OCT 14, 2015

NR # 3987

Extension of Agricultural Competitiveness

Enhancement Fund (ACEF) pushed
Lawmakers from the various political parties are one in urging the passage of HB
6162, further extending the Agricultural Competitiveness Enhancement Fund (ACEF) to
2022.
HB 6162 was approved late September by the Committee on Agriculture and Food
chaired by Rep. Mark Llandro L. Mendoza, in substitution of the original three similar
bills and four House Resolutions, authored separately by thirty one (31) lawmakers led by
chairman Mendoza himself.
Extension of the ACEF up to 2022 would certainly help attain its purpose of
significantly raising farm productivity levels by providing the necessary support services
to the agriculture sector, the authors stressed through Committee Report No. 892.
HB 6162 is entitled An Act further extending the period of implementation of the
Agricultural Competitiveness Enhancement Fund (ACEF), amending for the purpose
Republic Act No. 8178, as amended by Republic Act No. 9496, entitled An Act replacing
quantitative import restrictions on Agricultural products, except rice, with tariffs, creating
the Agricultural Competitiveness enhancement Fund, and for other purposes.
Pursuant to R.A. 8178, the ACEF is allocated by Congress, from the proceeds of the
importation of minimum access volume to be utilized for the development of farm or
agricultural infrastructure and machinery, the creation of agricultural social infrastructure
and the implementation of other projects and support for enhancement of global trade
competitiveness, and improve the lives of the small farmers and other stakeholders in
Philippine agriculture, the authors noted.
An amount of at least P2-billion remains as the current balance of the ACEF, that
when utilized and managed well, can still spur agricultural competitiveness locally and
globally, they added.
ACEFs life ends this year, 2015, thus the move to extends its implementations until
2022, the authors jointly aired, appealing for the passage of the amendatory measure
before the year ends.
HB 6162 expands the beneficiaries to include Local Government Units, State
Universities and Colleges, other government institutions, accredited Non-Government
Organizations, people's organizations, cooperatives, farmer/fisherfolk organizations and
other accredited similar organized groups involved in agricultural development and
promotion.

The bill, likewise, earmarks ten (10%) percent of ACEF for a comprehensive
scholarship program for agriculture, forestry, fisheries and veterinary medicine education.
The proposed law also provides for a strategic investment plan to be formulated by
the Department of Agriculture, in consultation with the Congressional Oversight
Committee on Agriculture and Fisheries Modernization (COCAFM) which shall
periodically evaluate the plan and review the utilization of the ACEF.
Other principal authors include: Reps. Agapito H. Guanlao; Evelina G. Escudero;
Nicanor M. Briones; Roy Seeres, Sr.; Abdullah D. Dimaporo; Ferdinand L. Hernandez;
Rico B. Geron; Anthony Bravo; Cresente C. Paez; Peter M. Unabia; Wilfrido Mark M.
Enverga; Wilfredo S. Caminero; Dolphine Gan-Lee; Leopoldo Bataoil; Jun HattamanSaliman; Maximo B. Dalog; Harlin C. Abayon; Nancy A. Catamco; Lilia M. Nuo; Pryde
Henry A. Teves; Arcadio H. Gorriceta; Sharon S. Garin; Eulogio R. Magsaysay; Raymund
Democrito C. Mendoza; Jesulito A. Manalo; Julieta R. Cortuna; Michael Angelo C.
Rivera; Samuel D. Pagdilao; Frederick F. Abueg; and Mariano Michael M. Velarde.
Furthermore, the bill mandates the DA, in consultation with the COCAFM, to
revise and promulgate such rules and guidelines necessary to implement and ensure the
widest possible information dissemination of the provisions of the proposed amendatory
statute. (30) dpt