Republic of the Philippines

1
House of Representatives 0: 2 JUL 2018

Quezon City, Metro Manila aac:__ 8
BY:
REGISTRATION UNTT
BILLS AND INDEX SERVICE

SEVENTEENTH CONGRESS
First Regular Session

1392

House Bill No.

Introduced by Honorable ERLPE JOHN “PING” M. AMANTE

EXPLANATORY NOTE

This bill seeks to consolidate all farm-to-market road (FMR)
development programs of the government into one comprehensive,
time-bound program that will ensure the completion of priority road
infrastructure projects leading to key agricultural and fishery
production areas all over the country.

Currently, the implementation of FMR projects is beset by
various challenges. One of which is having a project identification and
prioritization process that is largely dependent on proposals
submitted by local government units ~ not on a strategic plan that
could have laid down an efficient infrastructure network for the
agriculture and fisheries sector. This is also the primary reason why
FMR development programs become very prone to political
interventions. Another disturbing observation is the piecemeal
implementation of such projects that usually have limited impact to
intended beneficiaries, with some even ending up as abandoned,
unfinished roads.

The Agricultural Road Infrastructure (AGRI) Network Program
aims to address two (2) main concerns regarding the implementation
of FMR projects as illustrated above: (1) lack of a strategic plan, and
(2) lack of funds. The proposed program shall strictly follow a ten (10)
year Agricultural Road Infrastructure Network Plan - to be crafted
through a nationwide consultation with various stakeholders - that
will contain all priority road projects nationwide and shall be allocated
a minimum of One Hundred Billion Pesos (P100,000,000,000.00) in
its first five (5) years to ensure its immediate and timely
implementation.


It is envisioned that after the implementation of the AGRI
Network Program all key agricultural and fishery production areas will
be efficiently linked to the market thus enhancing the productivity of
our farmers and fisher folks and furthermore contributing to the
government's goal of food security.

In view of the forgoing, I hereby request for the approval of this

ony M, AMANTE

bill.


Republic of the Philippines
House of Representatives
Quezon City, Metro Manila

SEVENTEENTH CONGRESS
First Regular Session

House BillNo. 1392 _

Introduced by Honorable ERLPE JOHN “PING” M. AMANTE

AN ACT
PROVIDING FOR THE IMPLEMENTATION OF THE AGRICULTURAL
ROAD INFRASTRUCTURE (AGRI) NETWORK PROGRAM

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

SECTION 1. Short Title. — This Act shall be known as the “AGRI
Network Act of 2016.”

SECTION 2. Declaration of Policy. — The State shall develop a
comprehensive national road network that will support key
agricultural and fishery production areas to ensure that the transport
of produce and goods will be efficient, cost-effective, and convenient
with the aim of attaining food security and improving the lives of
farmers and fisher folks.

SECTION 3, Agricultural Road Infrastructure (AGRI) Network
Plan. — The Department of Agriculture (DA) shall submit to Congress
and to the Department of Budget and Management (DBM) within six
(6) months from the effectivity of this Act a National Agricultural Road
Infrastructure Network Plan, hereinafter referred to as the Plan, that
will contain all priority road projects ~ to include repair, rehabilitation
and construction ~ that shall connect key agricultural, livestock, and
fishery production areas to national primary and secondary roads.
High priority will be given to road projects that will connect multiple
production areas and areas that are major producers of rice, corn,
coconut, livestock — primarily cows, swine, and poultry — and seafood.


Provided, That the DA shall ensure that a
nationwide consultation with various government agencies, local
government units, farmer and fisher folk groups, private sector, civil
society organizations, and other stakeholders will be conducted during
the preparation of the Plan.

Provided further, That the Plan shall be reviewed
and updated every three (3) years from the effectivity of this Act.

SECTION 4. Implementation. — The AGRI Network Program,
which shall cover the implementation of the Plan and hereinafter
referred to as the Program, shall be implemented within a period of
ten (10) years.

The DA shall oversee and manage the Program and
develop a system to monitor its implementation. The Department shall
make periodic reports to the Congressional Oversight Committee on
Agricultural Road Infrastructure Network Program.

The DPWH shall lead in the implementation of the
road projects under the Program. The DPWH shall formulate a
strategy to ensure the timely implementation of projects, such as, but
not limited to the, clustering and geo-tagging of projects for cost
efficiency in the procurement thereof and effective management and
implementation of projects.

SECTION 5. Appropriations. — Annual appropriations for the
Program shall include the amounts necessary to support the funding
requirements of all road infrastructure projects included in the Plan.

The Program shall be based on a ceiling, for the first
five (5) years, of One Hundred Billion Pesos (P100,000,000,000.00).
Provided, That hereafter this amount may be increased commensurate
to the increase in the Gross National Product (GNP).

SECTION 6. Right of Way and Road Maintenance. — All right-of-
way issues including the payment to property owners shall be
adequately addressed and settled by the concerned Local Government
Unit (LGU) where the road project is located. The LGU shall also
provide counterpart for the maintenance of the roads upon completion
and turn-over,

SECTION 7. Incorporation of Existing Farm-to-Market Road
Projects. — Continuing appropriations for all FMR projects being
funded and implemented by the national government prior to the
effectivity of this Act, except those funded under the Grassroots
Participatory Budgeting (GPB) program or any other similar program,
and are included in the Plan shall be considered part of the Program’s
appropriation as provided in Section 5.


New FMR programs and projects to be funded
through foreign assistance after the effectivity of this Act are
encouraged to be based on the Plan.

SECTION 8. Congressional Oversight Committee. — There is
hereby created a Congressional Oversight Committee to monitor and
oversee the implementation of the provisions of this Act. The
Committee shall be composed of six (6) members from the Senate and
six (6) members from the House of Representatives with the
Chairpersons of Agriculture and Food of both houses as Joint
Chairpersons. The five (5) members from each chamber shall be
designated by the Senate President and the Speaker of the House of
Representatives respectively. The minority shall have at least two (2)
representatives from both chambers.

SECTION 9. Sunset Review. — As the need arises, or within ten
(10) years after its effectivity, the Congressional Oversight Committee
shall conduct a sunset review of this Act. The term “sunset review”
shall mean a systematic evaluation of the accomplishments and
impact of this Act, as well as the performance and organizational
structure of its implementing agencies, for purposes of determining
remedial legislations.

SECTION 10. Implementing Rules and Regulations. — The
Secretary of Agriculture shall issue rules and regulations as he/she
may deem necessary for the implementation of this Act.

SECTION 11. Repealing Clause. — All laws, decrees, executive
orders, proclamations, rules and regulations, or parts thereof
inconsistent herewith are hereby repealed or modified accordingly.

SECTION 12. — Separability Clause. — If any provision of this Act
is held invalid or unconstitutional, the other provisions not affected
hereby shall remain valid and subsisting.

SECTION 13. Effectivity. — This Act shall take effect fifteen (15)

days after its publication in at least two (2) national newspapers of
general circulation.

Approved,