As many of us are aware, one of the most important workers in society would be farmers. Especially here in our country where rice is among the most bought type of food, the people who harvest them shall gain a great deal of notice and acknowledgement.
On Monday, the 27th of May, 2019, our dearest President Rodrigo Roa Duterte signed the Sagip Saka Act into law. The aim of this very act is to help see an increase in teh income of both our fishermen and farmers for it to see full potential.
Read: Magna Carta of the Poor, Signed by Duterte
When did President Duterte sign the Sagip Saka Act into law?
As per reports, our President signed Republic Act (R.A.) 11321 or the Sagip Saka Act back in April 17, 2019. However, reporters and the media only had a copy of it last Monday.
It was formed and passed by the House of Representatives as the House Bill 8857 last 29th of January, 2019. It was then adopted and brought to the Senate of the Philippines as a type of Senate Bill 1821 amendment on the 6th of February, 2019.
Now, our dearest President was happy enough to sign this Act into law to help his fellow countrymen.
Read: The Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program, Signed Into Law
What does Republic Act 11321 mandate?
Otherwise known as the Sagip Saka Act, this provision, which is now a law, aims to stabilize the so-called Farmers and Fisherfolk Enterprise Development Program. It specifically refers to the complex set of targets, holistic approach, and objectives in putting emphasis to the institutions of enterprises which involve fishery products, agriculture, and the like.
Furthermore, the law is looking to establish a program that would be consistent and integrated with Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises Development Plan, as well as Agriculture and Fisheries Modernization Plans.
In short, the law looks to imrove the livelihood and standards of living of the men who make establishments richer by harvesting.
Who will implement and manage the program or the Sagip Saka Act?
The body of the government tasked to be the implementing agency would be the Department of Agriculture (DA). They will be the department to be tapped if any assistance is needed, to be the department having the expertise and resources of the agencies concerned under the same law.
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They would be the following:
- National Dairy Authority
- Philippine Coconut Authority
- Philippine Center for Post-Harvest
- Development and Mechanization
- Bureau of Soils and Water Management
- Agriculture Training Institute
- Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources
- Bureau of Agricultural Research; and
- Agricultural Credit and Policy Council
The law, in addition to that, will duly provide an additive which will be deemed as the creatioin of the Develoment Council of the Farmers and Fisherfolk Enterprise; tasked to forecast implementation of the program and its incentives.
The Farmers and Fisherfolk Enterprise Development Council shall be composed of the following to ensure the flow of the implementation is at its best and for the good of the law and those subject to it.
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- Secretary of the Department of Agriculture shall be the Chair (or a duly authorized representative who, at least, is an UnderSecretary)
- Representative of the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) who will at least be an UnderSecretary
- Representative of the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG)
- A representative of the Department of Finance (DoF)
- Representative of the Cooperative Development Authority (CDA)
- Representative of a national organization of fisherfolk association or cooepratives; and
- Two (2) representatives from the food, restaurant and business, and agriculture sectors.
When will the rules take effect?
As per the law, the Department of Agriculture shall consult with both the DoF and the DTI to formulate and implement the rules and regulations, sixty (60) days from within the date the Act deems effective. This, as per the memo, is for the Act to maintain appropriate implementation and correct counseling.
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Therefore, the effectivity of the newly-signed law shall take effect approximately fifteen (15) days after it has been published and written on a newspaper of general circulation or in the Official Gazette of the Philippines.
Just this year, our dear President Duterte signed many bills into law with the hopes that the people of the country will be helped in a way where no other President had done. The Sagip Saka Act is just one of the few many bills passed and took effect and we do hope to see more.
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