Republic of the Philippines
CONGRESS OF THE PHILIPPINES
Metro ManilaSixteenth Congress
Third Regular SessionBegun and held in Metro Manila, on Monday, the twenty-seventh day of July, two thousand fifteen.
REPUBLIC ACT No. 10816
AN ACT PROVIDING FOR THE DEVELOPMENT AND PROMOTION OF FARM TOURISM IN THE PHILIPPINES
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the Philippines in Congress assembled:
SECTION 1. Short Title. – This Act shall be known as the “Farm Tourism Development Act of 2016”.
SECTION 2. Declaration of Policy. – The State recognizes the importance of agriculture in making available food and other products necessary to sustain and enhance human life, and in providing livelihood to a major portion of the population.
The State further recognizes that tourism, coupled with agriculture extension services, can disseminate the value of agriculture in the economic and cultural development of the country, serve as a catalyst for the development of agriculture and fishery communities, and provide additional income for farmers, farmworkers, and fisherfolk.
The State shall also seek to promote environment-friendly,...
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Republic Acts
AN ACT PROVIDING FOR THE DEVELOPMENT AND PROMOTION OF FARM TOURISM IN THE PHILIPPINES
Republic Act No. 10816
Summary of the Farm Tourism Development Act of 2016
Declaration of Policy (Section 2):
- Recognizes the importance of agriculture and tourism in economic and cultural development.
- Aims to promote sustainable farm practices, provide recreation facilities and farm tourism activities, and promote health and wellness through farm-produced food.
- Declares the policy to provide an enabling environment for the development and promotion of farm tourism.
Definitions (Section 3):
- Defines key terms such as "farm tourism," "farm tourism activity," "farm tourism camp," "farm tourism operator," "farm tourism practitioner," and "accreditation."
Farm Tourism Strategic Action Plan (Section 4):
- Mandates the formulation and implementation of a comprehensive Farm Tourism Strategic Action Plan.
- The Plan shall cover investment promotion, financing, market research, accreditation, market promotion, agriculture and fishery research, institutional and human resource development, and infrastructure support.
- Defines the roles and responsibilities of stakeholders in implementing the Plan.
Farm Tourism Development Board (Sections 5-7):
- Creates the Farm Tourism Development Board attached to the Department of Tourism (DOT).
- The Board shall formulate plans and programs for farm tourism development and set the overall direction for implementing the Plan.
- Outlines the powers and functions of the Board, including formulating the Plan, increasing awareness, recommending infrastructure projects, conducting research, creating technical panels, and establishing cooperation with stakeholders.
- Specifies the composition of the Board, including representatives from DOT, Department of Agriculture (DA), Department of Trade and Industry (DTI), educational institutions, farm tourism organizations, tour operators, and farmers cooperatives.
- Establishes a Board Secretariat headed by the DOT Office of Tourism Development Planning, Research and Information Management.
Investment Promotion, Financing, and Incentives (Section 8):
- DOT, DA, and DTI shall develop programs to increase access to credit for farm tourism.
- Government financial institutions, corporations, and lending institutions shall create lending windows for farm tourism.
- Investment promotion agencies shall develop incentives to attract investors and practitioners in the farm tourism industry.
- Farm tourism operators and practitioners may avail of incentives under existing laws.
Market Research and Information (Section 9):
- DOT and DA shall conduct research on farm tourism market, trends, innovations, manpower needs, sustainable practices, and other issues identified by the Board.
- DOT and DA shall maintain a comprehensive farm tourism information system.
Accreditation of Farm Tourism Camps (Section 10):
- DOT and DA shall jointly promulgate and enforce standards and guidelines for accrediting farm tourism camps.
- Accreditation shall be voluntary and valid for two (2) years.
- Accreditation may be suspended or revoked for violations of standards.
Market Promotion and Development (Section 11):
- DOT, DA, DTI, and LGUs shall include farm tourism in their marketing and promotions programs.
- Inbound tour operators shall include accredited farm tourism camps in their itineraries.
- ATI and TESDA shall showcase farm tourism camps and activities to promote sustainable agriculture.
- DTI and DA shall assist farm tourism operators and practitioners in marketing and distribution of their products.
- DOT, DA, and PIA shall launch a nationwide campaign to promote farm tourism and accredited camps.
Agriculture and Fishery Research, Development, and Extension (Section 12):
- Research agencies shall include farm tourism technology needs in their programs and disseminate results.
- ATI, CDA, SUCs, and other institutions shall develop programs for adopting appropriate technologies, provide training and extension services, and strengthen farm tourism cooperatives.
Institutional and Human Resource Development (Section 13):
- DOT, DA, DTI, DOST, CHED, TESDA, SUCs, and private institutions shall establish a program for:
- Capacity building for farm tourism operators to comply with accreditation standards.
- Technical-vocational education and training for farm tourism industry practitioners.
- Formulating competency standards and training regulations.
- Capability building for LGUs in promoting and developing farm tourism.
Infrastructure Support (Section 14):
- DPWH, DOTC, DA, and other infrastructure agencies shall include projects and programs to expand access to farm tourism camps in their annual plans.
- DOT and DA shall coordinate with these agencies on the infrastructure requirements of farm tourism camps.
Implementing Rules and Regulations (Section 15):
- The Board shall issue the implementing rules and regulations within ninety (90) days from the effectivity of the Act, in consultation with concerned agencies, LGUs, and industry stakeholders.
Repealing Clause (Section 16):
- All laws, decrees, executive orders, rules and regulations inconsistent with the provisions of this Act are repealed or modified accordingly.
Separability Clause (Section 17):
- If any part or provision of this Act is declared unconstitutional or invalid, other parts or provisions not affected shall continue to be in full force and effect.
Effectivity (Section 18):
- This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after its publication in the Official Gazette or in a national newspaper of general circulation.
Declaration of Policy (Section 2):
- Recognizes the importance of agriculture and tourism in economic and cultural development.
- Aims to promote sustainable farm practices, provide recreation facilities and farm tourism activities, and promote health and wellness through farm-produced food.
- Declares the policy to provide an enabling environment for the development and promotion of farm tourism.
Definitions (Section 3):
- Defines key terms such as "farm tourism," "farm tourism activity," "farm tourism camp," "farm tourism operator," "farm tourism practitioner," and "accreditation."
Farm Tourism Strategic Action Plan (Section 4):
- Mandates the formulation and implementation of a comprehensive Farm Tourism Strategic Action Plan.
- The Plan shall cover investment promotion, financing, market research, accreditation, market promotion, agriculture and fishery research, institutional and human resource development, and infrastructure support.
- Defines the roles and responsibilities of stakeholders in implementing the Plan.
Farm Tourism Development Board (Sections 5-7):
- Creates the Farm Tourism Development Board attached to the Department of Tourism (DOT).
- The Board shall formulate plans and programs for farm tourism development and set the overall direction for implementing the Plan.
- Outlines the powers and functions of the Board, including formulating the Plan, increasing awareness, recommending infrastructure projects, conducting research, creating technical panels, and establishing cooperation with stakeholders.
- Specifies the composition of the Board, including representatives from DOT, Department of Agriculture (DA), Department of Trade and Industry (DTI), educational institutions, farm tourism organizations, tour operators, and farmers cooperatives.
- Establishes a Board Secretariat headed by the DOT Office of Tourism Development Planning, Research and Information Management.
Investment Promotion, Financing, and Incentives (Section 8):
- DOT, DA, and DTI shall develop programs to increase access to credit for farm tourism.
- Government financial institutions, corporations, and lending institutions shall create lending windows for farm tourism.
- Investment promotion agencies shall develop incentives to attract investors and practitioners in the farm tourism industry.
- Farm tourism operators and practitioners may avail of incentives under existing laws.
Market Research and Information (Section 9):
- DOT and DA shall conduct research on farm tourism market, trends, innovations, manpower needs, sustainable practices, and other issues identified by the Board.
- DOT and DA shall maintain a comprehensive farm tourism information system.
Accreditation of Farm Tourism Camps (Section 10):
- DOT and DA shall jointly promulgate and enforce standards and guidelines for accrediting farm tourism camps.
- Accreditation shall be voluntary and valid for two (2) years.
- Accreditation may be suspended or revoked for violations of standards.
Market Promotion and Development (Section 11):
- DOT, DA, DTI, and LGUs shall include farm tourism in their marketing and promotions programs.
- Inbound tour operators shall include accredited farm tourism camps in their itineraries.
- ATI and TESDA shall showcase farm tourism camps and activities to promote sustainable agriculture.
- DTI and DA shall assist farm tourism operators and practitioners in marketing and distribution of their products.
- DOT, DA, and PIA shall launch a nationwide campaign to promote farm tourism and accredited camps.
Agriculture and Fishery Research, Development, and Extension (Section 12):
- Research agencies shall include farm tourism technology needs in their programs and disseminate results.
- ATI, CDA, SUCs, and other institutions shall develop programs for adopting appropriate technologies, provide training and extension services, and strengthen farm tourism cooperatives.
Institutional and Human Resource Development (Section 13):
- DOT, DA, DTI, DOST, CHED, TESDA, SUCs, and private institutions shall establish a program for:
- Capacity building for farm tourism operators to comply with accreditation standards.
- Technical-vocational education and training for farm tourism industry practitioners.
- Formulating competency standards and training regulations.
- Capability building for LGUs in promoting and developing farm tourism.
Infrastructure Support (Section 14):
- DPWH, DOTC, DA, and other infrastructure agencies shall include projects and programs to expand access to farm tourism camps in their annual plans.
- DOT and DA shall coordinate with these agencies on the infrastructure requirements of farm tourism camps.
Implementing Rules and Regulations (Section 15):
- The Board shall issue the implementing rules and regulations within ninety (90) days from the effectivity of the Act, in consultation with concerned agencies, LGUs, and industry stakeholders.
Repealing Clause (Section 16):
- All laws, decrees, executive orders, rules and regulations inconsistent with the provisions of this Act are repealed or modified accordingly.
Separability Clause (Section 17):
- If any part or provision of this Act is declared unconstitutional or invalid, other parts or provisions not affected shall continue to be in full force and effect.
Effectivity (Section 18):
- This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after its publication in the Official Gazette or in a national newspaper of general circulation.