Law Summary
Declaration of Policy
- Recognizes agriculture's importance for food, livelihood, and economic development.
- Tourism coupled with agriculture extension services promotes cultural and economic growth.
- Aims to develop sustainable, environment-friendly farm practices.
- Seeks to provide additional income for farmers, farmworkers, and fisherfolk.
- Encourages recreation, education, health, and wellness through farm-produced food.
- Declares policy to develop and promote farm tourism in the Philippines.
Definitions of Key Terms
- Farm Tourism: Attracting visitors for production, educational, and recreational farm or fishery-related activities.
- Farm Tourism Activity: Activities allowing visitors to experience farming or fishing for education and leisure.
- Farm Tourism Camp: Farm area open to visitors for involvement and learning about rural lifestyle.
- Farm Tourism Operator: Person or entity owning or managing a farm tourism camp.
- Farm Tourism Practitioner: Person providing farm tourism activities.
- Accreditation: Official certification recognizing compliance with minimum farm tourism standards.
Farm Tourism Strategic Action Plan
- Mandated comprehensive plan for farm tourism growth.
- Integrates with the National Tourism Development Plan.
- Covers investment, market research, accreditation, promotion, research, human resource, and infrastructure.
- Defines roles of government agencies, LGUs, operators, educational institutions, and stakeholders.
Creation and Powers of the Farm Tourism Development Board
- Board attached to the Department of Tourism (DOT).
- Formulates plans and programs; oversees action plan implementation.
- Advocates awareness campaigns and marketing.
- Recommends infrastructure and transportation projects.
- Oversees farm tourism research and sustainability projects.
- Can create technical panels and request assistance from various government and non-government bodies.
- Exercises other powers to promote farm tourism camps and activities.
Composition of the Farm Tourism Development Board
- Chaired by the DOT Secretary; Vice-Chaired by the DA Secretary.
- Includes Secretaries from DOT, DA, and DTI.
- Presidents of educational institutions, farm tourism organizations, tour operators, and farmers cooperatives.
- Alternates allowed for Secretaries with designated ranks.
Board Secretariat
- Composed of DOT Office of Tourism Development Planning, Research and Information Management and technical personnel from DOT, DA, and DTI.
- Secretariat headed by the Director of the Office of Tourism Development Planning, Research and Information Management.
Investment Promotion, Financing, and Incentives
- DOT, DA, and DTI to develop credit access programs linking stakeholders with GFIs, GOCCs, banks, and cooperatives.
- Government banks and corporations to create lending windows for farm tourism development.
- TIEZA, Board of Investments, and other agencies to establish investment incentives.
- Farm tourism operators and practitioners may avail incentives under existing laws.
Market Research and Information
- DOT and DA to conduct research on market trends, manpower needs, sustainable practices, and innovations.
- Maintenance of a comprehensive farm tourism information system.
- Information system includes data on camps, research, transportation, publications, and other relevant information.
Accreditation of Farm Tourism Camps
- Joint standards and guidelines by DOT and DA.
- Accreditation is voluntary, valid for two years.
- Can be suspended or revoked for violations.
Market Promotion and Development
- DOT, Tourism Promotions Board, DA, DTI, and LGUs include farm tourism in marketing programs.
- Support for accredited camp operators to participate in conferences and trade fairs.
- Inbound tour operators encouraged to include accredited camps in itineraries.
- TESDA and ATI to promote farm tourism as learning sites and vocational institutions.
- Assistance in marketing, product distribution, and linking with cooperatives and retailers.
- Nationwide promotional campaign advocating sustainable development.
- Encouragement for at least one accredited farm tourism camp in every province.
Agriculture and Fishery Research, Development, and Extension
- Inclusion of farm tourism technology needs in research programs.
- Dissemination of research to government agencies, educational institutions, and operators.
- Programs for technology adoption, training, extension services, and strengthening cooperatives.
Institutional and Human Resource Development
- Collaborative programs involving multiple agencies and educational institutions.
- Capacity building for compliance with accreditation standards.
- Technical-vocational education and training for practitioners and workers.
- Development of competency standards and training regulations.
- Capacity building for LGUs in farm tourism promotion and sustainability.
Infrastructure Support
- DPWH, DOTC, DA, and others to incorporate infrastructure and transportation projects for farm tourism access.
- Coordination between DOT, DA, and infrastructure agencies for camp needs.
Implementing Rules and Regulations
- Board to issue implementing rules within 90 days of the Act's effectivity.
- Consultation with government agencies, LGUs, and stakeholders mandated.
Repealing Clause
- All inconsistent laws, orders, rules, and issuances are repealed or modified accordingly.
Separability Clause
- If any provision declared unconstitutional or invalid, the rest of the Act remains effective.
Effectivity
- The Act takes effect 15 days after publication in the Official Gazette or a national newspaper.