ee
siOUSE SF REPRESENTATIVES

RECEIVED

DATE fF

|

fo TIME er @
Republic of the Philippines | BY: (JPL

|

HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
REGISTRATION UNIT

Quezon City
BILLS AND INDEX SERVICE

SEVENTEENTH CONGRESS
First Regular Session

HOUSE BILL no.10 94

Introduced by HON. RONALD M. COSALAN

EXPLANATORY NO’

This bill seeks to amend Section 482(a), Article 12 of The Local Government
Code, making it mandatory for municipal government units to appoint an agriculturist.

Sec. 17, Local Government Code provides that local government units shall
endeavor to be self-reliant and provide certain services and facilities in their area
Subsection (b)(2)(i) of said section provides that Municipalities are mandated to provide
extension and onsite research services and facilities related to agriculture and fishery
activities, including dispersal of livestock and poultry; palay, corn and vegetable seed
farms, medicinal plant gardens, fruit trees, coconut and other kinds of seedling
nurseries; demonstration farms, inter barangay irrigation system, water and soil
resource utilization and conservation projects, and others.

Further, in Section 482, the Agriculturist is mandated to perform various
functions, namely: (1) to formulate measures and provide technical assistance and
support to ensure delivery of basic services and provision of adequate facilities relative
to agricultural services; (2) to develop plans and strategies and implement those dealing
with agricultural programs and projects, among others; (3) to ensure maximum
tance and access to resources in the production, processing and marketing, of
agricultural and aqua-cultural and marine products to farmers, fishermen and local
local entrepreneurs; (4) to conduct agricultural researchers and assist in making
available appropriate technology and disseminate information on crops, plant diseases
and pest and other agricultural matters; (5) to enforce rules and regulations relating to
agriculture and aquaculture; and (6) to coordinate with government and non-
government offices to promote agricultural productivity.

An agriculturist is, therefore, the frontliner in the formulation, planning and
delivery of basic agricultural services even in municipalities. However, the Local



si OUSE SF REPRESENTATIVES
RECEIVED

DaTE.__¢ iis

|

p00 TM 2/0)
Republic of the Philippines | BY JEL G.

|

|

HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
REGISTRATION UNIT

Quezon City
BILLS AND INDEX SERVICE
SEVENTEENTH CONGRESS
First Regular Session

HOUSE BILL. no.103 4

Introduced by HON. RONALD M. COSALAN

EXPLANATORY NOTE

This bill seeks to amend Section 482(a), Article 12 of The Local Government
Code, making it mandatory for municipal government units to appoint an agriculturist.

Sec. 17, Local Government Code provides that local government units shall
endeavor to be self-reliant and provide certain services and facilities in their area
Subsection (b)(2)(i) of said section provides that Municipalities are mandated to provide
extension and onsite research services and facilities related to agriculture and fishery
activities, including dispersal of livestock and poultry; palay, corn and vegetable seed
farms, medicinal plant gardens, fruit trees, coconut and other kinds of seedling
nurseries; demonstration farms, inter barangay irrigation system, water and soil
resource utilization and conservation projects, and others.

Further, in Section 482, the Agriculturist is mandated to perform various
functions, namely: (1) to formulate measures and provide technical assistance and
support to ensure delivery of basic services and provision of adequate facilities relative
to agricultural services; (2) to develop plans and strategies and implement those dealing
with agricultural programs and projects, among others; (3) to ensure maximum
assistance and access to resources in the production, processing and marketing of
agricultural and aqua-cultural and marine products to farmers, fishermen and local
local entrepreneurs; (4) to conduct agricultural researchers and assist in making
available appropriate technology and disseminate information on crops, plant diseases
and pest and other agricultural matters; (5) to enforce rules and regulations relating to
agriculture and aquaculture; and (6) to coordinate with government and non-
government offices to promote agricultural productivity.

An agriculturist is, therefore, the frontliner in the formulation, planning and
delivery of basic agricultural services even in municipalities. However, the Local


Government Code only requires provincial governments to appoint such an officer, and
leaves to the discretion of the municipality whether one will be appointed or not,
despite the importance of the functions he execute.

Agriculture remains to be the traditional industry in most provinces and
municipalities outside the capital cities in the country. In fact, the Philippine
Development Plan (PDP) 2011-2016 recognizes that the agricultural industry provides
food and vital raw materials for the rest of the economy. Increasing productivity and
efficiency in this sector will be crucial in maintaining the affordability of food and
Purchasing power of the masses, especially among the poor. ‘Thus, development in
agriculture is vital in achieving inclusive growth and poverty reduction and attaining
the goals under the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs), ‘This amendment could
facilitate the accomplishment of these goals and policies and the delivery of basic
agricultural services in municipalities,

Itis for these reasons that support for and prompt passage of this proposed bill is
earnestly sought.

m
Phvechher on _
{ HO) |. RONALD M. COSALAN:

\ Representative

“é6ne District, Benguet Province (CAR)


Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Quezon City

SEVENTEENTH CONGRESS
First Regular Session

HOUSE BILL NO.

Introduced by HON. RONALD M. COSALAN

AN ACT
AMENDING SECTION 482(a), ARTICLE 12 OF REPUBLIC ACT. NO. 7160,
OTHERWISE KNOWN AS THE LOCAL GOVERNMENT. CODE,
REQUIRING THE MANDATORY APPOINTMENT OF
AGRICULTURIST IN MUNICIPALITIES

Be it enacted by the Senate and the House of Representatives of the Philippines in
Congress assembled:

SECTION 1. Section 482(a), Article 12 of Republic Act No. 7160, otherwise known
as the Local Government Code of 1991, is hereby amended to read as follows:

“SECTION 482. Qualifications, Powers and Duties

“(a) No person shall be appointed agriculturist unless he
is citizen of the Philippine, a resident of the local government
unit concerned, of good moral character, a holder of a college
degree in agriculture or any related course from a recognized
college or university and a first grade civil service eligible or its
equivalent. He must have practiced his profession in agriculture
or acquired experience in a related field for at least five (5) years
in the case of the provincial and city agriculturist, and three (3)
years in the case of the municipal agriculturist.

“The position of an agriculturist shall be mandatory for the
provineial AND MUNICIPAL GOVERNMENTS and optional
for the city [and municipal government (s)].”


SECTION 2. All other laws which are inconsistent with the above-mentioned
following provisions shall be deemed repealed or amended as appropriate,

SECTION 3. This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after its complete publication

in the Official Gazette or in at least two (2) national papers of general circulation,
whichever come earlier.

Approved,