Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Quezon City

EIGHTEENTH CONGRESS
First Regular Session

House Bill No. 4487

Introduced by Representative Christian S. Unabia
EXPLANATORY NOTE

The local government units (LGUs) play a significant role in the
modernization of our country’s agricultural industry. In fact, local agricultural
development has intensified with the devolution of some functions of the
Department of Agriculture to LGUs. The reality, however, is that there are wide
income disparities among LGUs, especially among LGUs that have vast rural
areas. Unfortunately, with this disparaging income disparities, poorer LGUs
whose internal revenue allotment (IRA) are oftentimes also smaller become
restricted in availing programs, which are purposely created to aid them in
developing and modernizing their agricultural industries due to certain
provisions of Republic Act No. 8435, otherwise known as the “Agriculture and
Fisheries Modernization Act of 1997” or AFMA.

AFMA is a landmark legislation that serves as an integral framework in
pursuing the state policy of agricultural modernization including fisheries sector.
However, the second paragraph of its Section 52, particularly requires that for
purposes of farm-to-market roads, the LGUs shall “provide a counterpart of not
less than ten percent (10%) of the project cost subject to their IRA level."Inevitably,
this provision limits low-income LGUs to initiate and avail of agricultural
development programs such as farm-to-market roads. As expected, this results in
the delay in the modernization and reforms in their respective localities. This
particular provision, thus, directly runs counter to the policies and objectives by
which AFMA was principally enacted.

Accordingly, this bill proposes to repeal the said provision as stated in the
second paragraph under Section 52, consistent with AFMA’s declared policy that
“The goals of the national economy are a more equitable distribution of
opportunities, income and wealth; a sustained increase in the amount of goods and
services produced by the nation for the benefit of the people; and an expanding
productivity as the key to raising the quality of life for all, especially the
underprivileged.”

In view of the foregoing, the immediate passage of this bill is earnestly
sought.

|ABIA


Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Quezon City

EIGHTEENTH CONGRESS
First Regular Session

House Bill No. 4497

Introduced by Introduced by Representative Christian S. Unabia

AN ACT
AMENDING SECTION 52 OF REPUBLIC ACT NO. 8435, OTHERWISE KNOWN
AS THE “AGRICULTURE AND FISHERIES MODENIZATION ACT OF 1997.”

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

SECTION 1. The second paragraph under Section 52 of Republic Act No. 8435,
otherwise known as "The Agriculture and Fisheries Modernization Act of 1997" is
hereby repealed. Section 52is accordingly amended to read as follows:

“Sec. 52. Farm-to-Market Roads.- The Department shall
coordinate with the LGUs and the resident-farmers and
fisherfolk in order to identify priority locations of farm-to-
market roads that take into account the number of farmers
and fisherfolk and their families who shall benefit there from
and the amount, kind and importance of agricultural and
fisheries products produced in the area.”

SECTION 2. All laws, rules and regulations, orders, memoranda or circulars
inconsistent with this Act are hereby revoked, repealed or modified accordingly.

SECTION 3. This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days from the date of its
publication in the Official Gazette or in at least two (2) newspapers of general
circulation, whichever comes earlier.

Approved.