National Fertilizer and Pesticide Subsidy for Farmers Act of 2025

25 JUL 16 P4:14 TWENTIETH CONGRESS OF THE REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES First Regular Session RECENED S: SENATE S. B. No. - INTRODUCED BY SENATOR CHRISTOPHER LAWRENCE "BONG" T. GO AN ACT INSTITUTIONALIZING THE FERTILIZER AND PESTICIDE SUBSIDY PROGRAM UNDER THE DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE AND APPROPRIATING FUNDS THEREFOR EXPLANATORY NOTE Fertilizers supply vital nutrients like nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium which are crucial for the healthy development of crops. In the absence of these inputs, crops are unable to grow optimally, leading to lower yields and poorer quality harvests. On the other hand, without the aid of pesticides, over half of global crops would be vulnerable to destruction from pests and diseases. Each year, weeds, pests, and plant diseases are responsible for the loss of 26 to 40 percent of potential agricultural output, and without effective crop protection measures, these losses could significantly increase. 1 Another factor that poses a threat to farmers is climate change, which often results in increased pest infestations that compromise the quality of their crops. To maintain high-quality agricultural output and secure better income, local farmers urgently need government support through subsidies for fertilizers and pesticides. 1 https://croplife.org/case-study/crop-protection-industry-supports-fao-on-ipm/

By institutionalizing fertilizer and pesticide subsidies, the government will provide much needed support to reduce production costs and improve yields, helping local farmers remain competitive. With the support of the Department of Agriculture and other relevant government agencies, one of the challenges faced by farmers in crop production will be addressed once this bill is enacted. The proposed measure also seeks to assist both farmers and consumers by ensuring access to high-quality agricultural products while promoting and supporting local farming. In view of the foregoing, the passage of this measure is earnestly sought. SENATOR CHRISTOPHER LAWRENCE "BONG" T. GO

25 JUL 16 P4:14 TWENTIETH CONGRESS OF THE REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES First Regular Session RECEIVIC E SENATE S. B. No. INTRODUCED BY SENATOR CHRISTOPHER LAWRENCE "BONG" T. GO AN ACT INSTITUTIONALIZING THE FERTILIZER AND PESTICIDE SUBSIDY PROGRAM UNDER THE DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE AND 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 "National Fertilizer and

Pesticide Subsidy for Farmers Act of 2025."

Sec. 2. Institutionalizing of National Fertilizer and Pesticide Subsidy Program

(NFPSP). - The Department of Agriculture (DA) and the Fertilizer and Pesticide Authority 6 (FPA), in coordination with the Local Government Agriculture Office, shall implement a 7 National Fertilizer and Pesticide Subsidy Program for the benefit of the qualified farmers.

Sec. 3. Forms of Subsidies. - The DA shall provide fertilizer and pesticide subsidies

10 to qualified farmer beneficiaries. The DA and the FPA shall determine the amount of the subsidy vouchers depending on the current situation and prevailing market prices. (a) Fertilizer Subsidy - Subsidy voucher of not lower than Six Thousand Pesos (P 6,000.000) per hectare annually (b) Pesticide Subsidy - Subsidy voucher of not lower than Two Thousand Pesos

(P 2,000.000) per hectare annually.

Sec. 4. Eligible Beneficiaries. - The eligible farmer beneficiaries must meet the

following criteria: (a) Must be a Filipino citizen of legal age; and, (b) Must be a farmer on the Registry System for Basic Sectors in Agriculture (RSBSA) definition of members of Agriculture and Fisheries Sector Qualified farmers registered under the RSBSA shall be automatically included in the list of eligible beneficiaries of the NFPSP.

Sec. 5. Appropriations. - The amount needed to implement the provisions of this

Act shall be appropriated in the DA.

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

effectivity of this act, the DA and FPA, in consuitation with the relevant government agencies, shall promulgate the necessary rules and regulations to effectively implement 17 the provisions of this Act. The non-promulgation of the rules and regulations provided under this section 20 shall not prevent the immediate implementation of this Act upon effectivity.

Sec. 7. Mandatory Submission of Report to Congress - The DA shall submit to the

23 Congress of the Philippines, through the respective Chairpersons of the Committee on 24 Agriculture, a program report detailing the implementation every fiscal year.

Sec. 8. Separability Clause. - If any portion or provision of this Act is declared

invalid or unconstitutional, other provisions hereof which are not affected thereby shall remain in full force and effect.

Sec. 9. Repealing Clause. - All laws, decrees, orders, and issuances, or portions

• • 1 thereof, which are inconsistent with the provisions of this Act, are hereby repealed, 2 amended or modified accordingly.

Sec. 10. Effectivity Clause. - This Act shall take effect after fifteen (15) days

following its complete publication in the Official Gazette or in at least two (2) newspapers 6 of general circulation in the Philippines. Approved,