Kel

Republic of the Philippines  RECE IVED ©
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES z
Quezon City Z
*
NINETEENTH CONGRESS e
First Regular Session <<

House Bill No, 2411

Introduced by Rep. ANGELO MARCOS BARBA
2nd District, Ilocos Norte

AN ACT
AUTHORIZING THE DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE TO
REGULATE FARM GATE PRICES FOR AGRICULTURAL AND
FISHERIES PRODUCTS AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES

EXPLANATORY NOTE

Agriculture is the food source of our nation and the key to unlocking our
economic self-sufficiency.! While we are working hard to boost the agriculture
sector by providing better irrigation facilities, institutional credit, farm
subsidies, and introduction of new farm technology, we have neglected the
very people who are responsible for raising and growing our food.

Profitability in agriculture has been one of the main challenges in the
Philippines—a reason why Filipino farmers are aging and the interest of the
younger generation in agriculture is declining. Farmers, fisherfolk, livestock
raisers and other sectors involved in food production are made to rely on
financial aid or subsidies, whereas the middlemen get the real profits.

Financial aid and/or government subsidies do not ensure food security.
Giving our farmers, fisherfolks, livestock raisers and those involved in food
production what is rightly due them will. The right of the farmers, fisherfolks,
livestock raisers to receive the just share of the fruits of their labor is
enshrined in the 1987 Philippine Constitution.

This bill therefore proposes to authorize the Department of Agriculture
(DA) to regulate farm gate prices of agricultural produce, livestock, fisheries,
and aquaculture products to ensure that farmers, growers, fisherfolk, and all
those responsible for raising, catching, or growing our food are assured of just
share of the fruits of their labor.

The proposed measure also seeks to strengthen the market linkages
program of the DA to ensure that the farmers, fisherfolk, livestock raisers and
other members of the food producing sector have an outlet for their products.

GN Agri, KAMMP. (July 11, 2017), How Important Is Agriculture to Phillppine Economy? Retrieved from
http://www. gonegosyo.net/2017/07/11/how-importants-agriculture-to-the-philippine-economy/ on November
18, 2019


In light of the foregoing, the immediate passage of this measure is
earnestly sought.

ANGELO ‘COS BARBA


Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Quezon City

NINETEENTH CONGRESS
First Regular Session

~ 24il

House Bill No.

Introduced by Rep. ANGELO MARCOS BARBA
2” District, locos Norte

AN ACT
AUTHORIZING THE DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE TO
REGULATE FARM GATE PRICES FOR AGRICULTURAL AND
FISHERIES PRODUCTS 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 “Farm Gate Price
Regulation Act”.

SECTION 2. Declaration of Policy. ~ The State shall protect the right of
farmers, the fisherfolk, livestock raisers and other sectors involved in food
production to receive a just share of the fruits of their labor. The State shall
therefore establish a program that ensures the profitability of the food
production sector.

SECTION 3. Definition of Terms. — For the purposes of this Act, the
following are hereby defined as follows:

a. Agricultural Products refer to unprocessed food derived from
cultivated plants or animals to sustain or enhance human life. Agricultural
produce shall also refer to unprocessed food derived from the following
activities:

1. Agriculture: cultivating soil; planting; raising, and harvesting
crops; rearing, feeding, and managing animals

2. Aquaculture: raising private aquatic animals (fish)

3. Horticulture: growing fruits, vegetables, and plants

b. Fisheries Products refer to unprocessed food derived from the activity
of catching fish and other living organisms from the wild.

c. Farm Gate Price refers to the prices received by farmers for their
produce at the location of “farm” or first point of sale. Transportation and
marketing costs shall not be included in farm gate prices.

SECTION 4. Regulation of Farm Gate Price. — The Department of
Agriculture (DA) is authorized to regulate farm gate prices of agricultural and


fisheries products, as defined in Section 3 of this Act, and shall therefore
establish a Standard Farm Gate Price index.

The Standard Farm Gate Price index shall continuously undergo seasonal
review and appropriate changes, considering the time, effort and resources,
market conditions and other economic indicators so as to ensure profitability
will accrue to the benefit of our food producers.

SECTION 5. Baseline/Related Standards. - The Bureau of Agriculture
and Fisheries Standards of the Department of Agriculture shall devise
qualitative, quantitative and other related standards which shall serve as the
baseline for determining the Standard Farm Gate Price for agricultural and
fisheries produce.

SECTION 6. Strengthen Market Linkages Program. — The DA shall
strengthen its market linkages program in support of this Act to ensure that
the farmers, fisherfolk, livestock raisers and other members of the food
producing sector have an outlet for their products.

SECTION 7. Implementing Rules. - To ensure proper and effective
implementation of this Act, the DA shall promulgate the necessary rules and
regulations within ninety (90) days from the effectivity of this Act.

SECTION 8. Repealing Clauses. — All laws, executive orders, letters of
instructions, rules and regulations and other issuances, or provision thereof,
which are inconsistent with the of this Act are hereby repealed, amended or
modified accordingly.

SECTION 9. Separability Clause. — The provisions of this Act are hereby
declared separable. If any provision or portion thereof shall be held invalid or
unconstitutional, the other provisions will remain in full force and effect.

SECTION 10. Effectivity — This Act shall take effect after fifteen (15)

days following its publication in two (2) national newspaper of general
circulation, or in the Official Gazette, whichever comes first.

Approved,