – For purposes of this Act: 
a.
Agri-food Terminals and Trading Center or Terminal and Center refers to an
establishment where farmers can offer their products for sale directly to
wholesalers and direct consumers thus eliminating any middleman in the sale of
agricultural products.
b. Secretary refers to the Secretary of the Department of Agriculture.
c.
Department refers to the Department of Agriculture.
5246


 
3
Sec. 4. Establishment of Agri-food Terminals mid Trading Centers. - The Department of 
Agriculture shall establish and manage Agri-food Terminals and Trading Center in every 
province. Cities and Municipalities are hereby encouraged to establish their own Agri-food 
Terminals and Trading Centers.  
Agri-food Terminal and Trading Centers shall have the following standards for their 
creation and operation: 
a. It shall be mandatory for the province to set up at least one Agri-food Terminal 
and Trading Center adjacent to train stations located within the jurisdiction of the 
province concerned.  
b. In provinces where there is no train station, the Agri-food Terminal and Trading 
Center shall be set up strategically near ports, bus terminals or any transport hub 
within the jurisdiction of the province concerned.  
c. For the first two (2) years from the date of operation, terminals/centers shall 
concentrate on the top three (3) agricultural products of the province. The list shall 
be expanded to five after this period.  
d. Each center shall be equipped with a warehousing center, cold storage and any 
similar facilities necessary to accommodate and store agriculture product.  
Sec.  5. Work Plan. - In line with this act, the Department shall develop the following:  
a. A plan of bringing the program down to the grassroots, utilizing available 
personnel and facilities on the local level and those of LGUs;  
b. A pattern of cooperation and mutual assistance with LGUs, Peoples Organizations 
and 
Non-Governmental 
Organizations, 
which 
will 
maximize 
people 
empowerment 
and 
participatory 
approaches 
to 
program 
formulation, 
implementation and monitoring; and,  
c. A schedule of short-term, medium-term and long-term targets on research and 
development, marketing, trade promotion/initiatives, capacity building, among 
others.  
Sec.  6. Funding. - The amount of Twenty-Five billion pesos (P25,000,000,000.00) is 
hereby appropriated for the initial year of implementation of this act, thereafter, the amount 
of Ten billion pesos (P10,000,000,000.00) shall be included in the budget of the Department 
for implementation and continued expansion of this program. In addition, the establishment 
and operation of terminals and centers will be made with the available participatory funding 
from the national government with adequate equity from the Local Government Units.  


 
4
Sec. 7. Implementing Rules and Regulations - Within thirty (30) days from the 
effectivity of this Act, the Secretary of Agriculture and the Secretary of Interior and Local 
Government, in consultation with appropriate government agencies and other stakeholders, 
shall promulgate the necessary rules and regulations to implement this Act. The 
implementing rules and regulations shall include a template to guide the cities and 
municipalities in the establishment of their own Agri-food Terminals and Trading Centers 
and the availment thereof. 
Sec. 8 Separability Clause. – If any provision of this Act is held invalid or 
unconstitutional, the same shall not affect the validity and effectivity of the other provisions 
hereof. 
Sec. 9. Repealing Clause. – All laws, decrees, executive orders, rules and regulations, 
which are inconsistent with the provisions of this Act are hereby repealed, amended or 
modified accordingly. 
Sec. 10. Effectivity Clause. – This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after its 
publication in the Official Gazette or in a newspaper of general circulation. 
Approved,