worvaunsune

u
2
13
14
15
16

7
18
19
20
2a
22
23
24
25
26
27
28
29
30
31
32
33

35
36
37
38
39
40
41
42
43

45
46

Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Quezon City

SEVENTEENTH CONGRESS
Second Regular Session

House Bill No._

Introduced by Rep. JOSE T. PANGANIBAN, JR.

AN ACT PROVIDING FOR A MAGNA CARTA OF AGRICULTURAL
DEVELOPMENT WORKERS

EXPLANATORY NOTE

‘The farmers and the Fisherfolk are considered as among the poorest of the poor and the
most vulnerable sectors of the society. In any type of calamity, be it natural or manmade,
Agriculture and Fisheries are the one directly affected especially in terms of livelihood, family
income, and even affecting the Gross Domestic Product (GDP) of the country.

The situation was even aggravated when these sectors were devolved to the Local
Government Units (LGUs) with the passage of the Local Government Code when some of the
Agricultural Extension Workers (AEWs) were given assignments not related to their respective
expertise and the vacated positions were demolished or filled-up with neither non-agriculture
nor fisheries graduates, leaving behind the farmers and Fisherfolk on their own or with very
limited interventions. The code also specified an optional position for the agriculturists’
positions rather than mandatory from the national government. The situation resulted to
demoralization among the sector as it created wider gap in the existing positions in the local
government, vis-a-vis with their counterpart from the national government.

‘The massive infusion of capital investment to agriculture and fisheries by the private
and government in support to the current thrust for the development of the country which even
included the agricultural infrastructures must have parallel support for the AEWs in which their
interventions to the farmers and Fisherfolk are very vital in determining the success or failure
of the government policy reforms and programs.

1|Page MAGNA CARTA OF AGRICULTURAL DEVELOPMENT
WORKERS


47
48 This bill acknowledges the importance of AEWs for agricultural development by
49 affirming their rights, bridging the wide gap of positions, and providing mechanism for career
50 development, while lifting their self-esteem and morale for a better sense of responsibility and
51 _ better society.

52

53 In view of the above premises, the approval of this bill is earnestly sought.

54
55
56
57
58

REP. JOSE T.

PAXNGANIBAN, JR.
ANAC-IP

2|Page MAGNA CARTA OF AGRICULTURAL DEVELOPMENT
WORKERS


100
101
102
103
104
105
106
107
108
109
110
1
112
113
114

115
116
117
118
119
120
121

122
123
124
125
126
127

128

129
130
131
132
133
134
135

136
137
138
139
140

Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Quezon City

SEVENTEENTH CONGRESS
Second Regular Session

House Bill No.

Introduced by Rep. JOSE T. PANGANIBAN, JR.

AN ACT PROVIDING FOR A MAGNA CARTA OF AGRICULTURAL
DEVELOPMENT WORKERS

ARTICLE I
TITLE OF THE ACT, DEFINITION OF TERMS AND COVERAGE

SEC.1. Title - This Act shall be known as the "Magna Carta of Agricultural Development
Workers".

SEC.2 Declaration of Policy - It is hereby declared a policy of the State to accelerate the
development and modernization of Philippine agriculture and improve the economic and social
well-being of agricultural development workers as well as their working conditions and
employment status. The State shall likewise develop their skills, knowledge, orientation and
capabilities so that they will become more responsive and effective in providing the necessary
services for countryside development and the modernization of the Philippine Agriculture.

SEC.3. Definition of Terms

a) Agricultural Development Workers — shall mean all persons who-are engaged in agricultural
development activities and all persons employed in the Department of Agriculture including
its bureaus and attached agencies. Local Government Units (LGUs), State Colleges and
Universities and concerned government and private institutions, and shall include agriculturist,
agricultural engineers, fishery technologists, veterinarians, agricultural technicians,
agricultural employees, administrative and support personnel employed regardless of their
‘employment status;

b) Agriculturist — shall refer to a person who is a graduate of a course in agriculture or any
related course registered and license with the Professional Regulation Commission who
performs any of the specialized activities such as agronomy, horticulture, animal husbandry,
entomology, plant pathology, plant breeding, agricultural economics, agricultural extension,
and marketing;

3|Page MAGNA CARTA OF AGRICULTURAL DEVELOPMENT
WORKERS


141
142
143
144

145
146
147

148
149
150

151
152
153
154
155

156
157
158
159

160
161
162
163
164
165
166
167
168
169
170
171
172
173
174
175
176
177
178
179
180
181
182
183

©) Agricultural Engineer — shall to a person registered with the Professional Regulation
Commission performing engineering activities in agriculture, particularly on areas of farm
power and machinery, irrigation and drainage, soil and water conservation, agricultural
buildings and structures, agricultural processing and postharvest facilities;

d) Fishery Technologist — shall refer to a person who is a graduate of a course in fisheries and
registered and licensed with the Professional Regulation Commission performing activities on
fisheries and aquaculture, and fishery production and processing;

©) Veterinarian — shall refer to a person registered with the Professional Regulation
Commission performing professional activities on veterinary services such as disease
prevention, control and animal health;

f) Agricultural Technician — shall refer to a trained or skilled agricultural worker who is not
necessary a college graduate and certified by the Technical Education and Skills Development
Authority performing job such as plant nursery propagator, farm mechanic and agricultural
machinery operator and other related skilled job in agricultural production, processing and
marketing;

8) Agricultural Extension Worker — shall refer to an agriculturist, agricultural engineer, fishery
technologist and veterinarian who helps farmers and fishermen in the promotion of agricultural
and fisheries development plans, programs and projects through the use of extension the
theologies, concepts and principles;

h) Agricultural Employee — is a person who is a graduate of Agriculture, Agricultural
Engineering, Fisheries, Veterinary Medicine or any other agriculture- related course from any
recognized college or university and in holder of an appropriate civil service but not a licensed
professional under the Professional Regulation Commission who is employed in the
government, non-government organization or private institution who performs activities on
agriculture development.

i) CSC — refers to the Civil Service Commission;

j) DOLE - refers to the Department of Labor and Employment;

k) DA ~ refers to the Department of Agriculture;

1) DILG — refers to the Department of Interior and Local Government;

m) LGU ~ refers to the Local Government Unit;

n) PRC ~ refers to the Professional Regulation Commission;

0) PRBs ~ refers to the Professional Regulatory Boards of Agriculture, Agricultural
Engineering, Fisheries and Veterinary Medicine under the Professional Regulation

Commission;
p) SCUs ~ State Colleges and Universities.

4|Page MAGNA CARTA OF AGRICULTURAL DEVELOPMENT
WORKERS


184
185
186
187
188
189

190
191
192
193
194
195
196
197
198

199
200
201
202
203
204
205
206

207
208
209
210
241
212
213
214
215
216
217
218
219
220
221
222
223
224
225
226
227
228

SEC.4. Coverage — This act shall cover all Agricultural Development Workers of the
government, non- government organizations and private institutions and shall include
agriculturists, agricultural engineers, fishery technologists, veterinarians, agricultural
technicians, agricultural employees, farm workers, administrative and support personnel
employed regardless of their employment status.

ARTICLE I
EMPLOYMENT AND CAREER DEVELOPMENT

SEC.S. Recruitment and Qualifications — The Selection and appointment of agricultural
development workers shall be in accordance with the merit and fitness principle: Provided,
That he/she has the appropriate civil service eligibilities and/or professional license,
educational qualification, skills and experiences. The hiring or recruitment should prioritize
personnel within the organization. Whereby, if there is no qualified person, external
recruitment could be allowed

SEC.6. Employment Assistance - The State shalll hereby provide employment opportunities to
the graduates of agriculture and fishery related courses who are certified and licensed to
practice their profession and/or perform specialized works by the PRC and TESDA,
respectively. In line with this, the DOLE together with academic institutions, PRC, TESDA
and DTI shall undertake employment promotion of the produced agricultural development
workers in the domestic and foreign market and adopt and implement a National Employment
Program for Agricultural Development Workers.

SEC.7. Professionalization of Government Agricultural Services — The State shall support the
professionalization of agricultural services of the government by ensuring the appropriate
position titles, just compensation and benefits of the agricultural development workers relative
to the implementation of the government's agricultural programs. For this purpose, the DA
together with CSC, DBM, DILG and PRBs and in coordination with the recognized national
associations of agricultural development workers shall review the existing functions,
responsibilities, position, titles, qualifications and allocations of the agricultural development
workers employed at the Department of Agriculture, Local Government Units and concerned
government agencies, and to reallocate, reclassify and/or match them with appropriate position,
titles and compensation. It should adopt the existing CSC agricultural positions with
corresponding salary grade

SEC.8. Mandatory Positions of Agricultural Development Workers in Local Government Units
— The creation of the following positions are hereby made mandatory in addition to the
prescribed position under the Local Government Code of 1991:

Provincial Agricultural Engineer

Provincial Fishery Officer

City Agricultural Engineer
5|Page MAGNA CARTA OF AGRICULTURAL DEVELOPMENT
WORKERS


229
230
231
232
233
234
235
236
237
238
239
240
241
242
243
244
245
246
247
248
249
250
251
252
253
254
255
256
257
258
259
260
261
262
263
264
265
266
267
268
269
270
271
272
273
274

City Veterinarian
City Agriculturist
Municipal Agriculturist
The LGUs should be mandated to create staffing pattern for agricultural development workers.

SEC.9. Performance Evaluation and Merit Promotion ~ The Secretary of Agriculture in
consultation with the PRBs, CSC, DOLE and the recognized national associations of
agricultural development workers shall prepare a uniform career and personnel development
plan applicable to all agricultural development workers. Such career and personnel
development plan shall include provisions on merit promotion, performance evaluation, in-
service training grants and incentives awards system. The performance evaluation plan shall
consider foremost the improvement of individual employee efficiency and organizational
effectiveness: Provided, that each employee shall be informed regularly by his/her supervisor
of his/her performance evaluation. The merit promotion plan shall be in consonance with the
rules of the Civil Service Commission.

SEC.10. Transfer of Geographical Reassignment of Agricultural Officers and Employees — No
transfer of geographical reassignment shall be made or effected without a written notice to the
agricultural development worker concerned stating therein the reason for such: Provided, That
said written notice shall be made thirty (30) days prior to the date of transfer or reassignment:
Provided, further, That if the employee concerned disagrees with the order of transfer or
reassignment, he/she may appeal said order with the Civil Service Commission of the
Department of Labor and Employment, as the case may be: Provided, further, That pending
appeal, such transfer or reassignment shall be held in abeyance: Provided, furthermore, That
no transfer or reassignment whatsoever shall be made three (3) months prior to any local or
national elections: Provided, finally, That the necessary expenses of the transfer and/or
reassignment of the agricultural worker or employee and his/her immediate family shall be paid
by the Government.

SEC.11. Security of Tenure — An agricultural development worker holding a permanent
position in the government shall not be terminated except for cause: Provided, That in the event
the agricultural development worker is found to be unjustly dismissed by the Civil Service
Commission, he/she shall be entitled to reinstatement without loss of seniority rights and back
wages with twenty per centum (20%) interest to be computed from the time compensation is
withheld up to the reinstatement. However, if the agricultural development worker does not
desire to be reinstated, he/she shall be entitled to back wages and separation pay with twenty
per centum interest.

SEC.12. Married Agricultural Development Worker — Whenever possible, the proper
authorities shall take steps to enable married couples both of whom are public agricultural
development workers, to be employed or assigned in the same or adjacent city/municipality

6|Page MAGNA CARTA OF AGRICULTURAL DEVELOPMENT
WORKERS.


SEC.13. Code of Conduct - All Agricultural Development Workers must be guided by the
Code of Ethics as adopted by the PRBs. The Secretary of Agriculture in consultation with the
Civil Service Commission, Department of Labor and Employment and the concerned
stakeholders shall adopt a Code of Ethics of other Agricultural Development Workers not
covered by the PRC.

SEC.14. Normal Hours of Work — The normal hours of work of an agricultural development
worker shall not exceed eight (8) hours a day or forty (40) hours a week. Hours of work shall
include: a) the time the agricultural worker is required to be on active duty or to be at a
prescribed workplace; b) the time which an agricultural development worker is permitted to
work; c) the time which an agricultural development worker is required to work in a place other
than the prescribed workplace.

SECIS. Overtime Work ~ Where the exigencies of the service so require, any agricultural
development worker, whether in Government or non-government service, may be required to
render service beyond the normal eight (8) hours a day, inclusive of Saturday and Sunday and
non-working holidays. In such cases, the agricultural development worker shall be given
additional compensation in accordance with the existing laws on the matter.

SEC.16. Personnel Required — All offices, firms and establishments either government or
private, and farmer organizations and cooperatives engaged in the production, processing,
handling and marketing of agriculture and fisheries products and likewise implementing
projects related to irrigation, farm mechanization, postharvest facilities and agricultural
infrastructures shall employ the required number and/or engage the services of agriculturists,
agricultural engineers, fishery technologists and veterinarians to perform professional services
based on the standards and guidelines to be promulgated by the PRBs.

Provided, That there shall be no understaffing and/or overloading of agricultural development
workers. The ratio of staff to clientele shall be such as to reasonably effect a sustained quality
of agricultural service at all times without overworking the agricultural development workers
and over-extending their services. Only qualified professional shall occupy the agriculturist,
agricultural engineer, fishery technologist and veterinarian in all government instrumentalities,
non-government organization and private firms and establishments;

Provided, further, In cases that the LGU decides to employ additional agricultural development
workers, they shall be exempted in the prescribed ceiling for personnel services by the DBM
provided such positions shall be filled up within one (1) year after its creation.

Provided, furthermore, That the national government shall allocate the necessary funds for the
hiring of additional agricultural development workers in cases of overloading of personnel in
specific areas of assignment of concerned government offices.

7|Page MAGNA CARTA OF AGRICULTURAL DEVELOPMENT
WORKERS


321
322
323
324
325
326
327
328
329
330
331
332
333
334
335
336
337
338
339
340
341

342
343
344
345

346
347
348
349
350
351
352
353
354
355
356
357
358
359

361
362

364
365
366
367
368

ARTICLE Il
RIGHTS, BENEFITS AND REWARDS:

SEC.17. Freedom from Interference or Coercion — It shall be unlawful for any person to
commit any of the following acts of interference or coercion:

a) to require as a condition of employment that the agricultural development worker shall
not join an organization or union;

b) to discriminate in order to encourage or discourage membership in any agricultural
development workers organization or union;

) to prevent an agricultural development worker from carrying out his/her duties and
functions in his/her organization or union or to penalize him/her for any lawful action
performed in that capacity;

4d) to harass or to intimidate an agricultural development worker or prevent him/her from
performing duties and functions; and

) to perform acts that will diminish the independence and freedom of the union or
organization to direct its own affairs.

SEC.18. Discrimination Prohibited — An agricultural development worker shall not be
discriminated by reason of creed, gender, political belief, civil status, religious belief and ethnic
grouping in the exercise of his/her profession.

SEC.19. Safeguards in Administrative Proceedings ~ In every administrative proceeding, an
agricultural development worker shall have;

a) the right to be informed of the charges;
b) the right to full access to evidence against him/her;
c) the right to defend himself/herself through counsel of his/her choice;

4d) the right to be given adequate time to prepare his/her case, which shall in no case exceed
twenty (20) days;

¢) the right to appeal to designated authorities;
f) the right to cross-examine witnesses and to processes for the production of witnesses;

g) the right to reimbursement for reasonable expenses incurred in his/her defense in case of
exoneration or dismissal of the charges; and

h) such other rights provided by other national agencies and local government units to their
respective officers and employees to ensure fairness and impartiality in prosecution.

8|Page MAGNA CARTA OF AGRICULTURAL DEVELOPMENT
WORKERS


369
370
371
372
373
374
375
376
377
378

379

382
383

385
386
387
388
389
390
391
392
393
394
395
396
397
398
399

402
403
404
405
406
407
408
409
410
411
412
413
414
415
416
417

SEC.20. Right to Join Organizations — Agricultural development workers shall have the right
to freely join organizations or unions for purposes not contrary to law, in order to protect their
mutual interest and to seek redress of grievances through peaceful concerted activities. The
various national organizations of agricultural development workers shall be consulted in the
formulation of national education policies and professional standards, and in the formulation
of national policies and programs on agriculture of the government; Provided that the
government shall ensure that the agricultural development workers organizations are
represented in the national and local Agricultural and Fishery Councils, local development
councils and other policy making and consultative bodies of the government.

SEC.21. Criteria for Incentives and Rewards System ~ the reward and incentive system for
agricultural development workers provided under this Act, which will encourage them to stay
in the service, promote their productivity and reward them for extraordinary performance shall
be governed and funded by the Department of Agriculture by the following criteria:

a) Honorarium — form of remuneration for services rendered beyond the established
workload of agricultural development workers whose broad and superior knowledge
and expertise contribute to agricultural productivity and innovativeness

b) Incentive pay — form of remuneration given to individuals whose services in
management, administration, policy making and support contribute to the efficient and
effective implementation of the agricultural and fisheries program of the government.

©)

Performance Bonus ~ form of remuneration given to the agricultural development
workers for performance that exceeds established targets; and

d) Other incentives that the Department of Agricultural and Local Government may
establish.

The DA is hereby mandated to create a committee to formulate the mechanics relative to this
provision.

SEC.22. Other Compensation and Benefits. — All agricultural development workers shall be
entitled to the following additional compensation and benefits:

a) Representation Allowance Travelling Allowance — all Provincial/City/Municipal
Agriculturist, Veterinarians, Agricultural Engineers and Fisheries Officers shall be
entitled to Representation Allowance and Travelling Allowance (RATA) equivalent to
the Department Head of the LGUs.

b) Hazard Allowance ~ All agricultural development workers assigned in difficult areas,
strife-torn or embattled areas, distressed or isolated stations, animal/plant/fisheries
breeding station, plant nurseries, plantations and demonstration farms, laboratories
especially those handling x-rays, radioisotopes, chemicals, etc., sea-borne patrols,
construction and installation of agricultural infrastructure projects, and other areas
declared under a state of calamity or emergency which exposes them to great danger,
occupational risk or perils of life shall be compensated with hazard allowance
equivalent to at least twenty-five per centum (25%) of the monthly basic salary;

9|Page MAGNA CARTA OF AGRICULTURAL DEVELOPMENT
WORKERS.


418
419
420
421
422
423
424
425
426
427
428
429
430
431
432
433
434
435

437

455
456
457
458
459
460
461
462
463
464

Subsistence Allowance — All agricultural development workers who are required to
render services in the communities, institutions, animal and plant breeding nurseries,
plantations and demonstration farms and other banner programs and projects of the
Department of Agriculture and/or LGU in order to make their services available at all
times, shall be entitled to full daily subsistence allowance of three (3) meals, incidental
‘expenses and other actual expenses that may be incurred while on official function,
which shall be computed in accordance with the prevailing circumstances;

©

4) Longevity Pay — A longevity pay equivalent to five per centum (5%) of the monthly
basic pay shall be paid to an agricultural worker for every (3) years of continuous,
efficient and meritorious services rendered;

©)

Clothing Allowance ~ All agricultural development workers shall be entitled to a
clothing allowance in accordance with approved laws and regulations or as mandated
by law,

£) Housing — All agricultural workers who are in tour of duty and those who, because of
unavoidable circumstances, are forced to stay in the institution or community with
living quarters shall be entitled to such quarters for free; Provided, That if such living
quarters are not available, their workers shall receiving housing allowance: Provided,
further, That said allowance shall be reviewed periodically and adjusted for inflation;
Compensation for injuries — Agricultural development workers shall be protected
against work-related injuries in accordance with the Labor Code or Civil Code as the
case may be;

8)

h) Medical Examination — During the tenure of their employment, ADW personnel shall
be given a compulsory free medical examination once a year and immunization as the case
may warrant, The medical examination shall include:

1. Complete physical examination

2. Routine laboratory

3. Dental examination

4, Other indicated examination

Provided, That the cost of such medical examination shall be included as automatic
appropriation in said entity’s annual budget.

i) On-Call Pay — In case of “On-Call” pay equivalent to fifty per centum (50%) of his/her
regular wage, “On-Call” status refers to a condition when an agricultural officer or
employee is called upon the respond to an urgent or immediate need or relief work during
emergencies such that the agricultural worker cannot utilized 1 his/her time for personal
needs: Provided, That no agricultural worker shall be placed in an “On-Call” status beyond
seven (7) days; and

j) Motor and Vehicle Loan — All agricultural development workers shall be entitled to avail
of the motor and vehicle load of the Department of Agriculture. The government shall
provide adequate budgetary support for their purpose.

10| Page MAGNA CARTA OF AGRICULTURAL DEVELOPMENT
WORKERS


491
492
493
494
495
496
497
498
499
500
501
502
503
504
505
506
507
508
509
510
511
512

k) Highest Basic Salary Upon Retirement ~ Three (3) prior to the compulsory retirement,
the ADW shall automatically be granted one (1) salary range or grade higher than his/her
basic salary and his/her retirement benefits thereafter, computed on the basis of his/her
highest salary: Provided, That he/she has reached the age and fulfilled service requirements
under existing laws.

ARTICLE IV
HUMAN RESOURCE DEVELOPMENT

SEC.23. Training Program — The DA together with the DOLE, PRC, CHED and DILG shall
formulate and implement a comprehensive training programs for the agricultural development
workers as part of the Continuing Professional Development Program as mandated by the PRC
and Human Resource Development Program of the LGUs; Provided, That adequate budgetary
support shall be provided by the national government; Provided further, that the trainings
conducted by ATI for Agricultural Development Workers shall be credited as part of the CPD
Program requirements of the PRC.

SEC.24. Scholarship Program — The Agricultural Development Workers and students on
agriculture, agricultural engineering, fishery, and veterinary medicine courses shall have full
access and priority allocation on the scholarship program of the government.

SEC.25. Capability Assessment - The Department of Agriculture shall conduct a periodic
agricultural development worker resource development/management study into, among others,
the following areas;

a) Types and amounts of resources to include the ratio of personnel -clientele based on the
geographical area and program coverage;

b) Adequacy of facilities and supplies to render quality agricultural extension services;

c) Opportunity for ADWs to grow and develop their potentials and experience a sense of
worth and dignity in their work. ADWs who undertake agriculture related postgraduate
studies shall be entitled to an upgrading in their position or raise in pay of two (2) steps
higher or its equivalent to his/her current salary.

d) Mechanisms for annual regional consultation on ADWs welfare;

e) Staffing patterns and standard of agricultural extension services. Existing
recommendations on staffing and standards of agricultural extension services shall be
immediately and strictly enforced;

£) Ways and means of enabling the rank-and-file workers to avail of education opportunities
for personal growth and development;

) Upgrading of working conditions, reclassification positions and salaries of ADWs to
correct disparity vis-a-vis other profession such that position requiring longer study to
upgrade and given corresponding pay scale; and

1|Page MAGNA CARTA OF AGRICULTURAL DEVELOPMENT
WORKERS


513
514

515
516
517
518
519
520
521
522
523

524
525
526

527
528
529
530
531
532
533
534
535
536
537
538
539

542
543

546
547
548
549
550
551
552
553
554
555
556
557
558

h) Assessment of the national policy on exportation of skilled ADWs resource to focus on
how these resources could instead be utilized productivity for the country’s needs.

There is hereby created a Congressional Commission on Agricultural Extension Services
(CAESCOM) to review, assess and impose the implementation of human resources
development in agricultural extension services, to include the Continuing Professional
Education and Training and the other areas described above. The Commission shall be
composed of five (5) members of the House of Representatives and five (5) members of the
Senate. It shall be co-chaired by the chairperson of the committee on agriculture of both houses.
It shall render a report and recommendation to the Congress which shall be the basis for policy
legislation in the field of agriculture. Such a congressional review shall be undertaken once
every five (5) years.

ARTICLE V
ADMINISTRATION AND ENFORCEMENT

SEC.26. Composition of the Agricultural Officers and Employees Consultative Council — The
composition of the Agricultural Officers and Employees Consultative Council shall be
determined from the list submitted by the Regional Association of Municipal/City Agricultural
Officers and Provincial Agriculturists, throughout the country as well as from the list submitted
by the Agriculture and Fishery Council Chairman, Provincial Agriculture and Fishery Council
Chairman and the National Agriculture and Fishery Chairman.

SEC.27. Rules and Regulations ~The Secretary of the Department of Agriculture together with
the DOLE, CSC, DILG and PRBs and in consultation with the national organizations of
agricultural development workers shall formulate and prepare necessary rules and regulations
in implementing the provisions of this Magna Carta.

SEC.28. Monitoring of Implementation — The Secretary of Agriculture shall create a
Monitoring Committee which shall monitor the implementation of the provisions of this Act.
‘The Committee shall be composed of representatives of the DA, DILG, CSC, PRBs and the
recognized national associations of agricultural development workers: Provided, further, That
the Secretary of Agriculture shall submit semi-annual reports on the status of the
implementation of his Act to the Committee on Agriculture and Food of the House of
Representatives and the Senate.

SEC.29. Penal Provision — Any person who shall willfully interfere with, restrain or coerce
any agricultural development workers in the exercise of his/her rights or shall violate any of
the provisions of this Act shall upon conviction, be punished by a fine of not less than Twenty
Thousand Pesos (P20,000.00) but not more than Forty Thousand Pesos (P40,000.00) or
imprisonment of not more than one (1) year, or both, at the discretion of the court. If the
offender is a public official, the court, in additional to the penalties provided in the preceding
paragraph, shall impose the additional penalty of disqualification from office of such offending
public official.

SEC.30. Funding — The amount necessary to carry out the provisions of this Act shall be
included in the General Appropriations Act of the year following its enactment into law and
every year thereafter.

12|Page MAGNA CARTA OF AGRICULTURAL DEVELOPMENT
WORKERS


572
573

SEC.31. Separability Clause — If any provision of this Act is declared unconstitutional or
invalid, the other provisions thereof affected thereby, shall continue to be in full force and
effect.

SEC.32. Repealing Clause — All laws, presidential decrees, executive orders, rules and
issuance or parts thereof inconsistent with the provisions of this Act and Section 484 of the
Local Government Code are hereby repealed or modified accordingly.

SEC.33. E:ffectivity — This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after its publication in two (2)
newspaper of general circulation.

Approved,

13|Page MAGNA CARTA OF AGRICULTURAL DEVELOPMENT
WORKERS.