SIXTEENTH CONGRESS OF THE REPUBLIC 
OF THE PHILIPPINES 
First Regular Session 
SENATE 
12'75 
S.No. __ _ 
) 
) 
) 
Introduced by Senator Manuel "Lito" M. Lapid 
EXPLANATORY NOTE 
'13 
AUG 13 P 3 :09 
I"',' I 
' " 
"" r 
''', ,,'n 
,;)" "-u ( 
The cultivation of high value crops is key to the modernization of the 
country's agricultural sector. However, our extremely fragmented farm 
sector leaves farmers with no access to technology and capital and 
financial resources that would enable them to engage more profitably in the 
production of high value crops. 
This bill promotes the attainment of economies of scale by 
encouraging the adoption of cooperative, system in the consolidation of 
small landholdings. Further, the participation of the corporate sector in the 
production of high value crops is encouraged. 
In view of the foregoing, early passage of this bill is earnestly 
requested~ 
, '" 
MA«eL'!ITO" M. LAP~ 
Senator 
[ 


1 
2 
3 
4 
5 
6 
7 
8 
9 
10 
11 
12 
13 
14 
15 
I 
16 
17 
18 
19 
20 
.21 
.~i'rllltl:' 
SIXTEENTH CONGRESS OF THE REPUBLIC 
OF THE PHILIPPINES 
) 
) 
) 
(OHtfr ilr 11,,:· jf'l'TI'i:trV 
First Regular Session 
"13 
AUG 13 P 3 :09 
SENATE 
S. No. 1275 
Introduced by Senator Manuel "Lito" M. Lapid 
AN ACT 
AMENDING REPUBLIC ACT NO. 7900, OTHERWISE KNOWN AS THE 
HIGH-VALUE CROPS DEVELOPMENT ACT OF 1995, TO PROMOTE THE 
COOPERATIVE SYSTEM IN THE CONSOLIDATION OF SMALL 
LANDHOLDINGS AND TO PROMOTE CORPORATE SECTOR 
PARTICIPATION IN THE PRODUCTION OF HIGH VALUE CROPS 
Be it enacted by the Senate and the House of Representatives of the Republic of 
the Philippines in Congress assembled: 
SECTION 
1. 
Sections 3 of Republic Act No. 7900 (R.A. 7900), otherwise 
known as the "High Value Crops Development Act of 1995" is hereby amended to read 
as follows: 
"Sec. 3. 
Scope of Application. - This Act shall cover BUT 
SHALL NOT BE LIMITED TO upland dwellers as well as lowland tenants, 
indigenous and cultural communities. Comprehensive Agrarian Reform 
Program (CARP) beneficiaries, upland farm-owners, farmers, farmer's 
organizations I associations I cooperatives, community associations and 
farm workers and to the extent therein provided, the departments, offices, 
agencies, subdivisions, branches or instrumentalities in the areas 
identified by the Department of Agriculture as key commercial crop 
production areas." 
SEC. 2. 
Sections 5 of R.A. 7900 is hereby amended to read as follows: 
"Sec. 5. 
Site Identification. 
~ The Department of Agrarian 
Reform and the Department of Agriculture, in coordination with the 
Department of Environment and Natural Resources and the municipal 
concerned, 
ALONG 
WITH 
PRIVATE 
SECTOR 
INITIATIVE 
OR 
VOLUNTEER, shall identify the broad areas suitable for high-value crops 
1 


· 1 
production, within six (6) months after effectivity of this Act: Provided, That 
2 
such site identification shall be reviewed at appropriate intervals to ensure 
3 
consistency with agrarian reform program and the national land use 
4 
policy." 
5 
6 
7 
SEC. 3. 
Sections 7 of R.A. 7900 is hereby amended to read as follows: 
8 
"Sec. 7. 
Farm Model. - For the program. [farmers may adopt] 
9 
PORTIONS OF LARGE LANDHOLDINGS MAY BE MADE AVAILABLE 
10 
TO FARMERS FOR THE ADOPTION OF the cooperative system in 
11 
putting up economically-sized farms for high-value crop farming. Farming 
12 
members shall collectively manage individual farms which include 
13 
contracting process and means of production, planning and coordinating 
14 
crop varieties, raising breed and hectarage, distribution and some 
15 
production measures with reference to the market it shall serve. Said farm 
16 
models may be replicated by farmers' organizations all over the country. " 
17 
18 
SEC. 4. 
Repealing Clause. -
All laws, decrees, orders, rules and 
19 
regulations, or parts thereof inconsistent with the provisions of this Act are hereby 
20 
repealed or modified accordingly: Provided, however, That nothing in this Act shall be 
21 
construed or applied to amend Republic Act No. 6657 and other laws pertinent to 
22 
agrarian reform. 
23 
" 
1-" 
" 
24 
SEC. 5. 
Separability Clause. - If any of the provisions of this Act are 
25 
subsequently declared invalid or unconstitutional, other provisions not affected thereby 
26 
shall remain in full force and effect. 
·27 
28 
SEC. 6. 
Effectivity Clause. - This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days 
29 
after its publication in at least two (2) newspapers of general circulation. 
Approved, 
2