TWENTIETH CONGRESS OF THE ) REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES First Regular Session JUL 21 P1:43 SENATE RECENED GI S. No. - Introduced by Senator JV Ejercito AN ACT MANDATING THE DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE TO ESTABLISH A NATIONAL AGRICULTURAL CROP PROGRAM, APPROPRIATING FUNDS THEREFOR, AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES EXPLANATORY NOTE According to the Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA), agricultural land in the Philippines has shrunk to 6.16 million hectares as of the 2022 Census of Agriculture and Fisheries, this is a sharp decline from 9.97 million hectares in 1991. In the same report, the average farm size also decreased dramatically, from 3.61 hectares in 1970 to just 0.83 hectares in 2022. That is why it is important to ensure strategic, efficient crop use based on regional capacity and conditions. 1 The Department of Agriculture estimates that crop wastage due to post-harvest inefficiencies remains between 15-25% for key staples like vegetables, rice, and fruits as of 2025.2 This results in billions of pesos in wasted produce and foregone income for farmers. Regional overproduction of a certain crops while others face shortages also leads to price fluctuations and consumer instability. This bill seeks to establish the National Agricultural Crop Program (NACP) under the DA. The NACP will consider the country's existing agricultural lands and the crop ' PSA (2024.) 2022 Census of Agriculture and fisheries 2 Department of Agriculture (2023). Post- Harvest Loss Assessment Report. Agricultural Training Institute
or farm products responsive to its natural resources. This will create a regional production map and provide targeted technical and financial support to farmers and cooperatives. Furthermore, there shall be a continuing research and development on the propagation of other agricultural products that may be planted, cultivated and harvested in the country. In view of the foregoing, the approval of this bill is earnestly sought. JV EJERCITO
TWENTIETH CONGRESS OF THE REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES First Regular Session JUL 21 P1:43 SENATE RECE LOB: S. No.. Introduced by Senator JV Ejercito AN ACT MANDATING THE DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE TO ESTABLISH A NATIONAL AGRICULTURAL CROP PROGRAM, APPROPRIATING FUNDS THEREFOR, AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES 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 Agricultural Crop
Program of 2025."
Sec. 2. Declaration of Policy. - It is the policy of the State to boost the agricultural
sector as one of the prime movers of the country's economic development. A 5 sustainable agriculture is a sure indication of food security for our people. Hence, 6 agricultural productivity and enhanced food quality should be promoted and protected, in order to ensure brighter and healthier nation.
Sec. 3. The National Agricultural Crop Program (NACP). - There shall be a
9 comprehensive agricultural crop program in the country. For this purpose, the Department of Agriculture (DA) is mandated to identify existing agricultural lands, recognize and determine the specific agricultural crop or farm products responsive to each region's natural resources, assess the corresponding quantity to be produced for each harvest season, and analyze and formulate diversification or variety of agricultural crops, based on the topographical features of each region in the country. Pursuant to this Program, the DA shall, as far as practicable, identify the municipalities, cities, or provinces for each region, that would plant, cultivate, nourish,
and harvest selected varieties of vegetables, fruits, and other agricultural crops, based 2 on the topographical features of each area, and its corresponding climate conditions. In consultation with the local government units, farmers' groups and cooperatives, and other farm growers, traders and consumer groups, there shall be an assessment of the quantity of agricultural crops to be produced for each harvest 6 season. The end goal of this Program is to properly manage crop growth, seed 8 germination, sustained productivity, and manage pre-harvest and post-harvest 9 marketing all over the country. It aims to provide sufficient supply of agricultural 10 products, and avoid overabundance of production of goods.
Sec. 4. Objectives of the Program. - The DA, in formulating the National
Agricultural Crop Program, shall be guided by the following objectives: a) Maximize agricultural production based on each region's natural resources, and topographical settings; b) Monitor agricultural produce and crop maintenance in each region; c) Properly manage agricultural crop cultivation and harvest in each municipality or city or province in every region; d) Avoid unnecessary overproduction of vegetables, fruits, and other food crops and other local agricultural products in one area; e) Strictly monitor price stability of agricultural products; f) Ensure steady supply of agricultural crops to consumers; g) Assist farmers' groups, cooperatives, and local growers and traders in transporting goods from farm to market, and access to other institutional buyers; and h) Equally distribute oversupply of produce. If there is any, to consumers, exporters, restaurants, hotels and other institutional buyers.
Sec. 5. Coverage. - The Program envisioned under this Act shall cover seeded
plants, trees, vegetables, fruits, root crops, and other food crops planted, cultivated, and harvested in different regions in the country, which shall be commercially available to retail and wholesale purchases.
Sec. 6. Inventory of all agricultural lands. - The DA, in coordination with the local
government units, shall conduct an inventory of all existing agricultural lands In the
1 country, including the present crops planted, cultivated and harvested in each region. 2 Such inventory shall be maintained and regularly monitored and updated by the Department of Agriculture.
Sec. 7. Continuing Research and Development - The DA, with the assistance of
5 the Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG), Department of Science and 6 Technology (DOST), Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR), and 7 other related government agencies, shall conduct a continuing research and 8 development on the propagation of other agricultural products that may be planted, 9 cultivated and harvested in the country. Likewise, an in depth-study and investigation 10 shall be made on applicable technological advancement in the field of agricultural crops.
Sec. 8. Technical and Financial Assistance by the Department of Agriculture. -
Upon completion of the Program, the DA shall provide the necessary technical and financial assistance to farmers' groups, farmers' cooperatives, local government units, non-government organizations involved in agricultural crops. High quality seedlings, organic fertilizers, irrigation, soil, may likewise be provided by the DA. Accessibility to organic fertilizer, cold storage facilities, equipment to load vegetables and fruits, and other post-harvest activities and facilities, may likewise be extended to farmers' groups and cooperatives by the DA.
Sec. 9. Appropriations. - The initial amount necessary to implement the
provisions of this Act shall be charged against the current appropriations of the DA. Thereafter, such sums as may be necessary for the continued implementation of this 23 Act shall be included in the succeeding General Appropriations Act.
Sec. 10. Implementing Rules and Regulations. - The DA, together with the DILG,
DOST, DENR, shall within ninety (90) days the effectivity of this Act, promulgate the rules and regulations to effectively implement the provisions of this Act.
Sec. 11. Separability Clause. - If any part or provision of this Act shall be declared
unconstitutional or invalid, the other provisions hereof which are not affected thereby shall remain in full force and effect.
Sec. 12. Repealing Clause. - All laws, decrees, executive orders, memorandum
orders, memorandum circulars, administrative orders, ordinances or parts thereof
which are inconsistent with the provisions of this Act are hereby deemed repealed or modified accordingly.
Sec. 13. Effectivity. - This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after its
publication in the Official Gazette or in a newspaper of national circulation. Approved,