FOURTEENTH CONGRESS OF THE REPUBLIC 
) 
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p5 : I  ; 
OF THE PHlLlPPlNES 
) 
First Regular Session 
1 
S E N A T E  
Introduced by Senator Manuel "Lito" M. Lapid 
EXPLANATORY NOTE 
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 cooperatives systems in the consolidation of 
small landholdings and participation of the corporate sector in the 
production of high value crops. 
In view of the foregoing, early passage of this bill is earnestly 
requested. 
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MANUEL "LSTO" M. LAPID * 
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Senator 
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1 
FOURTEENTH CONGRESS OF THE REPUBLIC 
) 
OF THE PHILIPPINES 
1 
First Regular Session 
) 
S E N A T E  
” 
S. B. No. 5422 
Introduced by Senator Manuel “Lito” M. Lapid 
AN ACT 
AMENDING REPUBLIC ACT NO. 7900, OTHERWISE KNOWN AS THE 
THE 
ADOPTION 
OF 
COOPERATIVES 
SYSTEMS 
IN 
THE 
CONSOLIDATION OF SMALL LANDHOLDINGS AND PARTICIPATION OF 
THE CORPORATE SECTOR IN THE PRODUCTION OF HIGH VALUE 
CROPS AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES 
HIGH-VALUE CROPS DEVELOPMENT ACT OF 1995, BY ENCOURAGING 
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 R.A. No. 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. No. 7900, otherwise known as the “High Value 
Crops Development Act of 1995” 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 
production, within six (6) months after effectivity of this Act: Provided, That 
such site identification shall be reviewed at appropriate intervals to ensure 
consistency with agrarian reform program and the national land use 
policy." 
SEC. 3. 
Sections 7 of R.A. No. 7900, otherwise known as the "High Value 
Crops Development Act of 1995 is hereby amended to read as follows: 
"Sec. 7. 
Farm Model. - For the program. [farmers may adopt] 
PORTIONS OF LARGE LANDHOLDINGS MAY BE MADE AVAILABLE 
TO FARMERS FOR THE ADOPTION OF the cooperative system in 
putting up economically-sized farms for high-value crop farming. Farming 
members shall collectively manage individual farms which include 
contracting process and means of production, planning and coordinating 
crop varieties, raising breed and hectarage, distribution and some 
production measures with reference to the market it shall serve. Said farm 
models may be replicated by farmers' organizations all over the country. " 
SEC. 4. 
Repealing Clause. - All laws or parts thereof, decrees, orders, 
rules and regulations inconsistent with the provisions of this Act are hereby repealed or 
modified accordingly: Provided, however, That nothing in this Act shall be construed or 
applied amending R.A. 6657 and other laws on Agrarian Reform. 
SEC. 5. 
Separability Clause. - If any of the provisions of this Act is 
declared invalid, the other provisions not affected thereby shall remain in full force and 
effect. 
SEC. 6. 
Effectivity Clause. - This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days 
after its publication in at least two (2) national newspapers of general circulation. 
Approved,