Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Quezon City

TWENTIETH CONGRESS
First Regular Session

House Bill No. 521

Introduced by Representative Reynante U. Arrogancia

EXPLANATORY NOTE

Governments have set as one of its sustainable goals to end hunger and food insecurity in
2030. One of the barriers identified as the cause of hunger are declining food production
and climate shocks. Hence, it is imperative to invest in systems that would build and
strengthen resilience from disasters and climate shocks in the agriculture sector.

This bill seeks the institutionalization of a responsive crop climate calendar throughout the
country. The crop climate calendar shall be an adjusted schedule for planting and
harvesting, and other critical periods based on adverse weather forecasts. In coordination
with municipal, city and provincial agriculturists, the Department of Agriculture shall
implement a continuing program for all farmers and farmers’ organizations to formulate,
use, and interpret crop climate calendars that are tailor-made for each specific locality or
community.

This bill has been filed in previous Congresses, but it is hoped that in the 20" Congress, this
bill will become a law. In view of the foregoing, this representation seeks approval of this
bill.

REYNANTE CIA


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Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Quezon City

TWENTIETH CONGRESS
First Regular Session

House Bill No. 521

Introduced by Representative Reynante U. Arrogancia

AN ACT.
ENHANCING THE RESILIENCY, ADAPTABILITY OF FARMERS TO ADVERSE
WEATHER AND CLIMATE EVENTS BY INSTITUTIONALIZING THE USE OF
ADAPTIVE CROP CLIMATE CALENDARS, EQUIPPING FARMERS FOR
CLIMATE-SENSITIVE DECISION-MAKING, AND PROVIDING ACCESS TO
LOCALIZED WEATHER AND CLIMATE INFORMATION

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

SECTION 1. Short Title. — This Act shall be known as the “Climate-Resilient Agriculture
Act.”

SEC. 2, Declaration of Policy. In recognition of the importance of agriculture in the
country's economic development, the State shall enhance the resiliency and adaptability of
the sector against the adverse effects of weather disturbances and climate change that
endanger productivity levels and harvest yield. Climate resiliency, sustainability and
innovation shall be a priority government intervention for the agriculture sector.

SEC. 3. Definition of Terms, - As used in this Act, the following terms shall be defined as
follows:

(a) Crop climate calendar refers a visual tool that presents the phenology and cultivation
practices ofa crop against the timeline of the cropping season, containing information
on the weather and climate states that occur in the locality and the risks faced by the
crop per growing stage in relation to these;

(b) Climate-sensitive decision refers to decisions that hinge on weather and climate
states, with final outcomes and even decision alternatives which are varying
depending on the prevailing weather phenomena;

(©) Localized weather and climate information refers to information on weather and
climate phenomena that are particularized down to the city and municipal level.

SEC. 4. Adaptive Crop Climate Calendars. - The Department of Agriculture (DA), shall
establish and promote the use of adaptive crop climate calendars throughout the Philippines.
The crop climate calendar shall be an adjusted schedule for planting and harvesting, and


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other critical periods based on adverse weather forecasts. In coordination with municipal,
city and provincial agriculturists, the DA shall implement a continuing program for all
farmers and farmers’ organizations to formulate, use, and interpret crop climate calendars
that are tailor-made for each specific locality or community. It shall consider various factors
such as but not limited to the following:

(a) Climatic conditions

(b) Crop growing seasons

(©) Crop life cycles

(d) Farming practices (planting, harvesting and postharvest activities before, during and
after a weather event or disturbance)

(©) Seeds and water availability and constraints

(1) Up-to-date local market crop requirements

These crop climate calendars shall be distributed free-of-charge to all farmers and farmers”
organizations and be made available online.

SEC. 5. Climate-Sensitive Decision-Making. — The Department of Agriculture, through the
Agricultural Training Institute (ATI), shall provide regular appropriate training and
capacity-building for farmers and farmer’s organizations in the practice of climate-sensitive
decision-making and the use of relevant tools and applications. The ATI shall formulate an
develop clear, concise, and easily understandable charts, tables, diagrams, briefers, and
similar documents on climate-sensitive decision-making for distribution to farmers and
farmers’ organizations.

SEC. 6. Localized Weather and Climate Information ~The Philippine Atmospheric,
Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) shall provide regular
and up-to-date localized weather and climate information to city, municipal and provincial
agriculturist’s offices and directly to the farmers themselves through all available means of
communication and information dissemination including internet, social media, television
and radio. This information shall be written in simple English, Filipino and other regional
language or dialect as necessary and must be presented in a clear, concise and casily
understandable form.

SEC. 7. Appropriations, — The amount necessary for the implementation of this Act shall
be included in the annual General Appropriations for the year following its enactment into
law and thereafter.

SEC. 8, Implementing Rules and Regulations. ~ Within sixty (60) days from the effectivity
of this Act, the DA and PAGASA, in coordination with other relevant government agencies,
farmers’ organizations and stakeholders, shall issue the necessary rules and regulations to
implement the provisions of this Act.

SEC. 9. Repealing Clause. - All laws, presidential decrees, executive orders,
proclamations, rules and regulations, or any part thereof, which are inconsistent with the
provisions of this Act are hereby repealed or modified accordingly.

SEC. 10. Separability Clause. — If any provision or part of this Act, or the application
thereof to any person or circumstance, is held unconstitutional or invalid, the remainder of
this Act shall not be affected thereby.


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SEC. 11. Effectivity. - This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after its publication in
Official Gazette or in at least two (2) newspapers of general circulation

Approved,