NINETEENTH CONGRESS 
)
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES ) 
Second Regular Session 
)
'yj.
SENATE
S.B. NO. 2481
i 
of the 5: rl.'ti
23 NOV-8 P6 '41
RECEIVED 8V.
Introduced by SENATOR JOSEPH VICTOR G. EJERCITO
AN ACT
MANDATING THE DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE TO ESTABLISH A 
NATIONAL AGRICULTURAL CROP PROGRAM, APPROPRIATING FUNDS 
THEREFOR, AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES
EXPLANATORY NOTE
Article XII, Section 1 of the 1987 Philippine Constitution provides that, "The 
State shall promote industrialization and full employment based on sound agricultural 
development and agrarian reform, through industries that make full and efficient use 
of human and natural resources, and which are competitive in both domestic and 
foreign markets."
With a large portion of Filipinos living in rural areas, the agricultural sector holds 
considerable importance within the Philippine economy, engaging approximately 40 
percent of the workforce and making an average contribution of 20 percent to the 
Gross Domestic Product (GDP) as per the Food and Agriculture Organization of the 
United Nations.1
The Philippine Institute for Development Studies (PIDS) recognized that the 
agriculture sector lacks productivity and is no longer adequate to sustain the food 
industry in the Philippines; such is the case of over-supplying crops or agricultural 
goods.2
To address the problem, the Department of Agriculture must establish a 
national agricultural crop program that takes into account the country's existing 
agricultural lands and the crop or farm products responsive to its natural resources.
This bill aims to maximize the potential yield of our agricultural lands through 
a National Crop Program. The Department of Agriculture will play a significant role in 
the formulation and implementation of this program that takes in consideration natural
1 https://www.fao.org/3/ae946e/ae946e03.htm
2 https://www.pids.gov.ph/details/news/press-releases/technology-investments-key-to-modernizing-agri- 
sector-pids-studies


resources, and topographical settings of each region. To achieve food sufficiency and 
food security, our country needs to focus on our agricultural industry.
Every stage of the farming process shall be guided accordingly in a 
comprehensive and systematic program: from the inventory of lands; selection of the 
seeds; and selling of the harvest, the Department of Agriculture shall assist our 
farmers.
Furthermore, the program is recommended to encompass the assessment of 
the necessary quantity to be produced for each harvest season; analyze and formulate 
diversification or variety of agricultural crops; and equip farmers with sufficient 
support and resources in order to improve the agricultural competitiveness of the 
country.
Hence, for this reason, the immediate approval of this bill is earnestly sought.
JOSEPH VICTOR G. EJERCITO


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NINETEENTH CONGRESS 
)
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES ) 
Second Regular Session 
)
SENATE
s.B. NO. 248.1
■•C1' 
of !ll.-
23 NOV -8 P6 -47 
\
RECEIVED BY:
Introduced by SENATOR JOSEPH VICTOR G. EJERCITO
AN ACT
MANDATING THE DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE TO ESTABLISH A 
NATIONAL AGRICULTURAL CROP PROGRAM, APPROPRIATING FUNDS 
THEREFOR, AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES
Be it enacted in the Senate and the House of Representatives of the Philippines in the 
Congress assembled:
Section 1. Tide. - This Act shall be known as the "National Agricultural Crop 
Program of 2023".
Sec. 2. Declaration of Policy. - It is the policy of the State to boost the 
agricultural sector as one of the prime movers of the country's economic development. 
A sustainable agriculture is a sure indication of food security for our people. Hence, 
agricultural productivity and enhanced food quality should be promoted and protected, 
in order to ensure brighter and healthier nation.
Sec. 3. The National Agricultural Crop Program. - There shall be a 
comprehensive agricultural crop program in the country. For this purpose, the 
Department of Agriculture is mandated to identify existing agricultural lands, recognize 
and determine the specific agricultural crop or farm products responsive to each 
region's natural resources, assess the corresponding quantity to be produced for each 
harvest season, and analyze and formulate diversification or variety of agricultural 
crops, based on the topographical features of each region in the country.
Pursuant to this Program, the Department of Agriculture shall, as far as 
practicable, identify the municipalities, cities, or provinces for each region, that would 
plant, cultivate, nourish, and harvest selected varieties of vegetables, fruits, and other 
agricultural crops, based on the topographical features of each area, and its 
corresponding climate conditions.


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In consultation with the local government units, farmers' groups and 
cooperatives, and other farm growers, traders and consumer groups, there shall be 
an assessment of the quantity of agricultural crops to be produced for each harvest 
season.
The end goal of this Program is to properly manage crop growth, seed 
germination, sustained productivity, and manage pre-harvest and post-harvest 
marketing all over the country. It aims to provide sufficient supply of agricultural 
products, and avoid overabundance of production of goods.
Sec. 4. Objectives of the Program. - The Department of Agriculture, in 
formulating the National Agricultural Crop Program, shall be guided by the following 
objectives:
a) Maximize agricultural production based on each region's natural resources, 
and topographical settings;
a) Monitor agricultural produce and crop maintenance in each region;
b) Properly manage agricultural crop cultivation and harvest in each municipality 
or city or province in every region;
c) Avoid unnecessary overproduction of vegetables, fruits, and other food crops 
and other local agricultural products in one area;
d) Strictly monitor price stability of agricultural products;
e) Ensure steady supply of agricultural crops to consumers;
f) Assist farmers' groups, cooperatives, and local growers and traders in 
transporting goods from farm to market, and access to other institutional 
buyers; and
g) Equally distribute oversupply of produce. If there is any, to consumers, 
exporters, restaurants, hotels and other institutional buyers.
Sec. 5. Coverage. - The Program envisioned under this Act shall cover seeded 
plants, trees, vegetables, fruits, root crops, and other food crops planted, cultivated, 
and harvested in different regions in the country, which shall be commercially available 
to retail and wholesale purchases.
Sec. 6. Inventory of all agricultural lands. - The Department of Agriculture, in 
coordination with the local government units, shall conduct an inventory of all existing 
agricultural lands In the country, including the present crops planted, cultivated and 
harvested in each region. Such inventory shall be maintained and regularly monitored 
and updated by the Department of Agriculture.
Sec. 7. Continuing Research and Development - The Department of 
Agriculture, with the assistance of the Department of Interior and Local Government, 
Department of Science and Technology, Department of Environment and Natural 
Resources, and other related government agencies, shall conduct a continuing 
research and development on the propagation of other agricultural products that may 
be planted, cultivated and harvested in the country. Likewise, an in depth-study and 
investigation shall be made on applicable technological advancement in the field of 
agricultural crops.


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Sec. 8. Technical and Financial Assistance by the Department of Agriculture. - 
Upon completion of the Program, the Department of Agriculture shall provide the 
necessary technical and financial assistance to farmers' groups, farmers' cooperatives, 
local government units, non-government organizations involved in agricultural crops. 
High quality seedlings, organic fertilizers, irrigation, soil, may likewise be provided by 
the Department of Agriculture.
Accessibility to organic fertilizer, cold storage facilities, equipment to load vegetables 
and fruits, and other post-harvest activities and facilities, may likewise be extended to 
farmers' groups and cooperatives by the Department of Agriculture.
Sec. 9. Appropriations. - The initial amount necessary to implement the 
provisions of this Act shall be charged against the current appropriations of the 
Department of Agriculture. Thereafter, such sums as may be necessary for the 
continued implementation of this Act shall be included in the succeeding General 
Appropriations Act.
Sec. 10. Implementing Rules and Regulations. - The Department of 
Agriculture, together with the Department of Interior and Local Government, 
Department of Science and Technology, Department of Environment and Natural 
Resources, shall within ninety (90) days the effectivity of this Act, promulgate the 
rules and regulations to effectively implement the provisions of this Act.
Sec. 11. Separabiiity Clause. - If any portion of this Act is declared 
unconstitutional, the remainder of this Act or any provisions not affected thereby, shall 
remain in force and effect.
Sec. 12. Repealing Ciause. - All existing laws, rules and regulations or parts 
thereof deemed inconsistent with the provisions of this Act, are hereby repealed or 
modified accordingly.
Sec. 13. Effectivity Clause. - This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days 
following its complete publication in the Official Gazette or in a newspaper of general 
circulation.
Approved,