Senate no Often of the Secretary TWENTIETH CONGRESS OF THE REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES First Regular Session 25 AUG 27 A9:26 SENATE RECEIVED BY: S. No. 1265 Introduced by Senator Loren Legarda AN ACT DECLARING JANUARY TWENTY-TWO OF EVERY YEAR AS A SPECIAL WORKING HOLIDAY TO BE KNOWN AS NATIONAL FARMER'S DAY EXPLANATORY NOTE Food security begins with supporting those who feed the nation. The agriculture sector sustains our people, provides livelihood for millions of Filipinos, and anchors our food security. Yet, despite their indispensable role, our farmers and fisherfolk continue to face persistent challenges, and poverty among farmers and fisherfolk remains among the highest in the country, with a poverty incidence rate of 27% and 27.4% respectively. Our farmers face the growing threat of climate change and natural calamities. Still, they endure while they serve as the quiet frontliners in ensuring food security. Declaring January 22 as National Farmer's Day institutionalizes our collective recognition of their sacrifices, serving as a reminder for government agencies, local government units, private institutions, and communities to uphold substantial programs supporting our farmers and fisherfolk. This commemoration is intended to go beyond symbolism. It is a tribute to their resiliency and hard work, as well as a call to all sectors to renew our commitment to their welfare. This bill aims to recognize the valuable contributions of all our farmers then and now by honoring them every twenty-second of January. By honoring our farmers
annually, we reinforce their identity as modern-day heroes. In view of the foregoing, the early passage of this bill is earnestly requested. LOREN LEGARDA
Senaie effier of the doctertary TWENTIETH CONGRESS OF THE ) REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES First Regular Session ) 25 AUG 27 A9:26 SENATE RECEIVED BY: S. No. 1265 Introduced by Senator Loren Legarda AN ACT DECLARING JANUARY TWENTY-TWO OF EVERY YEAR AS A SPECIAL WORKING HOLIDAY TO BE KNOWN AS NATIONAL FARMER'S DAY Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the Philippines in Congress assembled:
Section 1. Short Title - The twenty-second day of January of every year is
2 hereby declared as a special working holiday to be known as "National Farmer's Day".
Sec. 2. Declaration of Policy - To ensure meaningful observance of the holiday
4 as herein declared, all heads of government agencies and instrumentalities, including 5 government-owned and controlled corporations especially those that are dealing 6 directly with the farmers as well as local government units, and employers in the 7 private sector shall encourage and afford sufficient time and opportunities for their 8 employees to engage and participate in any activity conducted within the premises of 9 their respective offices or establishments in support and sympathy to farmers across the country to celebrate "National Farmer's Day".
Sec. 3. This Act shall take effect after fifteen (15) days following its publication
in the Official Gazette or in any newspaper of general circulation. Approved,