Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Quezon City

FIFTEENTH CONGRESS
‘Third Regular Session
6662

HOUSE BILL

Introduced by : Honorable Erico B. Aumentado

EXPLANATORY NOTE

This bill seeks to provide subsidy for Filipino farmers in support of the Aquino
administration’s food security program. ‘The goal is to attain rice and com self sufficiency for
the Philippines and become an exporter of the commodities.

It may be recalled that under the Marcos presidency, the Philippines ~ with then
Executive Sec. Rafael Salas and Agriculture Sec. Bong Tangco as the spearheads — succeeded
Exact" ioe and com self sufficient and exporter to neighboring countries. The govemineet
10 eejed because of its Masagana 99 for rice and Masagana 55 for corn, and subsidy given
to the farmers

“The subsidy herein envisioned shall consist of hybred rice and com seeds. fertilizer,
insecticides, crop insurance, and post harvest facilities. This way, the Filipino rice and com
farmers can compete globally. and in the process, ensure the success of the Aquino
administration’s food security program.

Moreover, the subsidy to the rice and corn farmers is a paradigm shift from the presi
trend of importing rice and corn from producers abroad thereby indirectly subsidizing foreign
farmers instead of Filipinos engaged in the same rice and com production. Further.
subsidizing and strengthening the Filipino farmers can_ increase rapidly the economic
multiplier effects of the program, and thus, make the agriculture secior & ‘major player of
inereasing the gross domestic product (GDP) of the country, and open more windows of
‘opportunity for the Philippines to attain the coveted investment grade by Standard and Poor,
Fitch Rating Service and Moody's Investors Service

‘Therefore, approval of this bill is respectfully prayed of this Honorable Chamber.



Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Quezon City
FIFTEENTH CONGRESS
Third Regular Session

nouse nano. 6662

AN ACT
PROVIDING FOR SUBSIDY TO FILIPINO FARMERS, APPROPRIATING FUNDS
‘THEREFOR, AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES.

Introduced by : Honorable Erico B. Aumentado

be it enacted by the Senate and the House of Representatives of the Philippines in Congress
assembled:

SECTION 1: The Filipino farmers are hereby given subsidy by the national
government consisting of hybred rice and cora seeds, fertilizer, insecticides, crop insurance,
and post harvest facilities

SECTION 2: The amount needed for the purpose shail be charged against the current
budget of the Department of Agriculture, and subsequently thereafter, to the regular anual
appropriations to ensure continuity and effectiveness of the program for the country to attain
rice self sufficiency and become a tice and cor exporter.

SECTION 3: The Department of Agriculture shail promulgate the necessary

guidelines for this farmers subsidy as a major instrument of the government's food security
program within 60 days from approval of this legislation

SECTION 4: All laws, orders and decrees inconsistent herewith are hereby repealed
or modified accordingly.

SECTION 5: This act shall take effect immediately upon its approval by the President
of the Republic;

APPROVED.