First Regular Session 
-r - 
ENAT 
Introduced by Senator JINGGOY EJERCITO ESTRADA 
EXPLANATORY NOTE 
The Philippines’ largest industry upon which its economy is based in agriculture. 
The Filipino farmers and the agricultural development workers are the key playeis in the 
agrlcultural sector, which require government support and assistance. In particular, the 
agricultural development workers (agriculturists, veterinarians, technologist and other 
agricultural engineers, 
aquaculturists, 
extension workers 
home extentionists, 
nutritionists, agricultural technologists and other agricultural technicians) provide the 
service in the countryside necessary for modernizing Philippine Agriculture. 
At present, the weak and fragmented agricultural service delivery operating 
within the Department of Agriculture and Local Government Units hampers the 
implementation of government agricultural development programs. One of the causes of 
this problem is that LGUs are financially constrained to hire the needed agricultural 
development workers and provide them with the necessary support. It is also 
unfortunate that the Local Government Code of 1991 makes the agricultural positions in 
the city and the municipal levels optional and not mandatory. Moreover, the position of 
Provincial/City/Municipal Agricultural Engineer, and Provincial Fishery Officer were not 
even created although these services are essential in accelerating agricultural 
modernization. 
Furthermore, agricultural development workers in the government deserve 
appropriate position titles, adequate remuneration and other incentives to ensure the 
responsive and effective delivery of services to the agricultural and fisheries sector. 
The bill seeks to address these concerns. Its immediate passage is therefor 
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earnestly requested. 
Senator 
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LI 
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SENAT 
. NO. 
Introdurn-d by Senator JINGGOY EJERClTO EST 
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AN ACT 
PROVIDING FOR A MAGNA CARTA OF AGRICULTURAL 
DEVELOPMENT ' WORKER 
Be it enacted by the Senate and the House of Representatives of the Philippines in fhe 
Congress assembled. 
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TITLE OF THE ACT AND DEFINITION OF TERM 
SECTION I. 
Title. - This Act shall be known as the "Magna Carta of Agricultural 
Development Workers." 
SECTION 2. Declaration of Policy. - It is hereby declared a policy of 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 more responsive and effective in 
providing the necessary services for countryside development. 
SECTION 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) and concerned government and private 
institutions, and shall include agriculturists, veterinarians, agricultural 
extension workers, agricultural technicians and operators, allied agricultural 
professionals, administrative and support personnel employed regardless of 
their employment status. 
b. Agriculturist - shall refer to a person who is a graduate of a four year course 
in agriculture and related course performing any of the specialized activities 
such as agronomy, horticulture, animal husbandry, entomology, plant 
pathology, phnt- breeding, agricultural economics, agricultural extension and 
marketing. 
c. Veterinarian - shall refer to a person registered with the Professional 
Regulatory Commission performing professional activities on veterinary 
services such as disease prevention control, animal health care, etc. 
d. Agricultural Engineer- shall refer to a person registered with the Professional 
Regulatory Commission performing engineering activities in agriculture, 
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e. 
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particularly in area of farm power and machinery, irrigation and drainage, soil 
and water conservation, agricultural buildings and infrastructure, agricultural 
processing and post harvest facilities. 
Aquaculturist - shall refer to a person who is a graduate of a four year course 
in fishery and aquaculture and fishery and processing 
Nutritionist- shall refer to a person registered with the professional Regulation 
Commission performing activities related to dietry and proper nutrition. 
Agricultural Technician- shall refer to a trained or skilled agricultural worker 
but not necessarily a college graduate, performing activities such as 
planthursery propagator, plant breeder, farm mechanics, etc. 
Agricultural Extension Worker - shall refer to an agriculturist, veterinarian, 
agricultural engineer, aquaculturist or home extensionist who helps farmers 
and fishermen in the promotion of agricultural and fishery development plan, 
programs and projects through the use of extension methodologies, concepts 
and principles. 
CSC- refers to the Civil Service Commission 
DOLE- refers to the Department of Labor and Employment. 
NLRC - refers’o-the National Labor Relations Commission 
DA- refers to the Department of Agriculture. 
m. LGU - refers to the Local Government Unit 
ARTICLE II 
AGRICLILTURBL SERVICES CARE 
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The state shall support the development and professiclnalization of agricultural 
services by providing the necessary compensation and benefits to various agricultural 
devdopment workers based on their duties, responsibilities and qualifications. For this 
purpose, the Civil Service Commission in coordination with the Department of 
Agriculture, Department of Interior and Local Government and the recognized national 
associations of agricultural development workers shall review the existing functions, 
responsibilities, position titles and qualifications of the agricultural development workers 
employed at the Department of Agriculture, Local Government Units and concerned 
government agencies, and match them with appropriate position titles and 
compensation: Provided, That the following benchmark position titles of and agricultural 
development workers with corresponding safary grades shall be used. 
Position 
Agricultural Technician I 
Agriculturist I 
Aquaculturist I 
Nutritionist I 
Veterinarian I 
Agricultural Engineer I 
Ag ri cu I t ural Technologist 
City Agricultural Engineer 
City Veterinarian 
City Agriculturist 
City Fishery Officer 
Municipal Agricuiturist 
Municipal Veterinarian 
Municipal Agriculigral Engineer 
Municij5al Fishery Officer 
Salary Grade 
10 
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Provincial Agricultural Engineer 
Provincial Agriculturist 
Provincial veterinarian 
Provincial Fisher Officer 
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.SEC. 
i'?dafQw ~ O § ~ ~ i o f f ~  
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Workers in fhe 
LocaB ~ Q v e ~ n ~ @ n t  
its - The creation of the following positions is hereby made 
mandatory in addition to the prescribed positions under the Local Government Code of 
1991 ; 
Provincial Agricultural Engineer 
Provincial Agriculturist 
City Agriculturist 
City Agricultural Engineer 
City Veterinarian 
City Fishery and Aquacultural Officer 
Municipal Agriculturist 
Municipal Agricultural Engineer 
Municipal Veterinarian 
Municipal Fishery and Aquacultural Officer 
Provided, That in-the case of fourth (4'h) class LGUs, financial subsidy shall be 
provided by tKe-NationalGowernrnent for the personnel services needed in the hiring of 
the above mentioned mandatory positions: Provided, further That the funding 
requirement shall be incorporated in the subsequent annual appropriations of the 
Department of Agriculture. 
SEC. 6. Recruitinenf and 
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- The selection and appointment of 
agricultural development workers shall be in accordance with the merit and fitness 
principles: Provided, That he/she has the appropriate civil eligibility and/or professional 
license, educational qualification, skills and experiences. 
SEC 7. Performance ~ v ~ / f f ~ f ~ o ~  
and ~ e ~ j t  
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- The Secretary of 
Agriculture, upon consultatioOn with the Civil Service Commission 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, and in- service training grants, job rotation and 
incentive awards system. 
SEC. 8 Transfer or ~
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Employees. - No transfer of geographical reassignment shall be made or effected 
without a written notice to the agricultural development workers concerned stating 
therein the reasons the reasons: Provided, That the said written notice shall be made 
thirty (30) days prior to the date of transfer or reassignment: Provided, further, That if 
the employees concerned disagrees with the order of transfer or reassignment, helshe 
may appeal said order with the Civil Service Commission or 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 and/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 hislher immediate 
family shall be paid by the Government. 


Provincial Agricultural Engineer 
Provincial Agriculturist 
Provincial Veterinarian 
Provincial Fisher Officer 
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in the 
Local Government Units. - The creation of the following positions is hereby made 
mandatory in addition to the prescribed positions under the Local Government Code of 
1991 ; 
Provincial Agricultural Engineer 
Provincial Agriculturist 
City Agriculturist 
City Ag ricu I tu ral Engineer 
City Veterinarian 
City Fishery and Aquacultural Officer 
Municipal Agriculturist 
Municipal Ag ricu I tural Engineer 
Municipal Veterinarian 
Municipal Fishery and Aquacultural Officer 
Provided, That in the case of fourth (4'h) class LGUs, financial subsidy shall be 
provided by the National Government for the personnel services needed in the hiring of 
the above mentioned mandatory positions: Provided, further That the funding 
requirement shall be incorporated in the subsequent annual appropriations of the 
Department of Agriculture. 
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SEC. 6. Recruitment and ~ u ~ ~ i ~ ~ c ~ ~ i o ~ ~ .  
- The selection and appointment of 
agricultural development workers shall be in accordance with the merit and fitness 
principles: Provided, That he/she has the appropriate civil eligibility and/or professional 
license, educational qualification, skills and experiences. 
SEC 7 .  Performance ~
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and 
 io^. - The Secretary of 
Agriculture, upon consultatioOn wjth the Civil Service Commission 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, and in- service training grants, job rotation and 
incentive awards system. 
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SEC. 8 Transfer or ~
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Employees. - No transfer of geographical reassignment shall be made or effected 
without a written notice to the agricultural development workers concerned stating 
therein the reasons the reasons: Provided, That the said written notice shall be made 
thirty (30) days prior to the date of transfer or reassignment: Provided, further, That if 
the employees concerned disagrees with the order of transfer or reassignment, he/she 
may appeal said order with the Civil Service Commission or 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 and/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 hislher immediate 
family shall be paid by the Government. 


Hours of Work shall include: 
a. 
b. 
c. 
the time the agricultural worker is required to be in active duty or to be at a 
prescribe workplace; 
the time which an agricultural worker is permitted to work; 
the time, which an agricultural worker is required to work in place than, 
prescribed workplace. 
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SEC. q5. Overtime 
&. -Where the exigencies of the sewice so require, 
any agricultural development worker, whether in government or non- government 
service, may be required to render service beyond normal eight (8) hours a day , 
inclusive of Saturdays and Sundays and non- working holidays. In such, cases, the 
agricultural development worker shall be given additional compensation in accordance 
with existing laws on the matter. 
SEC. 16. Training an 
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- The Department of Agriculture 
through its scholarship committee and the Agriculture through its scholarship committee 
and the Agricultural Training Institute shall undertake training’s and scholarship program 
for the agricultural development workers, which shall be given adequate budgetary 
support by the government. 
rker. - 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 municipality. 
INCENTIVE§ AM 
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and 
tern. - The reward and 
incentives 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 given by the governed by the following criteria: 
a. 
Innovativeness and creativity resulting in productive activities; 
b. Actual performance and accomplishment of established targets; 
c. 
Extraordinary performance and exemplary quality of Achievements in 
agriculture, giving rise to new or innovative techniques and productive 
results; 
Quality of work and consistency of performance which is satisfactory for at 
least two (2) consecutive rating periods, and 
Risks face by nature of work area or place of assignment. 
d. 
e. 
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EC. f 
- Incentive and rewards for agricultural 
development workers shall be in the form of, but not limited to, the following: 
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 fishery 
programs of the government; 
c. 
Performance 
Bonus- form of remuneration given to agricultural 
development workers for performance that exceeds established targets; 
and 
Other incentives that the Department of Agriculture and Local Government 
may established. 
d. 
SEC. 20. Ofher Compensation an 
 ne^^^^. - All agricultural development 
workers shall be entitled to the following additional compensation and benefits: 
a. 
b. 
C. 
d. 
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Representation Allowance and Travelling Allowance - All 
Provincial/City/Municipal Agriculturists, Veterinarians, Agricultural 
Engineers, and Fishery Officers shall be entitled to Representation A 
Allowance and Travelling Allowance (RATA) equivalent to the Department 
Heads of the Local Government Units. 
Hazard Allowance - All agricultural development workers assigned in 
difficult areas, stifetorn or embattled areas, distressed or isolated stations, 
animallplantrfisher breeding stations, plant nurseries, plantations and 
demonstration farms, laboratories specifically those handling x-ray, 
radioisotopes, chemicals, etc. , sea- bored 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 risks of perils of life shall be compensated with 
hazard allowance equivalent to at least twenty percenlum (20%) of the 
monthly basic salary. 
Subsistence Allowance. - All agricultural development workers who are 
required to a 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 in order to 
make their services available at all times shall be entitled to full daily 
subsistence allowance OF three (3) meats, which shall be computed in 
accordance with the prevailing circumstances. 
Longevity Pay - A longevity pay equivalent to five percent (55) of the 
monthly basic pay equivalent to five percent (5%) of the monthly basic pay 
shall be paid to an agricultural worker for every three (3) years of 
cgfltinuous efficient and meritorous services rendered. 
Clothing Allowance- All agricultural development workers shall be entitled 
to a clothing allowance in accordance with the approved laws and 
regulations or as mandated by law. 
Housing- All agricultural development workers who are on tour of duty and 
those who, because of unavoidable circumsfances, are forced to stay in the 
institution or community with living quarters for free: Provided, That if such 
living quarters are not available; the workers shall receive 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- reiated injuries in accordance with the Labor Code 
as the case may be. 
On- Call Pay- In cases of “on- Call” status, the agricultural development 
worker shall be entitled to an On- Call” pay equivalent to fifty percenturn 
(50%) of hidher regular wage. “On- Call” status refers to a condition when 
agricultural office or employee is called upon to respond to an urgent or 
h~mediate need or relief work during emergencies such that the 


agricultural worker cannot utilize hidher time for personal need: Provided, 
That no agricultural worker shall be placed in an “On- Call” Status beyond 
(7) days. 
Motor and Vehicle Loan. All agricultural development workers shall be 
entitled to avail of the motor and vehicle loan of the Department of 
Agriculture. The government shall provide adequate budgetary support for 
thisz purpose.-=-- 
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SEC. 21. Right to Join ~
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- 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 interests and to seek redress of grievance through peaceful 
activities. 
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SEC 22. Freedom from ~
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- It shall be unlawful for any 
person to commit any of the following acts of interference or coercion: 
a. 
b. 
c. 
to require a condition of employment that the agricultural development 
worker shall join an organization or union; 
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 hidher 
duties and functions in hislher organization or union or to penalize him/her 
for any lawful action performed in that capacity; 
to harass or intimidate an agricultural development worker or prevent 
him/her for performing duties and functions; and 
to perform acts that will dismiss the independence and freedom of the 
union or organization to direct its own affairs. 
d. 
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- The Department of Agriculture shall consult 
professional and agricultural ‘workers organization or unions in formulating policies to 
govern the welfare and security of the agricultural development workers. 
SEC. 24. Human 
C?S~UPCC? 
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- The Government and non- 
government agencies shall conduct human resource development and management 
study in the following areas: 
Adequate facilities and resource to render quality agricultural service to the 
clientele; 
Opportunity for the agricultural development workers to grow and develop 
their potentials and develop a sense of self- worth and dignity in their work; 
Ways and means of giving rank- and -file agricultural development workers 
viable opportunities for education, personal growth and development; and 
Staffing patterns and standards welfare to ensure that they receive quality 
care. 
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a. 
b. 
c. 
Mechanism for democratic consultations; 
d. 
e. 
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. - The Secretary of the Department of 
Agriculture in consultation with DOLE. CSC, NLRC, and DILG and the national 
organizations of agricultural development workers shall formulate and prepare 
necessary rules and regulations in implementing the provisions of this Magna Carta. 
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-The Secretary of Agriculture shall 
create a monitoring Committee, which shall monitor the implementation of the provision 
of this Act. The committee shall be composed of representatives of the DA, DILG, CSC 
and the recognized national associations of agricultural development workers: Provided 
further, That the Secretary of Agriculture shall submit semi-annual reports on the status 
on the implementation of this Act to the Committee of Agriculture and Food of the 
House of representatives%nd the Senate. 
SEC. 27. Penal 
visions.- Penal Provision. - Any person who Shall willfully 
interfere with, restrain or coerce any agricultural development worker in the exercises of 
hidher rights or shall violate any of the provisions of this Act shall upon conviction, be 
punished by a fine if not less than Twenty thousand pesos (P20, 000.00) but not more 
than Forty thousand pesos (P40,OOO.OO) or imprisonment of not more than one (1) year, 
or both, at the discretion of the court. 
If the offender is a public officials, the court, in addition to the penalties provided 
in the preceding paragraph, shall impose the additional penalties of disqualification from 
office of such offending public official. 
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SEC. 28. Funding. - The amount necessary to carry out the provision of this Act 
shall be included in the General Appropriations Act of the year following its enactment 
into law and every year thereafter. 
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- If any provision of this Act is declared 
unconstitutional or invalid, the other provision thereof shall not be affected thereby and 
shall continue to be in full force and effect. 
Clause. - All laws, decrees, orders, rules, and regulations 
or other issuances inconsistent with the provision of this Act are hereby repealed, 
amended or modified accordingly. 
SEC. 31. €Ffecfiv!fy, - This Act shall take effect fifteen (IS) days after its 
publication in at least two (2) newspapers of general circulation. 
Approved,