NINETEENTH CONGRESS OF THE 
)
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES 
)
First Regular Session 
)
1 ’ 7
of tijc ^trrrtnv^
■22 JUL 18 A9 37
SENATE
w
. O
RECEIVED BY:
Introduced by Senator Jinggoy Ejercito Estrada
AM ACT
ESTABLISHING THE YOUNG FARMERS AND FISHERFOLK CHALLENGE 
PROGRAM, CREATING FOR THE PURPOSE THE YOUNG FARMERS AND 
FISHERFOLK CHALLENGE COUNCIL, AND APPROPRIATING FUNDS 
THEREFOR
EXPLANATORY NOTE
The 1987 Constitution provides under Article XIII, Section 5 that, "The State 
shall recognize the right of farmers, farmworkers, and landowners, as well as 
cooperatives, and other independent farmers' organizations to participate in the 
planning, organization, and management of the program, and shall provide support 
to agriculture through appropriate technology and research, and adequate financial, 
production, marketing and other support services."
The Department of Agriculture (DA) launched in April 2021 the "Young Farmers 
Challenge: Kabataang Agribiz" through its Agribusiness and Marketing Assistance 
Service. It aims to "encourage more youth to participate in the development of 
agriculture sector" In the belief that the youth has the power to transform Philippine 
agriculture.1 The Challenge grants "competitive financial assistance to the youth who 
will engage In agri-fishery based enterprises". The DA is optimistic that the
1 younfi 3gr{Prerieurs win regional level of 'Young Farmers Challenge' I Officiai Portal of the Department 
of Agriculture fda.gov.ph)


institutionalization of the competition will make it a regular program of the DA with 
appropriate budget.2
The " Young Farmers and Fisherfofk Challenge Act seeks to establish a Young 
Farmers and Fisherfolk Challenge Program that will support and empower the young 
farmers and fisherfolk to be active partners in food security and agricultural 
development and modernization. To effectively Implement the program, the bill 
proposes to create a Young Farmers and Fisherfolk Challenge Council chaired by the 
Secretary of the DA and composed of various concerned government and non­
government organizations. The measure likewise grants to young farmers and 
fisherfolks a one-time waiver of government fees and charges pertaining to the 
application for and granting of licenses, proofs of identification, clearances, certificates 
or other documents usually required in the course of employment locally and abroad.
This measure was reported out by the Committees on Youth; Agriculture, Food 
and Agrarian Reform; Ways and Means; and Finance in the 18th Congress.
In this light, the Immediate passage of this bill is highly recommended.
JINGGOY EJERCITO ESTRADA
2 DA hails top innovative agribusiness models of youth farmers I Official Portal of the Department of
Agriculture


NINETEENTH CONGRESS OF THE 
)
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES 
)
First Regular Session 
)
S. No.
SENATE
675
tr ''i
v^-«> of r?ic £-:i'aptnrp
*22 JUL18 A 9 37
RECEIVED BV:
Introduced by Senator Jinggoy Ejercito Estrada
AN ACT
ESTABLISHING THE YOUNG FARMERS AND FISHERFOLK CHALLENGE 
PROGRAM, CREATING FOR THE PURPOSE THE YOUNG FARMERS AND 
FISHERFOLK CHALLENGE COUNCIL, AND APPROPRIATING FUNDS 
THEREFOR
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the Philippines in 
Congress assembled:
Section 1. Short Tide. - This Act shall be known as the " Young Farmers and 
Fisherfoik Challenge Act.
Sec. 2. Declaration of Policy. — It is hereby declared the policy of the State to 
recognize and engage the role of the youth in nation building and rural development, 
providing for this purpose access to knowledge, information and education, access to 
land, new sources of financial services and capital, green jobs, access to new and 
niche markets, and participation in policy dialogue.
Sec. 3. Young Farmers and Fisherfoik Challenge Program. — There is hereby 
established a Young Farmers and Fisherfoik Challenge Program, hereinafter referred
10 
to as the Program, that shall support and empower the young farmers and fisherfoik
11 
to be active partners in food security and agricultural development and modernization.
12 
The Program shall encourage the youth to pursue a career or engage in activities
13 
related to agriculture, ensure young farmers and fisherfoik participation in policy
14 
formulation and program implementation relative to the agriculture sector, and
15 
provide institutional support for agri-business and agri-entrepreneurship initiatives of
16 
the youth to fully realize their role as agents and partners for development.


1 
Sec. 4. Beneficiaries of the Program. — The Program is intended to support
2 
young farmers and fisherfolk between eighteen (18) to thirty (30) years of age, who
3 
are engaged in farming and fisheries activities, and are included in the Registry System
4 
for Basic Sectors in Agriculture (RSBSA). The Department of Agriculture (DA) shall
5 
update its existing database to reflect these indicators.
6 
Sec. 5. Creation of a Young Farmers and Fisherfolk Challenge Council. - There
7 
is hereby created the Young Farmers and Fisherfolk Challenge Council, hereinafter
8 
referred to as the Council, to properly oversee the implementation of the Program.
9 
The Council shall be composed of the following:
10 
(a) Secretary of the Department of Agriculture (DA) or a duly authorized
11 
representative who is at least an Undersecretary, who shall be the Chair;
12 
(b) Representative of the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) who shall
13 
likewise be an Undersecretary;
14 
(c) Representative of the Department of Education (DepEd) who shall likewise be
15 
an Undersecretary;
16 
(d) Representative of the Department of Science and Technology (DOST);
17 
(e) Representative of the Commission on Higher Education (CHED);
18 
(f) Representative of the Department of Agrarian Reform (DAR);
19 
(g) Representative of the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority
20 
(TESDA);
21 
(h) Representative of the Department of the Interior and Local Government
22 
(DILG);
23 
(i) Representative of the Department of Information and Communications
24 
Technology (DICT);
25 
(j) Representative of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources
26 
(DENR);
27 
(k) Representative of the National Youth Commission (NYC);
28 
(I) Representative of the League of Provinces of the Philippines (LPP);
29 
(m) Representative of a national organization of young farmers' cooperative
30 
or association, provided that the representative shall be between fifteen (15)
31 
to forty (40) years of age;


1 
(n) Representative of a national organization of fisherfolk's cooperative or
2 
association, provided that the representative shall be between fifteen (15) to
3 
forty (40) years of age;
4 
(o) Representative of a farmers' women organization or cooperative, provided that
5 
the representative shall be between fifteen (15) to forty (40) years of age;
6 
(p) Representative of a national organization for agritourism;
7 
(q) Representative of state universities and colleges (SUCs);
8 
(r) Representative of private educational institutions (PEIs); and,
9 
(s) Representative of a national organization of food, restaurant, and business
10 
sectors.
11 
The Philippine Council for Agriculture and Fisheries (PCAF) shall serve as its
12 
Secretariat.
13 
Sec. 6. Powers and Functions of the Council. - The Council shall have the
14 
following powers and functions:
15 
(a) Formulate the "Young Farmers and Fisherfolk Challenge Program", hereinafter
16 
referred to as the "Program", in consultation with research institutions such as
17 
the Southeast Asian Regional Center for Graduate Study and Research in
18 
Agriculture (SEARCA), Philippine Council for Agriculture, Aquatic and Natural
19 
Resources Research and Development (PCAARRD), University of the Philippines
20 
- Los Banos (UPLB) and other relevant SUCs;
21 
(b) Develop, in coordination with various department and agencies, specific action
22 
plans for unambiguous tasking and quick implementation;
23 
(c) Create special programs for marginalized sectors such as youth from urban
24 
poor, women, indigenous people, and the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region of
25 
Muslim Mindanao (BARMM);
26 
(d) Develop initiatives in new farm sectors such as "smart farming" farm tourism,
27 
agro-, aqua-, and hydroponics, organic and boutique vegetables;
28 
(e) Identify relevant training and livelihood budgets in the different departments
29 
and agencies, including start-up capital;
30 
(f) Implement the departments' and agencies' action plans, engaging the
31 
assistance of the Local Government Units (LGUs) and Sangguniang Kabataan
32 
(SK);


1 
(g) Identify the best practices in the implementation of the program as well as
2 
emerging best practices in agriculture such as smart farming and farm tourism
3 
in compliance with Republic Act No. 10816, or the "Farm Tourism Development
4 
Act of 2016";
5 
(h) Foster the formation of new ideas and technologies by assisting agricultural
6 
enterprises of qualified young farmers and fisherfolk entrepreneurs, pursuant
7 
to Republic Act No. 11337, otherwise known as the "Innovative Start-up Act of
8 
2018";
9 
(i) Initiate new packaging, promotion, and marketing events;
10 
Q) Ensure scholarships and subsidized tuition fees for young farmers and fisherfolk
11 
in sues;
12 
(k) Package inventive and recognition programs and awards system for the youth;
13 
(I) Participate in agri- and food tourism marketing events, nationally and
14 
internationally;
15 
(m) Provide on-the-job training programs for young farmers and fisherfolk in
16 
areas such as "green jobs", reforestation, coastal management, fisheries, and
17 
other rural-based jobs, through the DOLE'S Special Program for Employment of
18 
Students (SPES) and other livelihood and training programs;
19 
(n) Establish linkages with agricultural representatives of the Association of South
20 
East Asian Nations (ASEAN) and other international farming youth associations;
21 
(o) Engage national and international leaders in formulating policies directly
22 
addressing young farmers and fisherfolk concerns; and,
23 
(p) Monitor and evaluate the effectiveness of the implementation of this Act as well
24 
as its impact on the 
participants and beneficiaries.
25 
Sec. 7. Access to Knowledge^ Information/ and Education. - A who!e-of-
26 
government approach shall be utilized to inform and enlist young farmers and
27 
fisherfolk in agriculture:
28 
(a) Role of the DepEd - The DepEd shall include at all levels, but particularly in its
29 
K-12 program, elective subjects focused on agriculture, such as garden
30 
farming, urban greening, reforestation and coastal management;
31 
(b) Role of the TESDA -■ The TESDA, in coordination with the DICT and the DOST,
32 
shall add subjects in their training centers for agricultural entrepreneurship,


1 
"smart farming", and other advanced farming technologies, prioritizing
2 
programs focused on agriculture. The TESDA shall also provide scholarships
3 
and subsidized tuition fees for young farmers and fisherfolk;
4 
(c) Role of the DOLE - The DOLE shall provide on-the-job training (OJT) programs
5 
for young farmers and fisherfolk, including the SPES;
6 
(d) Role of the CHED, SUCs, and Agricultural Schools - The CHED, SUCs, and
7 
agricultural schools shall provide scholarship grants, stipends, and subsidies to
8 
qualified young farmers and fisherfolk. Likewise, the CHED, SUCs, and
9 
agricultural schools shall provide schemes for distance, remote, and digital
10 
learning. The CHED shall likewise encourage the private colleges and
11 
universities to provide similar opportunities and schemes to qualified recipients.
12 
The CHED shall include agriculture in its National Service Training Program
13 
(NSTP) curriculum, such as garden farming, urban greening, and coastal
14 
management. CHED shall likewise promulgate the policies, standards and
15 
guidelines for agricultural courses which shall focus on sustainability and the
16 
achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Scholarships for
17 
post-graduate and doctoral degrees shall be provided by CHED: Provided, That
18 
private universities and colleges are also enjoined to provide the same.
19 
(e) Role of the DA, Agricultural Training Institute (ATI), and PCAF ~ The DA,
20 
through the 4-H Club of the Agricultural Training Institute (ATI) and the
21 
Agricultural and Fishery Youthrepreneur Council (AFYC) of the PCAF, shall
22 
provide for scholarship grants and stipends to qualified young farmers and
23 
fisherfolk, targeting specific marginalized sectors such as women, indigenous
24 
people, and persons with disabilities (PWDs);
25 
(f) Roles of the DOST and DICT - The DOST and DICT shall develop portals, utilize
26 
social media, and exploit other electronic technologies, to publicize the
27 
Program; and,
28 
(g) Role of the LGU and the SK - The LGU shall inform and enlist the SK who shall
29 
act as trainer-leaders to qualified and interested young farmers and fisherfolk.
30 
Sec. 8. Access to Land. - Short-leases, free land and agrarian reform schemes
31 
shall be developed to provide access to land for young farmers:


1 
(a) Role of the DENR - The DENR shall explore the possibilities of extending short-
2 
term leases of public land to young farmers, provide free or subsidized land for
3 
cultivation, and develop such other packages as would allow young farmers to
4 
use available or unutilized agricultural land. In coordination with the LGUs and
5 
SK, the Department may also create lease-to-buy programs;
6 
(b) Role of the DAR - The DAR shall facilitate and expedite the lease, distribution,
7 
and award of agrarian reform land to young beneficiaries;
8 
(c) Role of the LGU and the SK - The LGU shall prioritize the lease and acquisition
9 
of land for cultivation by young farmers. Further, the LGU and SK shall
10 
distribute hillside or other undercultivated lands to young farmers, for farming
11 
and other agricultural purposes;
12 
(d) Roles of the SUCs - Whenever SUCs own or occupy excess landholdings, young
13 
farmers shall be given first option to use and cultivate such landholdings for
14 
agricultural purposes.
15 
Sec. 9. Access to Financial Services. - Young farmers and fisherfolk shall be
16 
provided financial assistance and given access to financial services:
17 
(a) Role of the Land Bank of the Philippines (LBP) - The LBP shall develop favorable
18 
financial projects for young farmers and fisherfolk, waiving collateral, salary
19 
and other typical bank requisites;
20 
(b) Role of the DA - The DA shall develop financial packages specifically targeting
21 
young farmers and fisherfolk;
22 
(c) Role of the DTI - The DTI, through the Small Business Corporation (SB Corp),
23 
shall extend loans to the young farmers and fisherfolk for the trade and
24 
marketing of their agricultural products;
25 
(d) Role of the DOST, DICT, and DTI - The DOST, DICT and the DTI, pursuant to
26 
Republic Act No. 11337, otherwise known as the "Innovative Start-Up Act of
27 
2018", and other programs shall include agricultural enterprises for qualified
28 
young farmer- and fisherfolk-entrepreneurs in the incubation efforts;
29 
(e) Role of CHED and TESDA - CHED and TESDA shall provide financial literacy
30 
trainings particularly in handling and managing loans and grants;
31 
(f) Role of the Private Sector - The private sector is encouraged to subcontract,
32 
partner, and extend financial grants, initiate social partnerships and rural


1 
development initiatives, as well as mentor young farmers and fisherfolk on
2 
livelihood strategies, as part of their corporate social responsibility and other
3 
community participation;
4 
(g) Role of the LGU - The LGU, in coordination with the SK, shall provide funding
5 
and livelihood opportunities to young farmers and fisherfolk;
6 
(h) Role of the SK - The SK, using its ten percent (10%) Development Fund, and
7 
other funds, shall provide entrepreneurial and finance packages for young
8 
farmers and fisherfolk;
9 
(i) Role of the NYC - The NYC, in tandem with potential youth agri-entrepreneurs,
10 
shall initiate donation and fundraising drives for the Program, exploiting for this
11 
purpose online advertising, "crowd^sourcing", and other digital means to
12 
generate funds for the Program.
13 
Sec. 10. Access to "Green Jobs" - Young farmers 
and fisherfolk shall be given
14 
priority in access to green jobs, as follows:
15 
(a) Roles of the DOLE - The DOLE, through the SPES, shall include "green jobs",
16 
reforestation, coastal management, fisheries, and other rural-based jobs, in
17 
cooperation with LGUs. The DOLE shall prioritize young farmers and fisherfolk
18 
for employment in public projects or private agro-industries and corporations.
19 
The department shall also offer returning youth Overseas Filipino Workers
20 
(OFWs) with a menu of possible investment projects where they will be assisted
21 
in terms of proposal packaging, training, and management assistance during
22 
the early stage, marketing and linking with government financial institutions
23 
(GFIs) and investment promotion agencies in case they qualify for fiscal and
24 
nonfiscal incentives pursuant to Republic Act No. 11534 or the Corporate
25 
Recovery and Tax Incentives for Enterprises (CREATE) Act;
26 
(b) Role of the TESDA - The TESDA shall develop on-the-job trainings, job fairs,
27 
employment bridging initiatives, and private partnerships in producing,
28 
processing, packaging, and marketing youth products;
29 
(c) Role of the DOT - The DOT shall prioritize the employment of young farmers
30 
and fisherfolk in eco- and agro-tours, and encourage youth entrepreneurship
31 
in farm and fishery tourism;


1 
(d)Role of the Philippine Economic Zone Authority (PEZA) - The PEZA shall
2 
prioritize young farmers and fisherfolk for jobs in agro-industrial ecozones,
3 
provide access to modern farm technology, promote linkages in agriculture-
4 
related enterprises, and accelerate the creation of "green jobs" for young
5 
farmers and fisherfolk;
6 
(e) The DA and the ATI - The DA, particularly the 4-H Club of the ATI, shall provide
7 
jobs and embark upon farming start-ups and in new and niche agricultural
8 
sectors such as organic farming, agroponics, aguaponics, hydroponics, dairy,
9 
livestock, coffee, cacao, and other areas of farming and fishing. The DA and
10 
ATI shall also create opportunities for youth leaders to harness their leadership
11 
skills especially during the international month for youth.
12 
Sec. 11. Access to Markets. - Young farmers and fisherfolk shall have access
13 
to markets through the following:
14 
(a) Role of the DTI - The DTI shall assist young farmers and fisherfolk in the
15 
packaging, marketing and promotion of their products, including branding,
16 
advertising, and subsidizing their participation in trade fairs and exhibits;
17 
(b) Role of the LGU - The LGU shall provide subsidized rental rates for public retail
18 
areas and public markets, encourage agricultural tourism, and develop other
19 
opportunities for young farmers;
20 
(c) Role of the Department of Tourism (DOT) - The DOT shall promote the
21 
products of young farmers and fisherfolk through tourism conventions, events,
22 
and other tourist souvenir sales opportunities;
23 
(d) Role of the Private Sector - The private sector Is encouraged to market and
24 
promote the products of young farmers and fisherfolk, as part of their Corporate
25 
Social Responsibility (CSR) and other development efforts;
26 
(e) Role of the Media - The media shall promote and advertise the products of the
27 
young farmers and fisherfolk and the Program.
28 
Sec. 12. Engagement in Policy Dialogue. - The young farmers and fisherfolk
29 
are encouraged to participate in policy dialogues, as follows:
30 
(a) Role of the NYC - The NYC shall ensure that young farmers and fisherfolk are
31 
represented in all decision-making bodies relating to the establishment of


1 
mechanisms for the promotion and protection of the rights of young farmers
2 
and fisherfolk;
3 
(b) Role of the SK - The SK, through local and Congressional youth representatives,
4 
shall liaise with the Local Government Leagues and the Congress of the
5 
Philippines to consult and engage young farmers and fisherfolk in policy-
6 
making;
7 
(c) Role of the DA - The DA shall ensure that young farmers and fisherfolk are
8 
equitably represented and consulted in its decision-making process to fully
9 
realize the young farmers7 and fisherfolk's role as agents and partners for
10 
national development.
11 
Sec. 13. Waiver of Government Fees and Charges. - Subject to the exception
12 
provided in Section 8 of Republic Act No. 11261, otherwise known as the "First-Time
13 
Jobseekers Assistance Act" all government agencies and instrumentalities, including
14 
government-owned and controlled corporations (GOCCs), LGUs, and government
15 
hospitals shall not collect fees or charges from any young farmer and fisherfolk:
16 
Provided, That such fee or charge is paid in connection with the application for and
17 
the granting of licenses, proofs of identification, clearances, certificates or other
18 
documents usually required in the course of employment locally or abroad; Provided,
19 
further, That the benefit provided shall only be availed of once.
20 
Sec. 14. Annuai Report - The Council shall submit to the President and to
21 
both Houses of Congress, not later than the 30th of March of every year following the
22 
effectivity of this Act, a report giving a detailed account on the effective
23 
implementation of this Act, and recommended legislation where applicable and
24 
necessary.
25 
Sec. 15. Implementing Rules and Regulations. - Within ninety (90) days from
26 
the effectivity of this Act, the DA and DAR, in coordination with the DOST, DICT, DOLE,
27 
DENR, DepEd, CHED, LBP, and NYC shall issue the necessary rules and regulations for
28 
the implementation of this Act which shall include the creation of a database of youth
29 
involvement and interventions provided by government agencies, a special desk for
30 
the youth, and an aggressive communication plan to upscale youth involvement.
31 
Sec. 16. Appropriations. - The amount needed to initially implement the
32 
provisions of this Act shall be charged against the appropriations of the current year


1 
of the concerned departments and agencies. Thereafter, such sums as may be
2 
necessary for its continued implementation shai! be included in the appropriation of
3 
the concerned departments and agencies in the annual General Appropriations Act
4 
(GAA).
5 
Sec. 17. Separability Clause. - If any provision or part hereof is held invalid or
6 
unconstitutional, the remainder of the law or the provision or part not otherwise
7 
affected shall remain valid and subsisting.
8 
Sec. 18. Repealing Clause. - Any law, presidential decree or issuance,
9 
executive order, letter of instruction, administrative order, rule, or regulation contrary
10 
to or inconsistent with the provisions of this Act are hereby repealed, modified, or
11 
amended accordingly.
12 
Sec. 19. Effectivity. - This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after its
13 
publication in the Official Gazette or in a newspaper of general circulation.
Approved,
10