Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES.
Quezon City

SEVENTEENTH CONGRESS
First Regular Session

HOUSE BILL no4355

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Introduced by REP. Michael L. Romero

EXPLANATORY NOTE

The Department of Agriculture (DA) is encouraging interested applicants to avail
of the Agricultural Competitiveness Enhancement Fund (ACEF) scholarship
program, intended for children of Filipino farmers and fisher folks.

The DA for Special Concerns discussed the details of the scholarship program
consistent with the provisions of RA No. 9464 or the Agricultural Competitiveness
Enhancement Fund (ACEF}.

As the facts are, 80% of the total ACEF is allotted to agriculture project loans,
10% for a scholarship program, while the remaining 10% is for research and
development.

By the early 90s, the ACEF scholarship program of the DA have continuously
provided assistance to students taking up agriculture and fisheries.

In pursuant to RA 10848, which was signed into law on February 16, 2016, the
implementation of the ACEF scholarship will be transferred fo the Commission on
Higher Education (CHED).

This is after the implementing rules and regulations (IRR) have been approved.

However, the identification of scholars shall be the prerogalive of the DA.


RA 10848 prescribes tha! “len percent (10%) of ACEF will be used for the funding
of a comprehensive and attractive grant-in-aid program for agriculture, forestry.
fisheries, and veterinary medicine education, to be implemented by CHED.”

The ACEF scholarship program is implemented in partnership with the Siate
Universities and Colleges and Private Educational Inslitutions that offers courses
in agriculture, fishery, forestry, and others related or complementary to
agriculture and fisheries development.

ACEF will shoulder the scholar’s school expenses including the tuition and
miscellaneous fee (excluding books}, monthly stipend of P1000, and a thesis
writing allowance worth P5,000.

The scholarship covers the entire duration of lhe academic program. However
in order to enjoy ACEF scholarship, the student must pass all enrolled subjects
each semester and maintain a General Weighted Average (GWA) not lower
than 3.0

When it comes to employment after graduation, the DA assures that ACEF
scholars will be given priority in the Department and its attached agencies and
bureaus.

In a case there's no vacancy and a scholar cannot be accommodated, DA will
assist the scholars in finding a job related to their field of expertise.

Since if started, ACEF has sent to school more or less 5,000 scholars. Nevertheless,
the DA encourages more applicants from the farmers’ and fishers’ sector to fill in
the slots for the succeeding years.

Interested applicants may reach out to the scholarship coordinators in pariner
institutions and submit the initial requirements: Form 137. Certificate of Good
Moral Character, and Barangay Clearance as proof of indigency. and proof
that the applicant is @ child of a farmer or fisher folk.

Thus, the early passage of this bill is earnestly requested.

L. ROMERO Ph.D


Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES.
Quezon City

SEVENTEENTH CONGRESS
First Regular Session

House Bi No,_ 48355

Introduced by REP. Michael L. Romero

AN ACT STRENGTHENING AND INSTITUTIONALIZING THE
AGRICULTURAL COMPETITIVENESS ENHANCEMENT FUND (ACEF),
EXTENDING ITS LOAN CAPABILITIES AND FUNCTIONS, AND FOR OTHER
PURPOSES

Be if enacted by the Senate and House of Representative of the
Philippines in congress assembled:

SECTION 1. Short Title - This Act shall be known as the “Strengthening the
Agricultural Competitiveness Enhancement Fund Act of 2016."

SECTION 2, Declaration of Principles and Policy — in consistency with the
standards of Government on developing and modemizing agriculture and
fisheries as the comerstone of the Philippine economy to attain Food Security, it
is hereby declared by the State to

Increased productivity of farmers and fisherfolk by providing the necessary
credit to farmers and fisherfolk and their cooperatives and associations, and

micro and small-scale enterprises.


Acquisition and establishment of production, postharvest, and processing

machineries, equipment and facilities, farm inputs and improvement.

Research and development on agricultural and fishery products of state
colleges and universities.

Conduct a comprehensive and attractive grant-in-aid program for
agriculture, forestry, fisheries, and veterinary medicine education to promote the
development of agriculture and fisheries.

SECTION 3. Appropriation:

There is hereby authorized to appropriate the sum of Five Hundred Million
Pesos (P500,000,000.00) necessary to cary-out into effect the provisions of this
act. Provided thereafter that the budget for the Agricultural Competitiveness
Enhancement Fund shall be included in the General Appropriations Act

SECTION 4. Rules and Regulations:

1, The use of the Fund shall be consistent with the policies and priority thrusts
under Republic Act No. 8435, as amended, otherwise known as the
Agriculture and Fisheries Modernization Act;

2. The use of the Fund shall be complementary and supportive of the various
and current funding assistance windows or programs of the Department
of Agriculture and other government institutions;

3. The projects to be funded shall enhance the competitiveness of target
project beneficiaries or sectors, especially the small farmers and fisherfolk;


4. The product and service competitiveness in the local and foreign markets
in terms of product or service prices or fees and quality is achieved;

5. The upstream and downstream linkages with related and complementary
agricultural activities are promoted;

6. The clear and verifiable proof of sustainability of operations is determined
and supported; and

7. The projects funded shall be beneficial to most, and not only selected

firms or groups within a sector.

SECTION 5. Repealing Clause. All laws, executive orders, issuances, rules
and regulations inconsistent with this Act are hereby amended, repealed or

modified accordingly.

SECTION 6. Separability Clause. If. for any reason or reasons, any portion
or provision of this Act shall be held unconstitutional or invalid, the remaining

provisions not affected thereby shall continue to be in full force and effect.

SECTION 7. Effectivity Clause. This Act shall take effect fifteen (1 5) days after its
publication in any newspaper of general circulation.

Approved,