Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Quezon City

EIGHTEENTH CONGRESS
First Regular Session

House Bill No. poss

Introduced by Representatives John Marvin “Yul Servo” C. Nieto, Edward
Vera Perez Maceda, Dale “Along” R. Malapitan, Eric M. Martinez, and
Rolando M. Valeriano

EXPLANATORY NOTE

As a manifestation of support to this timely piece of legislation, this
representation respectfully refiles this bill, which has constantly been receiving

support from the past and present Congress.

It is the policy of the State to enjoin the youth to be active contributors to
development. The proposed measure aims to enable the youth to actively
contribute in rural development by encouraging them to engage into agricultural
and fisheries production and agri-business activities. Their active participation will
be of great help in supporting different government efforts and initiatives to attain
food security, promote agricultural value chain development, and boost job

generation in the countryside.

This representation also believes the proposed measure will of great help in

securing the future and continued growth of the agriculture sector as it may serve


as a means to introduce and encourage the younger generation to enter the

sector.

In view of the foregoing, the passage of this measure is earnestly sought.

vii Tat Servo” C. Nieto
ic M. Martinez

Edward Vera Perez Maceda

Oaks £OY? M. —~
Dale “Along” R. Malgpitan


Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Quezon City

EIGHTEENTH CONGRESS
First Regular Session

House Bill No. __5065

Introduced by Representatives John Marvin “Yul Servo” C. Nieto,
Edward Vera Perez Maceda, Dale “Along” R. Malapitan, Eric M.
Martinez, and Rolando M. Valeriano

AN ACT CREATING THE NATIONAL YOUTH AGRIPRENEURSHIP
PROGRAM AND PROVIDING FUNDS THEREOF

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 “National Youth
Agripreneurship Program Act."

SECTION 2. Declaration of Policy. - It shall be the policy of the State to
enjoin the youth to be active contributors in rural development by
encouraging them to engage into agricultural and fisheries production and
agri-business activities to support the attainment of food security, promote
agricultural value chain development, and boost job generation in the

countryside.

SECTION 3. Definition of Terms. - For purposes of this Act, the following
terms are hereby defined:


a. Agripreneurship - refers to agriculture- and _fisheries-based
entrepreneurial endeavors that are fuelled by innovativeness,
dynamism, empowerment, and sustainability.

b. Youth - refers to Filipinos 15-30 years old in accordance to Republic
Act 8044 also known as “Youth in Nation Building Act."

SECTION 4. National Youth Agripreneurship Program. - There is
hereby a National Youth Agripreneurship Program - hereinafter referred to as
the Program - that shall promote youth participation in agricultural and
fisheries development through agripreneurship. The Program is open to all
youth organizations registered with the National Youth Commission (NYC).

The Program shall be guided by the following principles:

a. For a youth organization to qualify as beneficiary of the Program it
must meet the following requirements:

1. Completed social preparation activities such as, but not limited
to, orientation about the Program, assessment of the
community's socio-economic profile and needs, and study on the
available agricultural or fishery resources or crop compatibility of
lands.

2. Completed capacity-building programs that shall have assisted
them in preparing a comprehensive business plan and trained
them in setting up and managing the proposed agri-business
endeavor.

3. Completed a financial literacy program.

b. Non-collateral credit support, through the Land Bank of the Philippines
(LBP), will be provided to the beneficiaries based on the schedule
indicated in the submitted business plan. Provided, That the release of
tranches to the beneficiaries shall be based on the business plans and
subject to evaluation of the monitoring reports.

c. The Department of Agriculture (DA) shall prioritize the beneficiaries in
the provision of grants or assistance such as, but not limited to,
seedlings, fertilizers, and other farm inputs, farm/fishery tools and
equipment, starting stocks, small irrigation projects, post-harvest
facilities, and crop insurance.


d. The Department of Science and Technology (DOST) shall provide
assistance in product development, quality control, and packaging.

e. The Negosyo Centers shall assist the beneficiaries in promoting their
products to the domestic and foreign markets.

f. The beneficiaries shall be subject to the regular monitoring and review
of the Youth Agripreneurship Office. Only those who comply with their
respective business plans will be able to continue in the Program.

SECTION 5. Creation of the Youth Agripreneurship Office. - There shall
be a Youth Agripreneurship Office (YAO) to be established in every region.
The YAO shall be attached to the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI).

The YAO shall perform the following functions:

a. Accept and evaluate applications of youth organizations;

b. Facilitate the conduct of all necessary programs and monitor their
completion by all beneficiaries;

c. Coordinate with the DA, DOST, DTI, and other relevant agencies in the
provision of assistance to the beneficiaries based on the approved
business plans; and,

d. Monitor the execution of the business plans and implement remedial
measures should the need arise. Provided, That the YAO shall set a
limit on the number of projects to be monitored by each monitoring
officer. Provided further, that the YAO shall implement measures to
prevent over-familiarization of monitoring officers.

SECTION 6. Youth Agripreneurship Fund. - One Billion Pesos
(P1,000,000,000.00) shall be allocated to create the Youth Agripreneurship
Fund - hereinafter referred to as the Fund - that shall be managed by the
LBP. The Fund shall be used solely to provide loans to the beneficiaries of
the Program. All re-payments shall be reverted back to the Fund.

SECTION 7. Spin-off from Beneficiary Youth Organizations. -
Individual youths or small groups may spin off from their mother youth
organization and avail of the benefits of the Program, subject to the same


monitoring procedures, upon validation of their capability to engage in aari-

business independently.

SECTION 8. Information Dissemination. - The Philippine Information
Agency, in coordination with the YAO, the DA, and the DOST, shall ensure
the proper and adequate information dissemination of the contents and
benefits of this Act to pertinent media entities and all cities, municipalities
and barangays.

SECTION 9. Appropriations. - The amount necessary to carry out the
initial implementation of this Act shall be sourced from the current budget of
the DTI, DA, and DOST. Thereafter, such sums as may be necessary for the
continued implementation of this Act shall be included in the succeeding
General Appropriations. Act.

SECTION 10. 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 House Chairperson of Small Business
and Entrepreneurship Development and Senate Chairperson of Trade,
Commerce, and Entrepreneurship 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 11. Sunset Review. - As the need arises, or within three (3)
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 12. Implementing Rules and Regulations. - The Secretary of
Trade and Industry, in consultation with the appropriate agencies as may be
deemed necessary, shall formulate the necessary rules and regulations to


implement the provisions of this Act within ninety (90) days after its

approval.

SECTION 13. Repealing Clause. - All laws, decrees, executive orders,
proclamations, rules and regulations, or parts thereof inconsistent herewith
are hereby repealed or modified accordingly.

SECTION 14. 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 15. Effectivity. - This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after
its publication in at least two (2) national newspapers of general circulation.

Approved,