Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Quezon City, Metro Manila
NINETEENTH CONGRESS
First Regular Session
HOUSE BILL NO. _______________
Introduced by ANG PROBINSYANO
Party-List Representative Alfred Delos Santos
EXPLANATORY NOTE
Despite being a predominantly agricultural country and the emphasis of
the advancement of the agriculture sector within the Constitution, the number
of Filipinos entering the agriculture industry is decreasing. Although the
second-largest labor sector in the country, we are seeing a sharp decline in the
numbers of those who are interested in pursuing a career or a profession in
this field as evidenced in the average age of farmers at 60 years old.
A lot of other factors and issues are bringing about the difficult situation
that the agriculture sector is facing in the Philippines. The recent crisis
brought about by the COVID-19 tested our country’s ability to supply food for
countrymen. Moreover, the continued rise in our country’s population has
become a more relevant concern as the challenge of food security considering
the current state of our agricultural sector’s capacity.
With the aforementioned issues, it is only a logical response to invest in
the agriculture sector so that we can address these issues and at the same
time promote rural development and agricultural research, and establish food
security capable of supporting our country without relying too much on
imports from other countries. Investing in our youth is crucial in achieving this
goal. There remains a huge problem in inviting the youth to partake in this
endeavor because of the current situation of the agriculture sector and the
better opportunities that other sectors offer.
In order to engage the youth in this undertaking, we need to revitalize
the image of agriculture and provide avenues for growth and innovation within
the agriculture sector through education by giving out scholarships and
revisiting
education
curricula
and
various
programs
involving
training,
research,
partnerships,
and
business
enterprises.
The
youth’s ability as
problem-solvers and changemakers will make this endeavor possible and move
July 29, 2022
1:04 pm
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the nation forward in advancing the state of the agriculture sector. Through
this bill, we are creating a supportive environment for the youth to be able to
find innovative possibilities where they create a future not only for themselves
but also for their communities and the whole of Filipino society. As the
Constitution provides:
“The State recognizes the vital role of the youth in nation-building
and shall promote and protect their physical, moral, spiritual,
intellectual, and social well-being. It shall inculcate in the youth
patriotism and nationalism, and encourage their involvement in
public and civic affairs.” (ARTICLE II, SECTION 13)
With the future of our country in mind, the passing of this bill is
utmostly requested.
ALFRED C. DELOS SANTOS
Representative, Ang Probinsyano Partylist


Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Quezon City, Metro Manila
NINETEENTH CONGRESS
First Regular Session
HOUSE BILL NO. _______________
Introduced by ANG PROBINSYANO
Party-List Representative Alfred Delos Santos
AN ACT PROMOTING AGRICULTURE AMONG FILIPINO YOUTH
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 the “Kabataan Para
sa Pagsasaka Act of 2022.”
SECTION 2. Declaration of Policy. – In recognition of the huge role of
agriculture and the youth in developing our country, it is the policy of the State
to promote and support endeavors that will facilitate sustainable agricultural
development and provide avenues for active involvement and dignified status
within the agricultural sector.
Towards this end, the goals and objectives of this Act are to:
1. Recognize
the
crucial
role
of
the
agricultural
sector
as
a
fundamental aspect of economic growth and societal development
2. Rebuild
and
recreate
a
new,
lively,
and
positive
image
of
agriculture, especially within the youth sector
3. Revitalize
the
youth’s
interest
in
agriculture through various
programs and institutional linkages and partnerships
4. Adapt and modernize the education curriculum on agriculture to
include leadership, management, and business subjects
5. Promote
and
support
research
and
development
within
the
agriculture sector to find ways to advance sustainable development
and adapting to climate change
SECTION 3. National Network of Agricultural Educational Institutions. –
To facilitate institutional connections for the implementation of the Act, there
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shall
be
an
establishment
of
a
national
network
of
higher
education
institutions that offers agricultural courses.
SECTION 4. Higher Education Scholarships. – The Commission on Higher
Education (CHED) shall establish and allocate funds for a priority scholarship
program for those who will be taking up undergraduate, Masters, and Doctoral
programs related to agriculture. The Commission on Higher Education (CHED)
shall provide subsidies to higher education institutions in order to increase
enrollment on agriculture-related programs.
Further, the Commission on Higher Education (CHED), in cooperation
with the National Network of Agricultural Educational Institutions in Section 3,
shall
coordinate
and
link
with
universities
abroad
who
are
offering
postgraduate programs on agriculture and create a continuing education
program primarily intended for instructors of higher education institutions on
agriculture to improve on teaching and research.
SECTION
5.
Revising Higher
Education Curricula on Agriculture.
–
Education curriculum on agriculture courses in higher education institutions
shall undergo revision to include other subjects that respond to the needs of
the labor market and capacitate enterprise and development in the agricultural
sector.
This will include subjects such as, but not limited to:
1.
Agribusiness and Entrepreneurship
2.
Leadership and Management in Agriculture Industry
3.
Agriculture and Information and Communication Technology (ICT)
4.
Agricultural Research and Technology
5.
Legal Agricultural Framework
6.
Agriculture and Rural Development
Further, the Commission on Higher Education (CHED) shall spearhead a
consultative committee with members from the Department of Agriculture (DA),
Department of Agrarian Reform (DAR), higher education institutions, and other
relevant stakeholders in the process of revising higher education curriculum
pertaining to agriculture.
SECTION
6.
Vocational
Training
Programs.
–
To
promote
further
enhancement
of
agricultural
skills
of
rural
youth,
the
Department
of
Agriculture
-
Agricultural
Training
Institute
(DA-ATI)
and
the
Technical
Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA) shall create enhanced
training programs to include leadership, capacity building, and business
management aspects and training of professional instructors to meet the needs
of the labor market and improve agribusiness management and opportunities.


Further,
the
Department
of
Agriculture
-
Agricultural
Training
Institute
(DA-ATI) and Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA),
in partnership with the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI), shall create
apprenticeship opportunities for farmers, especially the youth, with rural
agricultural
micro,
small,
and
medium
enterprise
(MSMEs)
to
enhance
entrepreneurial skills.
SECTION 7. Internship. – The Department of Labor and Employment
(DOLE) shall connect with various institutions such as the Department of
Agriculture (DA), Department of Agrarian Reform (DAR), International Rice
Research Institute (IRRI), Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) of the
United Nations, to provide internship opportunities for individuals, especially
students, who are involved with the agriculture sector.
SECTION 8. Establishment of Youth Resource Centers for Agriculture. – In
order to provide the youth with various resources on the study and practical
application
of
agriculture
and
other
various
agri-related
programs,
the
Department
of
Agriculture
(DA),
Department
of
Agrarian
Reform
(DAR),
Commission on Higher Education (CHED), in cooperation with the National
Network of Agricultural Educational Institutions, shall establish at least (1)
main Youth Resource Center for Agriculture in each province and if possible,
an annex center in each higher education institution providing agricultural
courses.
The
Youth
Resource
Center
for
Agriculture
shall
contain
training
materials,
educational resources, applicable technological equipment, and
other relevant resources related to the study and further appreciation of the
agriculture sector.
Further, the Department of Science and Technology (DOST) and the
Department of Information and Communication Technology (DICT) shall be
responsible for creating technological services in these Centers to capacitate
ICT learning for youth with regards to agriculture.
SECTION 9. Youth for Agriculture Council. –
There shall be a youth
council under the supervision of National Youth Council (NYC) made to monitor
and evaluate the implementation of the Act and propose further programs that
respond to the aim to invite the youth into the agriculture sector. There shall
be seven (7) members which shall include students-representatives of various
higher educational institutions offering agricultural courses.
SECTION 10. Implementing Rules and Regulation. –
Within three (3)
months from the effectivity of this Act, the Chairperson of the Commission on
Higher Education, Director-General of the TESDA, National Director of the
DA-Agricultural
Training
Institute,
Undersecretary
for
Department
of
Agriculture
-
Administration,
Agribusiness,
and
Marketing, and Regional


Engagement, and the Undersecretary of the Department of Agrarian Reform
Foreign Assisted and Special Projects Office (FASPO) shall form an ad hoc
committee composed of two representatives from each of their agencies to
formulate
the
implementing
Rules
and
Regulations
of
this
Act.
Two
representatives from the Agriculture Committee of both Houses of Congress
shall join the meetings as observers.
SECTION 11. Appropriations. – An initial fund of P500 million shall be
appropriated for the immediate implementation of this Act. Thereafter, such
sums as may be necessary for the continued operations and maintenance of
the programs shall be included in the annual General Appropriations Act.
SECTION 12. Separability Clause. – If any provision or part of this Act is
held invalid or unconstitutional, the remaining provisions or parts unaffected
shall remain in full force and effect.
SECTION 13. Repealing Clause. – All laws, executive orders, presidential
decrees or issuances, letters of instruction, administrative orders, rules, and
regulations contrary to or inconsistent with the provisions of this Act are
hereby repealed, amended, or modified accordingly.
SECTION 14. Effectivity Clause. – This Act shall take effect fifteen (15)
days after its publication in the Official Gazette or in a newspaper of general
circulation.
Approved,