Republic of the Philippines 
House of Representatives 
Quezon City 
NINETEENTH CONGRESS 
First Regular Session 
House Bill No. ______ 
INTRODUCED BY REPRESENTATIVE MARLYN B. ALONTE 
_____________________________________________________ 
AN ACT TO DEVELOP AND STRENGTHEN THE AGRICULTURAL EDUCATION AND TRAINING IN 
THE COUNTRY THROUGH THE INSTITUTIONALIZATION OF MANPOWER DEVELOPMENT FOR 
AGRICULTURAL ENTREPRENEURSHIP IN THE POST-SECONDARY LEVEL 
EXPLANATORY NOTE 
In a developing country like the Philippines, the agriculture sector does not only provide food se-
curity. It also serves as one of the primary sources of livelihood for an average 11.4 million Filipi-
nos since 2008 (or about one-third of overall employment). Hence, the industry needs all the sup-
port it can get.  
One such support that could be extended to the Philippine agriculture industry is programs that 
could strengthen agriculture education, which does not only teach the rudiments of the sector, but 
other equally important skills as well—agricultural entrepreneurship included. Although agricul-
ture-related courses produce sizable number of graduates each year, there seems to be a continu-
ous decline of employment in this sector in the past decade.  
To address this, the proposed measure aims to support current agricultural entrepreneurship 
training initiatives that shall be delivered through various means, such as in-school, on the job, 
and online (considering the current pandemic situation). These training initiatives shall equip stu-
dents with the skills to become agricultural entrepreneurs or agri-preneurs. Proposed is a ladder-
ized system of agricultural education and training in the post-secondary level, which can be an ex-
tension of the Rural Farm Schools curriculum. This way, the agriculture industry will be seen not 
only as a means of daily subsistence but moreso as a profitable profession or business enterprise.  
 In view thereof, the passage of this bill is earnestly sought. 
  REP. MARLYN B. ALONTE 
 Lone District of Binan 
July 11, 2022
2:29 pm
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Republic of the Philippines 
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES 
Quezon City, Metro Manila 
EIGHTEENTH CONGRESS 
Second Regular Session 
House Bill No. ______ 
INTRODUCED BY REPRESENTATIVE MARLYN B. ALONTE 
_______________________________________________________________________________________ 
AN ACT TO DEVELOP AND STRENGTHEN THE AGRICULTURAL EDUCATION AND TRAIN-
ING IN THE COUNTRY THROUGH THE INSTITUTIONALIZATION OF MANPOWER DE-
VELOPMENT FOR AGRICULTURAL ENTREPRENEURSHIP IN THE POST-SECONDARY 
LEVEL 
Be it enacted by the Senate and the House of Representatives of the Philippines in the Congress assemble: 
 Section 1. Title. – This Act shall be known as the "Entrepreneurial Agricultural Education Act of 2020" 
Sec. 2. Declaration of Policy. – It is hereby declared the policy of the State to promote the sustained devel-
opment of a reservoir of national talents consisting of Filipino scientist, entrepreneurs; professionals, managers, high-
level technical manpower and skilled workers and craftsmen in all fields. Towards this end, manpower education and 
training in the agricultural sector must be developed and strengthened in order to provide the country with a pool of 
educated and skilled agricultural manpower equipped with appropriate skills in agriculture and business, and desirable 
work habits and attitudes. 
Sec. 3. Agricultural Manpower Education and Entrepreneurship System. – The State hereby establishes the 
Agricultural Manpower Education and Entrepreneurship System (AMEES) that will assume a leadership role in the 
post-secondary, vocational or tertiary level of agricultural and entrepreneurship education, following the completion 
of the rural farm school's curriculum in the secondary level. 
Sec. 4. Objectives. – This Act primarily aims to develop and strengthen the agricultural education and training 
in the country through the institutionalization of manpower development for agricultural entrepreneurship in the post-
secondary level. It shall have the following specific objectives: 
a.
Encourage the application of manpower development for agricultural entrepreneurship in agri-
cultural, technical and vocational education and training by both public and private schools
within the context of existing agricultural training and educational system;
b. Promote investment in manpower education and training for agriculture entrepreneurship by
both public and private sectors especially in rural areas;
c.
Enhance the managerial skills and technical competence of students of agriculture by equipping
them with analytical and creative thinking and problem-solving abilities; manipulative compe-
tencies suitable for occupational standards and requirements; values and attitudes with empha-
sis on work ethics, quality orientation, discipline, honesty, self-reliance and patriotism; and,
1762


d. Strengthen training cooperation between agricultural, industrial and business establishments 
and educational institutions by designing and implementing relevant training programs in close 
coordination with local government units.  
Sec. 5. Definition of Terms. – For purposes of this Act, the following terms shall mean: 
a. Agricultural Entrepreneurship refers to the process of identifying, starting and managing a farm 
business or enterprise, sourcing and organizing the required resources and taking both the risks 
and rewards associated with the venture; 
b. Manpower education and training refers to the instructional delivery system of agricultural, 
technical and vocational education and training that combines hands-on and in-school training 
based on a training plan designed and implemented by an accredited manpower education and 
training institution for agricultural entrepreneurship and accredited dual system agricultural, in-
dustrial and business establishments with prior notice and advice to the local government unit 
concerned; 
c. Trainee refers to a person qualified to undergo the manpower education and training for agri-
culture entrepreneurship; 
d. Farm Business Schools are post-secondary schools where students, who are graduates of the 
Rural Farm Schools or any qualified secondary institution specializing in agriculture, shall be 
trained on agricultural entrepreneurship; 
e. Accredited dual training system educational institution or training center refers to a public or 
private institution duly recognized and authorized by the TESDA in coordination with the agricul-
tural sector, business and industry, to participate in the manpower education and training for 
agricultural entrepreneurship;  
f. Accredited dual training system agricultural, industrial and business establishment refers to a ju-
ridical entity duly recognized and authorized by the TESDA to participate in the dual system for 
manpower education and training for agricultural entrepreneurship; and, 
g. Establishments refer to enterprises or services, or both, of agricultural, industrial, or business 
establishments. 
Sec. 6. Institutionalization of the Manpower Education and Training for Agricultural Entrepreneurship. – 
The manpower education and training for agriculture entrepreneurship, hereafter the System, shall be institutionalized 
in the Philippines. It shall form as part of the post-secondary education curriculum as provided in this Act. 
Sec. 7. Coverage. – This Act shall apply to all public and private educational institutions or training centers, 
and agricultural, industrial and business establishments duly accredited to participate in the manpower education and 
training for agricultural entrepreneurship. 
Sec. 8. Components of the Manpower Education and Training for Agricultural Entrepreneurship. – The man-
power education and training for agricultural entrepreneurship shall have the following components: 
1. There shall be a ladderized system of agriculture entrepreneurship education that begins in the 
post-secondary level following the completion of the Rural Farm School curriculum as provided 


in Republic Act No. 10618 (Rural Farm Schools Act of 2013), or upon graduation in any qualified 
secondary institution, and culminates in applicable collegiate courses. The post-secondary pro-
gram shall involve the conferment of a Diploma in Agricultural Entrepreneurship upon gradua-
tion of the trainee from the Farm Business Schools who shall have the option to continue his 
studies in partner universities for a degree in Bachelor of Science in Entrepreneurial Manage-
ment, major in Farm Business; 
2. There shall be created for each administrative region (excluding the National Capital Region) an 
AMEES Development School or Farm Business School, and such other schools as may be estab-
lished by law; 
3. There shall be an instructional delivery system of agricultural, technical and vocational educa-
tion and training in each Farm Business School that implements blended learning consisting of 
hands on, in-school and online modules based on a training plan designed and implemented by 
an accredited manpower education and training institution for agricultural entrepreneurship and 
accredited dual system agricultural, industrial and business establishments with prior notice and 
advice to the local government unit concerned. Under this dual system, said establishments and 
the educational institution share the responsibility of providing the trainee with the best possible 
competencies and experience, the former essentially through practical training, and, when pos-
sible, remote training, and the latter, by providing an adequate level of specific, general and 
theoretical instruction on agriculture and entrepreneurial management; 
4. The AMEES shall include instruction on vital values on citizenship, governance, entrepreneur-
ship, work ethics, quality orientation, discipline, honesty, and self-reliance;  
5. The partnership between the public, private and voluntary sectors shall be a crucial component 
of the AMEES in both academic content and in on-the-job, hands-on, or remote training; and, 
6. The AMEES shall also be promoted among poor farming families and out-of-school youth in the 
rural areas and in agrarian reform communities. The AMEES shall ensure that poor and deserv-
ing youths receive the necessary grants and scholarships. 
Sec. 9. Board of Trustees. – There shall be a Board of Trustees, herein referred to as the Board, composed of 
the Secretary of the Department of Agriculture (DA) as ex-officio Chairman, the Chairman of the Commission on 
Higher Education (CHED) as ex-officio Vice Chairman, and the following members: 
1. The Chairman of the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA); 
2. The Director of the Bureau of Micro, Small and Medium Enterprise and Development (BMS-
MED); 
3. The Director of the DA-Agricultural Training Institute (ATI); 
4. Two (2) Representatives from the private sector representing higher education, industry, agri-
culture, and new and emerging agricultural technologies; and, 
5. Representative from a non-governmental organization. 


The representatives from the private sector and non-government organizations shall be appointed by the 
Chairman, subject to the confirmation of the Board of Trustees. 
The members of the Board shall serve for four years. 
Sec. 10. Powers and Functions of the Board. – The Board shall exercise the following powers and functions: 
a. Formulate policies and guidelines for the administration and operation of the AMEES; 
b. Formulate policies on the appointment, promotion, retention, removal, renewal, rewards and in-
centives for administrators, faculty and staff; 
c. Craft and approve the AMEES curricula; 
d. Approve the criteria for the selection and admission of students; 
e. Approve the grant of scholarship, stipend and such allowances for students; 
f. Approve the graduation of successful candidates from the various AMEES campuses or farm 
business schools; 
g. Formulate policies and rules of discipline for students, faculty and staff; 
h. Approve the AMEES budget and appropriate to the ends specified by law such sums as may be 
provided by law for the support of the System;  
i. 
Receive grants whether cash, land, buildings and improvements thereof; donations, contribu-
tions, bequest, gifts, and to formulate policies for the administration thereof; 
j. Develop policies for the expansion of enrollment in the campuses under the AMEES; 
k. Set policies and criteria to rationalize the establishment of AMEES schools under the System, for 
its evaluation and approval thereof; 
l. 
Prepare strategic plans to enhance the capability of the AMEES in developing human resources 
with focus on youth with special aptitudes and inclination to agriculture and entrepreneurship; 
m. Identify training centers /institutions that will provide manpower training and education; and,  
n. Perform such other functions as may be necessary to implement the provisions of this Act. 
Sec. 11. Career Management Development Division. – The Career Management Development Division 
(CMDD) of the Agricultural Training Institute (ATI) of the Department of Agriculture (DA) shall plan, set standards, 
coordinate, monitor and allocate resources in the implementation of the provisions of this Act and in support of the in 
plant, on-the-job, or remote training components of the AMEES: Provided, That the agricultural and agro-industrial 
establishment shall be required to furnish the AMEES with the necessary information for the purpose of supervision. 
The CMDD shall be headed by a Division Chief (DC). The DC shall be assisted by such other personnel as 
may be necessary for the effective discharge of the functions of the office. 
Sec. 12. Duties and Functions of the Division Chief. – The DC shall perform the following duties and func-
tions:  
1) Coordinate curriculum planning activities for the AMEES; 
2) Coordinate publication of farm business outputs of the teachers, administrators and students 
from the AMEES; 
3) Provide legal and technical support to the members of the System; 


4) Coordinate exchange programs with other educational institutions both local and foreign, in-
cluding youth development and empowerment organizations such as the 4-H Club; 
5) Develop and coordinate linkages and networking among the campuses of the AMEES with other 
institutions; 
6) Coordinate the implementation of the program for the identification and selection of scholars for 
the AMEES;  
7) Provide for the secretariat services of the Board of Trustees; and, 
8) Perform such other functions as may be deemed necessary for the effective discharge of the 
DC's duties. 
Sec. 13. Status of Trainee. – Any student who is a bona fide graduate of a Rural Farm School or any qualified 
secondary educational institution shall be eligible to enroll in a farm business school. For the duration of the post-
secondary manpower training under the System, the trainee is to be considered not an employee of the busi-
ness/industrial establishment but rather a trainee of both the accredited dual training system educational institution 
and the agricultural, industrial and business establishments: Provided, That the union or the workers of the latter have 
been duly informed in advance of such an agreement. 
A trainee who has successfully completed a training program in a particular agricultural, industrial or business 
establishment shall be given priority of employment in that agricultural, industrial or business establishment. The 
CHED shall keep a roll of these successful trainees for purposes of identifying them for employment.  
Sec. 14. Obligations of the Accredited Educational Institutions or Training Centers. – The educational institu-
tions or training centers that have entered into a memorandum of agreement with agricultural, industrial or business 
establishments to undertake training shall: 
a. Ensure that the necessary skills and knowledge are imparted to the trainee during his in-school 
trainings in accordance with an approved training plan; 
b. Design, implement and evaluate jointly the training plan with the accredited agricultural, indus-
trial and business establishments;  
c. Provide the training instructors; 
d. Provide specific, general and occupation-related theoretical instructions; 
e. Appoint industrial coordinators to supervise the in-plant or farm training; 
f. Pay the trainee his daily allowance;  
g. Provide tools and equipment necessary for blended learning; and, 
h. Perform such other tasks and activities as may be necessary in furtherance of the objectives of 
the training. 
Sec. 15. Obligations of Accredited Agricultural, Industrial and Business Establishments. – The agricultural, 
industrial and business establishments shall have the following duties and responsibilities: 
a. Ensure that the necessary skills and knowledge are imparted to the trainee during his hands-on 
trainings in accordance with an approved systematic training plan; 
b. Appoint the training officer/s to implement the training plan; 


c. Make available, free of charge, the, consumable materials and basic hand tools and equipment 
necessary for the training; 
d. Allow the trainee to attend training and to take examinations, whether in-school or online; 
e. Require the trainee to keep his report book up to date and inspect such books; 
f. Ensure that the trainee is encouraged to develop his personality and that he is protected from 
physical or moral danger;  
g. Entrust to the trainee such jobs as are related to the purpose of his training and are commen-
surate with his capabilities; 
h. Pay to the accredited educational institution/training centre the daily allowance of the trainee; 
i. 
Allow the trainee the necessary time off for his in-school training; and, 
j. Perform such other obligations in accordance with the provisions of this Act and other prevailing 
laws of the Philippines. 
Sec. 16. Obligations of the Trainee. – A trainee shall exert every effort to acquire the skills and knowledge 
necessary for him to achieve the purpose of his training. Towards this end, the trainee shall: 
a. Carefully perform the jobs entrusted to him as part of his training; 
b. Take part in training programs for which he has been granted time off under this Act;  
c. Follow the instruction given to him as part of his training by the training officer or any other 
person entitled to give him such instructions; 
d. Observe rules of behavior in the training premises; 
e. Use tools, instruments, machines and other equipment with due care; 
f. Not reveal any business or trade secrets that have come to his knowledge in the course of his 
training;  
g. Keep his record books up to date; and, 
h. Perform such other obligations in the attainment of the objectives of this Act. 
Sec. 17. Memorandum of Agreements. – Prior to the commencement of any manpower training, a memoran-
dum of agreement (MOA) shall be signed by all parties which shall stipulate the following, among others: 
a) the training plan; 
b) the nature and objective of the training; 
c) the commencement and duration of the training period, including the total number of in-
plant/farm training hours; 
d) the normal daily training hours; 
e) the trainee's allowance and the rate to be applied, which shall not be less than seventy-five 
(75) per cent of the applicable minimum daily wage; 
f) the rights and obligations of the parties concerned in addition to those provided in Sections 14, 
15 and 16; 
g) the definition of the status of the trainee according to Section 13 of this Act; 
h) the conditions for the termination of the training agreement; 


i) the performance, monitoring and evaluation system; and, 
j) such other essential particulars as would mutually benefit all parties concerned. 
Sec. 18. Loan Programs for the Purchase of Blended Learning Tools and Equipment. – To achieve the objec-
tives under Sec. 14 of this Act, concessional loan programs shall be developed by appropriate Government Financial 
Institutions (GFIs) for the purchase of blended learning tools and equipment by Accredited Educational Institutions or 
Training Centers, such as computers, laptops, tablets, and other ICT devices and equipment necessary to conduct and 
access related trainings and learning materials. 
Sec. 19. Incentives for the Trainees. –  
a. 
Every agricultural, industrial and business establishment undertaking training, in accordance 
with the provisions of this Act, shall sign a life and/or accident insurance policy on the life of the trainee 
with the insured and the spouse, children or parents of the trainee as the beneficiaries thereof: Provided, 
That the agricultural, industrial and business establishments shall pay for the premiums of said insurance 
policy. 
b. 
Upon graduation, the students will be provided funding as start-up capital for their farm 
business. Financial services and programs shall be made available to them as stipulated in Republic Act No. 
10000 or the "The Agri-Agra Reform Credit Act of 2009". Students should be able to avail of loans without 
the need for collateral. A government guarantee fund shall be set aside for this purpose in case of a de-
fault or failure to pay the debt: Provided, That a proof is presented that the student suffers from financial 
hardships and is no longer able to pay his loan.  
c. 
The government shall also extend incentives to students for the production and propagation 
of organic farm inputs by maximizing their use in all government and government-supported agricultural 
production, research and demonstration programs, as embodied in Republic Act No. 10068 or the "Organic 
Agriculture Act of 2010". 
Sec. 20. Incentives for Participating Establishments. – To encourage agricultural, industrial and business es-
tablishments to participate in the system, they shall be allowed to deduct from their taxable income the amount of one 
hundred and fifty per cent (150%) of the system expenses paid to the accredited dual training system educational insti-
tution for the establishment's trainees: Provided, That such expenses shall not exceed five per cent (5%) of their total 
direct labor expenses but in no case to exceed twenty-five million pesos (P25,000,000.00) a year. 
Donations for the operation of the system shall be deductible from the taxable income of the donors. Dona-
tions to government-run educational institutions shall be awarded incentives under Republic Act No. 8525 or the 
"Adopt-a-School Act of 1998". 
The Department of Finance shall issue the necessary rules and regulations to implement the provisions of this 
Section. 
Sec. 21. Non-diminution of Incentives. – Nothing in this Act shall be construed to diminish or reduce any 
privilege already enjoyed by the parties concerned under existing laws, decrees or executive orders. 
Sec. 22. Other Exemption from Taxes and Duties. – Any donation, contribution, bequest, subsidy or financial 
aid which may be made for the operation of the system shall constitute an allowable deduction from the income of the 
donors for income tax purposes and shall be exempt from donor's tax, subject to such conditions as provided under the 


National Internal Revenue Code, as amended. Essential equipment apparatus and materials imported by accredited 
dual training private educational institutions shall be exempt from taxes and duties: Provided, That the importation of 
these items shall be subject to the following qualifications that: 
a) the importation shall be certified by the appropriate authority; 
b) they should be actually, directly and exclusively used in connection with the dual training sys-
tem and any unauthorized use shall subject the accredited dual training' private educational in-
stitutions to payment of taxes and duties thereon; and, 
c) they are not available locally in sufficient quantity of comparable quality, and at 35 reasonable 
prices. 
Provided, however, That taxes and duties pertaining to the importations of accredited government and dual 
training educational institutions are deemed automatically appropriated. 
The Department of Finance (DOF) shall accumulate the necessary rules and regulations to implement the pro-
visions of this section. 
Sec. 23. Revolving Fund. – Any law, rule or regulation to the contrary notwithstanding, the accredited dual 
training system educational institution/training center is hereby authorized to retain as a revolving fund the amount 
paid to it by the agricultural, industrial and business establishments representing the actual dual training expenses. The 
fund shall be used to improve the operation of the dual training system. 
Sec. 24. Implementing Rules and Regulations. – The CHED, DA, TESDA and DOF, in coordination with oth-
er industries concerned, shall issue the necessary rules and regulations for the effective implementation of this Act 
within a period of ninety (90) days after its effectivity. 
Sec. 25. Separability Clause. – If any part or provision of this Act is declared unconstitutional or invalid, oth-
er parts or provisions thereof which are not affected thereby shall continue to be in full force and effect.  
Sec. 26. Repealing Clause. – All laws, decrees, executive orders, rules and regulations or other issuances or 
parts thereof, inconsistent with this Act, are hereby repealed, amended or modified accordingly.  
Sec. 27. Effectivity. – This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after its publication in the Official Gazette or 
in two (2) newspapers of general circulation.  
 
Approved,