Post-harvest Facilities Support Act of 2025

25 JUL 16 P4:13 TWENTIETH CONGRESS OF THE REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES First Regular Session RECEIV.DO SENATE S. B. No. - INTRODUCED BY SENATOR CHRISTOPHER LAWRENCE "BONG" T. GO AN ACT PROVIDING POST-HARVEST FACILITIES TO FARMERS, APPROPRIATING FUNDS THEREFOR EXPLANATORY NOTE Article XIII, Section 5 of the 1987 Philippine Constitution mandates the State to provide support services to farmers, including access to appropriate technology, research, and infrastructure. These support services should include the provision of post-harvest facilities, which are essential in preserving the quality of agricultural produce, minimizing losses, and enhancing the income of farmers. By ensuring better crop quality, this initiative not only uplifts the livelihood of farmers, but also promotes food security and delivers higher quality produce to consumers. Farmers, particularly those in rural areas, face significant challenges due to the lack of adequate facilities, access to modern equipment, proper drying systems, and efficient transport infrastructure. These deficiencies often result in post-harvest losses and a decline in the quality of their agricultural produce. This bill aims to provide warehouses and rice mills in municipalities and cities throughout the country to address the problems encountered by farmers. Through this

initiative, the government fulfills its constitutional mandate to promote the welfare of farmers, strengthen agricultural productivity, and ensure the availability of safe, high- quality, and affordable food for all Filipino consumers. In view of the foregoing, the approval of this bill is earnestly sought. SENATOR CHRISTOPHER LAWRENCE "BONG"T. GO

JUL 16 P4:13 TWENTIETH CONGRESS OF THE ) REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES First Regular Session RECENT SENATE S. No. 680 Introduced by Senator Christopher Lawrence "Bong" T. Go AN ACT PROVIDING POST-HARVEST FACILITIES TO FARMERS, APPROPRIATING FUNDS THEREFOR 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 "Post-Harvest Facilities

Support Act of 2025"

Sec. 2. Declaration of Policy. - It is the policy of the State to promote agricultural

and rural development. Specifically, the State aims to raise farm incomes to a level high enough to allow farmers to satisfy their material needs and enhance their self- esteem. It is also the policy of the State to encourage and strengthen non-government organizations, such as farmer organizations, cooperatives, and enterprises.

Sec. 3. Post-Harvest Facilities. - The Department of Public Works and Highways

11 (DPWH), in consultation with the Department of Agriculture (DA), the Department of 12 Agrarian Reform (DAR) and farmer cooperatives, shall construct warehouses and rice 13 mills in every rice-producing agricultural municipality in the Philippines: Provided, That in 14 the initial phase of the program, every district with at least one rice-producing

municipality shall be the beneficiary of at least one warehouse and rice mill. Additionally, the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI), in consultation with the DA, DAR, and farmer cooperatives, shall provide the equipment and machinery required to operate these warehouses and rice mills as well as the necessary transport facilities.

Sec. 4. Operation. - The warehouses and rice mills, including the equipment and

machinery required to operate them, shall be operated by the local government units 9 concerned.

Sec. 5. Funding, - The amount necessary for the implementation of this Act shall

be charged against the current year's appropriation of the DPWH. Thereafter, the funding of which shall be included in the annual General Appropriations Act.

Sec. 6. Implementing Rules and Regulations. - Within thirty (30) days from the

16 effectivity of this Act, the Department of Agriculture and, Department of Trade and Industry shall jointly promulgate the necessary rules and regulations for the proper implementation of this Act.

Sec. 7. Separability Clause. - If any provision of this Act is declared invalid or

unconstitutional, the other provisions not affected by such declaration shall remain in full force and effect.

Sec. 8. Repealing Clause. - All laws, executive orders, decrees, rules and

regulations, or any part thereof inconsistent with the provision of this Act are deemed repealed or modified accordingly.

Sec. 9. Effectivity. - This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after its complete

publication in at least two (2) newspapers of general circulation or in the Official Gazette. Approved,