𝗘𝗺𝗽𝗼𝘄𝗲𝗿𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗙𝗮𝗿𝗺𝗲𝗿𝘀 𝘄𝗶𝘁𝗵 𝗡𝗲𝘅𝘁-𝗚𝗲𝗻 𝗔𝗴𝗿𝗶𝗰𝘂𝗹𝘁𝘂𝗿𝗲: 𝗜𝗻𝘀𝗶𝗱𝗲 𝗛𝗼𝘂𝘀𝗲 𝗕𝗶𝗹𝗹 𝟭𝟳𝟵𝟬 𝗯𝘆 𝗥𝗲𝗽. 𝗘𝗱𝘄𝗶𝗻 𝗢𝗻𝗴𝗰𝗵𝘂𝗮𝗻

Tacloban City–Northern Samar Second District Representative Congressman Edwin C. Ongchuan has filed House Bill No. 1790 on July 10, 2025. This proposed measure aims to modernize agriculture and strengthen the role of the rural youth in shaping a resilient and future-ready farming sector. Titled “An Act Promoting Rural Agricultural Technology Access and Innovation through a National Support Program for Farmers and Youth, and Appropriating Funds Therefor,” the bill seeks to establish a national initiative that integrates technology, training, and entrepreneurship.

The bill responds to long-standing challenges in the agricultural sector, including low productivity, limited access to appropriate technologies, and the growing disinterest of young people in farming. It introduces a national support program to be administered by the Department of Agriculture that will promote access to modern agricultural tools, enhance digital connectivity in rural areas, and support innovation led by farmers and youth.

A key feature of the bill is the creation of the Rural Agricultural Technology Access and Innovation Program. This program will provide grants and subsidies to qualified farmers and rural youth for the purchase of certified farm machinery and digital solutions. It will also establish rural digital centers to offer internet access and ICT training and partner with LGUs and private service providers to expand digital infrastructure in farming communities.

The program includes technical training in collaboration with TESDA, state universities and colleges, and accredited institutions. It will support research and development projects led by young innovators and farmers, promote the use of climate-resilient technologies, and link rural producers to broader markets through online platforms and farmer-run digital marketplaces.

The Provincial Economic Development and Investment Promotions Office (PEDIPO) of Northern Samar expresses strong support for House Bill No. 1790. The proposed measure aligns with PEDIPO’s efforts to build inclusive, innovation-driven rural economies. It is expected to strengthen agri-based entrepreneurship, improve local productivity, and expand digital access for farming communities across the province.

The bill also opens doors for private sector engagement in rural development. Companies that provide accredited agricultural technology, training, or connectivity services in eligible areas may avail of fiscal incentives as provided by law. To ensure safety and appropriateness of technologies introduced under the program, the Department of Agriculture and the Department of Science and Technology will jointly develop an accreditation system.

Through House Bill No. 1790, Congressman Ongchuan affirms his commitment to a more inclusive and progressive agricultural sector. The measure empowers farmers and rural youth with the tools, knowledge, and opportunities they need to thrive in a competitive and changing environment.

𝘈𝘴 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘯𝘢𝘵𝘪𝘰𝘯 𝘤𝘰𝘯𝘵𝘪𝘯𝘶𝘦𝘴 𝘵𝘰 𝘱𝘶𝘳𝘴𝘶𝘦 𝘧𝘰𝘰𝘥 𝘴𝘦𝘤𝘶𝘳𝘪𝘵𝘺 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘴𝘶𝘴𝘵𝘢𝘪𝘯𝘢𝘣𝘭𝘦 𝘥𝘦𝘷𝘦𝘭𝘰𝘱𝘮𝘦𝘯𝘵, 𝘏𝘰𝘶𝘴𝘦 𝘉𝘪𝘭𝘭 𝘕𝘰. 1790 𝘱𝘭𝘢𝘯𝘵𝘴 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘴𝘦𝘦𝘥𝘴 𝘰𝘧 𝘪𝘯𝘯𝘰𝘷𝘢𝘵𝘪𝘰𝘯 𝘵𝘰𝘥𝘢𝘺 𝘵𝘰 𝘩𝘢𝘳𝘷𝘦𝘴𝘵 𝘢 𝘧𝘶𝘵𝘶𝘳𝘦 𝘸𝘩𝘦𝘳𝘦 𝘦𝘷𝘦𝘳𝘺 𝘧𝘢𝘳𝘮𝘦𝘳 𝘵𝘩𝘳𝘪𝘷𝘦𝘴 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘦𝘷𝘦𝘳𝘺 𝘳𝘶𝘳𝘢𝘭 𝘺𝘰𝘶𝘵𝘩 𝘭𝘦𝘢𝘥𝘴 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘸𝘢𝘺 𝘪𝘯 𝘮𝘰𝘥𝘦𝘳𝘯 𝘢𝘨𝘳𝘪𝘤𝘶𝘭𝘵𝘶𝘳𝘦.