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EIGHTEENTH CONGRESS ) 3 RECEIVED
OF THE REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES ) ¥ oar AUG. w)
First Regular Session ) ¥

HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
House Bill No.4198

Introduced by Representative Victor A. Yap

EXPLANATORY NOTE

government agencies and other institutions to facilitate such.

In an attempt to consolidate and coordinate rural development efforts, our government has
pursued a convergence strategy through the National Convergence Initiative (NCI) since 1999,

This proposed measure refers to NCI as the complementation of efforts and resources between
and among the Department of Agriculture, Department of Agrarian Reform, Department of
Environment and Natural Resources, Department of the Interior and Local Government, and LGUs to
Promote sustainable rural development. The NCI, under this bill, is a Tesponse to the fragmented and
sometimes overlapping delivery of agriculture and rural development services,

This bill specifically provides for the following:

1. A convergence Strategy that adopts the watershed and integrated ecosystem management (IEM)
as well as integrated area development (IAD) approaches as the intervention framework in the
convergence area;

2. NCI implementation that will be done through Technical Working Groups in an ecosystem,
which will ensure that the objectives of the NCI as a means of improving institutional
efficiencies in the governance of sustainable rural development are achieved:

3. Creation of NCI Executive Board to serve as the policymaking body of the NCI that particularly
directs the implementation of the provisions of the measu

4. Establishment of the NCI-Technical Working Group (NCI WG) to serve as the advisory and
recommendatory body to the Board on matters related to the implementation of the NCI;

5. Parallel NCI-TWGs to be established in the Regional, Provincial, and Municipal levels,

Its declared the policy of the State to promote agricultural development to ensure food security
and alleviate poverty especially among the rural folks. In order to achieve this, the State shall endeavour
to develop and operationalize a common framework for equitable, inclusive, and sustainable rural
development through the convergence of the resources of the Principal rural development departments
to maximize its impact.

This bill generally aims to institutionalize the convergence strategy for sustainable rural
development as well as provide the implementing mechanisms necessary for its success.

In view of the foregoing, the immediate passage of this bill is eamestly sought.

VICTOR A.
Representative, 2nd District of Tarlac


EIGHTEENTH CONGRESS )
OF THE REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES )
First Regular Session )

HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

House Bill No, 4198

Introduced by Representative Victor A. Yap

AN ACT
INSTITUTIONALIZING THE CONVERGENCE STRATEGY FOR SUSTAINABLE
RURAL DEVELOPMENT AND PROVIDING THE IMPLEMENTING MECHANISMS
THEREFOR:

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

CHAPTER I
INTRODUCTORY PROVISIONS

SECTION 1. Title, — This Act shall be known as the “National Convergence Initiative
Act.”

SEC. 2. Declaration of Policies and Objectives. — It is policy of the State to promote
agricultural development as a means to ensure food security and alleviate poverty especially
among the rural folks. Towards this end, the State shall develop and operationalize a common
framework for equitable, inclusive, and sustainable rural development through the convergence
of the resources of the principal rural development departments to maximize its impact.

The implementation of the National Convergence Strategy be guided by the following
principles

a) The Department of Agriculture (DA) ~ Department of Agrarian Reform (DAR)-

Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR)- Department of Interior
and Local Government (DILG)... (DA-DAR-DENR-DILG). National Convergence
shall be treated as an institutionalized complementation strategy between and among
these four (4) rural development departments. The Convergence shall work with
other national line agencies, donor agencies, international and local non-government
organizations (NGOs), people’s organizations (POs) mentioned in the Section 6
hereof,

b

The implementation of National Convergence strategy shall in no way alter and/or

impair the respective mandates of the four (4) rural developments departments;


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©) The critical role of local government units (LGUs) as the integrating and converging
force for sustainable rural development at the local level shall be emphasized;

d) The participatory approach shall be adopted in all phases of development from
planning and budgeting, implementation, monitoring, and evaluation;

©) Complementation of resources and expertise of the concerned departments and
LGUs shall take primordial consideration in the implementation of the Convergence
Initiative;

f) Convergence shall be mainstreamed in all programs, projects and activities of the
national government departments and concerned LGUs;

2)  Instituting relevant measures for an enabling environment to encourage investment
by the private sector, cooperatives and other NGOs.

SEC. 3. Scope. This Act shall apply to all rural development areas primarily inhabited

by the targeted beneficiaries ~ the marginalized farmers (both agrarian reform beneficiaries and
non-agrarian reform beneficiaries), fisherfolks, upland dwellers, and indigenous people

CHAPTER II
DEFINITION

SEC. 4. Definition of Terms. As used in this Act

a) Agrarian Reform Beneficiaries (ARBs) refer to landless farmers and regular farm
workers, irrespective of tenurial arrangement, who were awarded lands as evidence
by an Emancipation Patent (EP) or a Certificate of Land Ownership Award (CLOA)
under Presidential Decree (PD) No. 27, or the Republic Act (RA) No. 6657, as
amended, otherwise known as the “Comprehensive Agrarian Reform Law of 1988.”
ARBs also include the leaseholders to the landowners’ retained areas who represent
the ARB group which are not awarded with lands but whose tenurial rights have
been strengthened through the registration of leasehold contracts.

b) Agricultural lands refer to lands devoted to or suitable for agricultural activity and
not classified by law as mineral, forest, residential, commercial or industrial land

©) Agro-based cluster refer to the concentration of producers, agribusiness and
institutions that are engaged in the same agricultural or agro-industrial sub-sector,
and inter-connect.

4) Coastal areas refer to a band of dry land and the adjacent ocean space (water and
submerged land) in which terrestrial processes and uses directly affect oceanic
process and uses, and vice versa. For purposes of initiating and implementing the
Convergence Initiative, it shall include foreshore land.

©) Convergence Area refers to the physical areas where the National Convergence

Initiative — Sustainable Rural Development is implemented.


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1) Ecosystem refers to the complex relationships among the living resources, habitats,
and residents of an area. It includes plants, trees, animals, fish, birds, micro-
organisms, water, soil, and people.

2) Enhanced National Convergence Initiative (Enhanced NCI) refers to the National
Convergence Initiative Strategy provided for under DA-DAR-DENR Joint
Memorandum Circular No 01, Series of 2010 and the DA-DAR-DENR-DILG Joint
Administrative Order No. 01, Series of 2015.

h) Farmers refer to natural persons whose primary livelihood is cultivation of land or
the production of agricultural crops, agro-forestry products, livestock and/or
fisheries, either by himself/herself, or primarily with the assistance of his/her
immediate farm household, whether the land is owned by him/her or by another
person under a leasehold or share tenancy agreement or arrangement with the owner
thereof.

i) Fisherfolks refers to people directly or personally and physically engaged in taking
and/or culturing and processing fishery and/or aquatic resources.

i) Good agricultural practices refer to applied knowledge and practices geared at
addressing environmental, economic and social sustainability dimensions for on-
farm production and post-production processes, resulting in safe and quality food
and non-food agricultural products.

k) Mangrove forests refer to silt-rich, saline (brackish water) habitat generally found
along large rivers, deltas, and estuaries in the coastal areas. It is characterized by low
tree diversity with a low broken canopy. It serves as barrier to strong tidal waves and
habitat of various aquatic species.

1) National Convergence Initiative (NCI) refers to the complementation of efforts and
resources between and among the DA, DAR, DENR, DILG, and LGUs that seek to
promote sustainable rural development. It is a response to the fragmented and
sometimes overlapping delivery of agriculture and rural development services

m) Primary forests or old growth forests refer to untouched, pristine forest that exists in

ty

n) Ridge-to-Reef strategy refers to the development approach to improve the lives of the

its original condition and has been relatively unaffected by human acti

ARBs and small farmers, indigenous peoples, marginalized dwellers and fisherfolks
from upland and forest areas, in middle and lowland areas, down to the coastal areas.

0) Rural development departments in this Act refer to the DA, the DAR, the DENR,
and the DILG.

p) Strategic Agricultural and Fisheries Development Zones (SAFDZ) refer to areas
within the Network of Protected Areas for Agricultural and Agro-industrial
Development (NPAAAD) identified for production, agro-processing and marketing

activities to help develop and modernize, with the support of the government, the


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agriculture and fisheries sectors, in an environmentally and socio-culturally sound
manner.

q) Secondary growth forests refer to the largest and most dynamic natural forest
ecosystem in the Philippines. Further, it shall refer to an area which has been
disturbed in some way, naturally or unnaturally created in a number of ways such as
degraded forest recovering from the effects of selective logging or areas cleared by
slash-and-burn agriculture or "kaingin" that have been reclaimed by forest growth. It
is also characterized be a less developed canopy structure, smaller trees, and less
diversity.

1) Sustainable Rural Development (SRD) refers to the development objectives of

meeting the needs of the present generation in the rural communities, without

compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs consistent
with the principles of social equity, efficiency and environmental integrity.

s) Upland or forest ecosystems refer to areas or at least an 18% slope that provides
ecological benefits and support to agricultural production, industries, water, and
power needs. Timber production as well as agro forestry activities may be promoted
in these areas to maximize their utilization.

1) Watershed refers to a topographically delineated area of land from which rainwater
can drain as surface run-off vis-d-vis a specific stream or river system to a common
outlet point which may be a dam, irrigation system or urban water supply take-of
point, or where the stream discharges into a river, lake or the sea.

CHAPTER IIL
PHYSICAL FRAMEWORK
SEC. 5. Guiding Framework. The convergence strategy shall adopt the watershed and

integrated ecosystem management (IEM) and integrated area development (IAD) approaches as
the intervention framework in the convergence areas. This is primarily because the "ridge to
reef" convergence strategy is an environmentally sustainable approach to development since
human interventions in the forest and upland areas would impact on the lowland areas, and this
in turn would affect the coastal and marine areas. Selection of convergence zones shall likewise
take into consideration the SAFDZ provision of Republic Act Ne. 8435 otherwise known as the
Agriculture and Fisheries Modernization Act (AFMA) of 1997”

SEC. 6. Criteria for Selection of Convergence Areas. The following criteria shall guide

the selection of convergence for the agro-enterprise cluster.

a) Adequacy of ecosystem zones.

The convergence sites should cut across the various
ecosystems or should be a combination of two (2) or more ecosystems;

b) Key production zones, agrarian reform communities (ARCs) and clusters with
connectivity for increased productivity and income. - The convergence sites should

be current key production areas or with potential to substantially expand and scale-


up production. As such, the area may transform from mono-cropping to integrated,
multi-cropping or high value farming system. In terms of connectivity, the key
production zone may be linked with surrounding areas for allied industries or

services, or for backward linkages;

©) Combination of sites across major poverty groups. - The convergence sites must

cover a significant number of small farmers, agricultural workers including actual
and potential ARBs, fisherfolk, indigenous people, and rural women and upland

dwellers;

d) The convergence sites should involve LGUs and local chief executives (LCEs) who

are willing to support the convergence initiative;

€) The convergence sites should have active POs and/or NGOs that can be tapped to

Support the convergence initiative. Presence of private, business, academic, and
research institutions that are willing to partner within the convergence framework
shall be an advantage.
CHAPTER IV
NCI TECHNICAL WORKING GROUPS (TWGs) AND COMPONENTS

SEC. 7. Technical Working Groups of NCI. The implementation of the NCI shall be

done through Technical Working Groups in an ecosystem. The three (3) working groups are

equally
the NCI

important and shall be mutually re-enforcing. They shall ensure that the objectives of

as a means of improving institutional efficiencies in the governance of sustainable rural

development are achieved. Infrastructure development shall form part of the improvement of the

ecosystem and shall sufficiently consider the impact of such development on ecosystem

services.

a) The TWG on Coastal and Marine Resources Management shall address the issues
and concerns pertaining to the use and management of coral reefs, sea grasses and
algal beds, brackish wetland areas, mangroves and beach forests ecosystems. The
TWG shall be composed of concerned departments/units of the DA, DAR, DENR
and the DILG. Other government agencies, NGOs/ POs, the academe, private sector
or business groups, and other associations may also be part of the TWG whenever
necessary.

b) The TWG on Sustainable Lowland Agriculture shall address issues and concerns on
the use and management of agricultural ecosystems through application of good
agricultural practices. The TWG shall be composed of concerned departments /
units of the DA, DAR, DENR, and DILG. Other government agencies, NGOs /
POs, the academe, private sector or business groups / associations may also be part
of the TWG whenever necessary

©) The TWG on Forestry and Upland Development shall address issues and concerns
on the use and sustainable management of the upland areas and forests ecosystems


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through conservation of biodiversity, protection of primary or old growth forests
and secondary growth forest, and rehabilitation of degraded and denuded
ecosystems. The TWG shall be composed of concerned departments/units of the
DA, DAR, DENR, and DILG, Other government agencies, NGOs/POs, the
academe, private sector or business groups/associations may also be part of the
‘TWG whenever necessary.

SEC. 8. Components of the NCI. The following shall serve as cross cutting components

of the three (3) TWGs.

a. Policy and Advocacy. The component shall address the issues and problems of
conflicting, overlapping, and other unclear policies related to land administration,
regulatory, framework, operational strategies and jurisdictional boundaries.

b. Agro-Enterprise and Agribusiness Development. The component shall facilitate
enterprise development and agribusiness within the convergence sites though the
establishment of agro-enterprise clusters in all provinces. These clusters shall be the
focus for agribusiness initiatives based on the potential of the areas especially those
designated as strategic zones as identified by the SAFDZ maps.

¢. Capacity Development, The component shall ensure the organizational preparedness
of the three agencies and capability of the implementers and other stakeholders to
implement the convergence initiative

4d. Knowledge Management, The component shall ensure that NCI programs, projects
and initiatives are implemented and monitored in an efficient and effective manner
It shall likewise ensure that innovations are documented for possible adoption,
expansion and scaling up.

CHAPTER V
PLEMENTING STRUCTURE AND MECHANISM
Article One

National Policy Administration
SEC. 9. NCI Executive Board. The NCI shall have an Executive Board hereinafter
referred to as the Board which shall act as the policy making body of the NCI. The Board shall
direct the implementation of the provisions of this Act.
‘The Board shall be composed of four (4) voting members:
‘a. The Secretary of the DA as Chairperson;
b.. The Secretaries of the DENR, DAR and DILG as members; and The Executive
Director of the NCI Secretariat and as ex-officio member. The Department
Secretaries may appoint their respective permanent alternate representatives
whose rank shall not be lower than Undersecretary
SEC. 10. Powers and Functions. The NCI Executive Board shall assume the following

powers and functions:


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a. Provide overall policy directions for the implementation of programs/projects
and other related activities under the NCI,

b. Approve/ratify implementing rules and regulations, programs, projects and plans
pertaining to the operation of the NCI;

¢. Appoint the National Focal Person (NFP) with a rank of Assistant Secretary and
a Deputy National Focal Person (DNFP) with a rank of Director LV to spearhead
the NCI Technical Working Group (NCI-TWG) and oversee and supervise NCI
operations

d. Consult with other concerned national government agencies, stakeholders, and
partner agencies on policies and major programs related to sustainable rural
development,

© Approve of Memorandum of Agreements with investors and funding agencies
being recommended for approval by the NCI National Focal Person;

£ Approve the implementation and coordination structure of the NCI, including the
membership of the National Convergence Initiative, Technical Working Group
(NCI-TWG), the three (3) NCI—Ecosystem Technical Working Groups (NCI-
ETWG) and the four (4) NCI- Component Working Groups (NCI-CWG),
through a Joint Special Order;

g. Allocate resources to carry out the plans, programs, projects, and other related
activities of the NCI;

h. Regularly advise the President on all matters concerning the implementation of
convergence initiative strategies;

SEC. 11. Meetings of the Board. The Board shall meet on a quarterly basis and may
hold special meetings as deemed necessary. The Secretary of the DA shall act as Lead Convenor
while the Secretaries of the DAR, DENR and DILG shall act as Co-Convenors. In the absence
of the Lead Convenor and/or Co-Convenor of the host department, the present principal
members may decide or choose between themselves who will be the Chairperson of the
meeting, Furthermore, the NCI-Executive Board meetings may be done in rotation amongst the
five (5) departments,

SEC. 12. National Focal Person and Deputy National Focal Person. A National Focal
Person, who shall have a has a rank of Assistant Secretary, shall be appointed by the NCI
Executive Board to spearhead the NCI- Technical Working Group (NCI- TWG) and supervise
NCI operations. The National Focal Person assisted by a Deputy National Focal Person, shall
have a rank of Director IV. The NFP shall also convene the members of the NCL-TWG to
discuss updates/status on programs, projects and activities before the conduct of NCI Board
meetings. The NFP shall come from the lead agency (DA) while the DNEP shall come from any

of the three (3) co-convenor rural development departments.


1 SEC. 13. The National Convergence Initiative-Technical Working Group (NCI-

TWG)—The NCI-TWG shall serve as the advisory and recommendatory body to the NCI
3 Executive Board on matters related to the implementation of the NCL
4 SEC. 14. Composition of the NCI-TWG. The NCI -TWG to be convened by the NCI

National Focal Person shall have the following members:

6 a. Chairperson, TWG on Coastal and Marine Resources Management

1 b. Chairperson, TWG on Lowland Resources Management

8 ©. Chairperson, TWG on Forestry and Upland Development

9 . Convergence Focal Person, DA (Agro-Enterprise Development)

0 €. Convergence Focal Person, DAR (Policy and Advocacy)

u f Convergence Focal Person, DENR (Knowledge Management)

n 8. Convergence Focal Person, DILG (Capacity Development)

b h. Executive Director, NCI Secretariat Office

4 SEC. 15. Agency Convergence Focal Persons. Each agency shall designate a

15 Convergence Focal Person who shall be responsible for the coordination and management of the
16 convergence program in their respective departments (national and field levels). The
17 Department Convergence Focal Person shall likewise be a member of the NCI-TWG.

1s SEC. 16, Creation of NCI Secretariat Office. A permanent NCI Secretariat shall be
19 created with the corresponding plantilla positions for its administrative and technical staff
20 compliment. Filling up of permanent personnel shall be based on the current and existing NCI
21 Secretariat organizational structure. The NCI Secretariat Office shall be headed by an Executive
22 Director who shall be appointed by the DA Secretary.

2B The NCI Secretariat shall be strengthened with detailed personnel coming from the
24 secretariat of the four (4) NCI core departments on top of the designated coordinators of each
25 working group. The NCI Secretariat shall work closely with the NCI National Focal Person and
26 Deputy National Focal Person, the Chairperson of the different Working Groups and the
27 Agency Convergence Focal Persons.

28 SEC. 17. Functions of the NCI Secretariat. The NCI Secretariat shall have the
29 following functions:

30 a. Coordinate the conduct of the NCI-Executive Board and NCI-TWG meetings and
31 workshops, writeshops, seminars, fora and consultations;

32 b. Provide administrative, logistics, and technical support to the NCI- NSC and NCI-
3 TWG,;

u c. Document, prepare, and disseminate the highlights of the proceedings of NCI
38 Executive Board and NCI-TWG meetings and activities,

36 d. Ensure that appropriate actions are taken on agreements reached during NCI
37 Executive Board and NCI-TWG meetings 4nd activities,


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e. Submit monitoring/progress reports to the NCI Executive Board and NCI-TWG and
other oversight bodies;

f As coordinators, follow up on the activities to be conducted by the three (3) NCI-
ETWGs and four (4) NCI-CWGs. Ensure that the timelines for the activities are
strictly followed

Coordination with KM-TWG in management of convergence areas’ database; and

we

h. Perform other functions as the NCI Executive Board may direct. There shall be a
satellite secretariat office to be established in the DA, DAR, DENR and DILG
Department. Each satellite secretariat office shall be composed of staff from the
offices of the Departments’ respective Alternate Board Representatives,

Article Two
Sub-National Level Administration

SEC. 18. Regional Convergence Initiative—Technical Working Group (RCI-TWG).
Parallel to the NCI-TWG, the RCI-TWG shall manage and supervise the programs, projects,
and other related activities at the regional level. The RCI-TWG shall be the regional arm of the
NCI Executive Board in carrying out its functions

SEC. 19. Duties and Responsibilities

a. Work closely with other government line agencies and offices and with the Regional

Development Council (RDC) and concerned Provincial Development Council (PDC)
to ensure that the enhanced convergence - initiative interventions are aligned with
the regional development agenda and initiatives;

b. Facilitate complementation of efforts and resources for greater impact:

©. Coordinate and work closely with the Provincial LGUs in the implementation of the
NCI plans, programs, projects, and other related activities. The Regional Directors of
DA, DAR, DENR and DILG may enter into an agreement with the Provincial
Governor or LGU leagues, as necessary;

d. Meet monthly or as deemed necessary

SEC. 20. Composition of the RCI-TWG. The RCI-TWG shall be composed of.

a. DA, DA, DENR or DILG Regional Directors, who may act as Chairperson;

b. Depending on the result of the election of Chairperson, the three other rural

development department directors will act as Co-Chairpersons;

¢. Regional Focal Persons for all the departments and Head RCI-TWG Secretariat as

Members.

‘The Chairperson of the RCI-TWG shall be a convergence champion and shall be decided
by and among the Regional Directors of DA, DAR, DENR, and DILG. Upon the completion of
the RCI-TWG composition, a resolution to that effect shall be submitted to the NCI Secretariat
Membership of the RCI-TWG may be expanded to idclude representatives from the Provincial
LGUs and other agencies as deemed necessary


1 ‘The RCI-Secretariat shall be composed of representatives from the regional offices of
2 DA, DAR, DENR and DILG. The RCI Secretariat shall be headed by the Regional Focal
3 Person. The Regional Focal Person and the members of the RCI Secretariat shall be designated
4 by the Chairperson of RC-TWG.

5 SEC. 21. Provincial Convergence Initiative Technical Working Group (PCI-TWG).
6 The PCI-TWG shall be responsible in implementing plans, programs, projects, and other related
7 activities of the NCI at their respective provinces in collaboration with RCI-TWG. The PCI-
8 TWG shall identify or determine appropriate interventions, resources, and support services
9 needed such as, but not limited to infrastructure, logistics, extension, inputs, lands, and
10 institutional development for the implementation of the NCI plans and programs

u ‘The Chairperson of the PCI-TWG shall be the Provincial Governor and the Provincial
12 heads of DAR, DENR and DILG shall be the Co-Chairpersons. The members of the PCI-TWG
15 are the Provincial Environment and Natural Resources Officer (PENRO), Provincial Agrarian
14 Reform Officer (PARO), Provincial Agriculture Officer (PAO), Provincial Planning and
15 Development Coordinator (PPDC), Provincial Government — Environment and Natural
16 Resources Officer (PG-ENRO), the DA's Agricultural Program Coordinating Officer (APCO)
17 and Provincial Interior and Local Government Officer (PILGO). The respective interface
18 mechanisms shall be LGU-led with DA, DAR, DENR and DILG providing technical and
19 operational support. Existing LGU mechanisms may be adopted to spearhead or manage the
20 convergence initiatives at the LGU level

a SEC. 22. Municipal Convergence Initiative Technical Working Group (MCI-TWG).
22 The MCI-TWG shall be responsible in implementing plans, programs, projects, and other
23 related activities: of the NCI at their respective municipalities in collaboration with the PCI-
24 TWG. The MCI-TWG that identify or determine appropriate interventions, resources, and
25 support services needed such as, but not limited to, infrastructure, logistics, extension, inputs,
26 lands, and institutional development for the implementation of the NCI plans and programs

n ‘The Chairperson of the MCI-TWO shall be headed by the Municipal/City Mayor and the
28 Municipal head of DAR, DENR and DILG shall be the Co-Chairpersons. The members of the
29 MCI-TWG are the Community Environment and Natural Resources Officer (CENRO),
30 City/Municipal Environment and Natural Resource Officer (C/MENRO), Municipal Agrarian
31 Reform Officer (MARO), Municipal Agriculture Officer (MAO), concerned City/Municipal
32 Planning and Development Coordinator (C/MPDC), City/Municipal Interior and Local
33 Government Officer (C/MILGO) and a designated DA regional field office representative

34 The respective interface mechanisms shall be LGU-led with DA, DAR, DENR and
38 DILG providing technical and operational support, Existing LGU mechanisms may be adopted

36 to spearhead or manage the convergence initiatives at the LGU level

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Article Three
Monitoring and Evaluation

SEC. 23. A monitoring and evaluation system based on performance indicators set by
the Department of Budget and Management (DBM) shall be developed and strictly implemented
and managed, and a regular reporting system shall be installed in an open ‘and transparent
manner, in accordance with the Management for Development Results (MDR) principles. The
monitoring and evaluation report shall contain gaps and issues experienced during the
implementation of the NCIs, the learnings on convergence as an approach to sustainable rural
development, and proposed policy recommendations

CHAPTER VI
TRANSITORY AND FINAL PROVISIONS

SEC. 24. Convening of NCI Secretariat Office. Within sixty (60) days from the
effectivity of this Act, the Secretary of Agriculture shall convene the NCI Secretariat Office
The current head of the Enhanced NCI Secretariat shall sit temporarily as Officer-in-Charge of
the NCI Secretariat Office until such time that a regular Executive Director has been appointed

SEC. 25. Implementing Rules and Regulations. The implementing rules and
regulations of this Act shall be drafted and approved by the NCI departments concerned within
sixty (60) days from the effectivity of this Act

SEC. 26. Structure and Staffing Pattern. Within sixty (60) days from the effectivity of
this Act, the NCI Executive Board shall formulate and submit the NCI Secretariat Office's
proposed organizational structure and staffing pattern to the President for final approval through
the Department of Budget and Management (DBM).

The DA shall assist in the preparation of the Organizational Structure and Staffing
Pattern of the NCI Secretariat Office with corresponding number of plantilla positions as well as
budgetary requirements to effectively carry out its mandated functions under this Act

SEC. 27. Appropriations. Funds necessary to carry out the implementation of the NCI
shall be taken from the available funds of the DA, DAR, DENR and DILG under the current
General Appropriations Act. Thereafter, such sums as may be necessary for the full operation of
the NCI Secretariat Office and the staggered implementation of NCI plans and programs shall
be included in the respective annual budget of the aforementioned Departments in the annul
General Appropriations Act

Other sources of funds such as grants, donations, and other forms of assistance from
donor agencies and other public‘or private entities may be tapped and facilitated by NCI
Executive Board to support the program, subject to regular auditing guidelines and procedures.
Cost-sharing or counter parting schemes among national government and LGUs is also

encouraged to support the implementation of the NCIs.


SEC. 28. Non-Impairment Clause. Nothing in this Act shall be construed as to
diminish, impair, or repeal rights recognized, granted, or available to marginalized or basic
sectors under existing laws including Republic Act Nos. 8371, 8550 and 6657

SEC. 29. Separability Clause. If for any reason or reasons, any part or provision of this,
Art shall be declared or held to be unconstitutional or invalid, other parts or provisions hereof,
which are not affected thereby shall continue to be in full force and effect

SEC. 30. Repealing Clause. All laws, decrees, executive orders, rules and regulations or
parts or provisions thereof that are not consistent with this Act are hereby repealed, amended, or
modified accordingly.

SEC. 31. Effectivity. This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after its publication in

the Official Gazette or in a newspaper of general circulation

Approved

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