Republic of the Philippines 2
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES [RECEIVED
Quezon City DATE September 14, 2022 gp
* TIME 8:57am *
19 CONGRESS eS By fei
First Regular Session Xp ry
HOUSE BILL No. _4803 Wo INDEAE

Introduced by. REP. JUAN CARLOS “ARJO” ATAYDE

AN ACT
ESTABLISHING THE YOUNG FARMERS AND FISHERFOLK CHALLENGE
PROGRAM, CREATING FOR THE PURPOSE THE YOUNG FARMERS
AND FISHERFOLK CHALLENGE COUNCIL, AND APPROPRIATING
FUNDS THEREFOR

In the Philippines, the average age of our farmers as of 2018 is 57 years old
and the majority of the youth are no longer interested in agriculture. The predominant
notion of an ordinary youth is that agriculture will not get them out of poverty.

The number of farm workers has been declining over the past years of around
1.5% per year since 2007. Those employed in agriculture declined from 11.84 million
in 2015 to 9.8 million in 2020.

To address the declining interest of the youth in the farming industry, the
Department of Agriculture through the Agribusiness and Marketing Assistance Service
(AMAS) implemented the Young Farmers Challenge Program for FY 2021. The
program provided start-up capital in the form of financial grant to a total of 1,276 youth
beneficiaries for their proposed agri-fishery enterprise. The program likewise assisted
the youth beneficiaries through the provision of business development services.

This measure aims to institutionalize the Young Farmers and Fisherfolk
Challenge program to ensure continuity in the availability of assistance to our youth
from the farming and fisheries sector.

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

REP. JUAN CARLOS/“ARJO” ATAYDE


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Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Quezon City

19% CONGRESS
First Regular Session

HOUSE BILL No. _ 4803

Introduced by. REP. JUAN CARLOS “ARJO” ATAYDE

AN ACT
ESTABLISHING THE YOUNG FARMERS AND FISHERFOLK CHALLENGE
PROGRAM, CREATING FOR THE PURPOSE THE YOUNG FARMERS
AND FISHERFOLK CHALLENGE COUNCIL, AND APPROPRIATING
FUNDS THEREFOR

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

SECTION 1. Short Title. - This Act shall be known as the "Young Farmers and
Fisherfolk Challenge Act".

SEC. 2. Declaration of Policy. - Itis hereby declared the policy of the State to
recognize and engage the role of the youth in nation-building and rural development,
providing for this purpose access to knowledge, information and education, access to
land, new sources of financial services and capital, green jobs, access to new and
niche markets, and participation in policy dialogue.

SEC. 3. Young Farmers and Fisherfolk Challenge Program. - There is hereby
established a Young Farmers and Fisherfolk Challenge Program, hereinafter referred
to as the "YFFC Program”, that shall support and empower the young farmers and
fisherfolk to be active partners in food security and agricultural development and
modernization. The Program shall encourage the youth to pursue a career or engage
in activities related to agriculture, ensure young farmers and fisherfolk participation in
policy formulation and program implementation relative to the agriculture sector, and
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provide institutional support for agri-business and agri-entrepreneurship initiatives of
the youth to fully realize their role as agents and partners for development.

SEC. 4. Beneficiaries of the YFFC Program. - The Program is intended to
support young farmers and fisherfolk between eighteen (18) to thirty (30) years of age,
who are engaged in farming and fisheries activities, and are included in the Registry
System for Basic Sectors in Agriculture (RSBSA). The Department of Agriculture (DA),
in coordination with the Local Government Units (LGUs) shall update its existing
database to reflect these indicators

SEC. 5. Creation of a Young Farmers and Fisherfolk Challenge Council. - There
is hereby created the Young Farmers and Fisherfolk Challenge Council, hereinafter
referred to as the "Council", to properly oversee the implementation of the Program

The Council shall be composed of the following:

a. Secretary of the DA or a duly authorized representative who is at least an
Undersecretary, who shall be the Chair;

b. Representative of the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) who shall
likewise be an Undersecretary;

c. Representative of the Department of Science and Technology (DOST);
d. Representative of the Department of Agrarian Reform (DAR);

e. Representative of the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority
(TESDA);

f. Representative of the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG);

g. Representative of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources
(DENR);

h, Representative of the National Youth Commission (NYC);

i. Representative of the League of Provinces of the Philippines (LPP);


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The Philippine Council for Agriculture and Fisheries (PCAF) shall serve as its

Secretariat.

SEC. 6. Powers and Functions of the Council. - The Council shall have the

following powers and functions:

a.

Formulate the YFFC Program, in consultation with research institutions such as
the Southeast Asian Regional Center for Graduate Study and Research in
Agriculture (SEARCA), Philippine Council for Agriculture, Aquatic and Natural
Resources Research and Development (PCAARRD), University of the
Philippines - Los Bafios (UPLB) and other relevant State Universities and
Colleges;

. Develop, in coordination with various departments and agencies, specific action

plans for unambiguous tasking and quick implementation;

Create special programs for marginalized sectors such as young farmers and
fisherfolk from urban poor, women, indigenous people, and the Bangsamoro
Autonomous Region of Muslim Mindanao (BARMM);

Develop initiatives in new farm sectors such as "smart farming” farm tourism,
agro-, aqua-, and hydroponics, organic and boutique vegetables;

Identify relevant training and livelihood budgets in the different departments and
agencies, including start-up capital;

Implement the departments’ and agencies’ action plans, engaging the
assistance of the LGUs and Sangguniang Kabataan (Sk);

Identify the best practices in the implementation of the program as well as
emerging best practices in agriculture such as smart farming and farm tourism
in compliance with Republic Act No. 10816, or the "Farm Tourism Development
Act of 2016";

. Foster the formation of new ideas and technologies by assisting agricultural

enterprises of qualified young farmers and fisherfolk entrepreneurs, pursuant


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to Republic Act No. 11337, otherwise known as the "Innovative Start-up Act of

i. Initiate new packaging, promotion, and marketing events;
j. Package incentive and recognition programs/awards system;

k. Ensure participation of young farmers and fisherfolk in agri- and food tourism
marketing events, nationally and internationally;

|. Provide on-the-job training programs for young farmers and fisherfolk in areas
such as "green jobs ', reforestation, coastal management, fisheries, and other
tural-based jobs, through the DOLE, TESDA, and other livelihood and training
programs;

m. Establish linkages with agricultural representatives of the Association of South
East Asian Nations (ASEAN) and other international farming and fisherfolk
youth associations;

n. Engage national and international leaders in formulating policies directly
addressing young farmers and fisherfolk concerns; and

©. Monitor and evaluate the effectiveness of the implementation of this Act as well
as its impact on the participants and beneficiaries.

SEC. 7. Access to Knowledge, Information, and Education- A whole-of-
government approach shall be utilized to inform and enlist young farmers and
fisherfolk in agriculture:

a. Role of the DepEd- The DepEd shall include at all levels, but particularly in its
K-12 program, elective subjects focused on agriculture, such as garden
farming, urban greening, reforestation and coastal management;

b. Role of the TESDA - The TESDA, in coordination with the DICT and the DOST,
shall add subjects in their training centers for agricultural entrepreneurship,
“smart farming", and other advanced farming technologies, prioritizing
programs focused on agriculture;


1 c. Role of the DOLE - The DOLE shall provide on-the-job training (OJT) programs

2 for young farmers and fisherfolk, including the Special Program for Employment
3 of Students (SPES);

4 d. Role of the CHED, SUCs, and Agricultural Schools - The CHED, SUCs, and
5 agricultural schools shall provide scholarship grants, stipends, and subsidies to
6 qualified young farmers and fisherfolk. Likewise, the CHED, SUCs, and
7 agricultural schools shall provide schemes for distance, remote, and digital
8 leaming. The CHED shall likewise encourage the private colleges and
9 universities to provide similar opportunities and schemes to qualified recipients.
10 The CHED shall include agriculture in its National Service Training Program
" (NSTP) curriculum, such as garden farming, urban greening, and coastal
2 management. CHED shall likewise promulgate the policies, standards and
13 guidelines for agriculture courses which shall focus on sustainability and the
14 achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Scholarships for
15 post-graduate and doctoral degrees shall be provided by CHED: Provided, That
16 private universities and colleges are also enjoined to provide the same.

17 e. Role of the DA, ATI and PCAF - The DA, through the 4-H Club of the ATI and

18 the Agricultural and Fishery Youthrepreneur Council (AFYC) of the PCAF, shall
19 provide for scholarship grants and stipends to qualified young farmers and
20 fisherfolk;

24 f. Role of the DOST and DICT - The DOST and DICT shall develop portals, utilize
22 social media, and exploit other electronic technologies, to publicize the
23 Program; and

24g. Role of the LGU and the SK - The LGU shall inform and enlist the SK who shall
25 act as trainer-leaders to qualified and interested young farmers and fisherfolk

26 SEC. 8. Access to Land. - Short-leases, free land, and agrarian reform schemes
27 _ shall be developed to provide access to land for young farmers:

28 a. Role of the DENR - The DENR shall explore the possibilities of extending short-
29 term leases of public land to young farmers and fisherfolk, provide free or


1 subsidized land for cultivation, and develop such other packages as would allow
2 young farmers to use available or unutilized agricultural land;

3b. Role of the DAR- The DAR shall facilitate and expedite the lease, distribution,
4 and award of agrarian reform land;

5 c. Role of the LGU and the SK - The LGU shall help assist the DENR in identifying

6 the young farmers and fisherfolk who shall benefit the lease agreements; and
7 d. Role ofthe SUCs- Whenever SUCs own or occupy excess landholdings, young
8 farmers shall be given the first option to use and cultivate such landholdings for
9 agricultural purposes.

10 SEC. 9. Access to Financial Services. - Young farmers and fisherfolk shall be

11. provided financial assistance and given access to financial services such as loan/s
12 or grantis:

13 a. Role of the Land Bank of the Philippines (LBP) - The LBP shall develop
14 favorable financial packages for young farmers and fisherfolk, waiving
15 collateral, salary and other typical bank requisites;

16 _b. Role of the DA- The DA shall develop financial packages specifically targeting
7 young farmers and fisherfolk;

18 c. Role of the DTI- The DTI, through the Small Business Corporation (SB Corp),

19 shall extend loans to the young farmers and fisherfolk for the trade and
20 marketing of their agricultural products;

a d. Role of the DOST, DICT, and DTI- The DOST, DICT, and the DTI, pursuant to
22 Republic Act No. 11337, otherwise known as the "Innovative Start-up Act of
23 2018” and other programs shall include agricultural enterprises for qualified
24 young farmers and fisherfolk-entrepreneurs in their incubation efforts;

25 e. Role of CHED and TESDA - CHED and TESDA shall provide financial literacy

26 trainings particularly in handling and managing loans and grants;
27. Role of the Private Sector - The private sector is encouraged to subcontract,
28 partner, and extend financial grants, initiate social partnerships and rural

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development initiatives, as well as mentor young farmers and fisherfolk on
livelihood strategies, as part of their corporate social responsibility and other
‘community participation;

. Role of the LGU - The LGU, in coordination with the SK, shall provide funding

and livelihood opportunities to young farmers and fisherfolk;

Role of the SK - The SK, using its ten percent (10%) Development Fund, and
other funds, shall provide entrepreneurial and finance packages for young
farmers and fisherfolk; and

Role of the NYC - The NYC, in tandem with potential youth agri-entrepreneurs,
shall initiate donation and fundraising drives for the Program, exploiting for this
purpose online advertising, “crowd-sourcing", and other digital means to
generate funds for the Program.

SEC. 10. Access to "Green Jobs." - Young farmers and fisherfolk shall be

given priority in access to green jobs, as follows:

a

Role of the DOLE - The DOLE, through the SPES, shall include "green jobs’,
reforestation, coastal management, fisheries, and other rural-based jobs, in
cooperation with LGUs. The DOLE shall prioritize young farmers and fisherfolk
for employment in job fairs, public projects or private agro-industries and
corporations;

Role of the TESDA - The TESDA shall develop on-the-job trainings,
employment bridging initiatives, and private partnerships in producing
processing, packaging, and marketing young farmers and fisherfolk products;

. Role of the DOT - The DOT shall prioritize the employment of young farmers

and fisherfolk in eco- and agro-tours, and encourage entrepreneurship in farm
and fishery tourism;

|. Role of the PEZA - The PEZA shall prioritize young farmers and fisherfolk for

jobs in agro-industrial ecozones, provide access to modem farm technology,
promote linkages in agriculture-related enterprise, and accelerate the creation
of “green jobs' for young farmers and fisherfolk; and

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e. The DA and the ATI- The DA, particularly the 4-H Club of the ATI, shall embark
upon farming start-ups and provide training/s in new and niche agricultural
sectors such as organic farming, agroponics, aquaponics, hydroponics, dairy,
livestock, coffee, cacao, and other areas of farming and fishing. The DA and
ATI shall also create opportunities for young farmers and fisherfolk to harness
their leadership skill.

SEC. 11. Access to Markets. - Young farmers and fisherfolk shall have access

to markets through the following:

a. Role of the DA - The DA shall assist the young farmers and fisherfolk in selling
the products through the Kadiwa stores in strategic locations.

b. Role of the DTI - The DTI shall assist young farmers and fisherfolk in the
packaging, marketing and promotion of their products, including branding,
advertising, and subsidizing their participation in trade fairs and exhibits;

©. Role of the DOST - The DOST shall assist the young farmers and fisherfolk in
providing assistance and research in the food analysis of the product's
nutritional component and content, among others.

4d. Role of the LGU - The LGU shall provide subsidized rental rates for public retail
areas and public markets, encourage agricultural tourism, and develop other
opportunities for young farmers and fisherfolk;

e. Role of the Department of Tourism (DOT) - The DOT shall promote the products
of young farmers and fisherfolk through tourism conventions, events, and other
tourist souvenir sales opportunities;

f. Role of the Private Sector - The private sector is encouraged to market and
promote the products of young farmers and fisherfolk, as part of their Corporate
Social Responsibility (CSR) and other development efforts; and

g. Role of the Government Media - The government media shall promote and
advertise the products of the YFFC Program.


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SEC. 12. Engagement in Policy Dialogue. - The young farmers and fisherfolk
shall be encouraged to participate in policy dialogues, as follows

a. Role of the NYC - The NYC shall ensure that young farmers and fisherfolk are
represented in all decision-making bodies relating to the establishment of
mechanisms for the promotion and protection of the rights of young farmers
and fisherfolk;

b. Role of the SK - The SK, through local and Congressional youth
representatives, shall liaise with the Local Government Leagues and the
Congress of the Philippines to consult and engage young farmers and fisherfolk
in policymaking; and

©. Role of the DA - The DA shall ensure that young farmers and fisherfolk are
equitably represented and consulted in its decision-making process to fully
realize the young farmers’ and fisherfolk’ role as agents and partners for
national development.

SEC. 13. Waiver of Government Fees and Charges. - Subject to the exceptions
provided in Sec. 8 of Republic Act No. 11261, otherwise known as the ‘First-Time
Jobseekers Assistance Act” all government agencies and instrumentalties, including
government-owned and controlled corporations (GOCCs), LGUs, and government
hospitals shall not collect fees or charges from any young farmers and fisherfolk
Provided, That such fee or charge is paid in connection with the application for and
the granting of licenses, proofs of identification, clearances, certificates or other
documents usually required in the course of employment locally or abroad. Provided,
Further That the benefit provided shall only be availed of once.

SEC. 14. Annual Report. - The Council shall submit to the President and to both
Houses of Congress, not later than the 30th of March of every year following the
effectivity of this Act, a report giving a detailed account on the effective implementation
of this Act, and recommended legislation where applicable and necessary.

SEC. 15. Implementing Rules and Regulations. - Within ninety (90) days from
the effectivity of this Act, the DA, in coordination with the DTI, DAR, DOST, DICT,


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DOLE, and DENR shall issue the necessary rules and regulations for the
implementation of this Act.

SEC. 16. Appropriations. - The amount needed to initially implement the
provisions of this Act shall be charged against the appropriations of the current year
of the concerned departments and agencies. Thereafter, such sums, as may be
necessary, for its continued implementation shall be included in the appropriation of
the concerned departments and agencies in the annual General Appropriations Act
(GAA).

SEC. 17. Separability Clause. - Any portion or provision of this Act that is
declared unconstitutional shall not have the effect of nullifying other portions or
provisions hereof as long as such remaining portions can still subsist and be given
effect in their entirety.

SEC. 18. Repealing Clause. - All laws, ordinances, rules, regulations, other
issuances or parts thereof, which are inconsistent with this Act, are hereby repealed
or modified accordingly.

SEC. 19. Effectivity. - This Act shall take effect after fifteen (15) days following
its publication in the official Gazette or in a newspaper of general circulation.

Approved,