Republic of the Philippines Pa
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES fo gasp
Quezon City ;

SIXTEENTH CONGRESS
First Regular Session

HOUSE BILLNO,_2723

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 of the Code provides that local government units shall endeavor to be self-reliant and
provide certain basic services and facilities in their area. Subsection (b)(2)(i) of said section provides
that Municipalities are mandated to provide extension and on-site research services and facilities
related to agriculture and fishery act 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, interbaranggay 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
censure 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 entrepreneurs; (4)
to conduct agricultural researches and assist in making available appropriate technology and
disseminate information on crops, plant diseases and pests and other agricultural matters; (5) to
enforce rules and regulations relating 10 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
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 o 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. The Philippine Development Plan (PDP) 2011-2016 recognizes that
the agriculture 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, 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

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Explanatory Note 2

(MDGs), This amendment could facilitate the delivery of basic agricultural services in
icipalities and the accomplishment of these goals and policies.

It is for these reasons that support for and prompt passage of this proposed bill is earnestly

sought.

N. RONALD M. COSA}.AN
bresentative
District, Benguet Province (CAR)


Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Quezon City

SIXTEENTH CONGRESS
First Regular Session

HOUSE BILL NO. 2723

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, TO REQUIRE,
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 a citizen
of the Philippines, a resident of the local government unit
concemed, 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 agricutturist, and three (3) years in the case
of the municipal agriculturist.

“The position of an agriculturist shall be mandatory for the
provincial 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 Gazete or in at least two (2) national papers of general
circulation, whichever comes earlier.

Approved,