· SIXTEENTH CONGRESS OF THE ) 
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES ) 
Second Regular Session 
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SENATE 
Senate Bill No. 2 7 6 6 
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Introduced by SENATOR CYNTHIA A. VILLAR 
AN ACT PROVIDING THE DEVELOPMENT AND PROMOTION OF FARM TOURISM 
IN THE PHILIPPINES AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES 
EXPLANATORY NOTE 
Agritourism is generally defined as activities that include visiting a working farm or any 
agricultural, horticultural or agribusiness operation to enjoy, be educated or be involved in what is 
happening at that locale. 
Agricultural tourism is a commercial enterprise at a working farm, or ranch or agricultural plant 
conducted to generate supplemental income for the owner. Agritourism can include on- farm 
entertainment, activity or product for the visitor. This includes buying produce direct from farm stands or 
shops, you-pick or self-harvesting of produce, farm stays, farm trail walks, on-farm classes, fairs, festivals, 
hands-on chores, orchard dinners, youth camps, barn dances, hunting or fishing, horseback riding, feeding 
and petting farm animals, bed and breakfast, improve health and wellbeing sites, weddings and events 
venues, relaxation and more. The goal is less about providing a unique vacation and more about fostering 
a deeper understanding of the farming process through education and hands-on experience. 
A sustainable tourism is an opportunity for business development and job creation, as well as for 
stimulation of investment and support for local services, even in far-flung areas. 
Tourism can help promote conservation by raising awareness among visitors through well-
designed programs both at the local and national levels. 
Tourism can become a force for more sustainable land management by providing additional or 
alternative forms of livelihood for farmers and rural communities that are dependent on well-maintained 
natural resources. 
Sustainable tourism can provide self-esteem and incentives for maintaining traditional arts and 
crafts, traditional knowledge, and practices that contribute to the sustainable use of biological diversity. 
Tourism can bring tangible economic value to natural and cultural resources. This can result to 
direct contribution to income for protected areas through entry fees, permits, concessions, etc., 


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which can be invested in capacity building programmes for local communities to manage protected 
areas. 
Agritourism is a sunshine industry in many parts of the world including the leisure farms of 
Taiwan, Tuscany, the quaint Italian country side and the cocoa plantations and spice farms in Grenada 
in the Caribbean, the innovative, sustainable farming practices in Brazil and the coffee plantations and 
organic farms in Oahu and Maui in Hawaii, among others. 
In the Philippines where most smallholder farms are family-based, farmers need a high 
enough income to maintain their rural livelihoods and not to move to urban areas in the hope for a 
better life. The youth are increasingly losing interest in agriculture and are migrating away from rural 
areas in search for job opportunities in other sectors. In orderto provide young farmers with adequate 
livelihoods, appropriate income, targeted policies, programs and projects are essential. 
As a tropical country with an abundance of natural resources, biological diversity and a strong 
cultural heritage, the Philippines is well-positioned for agri-tourism. At present, the Philippines has a 
total of 32 agri-tourism sites, including 27 protected areas consisting of strawberry and organic 
vegetable farms in Benguet, as well as pineapple and coffee plantations in Bukidnon. The Philippines 
also hosts various events, including farmers' field days and agricultural fairs, which are estimated to 
be attended by 64,000 tourists each year. 
The development, promotion and institutionalization of agri-tourism sites in the farms could 
offer access to investment, technology and markets making it viable. An enabling environment, 
including a clear and this legislation and a proper taxation system is crucial for the development of 
agri-tourism in the country. A socially responsible partnerships with government and with the private 
sector can play an important role in the promotion of farm tourism industry in the country. The farm 
needs to have sufficient capacity (staff and infrastructure) to provide basic services such as access to 
transportation, directional sign age, customer assistance, education, among others. In order to 
maintain a safe and customer friendly business, provision of services and facilities like restrooms 
becomes necessary. The agri-tourism site should be a safe and accessible environment. The property 
and facilities should be maintained and in compliance with zoning, health, food safety, and 
environmental regulations. The agri-tourism site should be a long-term sustainable business. 
More than anything farm tourism means additional income for the farmers and their workers 
and employment to rural families. It can be an avenue to promote healthy, simple food and country 
lifestyles. It can also be a business model for our young people to appreciate and go into as a vocation. 
Thus, the passage of this bill is earnestly sought. 


SIXTEENTH CONGRESS OF THE ) 
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES ) 
Second Regular Session 
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'15 
NAY 13 P 4 :26 
SENATE 
Senate Bill No. 2766 
Introduced by SENATOR CYNTHIA A. VILLAR 
AN ACT PROVIDING THE DEVELOPMENT AND PROMOTION OF FARM TOURISM 
IN THE PHILIPPINES AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES 
Be it enacted by the Senate and the Hause af Representatives of the Philippines in 
Congress assembled: 
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Section 1. 
Short Title. This Act shall be known as the "Farm Tourism Act of 2015". 
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Section 2. 
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Section 3. 
a). 
b). 
Declaration of Policy. Agriculture plays a major role in the country's economic 
and cultural development. It is therefore the declared policy of the State to 
provide support to agriculture through appropriate technology and research, 
and adequate financial assistance, production, marketing and other support 
services. 
Specifically, the State shall seek to promote awareness and understanding of 
the importance and benefits of agriculture, especially among the youth; 
promote environment-friendly, efficient and sustainable farm practices; provide 
alternative recreation facilities and farm tourism activities for families, students 
and other clientele; promote health and well ness with high-quality farm-
produced food, and to generate economic opportunities for the people through 
farming. 
Towards this end, this Act shall establish a comprehensive program for the 
development and promotion offarm tourism. 
Definition of Terms. As used in this Act, the following terms shall mean a 
follows: 
Farm Tourism - refers to the practice of attracting visitors and travellers to farm 
areas for production, educational and recreational purpose. It involves any 
agricultural-based operation or activity that brings farmers, visitors, or tourists 
to a farm who want to be educated and trained on farming and its related 
activities, and provides a venue for outdoor recreation, without necessarily 
altering the agricultural 
nature of the land. 
Farm Tourism Activity - refers to any activity in a farm tourism site, whether for 
educational, recreational, or entertainment purposes, that a participant or 
group of participants may avail of, without necessarily paying for such. This shall 
include planting, fruit-picking, floral oil extraction, food production, harvesting 
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c). 
d). 
e). 
f). 
g). 
h). 
i). 
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j). 
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Section 4. 
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a). 
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vegetables, tasting wine or juices, tending bees, milking cows, watching 
butterflies, horseback riding, fishing, and other farm activities or pursuits. 
Farm Tourism Practitioner - refers to a farmer, a farmer owner, or a farmers' 
cooperative or association, engaged in the business of providing farm tourism 
activities, whether or not for compensation. 
Farm Tourism Operator - refers to the owner or recognized occupant of the 
farm or any person who is in charge of running a farm tourism site. 
Farm Tourism Site - refers to a place where farm tourism activities are carried 
out. 
Accreditation - refers to a certification officially recognizing a farm tourism site 
as having complied with the minimum standards for farm tourism. 
Extension Service Provider (ESP) - refers to an organization accredited by the 
Department of Agriculture to undertake training and complementary extension 
services for farm tourism practitioners or operators. 
Inherent Risks of Farm Tourism Activity - refers to dangers or conditions that 
are integral parts of farm tourism which may cause harm or injury. These 
include certain hazards associated with surface and subsurface conditions, 
natural condition of land, vegetation, waters, behavior of wild and domestic 
animals, weak structures, negligent attitude of participants, and failure to follow 
instructions on the use of farm equipment or to exercise reasonable caution 
while engaged in farm tourism 
activities. 
Participant - refers to any person, including other farmers, visitors, travelers 
and tourists, who engage in a farm tourism activity in a farm tourism site. 
Sustainable agriculture - refers to the efficient production of safe and high 
quality agricultural products that protects and improves the natural 
environment, the social and economic conditions of farmers, their employees 
and local communities, and safeguards the health and welfare of all farmed 
species. 
Philippine Farm Tourism Framework for Development. The Department of 
Tourism (DOT) in collaboration with the Department of Agriculture (DA), the 
Tourism Infrastructure and Enterprise Zone Authority or TIEZA, farm tourism 
practitioners and organizations, local government units (LGUs), and the private 
sector, shall formulate a six-year farm tourism strategic development plan. The 
development plan shall serve as a guide in the formulation and implementation 
of programs and projects for the development and promotion of farm tourism, 
as envisioned in this Act. The development plan shall likewise provide for the 
following: 
General Criteria for Identification and Designation of Farm Tourism Sites. -The 
DOT, in coordination with DA, TIEZA, and concerned LGUs, shall 
formulate a general set of criteria on any geographic area where a farm tourism 
site 
may be established to ensure that the development will encourage more 
productivity and benefits to the farmers, while likewise ensuring quality 
experience provided to tourists. The development of the criteria shall encourage 
the identification and development of different forms of farm tourism such as 
community-based development, public-private partnership and farm tourism 
enterprise zones. 
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b). 
c). 
d). 
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e). 
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f). 
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Section 5. 
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a). 
b). 
c). 
d). 
e). 
f). 
Educational and Promotional Support. - The DOT shall provide marketing 
advice and promotional support to accredited farm tourism sites in the country. 
Investment Promotion and Facilitation.- The DOT and DTI, shall develop 
programs that will establish and facilitate links between stakeholders in the 
farm, tourism industry and government financial institutions (GFls) and other 
financial cooperatives. The DOT shall likewise develop and implement programs 
that shall establish reasonable and innovative investment incentives to attract 
more Investors and farm tourism practitioners in the farm tourism industry. 
Support and Extension - The State Universities and Colleges together with the 
Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA) and other 
relevant government agencies shall develop and establish programs that shall 
promote the adoption of technologies appropriate for farm tourism, provide 
adequate training and other extension services for farm tourism practitioners 
and operators, and organizations, and afford them with opportunities for 
participation in international conventions, workshops and fora. 
Market Promotion and Development. -The DOT, together with the DTI, shall 
line-up 
events for market promotion which includes exploring national and 
international markets and facilitating the participation of local farm tourism 
professionals and operators in local and international conferences, trade fairs, 
and exhibits. 
Establishment of Tourism Farms - within the scope of the five-year 
development framework, the DA shall encourage the establishment of at least 
one (1) tourism farm in every province in the country. 
Implementing Agency. There is hereby created a Philippine Farm Tourism 
Industry Development Coordinating Council (PFTIDCC), herein referred to as the 
Council, administratively attached to the DOT, charged with the main function 
of coordinating the activities of the various agencies and instrumentalities to 
ensure the development and promotion of farm tourism in the country. If ever 
practicable and required, the Chairman of the Council shall submit an annual 
report to both Houses of Congress on the status of the implementation of the 
Act. 
The Council shall have the following specific functions: 
Prepare and implement a Comprehensive National Farm Tourism Industry 
Development Plan; 
Recommend to the DA and DOT the areas that are prime for farm tourism but 
require infrastructure projects such as farm to market roads; 
Encourage the establishment of at least one (1) tourism farm in every province; 
Launch and pursue a nationwide educational campaign to help realize the 
policies and provisions of this Act; 
Establish and maintain a comprehensive farm tourism information system; 
Formulate and implement farm tourism research and development projects, 
such as, but not limited to, organic farming, aqua culture, duckweed culture, 
livestock and poultry raising, aimed at increasing, resource productivity, 
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g). 
h). 
i). 
j). 
k). 
I). 
Section 6. 
a). 
b). 
c). 
d). 
f). 
g). 
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Section 7. 
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Section 8. 
improving resource efficiency, and ensuring the long-term sustainability of the 
country's farm tourism program; 
Provide for the registration, accreditation and issuance of identification cards to 
farm tourism professionals and operators; 
Assist the LGUs in developing their technical capability in the development, 
management, regulation, conservation, and protection offarm tourism sites; 
Provide avenues for quality trainings, seminars, conventions, workshops among 
others; 
Monitor and review farm tourism agreements between Filipino citizens and 
foreigners who seek to invest in the farm tourism sector; 
Establish cooperation among farm tourism stakeholders, financial institutions, 
government agencies, non-government organizations, people's organizations 
and other liked-minded institutions and individuals in terms of partnerships and 
linkages; 
Enforce all laws, formulate and enforce all rules and regulations government the 
conservation and management, protection and utilization offarm tourism sites. 
Council Composition. The Philippine Farm Tourism Industry Development 
Coordinating Council {PFTIDCe) shall be composed of the following: 
Secretary of the Department of Tourism as Chairman; 
Secretary of the Department of Agriculture as Vice-Chairman; 
Representative from a State College or University (SUe) as recommended by the 
Commission of Higher Education; 
Representative from the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority 
orTESDA; 
Representative from the League of Provinces of the Philippines; and 
Two (2) representatives from farm tourism associations/organizations 
recognized by the DA or DOT. 
The Council shall meet every three months and may hold special meetings, 
whenever the need arises, to consider urgent matters upon the call of the 
Chairman or any five (5) Council members. 
The Council may create steering committees and technical working groups as it 
may deem necessary, and it may call upon other government agencies and 
private groups as needed. 
Council Secretariat. The Tourism Infrastructure and Enterprise Zone Authority 
(TIEZA) shall provide secretariat and technical support to the Council. 
This shall be without prejudice to the designation by the Council of such 
additional staff members from among its members as it may deem necessary 
for the proper discharge of its functions and responsibilities. 
Strict Adherence with Environmental Laws. The utilization of and development 
of all farm tourism sites under this Act shall be regulated by the DENR pursuant 
to all laws and statutes on the utilization and protection of natural resources 
and the environment, and must strictly comply with the land use plan approved 
by the local government unit concerned and the requirements imposed by 
existing DENR rules, regulations and other issuances, taking into consideration 
the sustainable use and development of the farm tourism sites. 
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Section 9. 
Section 10. 
Section 11. 
Incentives and Tax Exemptions. Duly accredited farm tourism professionals and 
operators are entitled to incentives and tax exemptions pursuant to the 
following provisions of the law: 
a). 
b). 
c). 
d). 
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f). 
g). 
Section 24 of Republic Act 10068 or the Organic Agriculture Act of 2010; 
Section 62 of Republic Act 6938 or the Cooperative Code of the 
Philippines; 
Section 133 (m) and (n) of Republic Act 7160 or the Local Government 
Code of 1991; 
Section 109 of RA 8435 or the Agriculture and Fisheries Modernization 
Act of 1997, as amended by Republic Act 9281; 
Chapter 3 (Credit) of Republic Act 8435 or the Agriculture and Fisheries 
Modernization Act of 1997; 
Article 2 of the Agri-Agra Reform Credit Act of 2009; and 
Sections 7·, 8, 9 and 10 of Republic Act 9178 or the Barangay Micro 
Business Enterprises (BMBE's) Act of 2002. 
Registration and Accreditation of Farm Tourism Operations. The Council shall 
provide guidelines and criteria in the registration of farm tourism operations. 
The DOT shall assess the application and endorse the result to the Council for 
approval. The registration shall be on a voluntary basis. There is no fee for 
registration and the list will be made available to the public by the Council. All 
registered operations will be promoted by the DA and DOT in conjunction with 
all other tourism and rural development promotions. Registration is valid for 
five (5} years. 
Warning Signage at Farm Tourism Locations. 
1) Every farm tourism professional must post and maintain signs that contain 
the warning notice specified in subsection (3) of this section. The sign must 
be placed in a clearly visible location at the entrance to the farm tourism 
location and at the site of the farm tourism activity. The warning notice 
must consist of a sign in black letters with each letter to be a minimum of 
one inch in height. Every written contract entered into by a farm tourism 
professional for the providing of professional services, instruction, or the 
rental of equipment to a participant, whether or not the contract involves 
farm tourism activities on or off the location or at the site of the farm 
tourism activity, must contain in clearly readable print the warning notice 
specified in subsection (2) of this section. 
2). The signs and contract described in subsection (1) of this section must 
contain the following notice of warning: 
"Warning: Under Philippine law, there is no liability for an injury 
to or Death of a participant in a farm tourism activity conducted 
at this farm tourism location if such injury or death results from 
the inherent risks of the farm tourism activity. Inherent risks of 
farm tourism activities include, among others, risks of injury 
inherent to land, equipment, and animals, as well as the potential 
for you to act in a negligent manner that may contribute to your 
injury or death. You are assuming the risk of participating in this 
farm tourism activity," 
3). All registered operations shall provide to participants a written description of 
the registered farm tourism activities upon request. 
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Section 12. 
Section 13. 
Section 14. 
Section 15. 
Section 16. 
This signage provides that participants are assuming responsibility of any 
inherent risk. This act does not limit the liability of willful or wanton conduct by 
any farm tourism operators. Failure to comply with the requirement concerning 
warning signs and notices provided in this subsection will prevent a farm 
tourism professional from invoking the privileges of immunity provided in 
Section 12 in this Act. 
liability of Farm Tourism Practitioner and Operators 
A farm tourism practitioner and operator is not liable for injury to or death of a 
participant resulting from the inherent risks of farm tourism activities; Provided, 
that the necessary safety measures as may be required by law or implementing 
rules and regulations are complied with. 
However, a farm tourism practitioner or operator can be held liable for any of 
the following acts: 
a). commission of an act or omission or negligence of willful or wanton disregard 
for the safety of the participant, which consequently causes injury, damage, or 
death to the participant. 
b). any act or omission, when, despite actual knowledge of or reasonable 
presumption of the possession of knowledge about a dangerous condition on 
the land, facilities, or equipment used in the activity, or the dangerous 
propensity of a particular animal used in such activity and does not make the 
danger known to the participant, which causes injury, damage, or death to the 
participant. 
Any limitation on legal liability afforded by this Section to a farm tourism 
professional is in addition to any other limitations of legal liability otherwise 
provided by law. 
Injury to Trespassers on Agricultural Lands. A farm tourism operator shall not 
be held liable for negligence that results in the death of, injury to, or damage to 
a person who has engaged or is engaging in conduct on the property of the 
farm tourism operator that is unlawful under either Section 14 or Section 15 of 
this Act or under Section 2 of the Republic Act 3815 or the Revised Penal Code 
of the Philippines. 
Posting of Signs on Farm Tourism Sites. Signs prominently placed not more 
than one hundred fifty {150) meters apart along, and at each corner ofthe 
boundaries of the farm, in letters of not less than three (3) inches in height, the 
words "NO TRESPASSING" and in addition thereto the name/s of the farm 
tourism professional and/or operator. 
Removing of Notices on Farm Tourism Sites. It is unlawful for any person to 
willfully remove, destroy, mutilate, or commit any act designed to remove, 
mutilate, or reduce the legibility or effectiveness of any posted notice placed by 
the farm tourism professional and/ or operator pursuant to the provisions in 
this Act or as provided by law. 
Implementing Rules and Regulations. The Philippine Farm Tourism Industry 
Development Coordinating Council (PFTIDCC) is hereby given full power and 
authority to promulgate such rules and regulations within six (6) months from 
the enactment of this Act. 
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Section 17. 
Section 18. 
Section 19. 
Approved, 
Separability Clause. If any part or provision of this Act is declared 
unconstitutional or invalid, other parts or provisions thereof which are not 
affected thereby shall continue to be in full force and effect. 
Repealing Clause. All laws, decrees, executive orders, rules and regulations and 
other issuances or parts thereof, inconsistent with the provisions of this Act, are 
hereby repealed or modified accordingly. 
Effectivity Clause. This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after its publication 
in the Official Gazette or in two (2) national newspapers of general circulation. 
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