FIFTEENTH CONGRESS OF THE 
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES 
First Regular Session 
) 
) 
) 
SENATE 
?1{! 
S. NO. __ 
"'...:~=-cu,--
! 0 JUL -:6 A9 :04 
__ l:::n:.::trod\lced by Senator A:ntonio "Sonny" F. Trillanes IV 
EXPLANATORY NOTE 
Republic Act No. 8435, otherwise known as the Agriculture and Fisheries Modernization 
Law was enacted in response to the pressing need to modernize agriculture. The salient 
features and objectives of the law were based on the policy recommendations of the 
Congressional Commission on Agricultural Modernization (AGRICOM) repOlt. 
However, the proposal as regards the restructuring of the Department of Agriculture and 
agriculture-related bureaucracies was overlooked, leaving the Department ill-equipped to 
deal with the challenges of the aforesaid law. The Department could not cope with the 
objectives of the new law, drawing on its old bureaucratic framework that is not directed 
towards the new policy track provided for by the law. 
Among the problems that the AGRICOM report identified, which remain prominent in 
the present bureaucratic structure of the DA and related agricultural agencies, are the 
following': 
1. The agricultural bureaucracy is a jumble of functional agencies, commodity 
corporations, and attached agencies. The Department of Agriculture - which has 
40,000 people - should obviously be the lead agency. But interagency coordination is 
weak and unclear; 
2. There is a duplication of effort, there is trouble of controlling, monitoring, and 
rationalizing the use of agricultural funds; and 
3. Devolution has weakened the linkage between central and local governments, and has 
affected extension services. 
In this light, this bill seeks to functionally and structurally rationalize the Department of 
Agriculture into a Department of Agriculture and Fisheries (DAF). Hopefully, this will 
address the institutional weakness of the DA for the effective discharge of agricultural 
policies and programs. The renaming of the DA into the DAF intends to correct the 
historical neglect of the fisheries sector. All the flll1ctions and services of departments, 
agencies, cOlll1cils, bureaus, llI1its, and offices of the government concerned with 
agriculture and fisheries shall be under the tutelage of the DAF. 
In view of the foregoing, approval of this measure is earnestly sought. 
l1nstitulions and Bureaucracy' Revisiting the AGRICOM Report. 
11((0'//209.85. l7S.1 04/scarch?q~cache:ka:8dD7ZJMaEJ:J1afc.dagov DhJafinafPDF/voJ3~ 
m~ti!'!.HQJ1~.,J~!1JtDA±'1l6IPLAN~hl-en"&c.t"slllli~c;~'::.I. Information retrieved on 26 June 2008. 
I 


FIFTEENTH CONGRESS OF THE 
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES 
First Regular Sessiou 
) 
) 
) 
SENATE 
~lG 
S. NO. _-"'~'-"_"-=_ 
iilL -6 1\9 :05 
J 
.--::-:--:~.--:------:----:=----::-~=-=---==------i!. 
_____ Int.,::oduced by Senator Antonio "Sonny" F. Trillanes IV 
AN ACT 
RATIONALIZING THE AGRICULTURE AND FISHERIES BUREAUCRACY 
REDEFINING THE FUNCTIONS OF THE DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE 
AND VARIOUS AGENCIES TO BRING ABOUT AGRICULTURE AND 
FISHERIES MODERNIZATION, APPROPRIATING FUNDS THEREFOR, AND 
FOR OTHER PURPOSES. 
Be it enacted by the Senate and the House of Representatives of the Philippines in 
Congress assembled: 
I 
SECTION 1. Short Title. - This Act shall be known as the "Department of 
2 
Agriculture and Fislleries Rationalization Act of 2010". 
3 
4 
SEC 2. Declaratioll of Policy. - It is hereby declared the policy of the State to 
5 
develop the agricultme and fisheries sectors in order to attain economic growth, alleviate 
6 
rmal poverty, assme food security and make farmers and fisherfolk competitive. To this 
7 
end, policies and programs concerned with agricultme and fisheries shall be rationalized 
8 
to achieve in the most efficient and effective way the national goal of enhancing 
9 
productivity to raise the qnality of life for all, especially the underprivileged. Institutions, 
10 
agencies, conncils, bureaus, units, and offices of the government concerned with 
II 
agricultme and fisheries shall be rationalized to confonn to the following objectives: 
12 
I. To provide adequate rmal public goods iucluding infrastructure, irrigation, post-
13 
harvest facilities and other production support, marketing assistance and demand-driven 
14 
research and development that will upgrade the productivity, efficiency and profitability 
15 
of farms and fisheries; 
16 
2. To minimize regulatory and licensing activities to areas that ensure the quality of 
17 
products and protect the health of consumers and the environment; prevent market 


distortions and promote neutral policies that will bring out the natural comparative 
2 
advantage of Philippine agricultmal and fisheries products; and 
3 
3. To promote transparency in governance and participation of all stakeholders and 
4 
relevant government and private agencies. 
5 
6 
SEC.3. Df{/inition of Terms, - When used in this Act, unless the context 
7 
otherwise requires; 
8 
I. Agribusiness shall refer to the unified and systematic way of considering production, 
9 
processing, marketing and distribution of agriculture and fishery products. 
10 
2. Agriculture shall refer to the cultivation of soil, planting of crops, growing of iruit 
II 
trees, raising of livestock and poultry including the harvesting, processing, and marketing 
12 
of such fann products, and other farm activities and practices. 
13 
3. Department shall refer to the Department of Agriculture. 
14 
4. Extension services shall refer to technology transfer activities such as training of 
15 
farmers, fisherfolk, and those engaged in agriculture and fisheries, input and credit 
16 
assistance, marketing assistance, and similar related services. 
17 
5. Fislteries shall refer to all activities relating to the act or business of fishing, culturing, 
18 
preserving, processing, marketing, developing, conserving, and managing aquatic 
19 
resources and the fishery areas, including the privilege to fish or take aquatic resomce 
20 
thereof. 
21 
6. Food processillg shall refer to the transformation, by hand or machine, of food 
22 
materials into new products, regardless of whether it is done in a factory or domicile of 
23 
the processor and whether the products are sold wholesale or retail. 
24 
7. Integrate shall mean to make a part of a larger unit or office with the sanle or similar 
25 
functions. 
26 
8. Irrigation shall refer to supplying dry land with water by means of ditche$, pipes or 
27 
streams. 
2 


9. Market information shall include, but shall not be limited to, information, seminars 
2 
and training on market that enable farmers and fisherfolk to make sound investment 
3 
decisions and eam maximum returns. 
4 
10. Market infrastructures shall include, but shall not be limited to, facilities such as 
5 
market buildings, slaughterhouses, holding pens, cold storage and other related facilities 
6 
used by the farmers and fisherfolk in marketing their produce. 
7 
II. Marketing assistance shall include up-to-date and continuing information on input 
8 
and output prices, the availability of needed inputs, assistance to gain access to markets 
9 
for output, list of possible business ventures in their locality, and the like. 
10 
12. Post-harvest facilities shall refer to post-harvest equipment and machinery such as, 
II 
but not limited to, threshers, moisture meters, dryers, weighing scales, milling equipment, 
12 
packing and canning machinery, storage facilities, buying stations, market infrastructure 
13 
and transportation facilities. 
14 
13. Prodllct standards shall refer to a predetermined set of description of quality, 
15 
quantity and such other measures and characteristics specific to the type, kind and degree 
16 
of processing of particular products. 
17 
14. Quarantine shall refer to a period of time during which a vehicle, person, animal or 
18 
material suspected of carrying a contagious disease is detained at a port of entry under 
19 
enforced isolation to prevent disease from entering a country. [t also refers to the place of 
20 
such detention. 
21 
15; Rationalizatioll shall refer to the reorganization of the bureaucracy in order to 
22 
streamline the both the structure and functions based on identified govemment objectives 
23 
and policies for increased effectiveness and efficiency. 
24 
16. Regional operations shall refer to all the activities, programs and projects done by the 
25 
regional offices. 
26 
17. Research and development shall refer to all organized activities designed to search 
27 
for new knowledge or modifY existing ones, develop new methods and techniques of 
28 
operation, tools, equipment or types of organisms, through the application of the 
29 
scientific method. 
3 


18. Resollrce-accOImtillg shall refer to a process of tracking changes in the environment 
2 
and natural resources biophysically and economically (in monetary terms). 
3 
19. Small farmers and Jtsherfolk shall refer to natural persons 
4 
20. Secretary shall refer to the Secretary of the Agriculture dependent on small-scale 
5 
subsistence farming andior fishing as their primary source of income or to those engaged 
6 
in wholesale, barter or exchange of agricultural and/or fishery products which do not 
7 
exceed a gross value of one hundred eighty thonsand pesos (PI80,000.00) per annum 
8 
based on 1992 constant prices. 
9 
21. Trallsfer shall mean to remove and place in another unit or office. 
10 
11 
CHAPTERl 
12 
THE DEPARTMENT PROPER 
13 
14 
SEC. 4. Ratiollalizatioll. - The Department of Agriculture, hereinafter referred to 
15 
as the Department, is hereby renamed as the Department of Agricultnre and Fisheries, 
16 
and stmcturally and fnnctionally rationalized, in accordance with the provisions of this 
17 
Act. The fWlctions and services of departments, agencies, cOW1cils, bureaus, units, and 
18 
offices of the government concerned with agriculture and fisheries shall likewise be 
19 
rationalized in accordance with the provisions of this Act. 
20 
21 
SEC. 5. Mandate. - The Department shall be the government agency responsible 
22 
for the development of sustainable agriculture and fisheries, food security, promotion of 
23 
equity, people empowerment and global competitiveness. 
24 
In pursuit of this mandate, the Department shall provide the policy framework, 
25 
direct public investments, and in coordination with local government wlits provide 
26 
support services needed to make agriculture. agri-based enterprises and fisheries 
27 
profitable and to help spread the benefits of development to the poor, pmticulariy those in 
28 
the mral areas. 
29 
To fulfill this mandate, it shall be the primary concern of the Depaltment to 
30 
improve mral income mld employment opportunities for farming anti fishing 
4 


communities. It shall institutionalize efficient mechanisms to promote tpe active 
2 
pmticipation of the people through people's orgmlizations and non-govemment 
3 
organizations in policy-making bodies for agriculture and fisheries, in the formulation 
4 
and implementation of pimIs and programs, and in the monitoring and evaluation of the 
5 
same to ensure their relevaIlce and responsiveness. 
6 
7 
SEC. 6. Powers and Functions. - The Depmtment shall have the following 
8 
powers mId functions: 
9 
1. Formulate policies and plaIls, aIld regulate, implement, monitor, aIld evaluate all 
10 
progrmns aIld activities relating to agriculture and fisheries; 
11 
2. Provide integrated support services in the production, harvesting, storage and hmldling, 
12 
processing, mm'keting, development, mId management and preservation of agricultural 
13 
and fisheries resources; 
14 
3. Provide comprehensive snpport to all the extension workers of local government nnits, 
15 
non-governmental orgaIlizations, and farmers aIld fisherfolks' orgaIlizations equipping 
16 
them with adequate knowledge and skills to enable them to train and provide 
17 
technological information and maIlagerial skills to farmers, fisherfolk, aIld entrepreneurs 
18 
on the production, harvesting, storage and haIldling, processing, marketing, and financing 
19 
aspects of agricultural aIld fisheries enterprises; 
20 
4. Assure the availability, adequacy, accessibility and affordability of food supplies to all, 
21 
at all times; 
22 
5. Collect, analyze, and disseminate information on agriculture and fisheries; 
23 
6. Provide assistance and support services to facilitate market access for agricultural aIld 
24 
fisheries producers and entrepreneurs particularly low income falmers in the processing 
25 
and marketing of their agricultural and agri-based goods; 
26 
7. Provide the mechanism for the participation of fanners, fisherfolk, aIld entrepreneurs at 
27 
all levels of policy-making, plaIlning, aIld program-formulation; 
28 
8. Conduct, coordinate and disseminate research studies on agriculture aIld fisheries; 
5 


9. Exercise regulatory functions over the agriculture and fisheries sector to prevent the 
2 
over-exploitation of resources, protect the health and safety of the public, prevent the 
3 
spread of pests aJld diseases, and prevent anti-competitive measures, aJld enforce 
4 
international commodity agreements which then Philippines is a party to; 
5 
10. Promulgate and enforce all laws, administrative orders, lUles and regulations relating 
6 
to agriculture and fisheries; 
7 
II. Coordinate with local and international government and private agencies, offices and 
8 
institutions on all matters related to agriculture aJld fisheries; and, 
9 
12. Perform such other functions as may be provided by law. 
10 
II 
SEC. 7. Structure. - The Department shall consist of the Department Proper and 
12 
attached councils. The Department Proper shall consist of the Office of the Secretary, 
, 
13 
offices of the Undersecretaries, AssistaJlt Secretaries, bureaus, research institutes, aJld 
14 
regional offices. 
15 
16 
CHAPTER 2 
17 
OFFICE OF THE SECRETARY 
18 
19 
SEC. 8. Duties of the Secretary. - The Secretary shall have the following 
20 
responsibilities: 
21 
I. Advise the President with respect to progrruns and activities relating to agriculture aJld 
22 
fisheries; 
23 
2. Develop aJ1d recommend to the President policies for fostering orderly growth of the 
24 
country's agriculture aJld fisheries sectors; 
25 
3. Exercise leadership at the direction of the President in coordinating goverrunent 
26 
activities affecting agricultme aJld fisheries; 
27 
4. Provide technical assistaJlce aJld information including a clearinghouse service to aid 
28 
local government units in developing rural agriculture and fisheries enterprises; 
6· 


5. Consult and cooperate with local government officials including, when appropriate, 
2 
holding infonnal public hearings, with respect to govemment programs and activities 
3 
related to agriculture; 
4 
6. Encourage comprehensive planning by government units with the full participation of 
5 
non-govemment organizations, people's organizations and other members of civil 
6 
society; 
7 
7. Encourage private enterprise to serve the COUlltry'S agriculture and fisheries 
8 
development needs; 
9 
8. Conduct continuing comprehensive studies; and 
10 
9. Make available findings with respect to the problems of agriculture and fisheries 
I I 
development and modemization. 
12 
13 
SEC. 9. Offices under tile Office of tile Secretary. - There are hereby created the 
14 
following offices under the Office of the Secretary: 
15 
1. Administrative, Finance and Legal Service; 
16 
2. Information and Communication Staff; and 
17 
3. Policy and Planning Service. 
18 
19 
SEC. 10. Administmtive, Finance and Legal Service. - The Administrative, 
20 
Finance and Legal Service (AFLS) shall be headed by an Assistant Secretary and shall 
21 
have the following fUllctions: 
22 
I. Develop human resources in the agriculture and fisheries bureaucracy by prQviding 
23 
oppOltunities for continuing career development and benefits that will maximize personal 
, 
24 
productivity; 
25 
2. Provide personnel, records, infonnation, training and other general services; 
26 
3. Provide services related to budgeting, accounting, and management; 
27 
4. Handle the legal requirements including those pertaining to the quasi-judicial and 
28 
regulatory functions of the Department; and, 
7 


5. Perfornl such other functions assigned to it by the Secretary or as may be provided by 
2 
law. 
3 
4 
SEC. 11. Ill/ormatioll alld Commullicatioll Sel'Vice. - There is hereby created 
5 
the Information and Commlmication Service (ICs) which shall be headed by an Assistant 
6 
Secretary. 
7 
The ICs shall have the following nmctions: 
8 
I. Design and set-up the National Information Network (NIN) as defined and described in 
9 
R.A. 8435; 
10 
2. Provide an integrated, comprehensive, and computer-based multimedia information 
II 
system and service; 
12 
3. Be mainly responsible for the compilation, and dissemination of infolmation on 
13 
production technologies, market strategies, competition, foreign assistance, grants, credit, 
14 
business ventures, laws, orders, rules and regulations, and other related information 
15 
pertaining to agriculture and fisheries; 
16 
4. Exercise technical supervision over data collection; 
17 
5. Provide infonnation regarding the objectives, plans, programs, and activities of the 
18 
Depmtment and represent aIld promote the interests and concerns of the Depaltment 
19 
before the general public aIld other government agencies and private institutions, 
20 
including the media; and, 
21 
6. Perform such other functions assigned to it by the Secretary or as may be provided by 
22 
law. 
23 
24 
SEC. 12. Philippille Ecollomic Ellvirollmelltal alld Natural Resources 
25 
Accoulltillg Office. - There is hereby created a Philippine Economic Environmental and 
26 
Natural Resonrces Accounting Division (PEENRA) under the Information and 
27 
Communication Service which shall be headed by a Division Chief. 
28 
8 


SEC. 13. Functions of tile PEENRA Division. - The PEENRA Division shall 
2 
have the following functions: 
3 
I. In coordination with the Agriculture and Fisheries Research Development and 
4 
Extension Council (AFRDEC) and other appropriate government and private agencies 
5 
and institutions. collect, analyze, interpret and disseminate data required for 
6 
environmental and natural resources accounting in the agriculture and fisheries sector 
7 
through the National Information Network; 
8 
2. Develop policy inshuments and tools, fonnulate and implement policies to ensure that 
9 
the agriculture and fisheries sectors are made accountable for the impact of their activities 
lOon our natural resources and environment and to account for the use of the agriculture 
11 
and fisheries resources as a natural capital; 
12 
3. In coordination with the Agriculture and Fisheries Training Institute (AFT!), conduct 
13 
training and information dissemination activities on agriculture and fisheries resources 
14 
accounting; 
15 
4. In coordination with the Agriculture and Fisheries Research, Development and 
16 
Extension Council (AFRDEC), conduct special studies and research on the impact of 
17 
agriculture and fisheries on our natural resources and environment and other related 
18 
studies; and 
19 
5. PerfoTIn such other functions assigned to it by the Secretary or as may be provided by 
20 
law. 
21 
22 
SEC. 14. Tile PEENRA System. -
The Philippine Economic Environmental al}.d 
23 
Natural Resources Accounting Division shall form part of the PEENRA System created 
24 
under Executive Order No. 406, series of 1997. 
25 
26 
SEC. 15. Trafls/er of Functions. - The functions, powers mld dut;jes of the 
27 
Bureau of Agricultural Statistics, Infonnation and Technology Center for Agriculture and 
28 
Fisheries, and the Agriculture and Fisheries Infonnation Service are hereby transferred to 
29 
the ICs. 
9 


SEC. 16. Policy alld PlallIlillg Service. -
There shall be created the Policy and 
2 
Planning Service (PPS) which shall be headed by an Assistant Secretary. The PPS shall 
3 
have the following functions: 
4 
1. Policy formulation, integration of plans and programs emanating from all units, 
5 
bureaus, and offices of the Department; 
6 
2. Data analysis, monitoring, and evaluation of the implementation of said plans and 
7 
programs through its management infonnation system; 
8 
3. Analysis of economic information relating to agriculture and fisheries; 
9 
4. Such other functions assigned to it by the Secretary or as may be provided by law 
\0 
11 
SEC. 17. Transfer of FUllctions. -- The functions of the Planning and Monitoring 
12 
Service are hereby transferred to the PPS. 
13 
14 
CHAPTER 3 
15 
OFFICES OF THE UNDERSECRETARIES 
16 
17 
SEC. 18. Undersecretaries. -- There shall be four (4) Undersecretaries who shall 
18 
assist the Secretary in the exercise of the mandate and in the discharge of the pO)JVers and 
19 
functions of the Department 
20 
I) Undersecretary for Marketing Assistance and Regulations; 
21 
2) Undersecretary for Research, Development and Extension; 
22 
3) Undersecretary for Production Assistance Services; and 
23 
4) Undersecretary for Regional Operations. 
24 
25 
SEC. 19. FUllctions of tile Undersecretaries. - An Undersecretary shall have the 
26 
following functions: 
27 
I, Exercise supervision and control over the services, offices, bureaus, units including the 
28 
officers and employees under hislher assigned area of responsibility; 
29 
2. Implement the laws, orders, issuances, rules and regulations as mandated and directed 
30 
to by law or the Secretary; 
10 


3. Through a participatory process, facilitate the fonnu1ation of his/her services' short, 
2 
long-term and strategic plans, programs and activities in accordance with the mandate 
3 
given by law and executive orders, issuances and directives' including the 
4 
implementation, monitoring and evaluation of the same. 
5 
4. Ensure that the plans and activities of his/her service is properly coordinated and in 
6 
hatmony with those of the other llllits and offices in the Department atld with the overall 
7 
mandate given to the Department by law; and 
. 8 
5. Perfonn such other functions assigned by the Secretary or as may be provided by law. 
9 
10 
II 
12 
13 
CHAPTER 4 
MARKETING ASSISTANCE AND REGULATION 
14 
SEC. 20. Marketing Assistance and Regulation. - There is hereby created the 
15 
Marketing Assistance Regulation Services (MARS) which shall be headed by an 
16 
Undersecretary. 
17 
The MARS shall have the following fnnctions: 
18 
1. Identify markets for Philippine agricultural products and assist in the planning of 
19 
market centers, marketing channels, and distribution networks; 
20 
2. Establish National Marketing Assistance Program that will immediately lead to the 
21 
creation of a national marketing umbrella, matching supply and demand in both domestic 
22 
and foreign markets; 
23 
3. Identify, develop atld strengthen local atld foreign markets for Philippine agriculture 
24 
and fishery products through, but not limited to, trade missions and trade fairs; 
25 
4. Conduct research and studies in domestic and foreign agriculture and fisheries 
26 
economies, trade, community programs, and related topics; 
27 
5. Receive and analyze the repOits of Agricultural Attaches; 
28 
6. Develop, codify, promulgate, implement atld monitor adherence to and compliance 
29 
with agriculture atld fisheries product statldards in order to ensure consumer safety atld 
30 
promote the competitiveness of agriculture and fisheries products; 
11 


7. Review, codify and implement all laws, orders and regulations related to agricultme 
2 
and fisheries such as quarantine laws, sanitary and phytosanitary measmes and other 
3 
regulatory programs to control and eradicate animal and plant pests and diseases; 
4 
8. Conduct regular inspections to ensure the safeness of agricultme and fisheries 
5 
products; 
6 
9. Monitor the volume of rice and take appropriate measmes to ensure its availability; 
7 
and 
8 
10. Perform such other functions as may be provided by law or assigned to it by the 
9 
Secretary. 
10 
II 
SEC. 21. Bureaus and Offices. - The MARS shall be composed of the following 
12 
bureaus and offices: 
13 
1. Bureau of Food Secmity; 
14 
2. Bmeau of Agriculture and Fisheries Product Standards; 
15 
3. Bureau of Quarantine; 
16 
4. Bureau of Inspection and Food Safety; and 
17 
5. Control and Surveillan",e Office. 
18 
19 
SEC. 22. Bureau of Food Security. - There shall be a Bureau of Food Security 
20 
(BFS) which shall be headed by a Director, a career officer. The BFS shall have the 
21 
following functions: 
22 
1. Formulate, develop, promulgate and implement a national food secmity program in 
23 
coordination with the appropriate government and private agencies, offices, entities and 
24 
units; 
25 
2. Monitor and provide updated infornlation 011 the current status of the volume of rice 
26 
stocks and major staples of the country; 
27 
3. Make regular national and regional forecasts on the supply and demand of rice and 
28 
major staples and, based on forecasts of rice shOitages and during calamities, exercise 
29 
control over the flow and distribution of rice in order to ensure its availability; 
12 


4. Recommend to the AFRDEC and other appropriate offices, research, development and 
2 
extension subjects and activities in support of the national food security program; and 
3 
5. Perform such other functions as may be provided by law or assigned to it by the 
4 
Secretary. 
5 
6 
SEC. 23. Transfer of Powers alld Functions. -
The regulatory power and 
7 
functions and the appropriate units or sections of the National Food Authority shall be 
8 
transferred to the Bureau of Food Security and rationalized in accordance with the 
9 
provisions of this Act. 
10 
11 
SEC. 24 .. Bureau of AgriCulture and Fisltery Product Standards. 
12 
There shaH be a Bureau of Agriculture and Fisheries Product Standards (BAFPS) which 
, 
I3 
shall be headed by a Director, a career officer. The BAFPS shall have the following 
14 
fl111ctions: 
15 
1. Formulate and enforce standards of quality in the processing, preservation, packaging, 
16 
labeling, importation, exportation, distribution, and advertising of agricultural and 
17 
fisheries products; 
18 
2. Conduct research on product standardization, alignment of the local standards with the 
19 
international standards; and 
20 
3. Condnct regular inspection of processing plants, storage facilities, abattoirs, as well as 
21 
public and private markets in order to ensure freshness, 
22 
23 
SEC. 25. Transfer of Powers altd Functiolls. - The powers and functions of the 
24 
National Dairy Authority, Food Development Center and the units safety and quality of 
25 
products. 
26 
1. Formulate and enforce standards of quality in the processing, preservation, packaging, 
27 
labeling, importation, exportation, distribution, and advertising of agricultural and 
28 
fisheries products; 


2. Conduct research on product standardization, alignment of the local standards with the 
2 
international standards; and 
3 
3. Conduct regular inspection of processing plants, storage facilities, abattoirs, as well as 
4 
public and private markets in order to ensure freshness, safety and quality of products. 
5 
6 
7 
SEC. 26. Bureau of Quarantine. - There shall be a Bureau of Quarantine (BQ) 
8 
that shall be headed by a Director, a career officer. The BQ shall have the following 
9 
functions: 
10 
I. Examine imported plants and animals, their products, and other materials capable of 
11 
harboring pests, pathogens and vectors of diseases and process requests for approval of 
12 
import-export peImits; 
13 
2. Enter into and inspect all buildings, storage places, transportation vehicles and 
14 
caniers, passengers, crew, luggage and mails for the purpose of implementing Section 
15 
27(a) of this Chapter and other regulatory and quarantine laws; 
16 
3. Inspect, administer treatment and certify plants and animals, their products and other 
17 
related materials intended for export, if the importing country so requires; 
18 
4. Confiscate and destroy or refuse entry of plants, animals, and their products involved 
19 
in prohibited importation and deny inspection certification or clearance of the same; and 
20 
5. Perfonn such other functions as may be provided by law or assigned to it by the 
21 
Assistant Secretary for Regulatory Services. 
22 
23 
SEC. 27. Transfer of Powers and Functions. - The appropriate units or sections 
, 
24 
of the Bureau of Animal Industry and Bureau of Plant Industry are hereby transferred to 
25 
and integrated with the Bureau of Quarantine and rationalized in accordance with the 
26 
provisions of this Act. 
27 


SEC. 28. Bureau of Illspectioll and Food Safety. - There shall be a Bureau of 
2 
Inspection and Food Safety (BIFS) which shall be headed by a Director, a career officer. 
3 
The BIFS shall have the following functions: 
4 
1. Formulate, develop, promulgate, implement and monitor compliance with guidelines 
5 
pertaining or related to food safety, the use of fertilizers and pesticides consistent with 
6 
sustainability in agriculture and fisheries, and proper labeling of agriculture and fisheries 
7 
products; 
8 
2. Conduct inspection of agriculture and fisheries products for the purpose of 
9 
implementing Section 29(a) of this Chapter and conduct food safety and consumer 
10 
education programs; and 
II 
3. PerfOlID such other functions as may be provided by law or assigned to it by the 
12 
Assistant Secretary for Regulatory Services. 
13 
14 
SEC. 29. Transfer l!f Functiolls. - TIle functions of the National Meat Inspection 
15 
Council, and the F eliilizer and Pesticide Authority are hereby transferred and jntegrated 
16 
with the Bureau of Inspection and Food Safety and rationalized in accordance with this 
17 
Act. 
18 
19 
CHAPTERS 
20 
PRODUCTION ASSISTANCE SERVICES 
21 
22 
SEC. 30. Productioll Assistallce Services. - There is hereby created a Production 
23 
Assistance Services (PAS) which shall be headed by an Undersecretary and shall have 
24 
the following functions: 
25 
I. 
Coordinate the provision of public goods that are critical to the efficient 
26 
production of agricultural commodities; and 
27 
2. Support fanners, fisherfolk and their organizations, the local government units and 
28 
participants in the agriculture and fisheries sector in increasing production, harvesting, 
29 
storage and handling, processing, marketing 
30 
15 


2 
3 
4 
5 
6 
7 
8 
9 
10 
11 
12 
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14 
15 
16 
17 
18 
19 
20 
21 
22 
23 
24 
25 
26 
27 
SEC. 31. Bureaus and Qffices. -- The PAS shall be composed of the following 
bureaus and offices: 
I. Bureau of Irrigation Services; 
2. Bureau of Soil and Water Management; 
3. Bureau of Rural Infrastructure Modernization; and 
4. Bureau of Credit Services Support. 
SEC. 32. Bureau of Irrigation Services. - The National liTigation Administration 
is hereby renamed the Bureau of Irrigation Services (BIS) and rationalized in accordance 
with the provisions of this Act. The BIS shall be headed by a Director. a career officer, 
and shall have the following functions: 
1. 
Coordinate with and provide technical assistance to the local govetnment lmits 
and other appropriate govetnment and private agencies, institutions, and offices in 
planning, designing, constructing, and selecting appropriate irrigation development 
schemes based on the criteria specified in Section 28 ofR.A. 8435; 
2. Improve, rehabilitate, and maintain all types of irrigation projects including the 
operation of major irrigation structures such as the headwork and main canals, and turn-
over of the operations and maintenance of the national irrigation system's secondary 
canals and on-farm facilities to qualified Irrigators Associations in the locality; 
3. Provide technical assistance to local govenmlent units, and devolve the planning, 
design, and management of communal irrigation systems including the transfer of the 
assets and resources of the National Irrigation Administration in relation to the commlmal 
irrigation systems to the local government units; 
4. Formulate and develop a plan for the promotion of a private-sector led development of 
minor irrigation systems such as Shallow Tube Wells (STW s), Low Lift PUlllpS ·(LLPs) 
and other inundation systems which shall be included in the Agriculture an4 Fisheries 
Modetnization Plan referred to in Chapter 2 ofR.A. 8435; 
16 


5. Review and recommend proposals for the construction of irrigation facilities through 
2 
other viable schemes such as build-operate-and-transfer, build, transfer, and other 
3 
schemes that will fast track the development of irrigation systems; 
4 
6. Review irrigation service fee rates and recommend to the Department reasonable rates; 
5 
7. Monitor the implementation of and evaluate research, development programs 
6 
pertaining to irrigation and review every four (4) years all existing irrigation systems to 
7 
determine their viability and effectiveness; 
8 
8. Recommend plans, programs, policies, rules, and regulations to the Secretary and 
9 
provide for the technical assistance in the implementation of the same; and 
10 
9. PerfOlID such other fWlctions as may be provided by law or assigned to it by the 
II 
Secretary. 
12 
13 
SEC. 33. Bureau of Soils and Wafer Management. - There shall be a Burean of 
14 
Soils and Water Management (BSWM) which shall be headed by a Director, a career 
15 
officer. The BSWM shall have the following functions: 
16 
I. Advise and render assistance on matters relating to the utilization and management of 
17 
land and water resources; 
18 
2. Formulate measures and guidelines for effective soil, land, and water resource 
19 
utilization, as well as soil conservation in agricnltural areas and other areas affecting 
20 
agriculture; 
21 
3. Prepare plans and recommendations, as well as assist the farmers, local government 
22 
nits and other members of the agriculture sector, in soil impounding, prevention of soil 
23 
erosion, fertility preservation and other matters related to soil and water management; 
24 
4. Coordinate with government agencies on matters related to soil and water 
25 
management; 
26 
5. Engage in rainmaking projects for agricnltural areas and watersheds to solve the 
27 
problem of prolonged droughts and minimize their effects on standing agricultural crops; 
28 
6. Recommend plans, programs, policies, rules and regulations to the Secretary and 
29 
provide technical assistance in the implementation of the same; and 
17 


2 
3 
4 
5 
6 
7 
8 
9 
10 
11 
12 
13 
14 
15 
16 
17 
18 
19 
20 
21 
22 
23 
24 
25 
26 
27 
28 
29 
7. Perfonn such other functions as may be provided by law or assigned to it by the 
Assistant Secretary for Support Services. 
SEC. 34. Bureau of Ruml Itlfrastructure Modemizatiotl. ~ There shall be a 
Bureau of Rural Intrastructure Modemization (BRIM) which shall be headed by a 
Director, a career officer. The BRIM shall have the following functions: 
I. 
In coordination with Department of Public Works and Highways, the Department 
of TranspOltation and Communications, the Department of Trade and Industry and the 
local govemment units, address the infrastructure requirements of the agriculture and 
fisheries sectors; 
2. Together with the local goverlUnent units, strengthen its agricultural and fisheries 
engineering groups to provide the necessary technical and engineering SUppOlt in 
carrying out the smooth and expeditious implementation of agriculture and fisheries 
infrastructure prqjects; 
3. Coordinate with the Department of Public Works and Highways for the purpose of 
determining the order of priorities for public works funded under the Public Works Act 
which directly or indirectly affect agriculture and fisheries; 
4. Coordinate with Department of Transportation and COl11l11unications and other 
appropriate govemment agencies and offices, for the purpose of detennining priority 
fishports, seaports and airports and facilitating the installation of bulk-handling and 
storage facilities, and other post-harvest facilities needed in order to enhance the 
marketing of agriculture and fisheries products; 
5. Coordinate with the local government units and resident fanners and fisherfolk in 
identifying priority locations of farm-to-market roads; 
6. Coordinate with the Department of Energy, Department of Public Works and 
Highways, National Electrification Administration, and National Power Corporation for 
the identification and installation of appropriate types of energy sources particularly in 
the lise of non-conventional energy sources for the locality in order to enhance 
agriCUlture and fisheries development in the area; 
18 . 


7. Coordinate with the Department of Transportation and Communications to facilitate 
, 
2 
the installation of telecommunication facilities in priority areas; 
3 
8. Coordinate .with the Department of Public Works and Highways and local government 
4 
units for the identification and installation of water supply system in 'the locality for 
5 
agro-industrial uses; 
6 
9. Coordinate with the Post-Harvest Horticulture, Training and Research Center of the 
7 
University of the Philippines at Los Banos to identify appropriate post-harvest facilities 
8 
and technology; and 
9 
10. Perform such other functions as may be provided by law or assigned to it by the 
10 
Assistant Secretary for Support Services. 
11 
12 
SEC. 35. Bureau of Credit Support. - There shall be a Bureau of Credit Support 
13 
which shall be headed by a Director, a career officer. 
14 
The BCS shall have the following functions: 
15 
1. Monitor the implementation of the agriculture, fisheries, and agrarian reform credit and 
16 
tinancing system including the Agro-Industry Modernization Credit and Financing 
17 
Program (AMCFP) in accordance with the provisions of 
18 
Section 23 ofR.A. 8435; 
19 
2. Review all existing credit and guarantee schemes and fi.1Ilds pertaining to the 
20 
agriculture and fisheries sectors in order to rationalize and consolidate the same into an 
21 
Agriculture and Fisheries Credit Guarantee Fund in accordance with the provisions of 
. 
22 
Section 25 of R.A. 8435; 
23 
3. Recommend plans, programs and policies relating to credit assistance for the 
24 
agriculture and fisheries sectors; 
25 
4. Coordinate with other government and private agencies and entities in the performance 
26 
of its functions; and 
27 
5. Perform such other fi1llctions as may be provided by law or assigned to it by the 
28 
Assistant Secretary for Support Services. 
29 
19 


SEC. 36. Tl"ansfer of Functiotls. -
The powers and functions of the Agricultnre 
2 
Credit Policy (ACPC) and the Quedan Rmal Credit and Guarantee Corporation 
3 
(Quedancor) are hereby transferred to and integrated with the BCS and rationalized in 
4 
accordance with the provisions of this Act. 
5 
6 
CHAPTER 6 
7 
RESEARCH, DEVELOPMENT AND EXTENSION SERVICES 
8 
9 
SEC. 37. Research, Deve{opmetll atld Extetlsiotl Services. - There is hereby 
10 
created the Research, Development and Extension Services which shall be headed by an 
11 
Undersecretary and shall consist of two (2) bmeaus: 
12 
I. Bmeau of Agricultme and Fisheries Research and Development; and 
13 
2. Bureau of Agriculture and Fisheries Extension 
14 
15 
SEC 38. Bureau of Agl';cultllre atld Fislteries Research atld Development. -
16 
The Bureau of Agriculture Research is hereby renamed the Bureau of Agriculture and 
17 
Fisheries Research and Development (BFARD) and shall be headed by a Director, a 
18 
career officer. The functions of the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources are hereby 
19 
transferred to and integrated with the BAFRD and likewise rationalized in accordance 
20 
with this Act. The BAFRD shall have the following flilletions: 
21 
I. Serve as the Secretariat of the Agricultme and Fisheries Research and Development 
22 
Council (AFRDC) to ensure that all agrieultnre and fisheries research is coordinated 
23 
and lilldeliaken for maximum utility to agriculture and fisheries: 
24 
2. In coordination with appropriate government and private agencies, formulate the 
25 
Agriculture and Fisheries National Research and Development System (AFNRDS) 
26 
for approval by the AFRDC; 
27 
3. Coordinate the research and development system of the Department which includes 
28 
the National Research Centers (NRC), Regional Integrated Agriculture and Fisheries 
29 
Research Centers (RIAFRC), Regional Integrated Agricultural Research Centers 
20. 


I 
(RIARC), Research Outreach Stations (ROS), and the Research and Development 
2 
units of bureaus and attached agencies; 
3 
4. Provide leadership in the formulation of the national research and development 
4 
agenda, approve the releases of funds for all agriculture and fisheries Research and 
5 
Development and, in coordination with the State Universities and Colleges (SUCs), 
6 
Philippine Council for Agriculture Research and Rural Development (PCARRD) and 
7 
Philippine Council for Aquatic and Marine Research and Development 
8 
(PCAMARD), draft and regularly review the "Guidelines in Planning and 
9 
Implementation of Agriculture and Fisheries Research" 
10 
5. Tap farmers and fisherfolk, their organizations, and research institutions, especially 
II 
state colleges and universities, in the conduct of research for use by the Department 
12 
and its clientele, particularly farmers, fisherfolk, and other rural workers; 
13 
6. Directly administer, and implement a monitoring and evaluation system for all research 
14 
centers, institutes and research networks in agriCUlture and fisheries, specifically, but not 
15 
limited to those identified in Chapter 7 of this Act and, in coordination with appropriate 
16 
agencies, draft the program, parameters and guidelines for the evaluation of agricultural 
17 
and fisheries research and development performance, activities and outputs incorporating 
18 
the Output-Oriented Performance Standards (OOPS) and the standards and accreditation 
19 
guidelines referred to in Section 72 (5) and the provisions of the Magna Carta for 
20 
Science and Technology Personnel; 
21 
7. In coordination with the Agriculture and Fisheries Training Institute (AFTI) and other 
22 
appropriate agencies, draft and regularly review the following: 
23 
a. "Policies on the Autonomy and Academic Freedom of Research and Development 
24 
Institutions in Agriculture and Fisheries" in relation to the institutional, fiscal and 
25 
administrative autonomy and exercise of academic freedom of professional staff and 
26 
institutions including guidelines for the use and reinvestment of research and 
27 
development extension income into research and development extension activities; 
28 
b. "Harmonized Merit and Out-put Oriented Promotion System for Technical and 
29 
Scientific Personnel Involved in Agriculture and Fishery Research and Development 
21 


Extension" to harmonize performance standards, qualifications, salary scales and the 
2 
collegial process of performance evaluation including the setting up of minimum 
3 
qualification standards, compensation and incentive structure for directors and heads of 
4 
research centers; 
5 
c. "Salary and Fringe Benefit System for Technical and Scientific Personnel Involved in 
6 
Agriculture and Fisheries Research and Development Extension" with the aim of 
7 
providing a competitive edge in attracting and retaining in the research and development 
8 
extension system the brightest and most productive technical and science personnel; 
9 
8. Coordinate with privately owned-and funded research centers, institutes, and networks; 
10 
9. Develop an agriculture and fisheries research and development information system 
II 
linked to the National Information Network (NIN); 
12 
10. Manage the research and development fund of the Department based on the 
13 
guidelines approved by AFRDC; and 
14 
II. Perform such other functions as may be provided by law or assigned to it -by the 
15 
Undersecretary for Research, Development and Extension. 
16 
17 
SEC. 39. Bureau of Agriculture and Fis/leries Extension. - There shall be a 
18 
Bureau of Agriculture and Fisheries Extension (BAFEx) which shall be headed by a 
19 
Director, a career officer. The BAFEx shall administer the following offices: 
20 
I. Agriculture and Fisheries Training Institute; 
21 
2. Technology Tracking Office; and 
22 
3. Extension and Marketing Communication. 
23 
24 
SEC. 40. Agriculture and Fisheries Training Institute -
The Agriculture 
25 
Training Institute shall be renamed as the Agriculture and Fisheries Training Institute 
26 
(AFTI) and its functions rationalized in accordance with the provisions of this Act. Other 
27 
offices and units of the department involved in extension services in agriculture and 
28 
fisheries shall be transferred and integrated with the AFTI. 
22 


The AFTl shall be headed by the Assistant Director for Training and shall have 
2 
the following functions: 
3 
1. Serve as the Secretariat for extension and training in agriculture and fisheries of the 
4 
AFRDEC; 
5 
2. Advise the Department in the management of financial and logistical support for 
6 
extension based on principles approved by the AFRDEC; 
7 
, 
3. In coordination with appropriate government and private agencies, formulate the 
8 
Agriculture and Fisheries National Extension System (AFNES) in harmony with the 
9 
Agriculture and Fisheries National Research and Development System (AFNaRDS) for 
10 
approval by the AFRDEC; 
II 
4. Coordinate with farmers and fisherfolk organizations and with appropriate government 
12 
and private agencies in order to detennine priority areas for training and extension and in 
13 
gathering information related to agriculture and fisheries; 
14 
5. Provide leadership in the formulation of the national agriculture and fisheries extension 
15 
agenda and the corresponding budget; 
16 
6. Directly administer and implement a monitoring and evaluation system for the 
17 
AFNES; 
18 
7. Prepare an integrated training plan for publicly-funded training in agriculture and 
19 
fisheries for review by the AFRDEC and, in consultation with representatives of the 
20 
institutions in the AFNES, shall proilluigate the "Guidelines for the Planning and 
21 
Implementation Cif Agriculture and Fisheries Extension" that shall provide guidelines on 
22 
multidisciplinary extension work and its linkages to research and development , and 
23 
strategies for increasing the participation of the clientele and the industry in the planning 
24 
and in the monitoring and evaluation of extension programs; 
25 
8. Set up a certification system for vocational and technical training in agriculture and 
26 
fisheries in collaboration with the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority 
27 
(TESDA); 
28 
9. Develop and administer a national human resources development program for short-
29 
term and degree and non-degree training for local government units extension personnel 
23 


I 
in all areas related to agriculture and fisheries which include production, processing, 
2 
marketing, use of appropriate technology, networking, product standards, credit facilities 
3 
and entrepreneurship; 
4 
10. In consultation with the Civil Service Commission (CSC), Department of Interior 
5 
and Local Government and the local govemment units, formulate a national merit and 
6 
output-oriented promotion system governing all extension personnel in the national and 
7 
local levels; 
8 
11. Develop an agriculture and fisheries extension information and communication 
9 
system linked with the National Information Network and maintain a computerized 
10 
database on the extension force, covering all agriculture and fisheries extension personnel 
11 
of local government units, the Department and its attached agencies, bureaus and other 
12 
government and private agencies; 
13 
12. Provide technical assistance to local government units in the implementation of 
14 
extension services in agricultural and fisheries development plans and mobilize technical 
15 
resources from all sources to assist local government units in solving specific problems 
16 
related with extension services in agriculture and fisheries; 
17 
13. Undertake relevant special studies related to training and extension servIces in 
18 
agriculture and fisheries; 
19 
14. Recommend specific policies and procedures related to training and extension in 
20 
agriculture and fisheries; 
21 
15. Provide an integrated and comprehensive multi-media support on extension and 
22 
training services for the national research and development program; 
23 
16. Perform such other functions as may be provided by law or assigned to it by the 
24 
Bureau Director of the BAFEx. 
25 
26 
SEC. 41. Teclmology Tracking Office. - There shall be a Technology Tracking 
27 
Office (TTO) which shall be headed by an Assistant Director. The TTO shall establish a 
28 
technology tracking system in order to monitor periodically the extent and level of 
29 
technology applications in major agriculture and fishery commodities. 
24 


I 
2 
SEC. 42. Extension and Marketing Communication Office. - There shall be an 
3 
Extension and Marketing Communication Office (EMCO) which shall be headed by an 
4 
Assistant Director. The EMCO shall have the following functions: 
5 
1. 
Provide an integrated and comprehensive multi-media support on extension and 
6 
training services for the national research and research extension program in agriculture 
7 
and fisheries; 
8 
2. Develop information materials concerning agriculture and fisheries; 
9 
3. Coordinate with government and private agencies for the collection of data related to 
10 
fisheries and agriculture; and 
II 
4. Perform such other functions assigned by the Secretary. 
12 
13 
CHAPTER 7 
14 
RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT CENTERS, STATIONS, OUTREACH AND 
15 
NETWORK 
16 
17 
SEC. 43. National Commodity Research Centers. - The National Commodity 
18 
Research Centers (NCRC) which are government agencies involved in agriculture and 
19 
fisheries research and deVelopment shall be under the direct administration andlor 
20 
supervision of the Bureau of Agriculture and Fisheries Research and Development 
21 
(BAFRD) in accordance with their respective funding agreements or relationship with the 
22 
Department and consistent with the national research and development agenda as 
23 
formulated by the Agriculture and Fisheries Research Development and Extension 
24 
Council (AFRDEC). 
25 
26 
SEC. 44. Functions Of National Commodity Research Centers. - The National 
27 
Commodity Research Centers (NCRC), under the guidance of the Bureau of Agriculture 
28 
and Fisheries Research and Development (BAFRD) and the Bureau of Agriculture and 
29 
Fisheries Extension (BAFEx) shall have the following functions: 
25 


I 
I. Provide national leadership in the planning and coordination of the implementation, 
2 
monitoring and evaluation of research and development extension programs; 
3 
2. Undertake midstream and downstream applied research in the region, and 
4 
3. Develop and maintain a network of provinCial collaborators in undertaking the regional 
5 
research and development extension programs. 
6 
7 
SEC. 45. Rationalized Offices. -
The following offices shaH be primarily 
8 
engaged in research and development extension and rationalized as National Commodity 
9 
Centers in accordance with the provisions of this Act: Fiber Development Authority, 
IO 
National Crop Protection Center, National Fisheries Development Institute, Bureau of 
11 
Post-Harvest Research and Extension, National Tobacco Administration, Philippine 
12 
Carabao Center, Philippine Coconut Authority, Philippine Cotton Corporation, Philippine 
13 
Rice Research Institute, and the Sugar Regulatory Ad ministration. 
14 
Other agencies, offices, units or sections of agencies engaged in agriculture and 
15 
fisheries research and development shall be integrated, whenever appropriate with the 
16 
above National Commodity Research Centers (NCRC) or shall be transformed into 
17 
separate NCRC as may be determined by the Agriculture and Fisheries Research and 
18 
Development Extension Council (AFRDEC) 
19 
The rationalized offices under this section including international research entities 
20 
engaged in agriculture and/or fisheries research and development and extension such as 
21 
the South East Asian Fisheries Development and Extension Council (SEAFDEC) shall 
22 
form part of the Agriculture .and Fisheries National Research and Development System 
23 
(AFNaRDS) or Agriculture and Fisheries National Extension System (AFNES) in 
24 
accordance with the provisions of this Act. 
25 
26 
SEC. 46. State Universities and Colleges as National Multi-Media Commodity 
27 
Research Centers, Regional Research Stations or Cooperating Stations. - Selected state 
28 
universities and coHeges shall be included under the National Agriculture and Resources 
29 
Research and Development Network (NARRDN) and the National Aquatic and 
26 


I 
Resources Research and Development System (NARRDS) as National Multi-Commodity 
2 
Research Centers, (NMCRC), Regional Research Stations (RSS), or Cooperating Stations 
3 
(CS), as detennined by the AFRDEC. 
4 
S 
SEC. 47. Natiollal Mlliti-Commodity Research Cellters. - National Multi-
6 
Commodity Research Centers are hereby defined as National Universities and Colleges 
7 
of Agriculture and/or Fisheries (NUCAF) that are assigned national or zonal 
8 
responsibilities on specific commodities by the Agriculture and Fisheries Research and 
9 
Development Extension Council based on recommendations of the Bureau of Agriculture 
10 
and Fisheries Research and Development in coordination with the Philippine Council for 
II 
Agricultural Research and Rural Development and the Philippine Council for Aquatic 
12 
and Marine Research and Development. 
13 
14 
SEC. 48. FllllctiollS of tlte Natiollal Multi-Commodity Research Cellters. -
15 
National Multi-Commodity Research Centers, in relation to their assigned national, zonal 
16 
or commodity responsibilities, shall have the following functions: 
17 
1. Provide leadership in the planning, implementation, monitoring and evaluation of their 
18 
research, development and extension programs; 
19 
2. Undertake basic research; 
20 
3. Undertake upstream applied research including strategic research; and 
21 
4. Develop and maintain a network of national regional and provincial collaborators. 
22 
23 
SEC. 49. FlIlICtiolls of the Regiollal Illtegrated AgriclIltllral Research Cellters. 
24 
- The Regional Integrated Agricultural Research Centers, in relation to their assigned 
2S 
commodities or fields, under the guidance of the National Commodity Research Centers 
26 
and in close cooperation with the relevant National Universities and Colleges of 
27 
Agriculture and Fisheries, Regional Field Units and Provincial Agriculturist shall have 
28 
the following functions: 
27· 


I 
I. Provide leadership in the planning and coordination of the implementation, monitoring 
2 
and evaluation of an integrated research, development and extension program within a 
3 
farming systems approach in coordination with the regional training centers; 
4 
2. Undertake midstream and downstream applied research in the region; and 
5 
3. Develop and maintain a network of provincial collaborators in undertaking the regional 
6 
research, development and extension programs. 
7 
8 
SEC. 50. Functions of tile Regional Outreacll Stations. -
The Regional 
9 
Outreach Stations, under the guidance of the Regional Integrated Agricultural Research 
10 
Centers and in close collaboration with the Provincial Agriculturist and Philippine 
11 
Institute of Agriculture and Fisheries, shall have the following functions: 
12 
1. Serve as the satellite stations of the Regional Integrated Agricultural Research Centers 
13 
and links between the regional and provincial research, development and extension 
14 
programs; 
15 
I. Undertake downstream applied research; 
16 
2. Demonstrate new and appropriate teclmologies; 
17 
3. Serve as an educational and training facility; and 
18 
4. Propagate genetic materials. 
19 
20 
SEC. 51. Regional Researcll Stations. - The Regional Research Stations are 
21 
hereby constituted to consist of National Universities and Colleges of Agriculture and 
22 
Fisheries or Provincial Institutes of Agriculture and Fisheries that are assigned rJ:gional 
23 
responsibilities on specific commodities by the Agriculture and Fisheries Research, 
, 
24 
Development and Extension Council as recommended by the Bureau of Agriculture and 
25 
Fisheries Research and Development in coordination with the Philippine Council for 
26 
Agricultural Research and Rural Development and the Philippine Council for Aquatic 
27 
and Marine Research and Development. 
28 
28 


SEC. 52. Functions of tile Regional Researcll Stations. -
The Regional 
2 
Research Stations, under the technical guidance of the National Central Research Centers 
3 
and in close cooperation with the Regional Integrated Agricultural Research Centers and 
4 
the Provincial Agriculturists, shall, in relation to their assigned national, zonal, or 
5 
commodity responsibilities, have the following functions: 
6 
1. Provide regional leadership in the planning, implementation, monitoring and 
7 
evaluation of the research, development and extension programs; 
8 
2. Undertake midstream and downstream applied research in the region; and, 
9 
3. Develop and maintain a network of provincial collaborators 
10 
II 
SEC. 53. Cooperating Stations. -
The Cooperating Stations are hereby 
12 
constituted to consist to National Universities and Colleges of Agriculture and Fisheries 
13 
or Provincial Institutes of Agriculture and Fisheries that are assigned provincial 
14 
responsibilities on specific commodities or areas by the Agriculture and Fisheries 
IS 
Research, Development and Extension Council as recommended by the Bureau of 
16 
Agriculture and Fisheries Research and DeVelopment in coordination with the Philippine 
17 
Council for Agriculture Research and Rural Development and the Philippine Council for 
18 
Aquatic and Marine Research and Development. 
19 
20 
SEC. 54. Functions of tile Cooperating Stations. -
The Cooperating Stations 
21 
shall, under the guidance of the Regional Research Centers or the Regional Integrated 
22 
Agricultural Research Centers and in close collaboration with the Research Outreach 
23 
Stations and the Provincial Agriculturist, in relation to their assigned commodities, have 
24 
the following functions: 
25 
1. Serve as satellite stations of the Regional Integrated Agriculture Research Centers or 
26 
the Regional Research Stations and link the regional and provincial research, 
27 
development and extension programs; 
28 
2. Undertake downstream applied research relevant to the province; 
29 
3. Demonstrate new and appropriate technologies in the province; and 
29 


1 
4. Serve as educational and training facilities. 
2 
3 
CHAPTER 8 
4 
REGIONAL OPERATIONS 
5 
6 
SEC. 55. Regional Operations. .- The Department shall establish, operate and 
7 
maintain a Regional Office in each of the country's administrative regions, each of which 
8 
shall be headed by a Regional Executive Director. The Regional Executive Director shall 
9 
be assisted by three (3) Technical Directors equivalent to the level of Assistant Regional 
10 
Directors assigned to Marketing Assistance and Regulatory Services, Production Support 
11 
Services, and Research, Development and Extension Services, respectively. 
12 
13 
SEC. 56. Functions of the Regional Offices. - The regional offices shall have the 
14 
following functions: 
15 
1. Implement and enforce in its area the laws and policies, plans, programs, projects, 
16 
mles and regulations issued by the Department such as quarantine and food safety 
17 
standards laws, mles and regulations; 
18 
2. Implement and provide regulatory and support services and coordinate and/or exercise 
19 
supervision over research, development and extension programs at the regional level; 
20 
3. Provide technical and financial support to the local government units in terms of, but 
21 
not limited to extension and training services, and in the implementation and 
22 
management of agriculture and fisheries development programs; 
23 
4. Monitor and evaluate the local government units compliance with nationally-mandated 
24 
programs and standards relating to agriculture and fisheries; 
25 
5. Coordinate with government and private agencies and offices; and 
26 
6. Perform such other functions as may be provided by law or assigned 'by the 
27 
Undersecretary for Operations; 
28 
29 
SEC. 57. Ofl,er Offices and Units in Regional Offices. - Other offices and units 
30 
in the regional offices shall be rationalized and coordinated with the Administrative and 
30 


I 
Finance Services, Information and Communication Staff, and Policy and Planning 
2 
Service structure of the Office ofthe Secretary of the Department. 
3 
4 
CHAPTER 9 
5 
THE NATIONAL AGRICULTURE AND FISHERIES MODERNIZATION 
6 
COUNCIL 
7 
8 
SEC. 58. National Agriculture and Fislleries Council for Modernization. -
9 
There is hereby created a National Agriculture and Fisheries Council for Modernization 
10 
(NAFCM), hereinafter referred to as the Council, a body attached to the Office of the 
II 
Secretary, to promote a policy environment that will accelerate the development of a 
12 
sustainable and globally competitive agriculture and fisheries industry. 
13 
14 
SEC. 59. Functions oft/Ie Council. - The Council shall have the general powers 
IS 
and attributes of a corporation as set forth in the Corporation Law and the mandate to 
16 
perform the following functions, powers and responsibilities: 
17 
I. To formulate, implement, review and revise a medium and long-term comprehensive 
18 
agriculture and fisheries modernization plan. Such plan shall be developed on the 1;lasis of 
19 
the long-term agriculture and fisheries plans and programs developed by the Municipal, 
20 
Provincial and Regional Agriculture and Fisheries Development Councils for 
21 
Modernization to effect consistency of such plans with national development framework 
22 
and policies; 
23 
2. To ensure food security, alleviate poverty in the rural sector, promote sustainable 
24 
growth, and develop internationally competitive agribusiness and fisheries ventures; 
25 
3. Serve as the consultative and feedback mechanism which shall enable the farmers, 
26 
fisherfolk and those involved in agriculture and fisheries at all levels of operations from 
27 
the municipal up to the national level to be actively involved in the formulation of 
28 
policies, plans, programs and activities; 
31 


I 
4. Review and recommend for the approval of the Secretary reports for submission to the 
2 
Congressional Oversight Committee on Agriculture and Fisheries Modernization created 
3 
under Republic Act 8435; 
4 
5. Formulate policies, plans and programs on food production, postharvest handling, 
5 
storage, milling, distribution and credit support, including the coordination of its 
6 
implementation among the various agencies and institutions of the government and the 
7 
private sector; 
8 
6. Ensure the best administration of market development programs for agricultural 
9 
commodities and food products; 
10 
7. Ensure an adequate flow of these products to consumers as well as a fair return to 
11 
producers and prevent inefficient and wasteful methods of distribution; 
12 
8. Foster the empowerment of agricultural producers into effective associations or 
13 
corporations under their own control for greater unity of effort in marketing; 
14 
9. Promote the establishment and financing of farm marketing systems of producer-
15 
owned and producer-controlled cooperative associations and other agencies; 
16 
10. Set and review annually the government's buffer grain stock requirements at the 
17 
national and local levels and ensure that these requirements are achieved; 
18 
11. Effect, with the Regional Agricultural Councils and/or other government entities as 
19 
implementing agents, the domestic procurement of the government's buffer grain stock 
20 
through purchases of warehouse receipts or queans of grain deposits in government, 
21 
farmer-cooperatives and private warehouses and/or by buying grain produce directly 
22 
from farmer cooperatives; 
23 
12. Cause the direct importation of rice and allocation of import quotas among private 
24 
entities, especially certified and licensed farmer cooperatives; 
25 
13. Promulgate the government's stabilization price for grains to assure farmers with a 
26 
reasonable mark-up on their production cost and participation in the profits that may be 
27 
realized from the sale of the government's buffer grain stock; 
32 


14. Reorient the country's food production policies, plans and programs .in such a way 
, 
2 
that the thrust of increasing the productivity of fmmers is not only in terms of yield per 
3 
unit area but more so in aggregate income from farming enterprises; 
4 
15. Promote and coordinate plans and programs of assistance to producers through input 
5 
snpplies, purchases and other operations, including loans in partnership with available 
6 
financial sources or institutions; 
7 
16. Institutionalize and actively promote the adoption of sustainable agricultural practices 
8 
at all fm111 levels so that steady production of vm'ious food commodities to cope with the 
9 
demands of a growing population is achieved in a way that maintains the productivity of 
10 
the soil and diminishes any adverse impact to the immediate environment; and 
II 
17. Undertake other tasks and activities as may be necessary to ensure the attainment of 
12 
efficient agricultnral marketing systems mId food security. 
13 
14 
SEC. 60. Composition of the Council. - The powers, functions and affairs of the 
15 
COlmcil shall be exercised and directed by a governing board to be chaired by the 
16 
Secretary with the Secretary of Agrariml Reform as Vice- Chairman; and with six (6) 
17 
members from the government sector who shall sit for a term of three (3) years; and five 
18 
representatives from the private sector, who shall sit for a term of three years, without 
19 
reappointment. The members from the government sector shall consist of the respective 
20 
heads of the following agencies or offices: the National Economic and Development 
21 
Authority; the Department of Environment and Natural Resources; the Department of 
22 
Trade and Industry, the Department of Transportation and Communications, the 
23 
Department of InteIior and Local Government, and the Depmtment of Public Works and 
24 
Highways. 
25 
Any of the government members may designate his permmlent representative who 
26 
shall serve in his place as member of the board: Provided, That such representative shall 
27 
have a rank not lower than Undersecretary. The remaining five (5) members of the 
28 
Conncil shall consist of representatives to be nominated by accredited non-government 
29 
organizations and peoples' organizations, and appointed by the President to represent the 
33 


following 
sectors: 
small 
farmers, 
fisherfolk, 
agricultural 
traders, 
agri-based 
2 
manufacturers, and agri-based exporters. 
3 
The goveming board shall meet regularly at least every month on any date to be 
4 
determined by the Chair: Provided, That the Chair may convene special meetings to 
5 
discuss urgent matters needing immediate resolution. The Council members shall be 
6 
entitled to a per diem for every meeting actually attended: Provided, That in no case shall 
7 
per diems exceed the equivalent for more than four (4) meetings per montl1. It shall 
8 
prescribe the rules and regulations to govem its deliberations and other official actions. 
9 
10 
SEC. 61. Organization and Staff - The management of the day-today operations 
11 
of the Council shall be vested in an Executive Director who shall be appointed w.ith the 
12 
rank of an Undersecretary by the President of the Philippines. 
13 
The Council shall set up the organizational structure, staffing pattem, 
14 
qualification standards, compensation scale, functions and authorities of their officers and 
15 
employees, pursuant to pertinent laws, rules and regulations being implemented by the 
16 
Civil Service Commission and the Department of Budget and Management. 
17 
18 
SEC. 62. Committees. - Committees shall be organized within the Council to 
19 
address the respective concems of the following: 
20 
I. National Agriculture and Fisheries Education System (NAFES); 
21 
2. The marketing umbrella for agriculture and fisheries products; 
22 
3. Agro-indusu'ial Modernization Credit and Finance Program (AMCFM); and 
23 
4. Agriculture and Fisheries National Research and Development System (AFNaRDS). 
24 
A Technical Advisory Group composed of representatives from various agricultural and 
25 
fisheries professions and the scientific community shall be created to serve all the 
26 
technical needs of the committees. 
27 
28 
SEC. 63. The Consultative Network of National Agriculture and Fisheries 
29 
Council for Modemization. - The following shall be established and organized to form 
34· 


1 
the consultative network of the National Agriculture and fisheries COU/lcil for 
2 
Modernization (NAFCM): 
3 
1. The Regional Agriculture and Fisheries Council (RAFC); 
4 
2. The Provincial Agriculture and Fisheries COU/lcil (PAFC); and 
5 
3. The Municipal Agriculture and Fisheries COU/lcil (MAFC) 
6 
7 
SEC. 64. Structure of the Agriculture and Fisheries Councils. - The Agriculture 
8 
and Fisheries COU/lciis (AFC) shall have the following membership and organizational 
9 
structure: 
10 
1. At the regional level, the presiding officer shall be the Regional Agriculture and 
11 
Fisheries Conncil (RAFC) chairperson, with all Provincial and Fisheries Council 
12 
chairpersons and all Provincial Agriculture Officers of the Department as members. The 
13 
regional field units of the Department shall serve as the Secretariat. 
14 
2. At the provincial level, the presiding officer shall be the Provincial Agriculture and 
15 
Fisheries C0llJ1cii (P AFC) chairperson, to be elected from among the members who shall 
16 
consist of all Municipal Agriculture and Fisheries Council Chairpersons and all 
17 
Municipal Agriculture officers as members. The Provincial Agrarian Office shall serve as 
18 
the Secretariat. 
19 
3. At the municipal level, the presiding officer shall be the Municipal COU/lcii Chairman, 
20 
to be elected from among the representatives of the following sectors: fanners' 
21 
organizations, fisherfolks' organizations, non-government organizations, women, youth 
22 
and agri-business groups. The Municipal Agrarian Office shall serve as the Secretariat. 
23 
24 
SEC. 65. Functions of the local AFCs. - The local AFCs shall have the 
25 
following functions: 
26 
I. Convene meetings to discuss relevant agriculture and fisheries issues for submission 
27 
and recommendation to the National Agriculture and Fisheries Council for Modernization 
28 
(NAFCM) in order to ensure food security; 
29 
2. Review and assess agriculture and fisheries programs; 
35 


, 
3. Represent the agriculture aJId fisheries sectors and participate actively in the Local 
2 
Development Councils (LDCs); 
3 
4. Assist the Department in the formulation of development plans for agriculture and 
4 
fisherics; ruld 
5 
5 .. Perform such other functions as may be assigned to it by the Council to achieve its 
6 
goals and objectives. 
7 
8 
SEC. 66. Transfer of Powers and Functions. - The powers ruld functions of the 
9 
National Agricultural ruld Fisheries Council, the National Nutrition Council, ruld the 
10 
Livestock Development Council are hereby transferred to and integrated with the 
II 
National Agriculture ruld Fisheries COIDIcil for Modernization. 
12 
I3 
CHAPTER 10 
14 
THE AGRICULTURE AND FISHERIES RESEARCH DEVELOPMENT AND 
15 
EXTENSION COUNCIL 
16 
17 
SEC. 67. The Agriculture and Fisheries Research Development and Extellsion 
18 
Coullcil. - There is hereby created the Agriculture ruld Fisheries Research Development 
19 
and Extension Council (AFRDEC) which shall be attached to the Office of the Secretary. 
20 
It shall be headed by the Secretary as Chairperson ruld the Director General as Vice-
21 
Chairperson. The Undersecretary for Research, Development ruld Extension Services of 
22 
the Department shall serve as the Secretary of the Council. 
23 
Each of the following departments, offices ruld agencies shall have a 
24 
representative: Department of Agrarirul Reform, Department of Environment and Natural 
25 
Resources, Department of Interior and Local Government, Department of Science ruld 
26 
Technology, Department of Budget aJId Mrulagement, Commission on Higher Education 
27 
and the University of the Philippines at Los Brulos. The representatives shall be 
28 
designated by their respective departments, offices ruld agencies ruld shall sit as members 
29 
of the COlmcil for a term of three (3) years. 
36 


1 
The fo !Jowing organizations shall likewise have a representative in the Council 
2 
duly designated by their respective governing boards: League of City Mayors, the League 
3 
of Municipal Mayors and the League of Governors. Each afthe following sectors shall 
4 
have a representative who shall be 2 appointed by the President upon the nomination of 
5 
non-government organizations and people's organizations duly accredited by the 
6 
Department, and who shall sit as members of the Council for a term of three (3) years 
7 
with no reappointment: rice farmers, com and other grains farmers, plantation crop 
8 
fanners, livestock raisers, poultry raisers, municipal fishers, commercial fishers, 
9 
aquacultme enterprises, food processing industry, manufactmers of agricultural and 
10 
fisheries machineries, the agriculture and fisheries marketing sector, the science and 
II 
technology community, and non-government organizations concerned with the 
12 
environment. 
13 
14 
SEC. 68. Functions of ti,e Council. - The Council shall have the following 
15 
functions: 
16 
I. Integrate all the research, development and extension functions and activities III 
17 
agriculture and fisheries by enhancing, supporting, coordinating and consolidating the 
18 
Agriculture and Fisheries National Research and Development System (AFNaRDS), and 
19 
in close and effeetive linkage with the Agriculture and Fisheries National Extension 
20 
System (AFNES); 
21 
2. Prepare and oversee the implementation of a comprehensive research, development 
22 
and extension program in agriculture and fisheries including the review and 
23 
rationalization of the roles, functions and organization of various research, development 
24 
and extension centers, institutes, and network such as the National Agriculture and 
25 
Resources Research and Development Network (NARRON) and the National Aquatic 
26 
Resources and Development System (NARRDS) including the Philippine Cpuncil for 
27 
Agriculture and Resources Research and Development (PCARRD) and the Philippine 
28 
Cotmcil for Aquatic and Marine Research and Development (PCAMRD); 
37 


I 
3. Consolidate, review and approve the national research development and extension 
2 
agenda, and the plans and programs developed by the Agriculture and Fisheries National 
3 
Research and Development System (AFNaRDS) and the Agriculture and Fisheries 
4 
National Extension System (AFNES); 
5 
4. Set policies pertaining to research, development and extension in agriculture and 
6 
fisheries which will ensure food security, alleviate poverty, promote people 
7 
empowerment, agricultural and fisheries productivity and development, and promote 
8 
international competitiveness in the agriculture and fisheries sectors; 
9 
5. Approve policies for the operationaiization and continued strengthening of the 
10 
institutional capabilities, efficiency, effectiveness and integration of the Agriculture and 
II 
Fisheries National Research and Development System (AFNARDS) and the Agriculture 
12 
and Fisheries National Extension System (AFNES), including the setting up of an output-
13 
oriented system of monitoring and evaluating research, development and extension in 
14 
agriculture and fisheries; 
15 
6. Create committees, technical working groups, and commodity teams to facilitate the 
16 
accomplishment of its objectives; 
17 
7. Set policies on relations and exchange between Philippine and international institutions 
18 
on agriculture and fisheries research, development and extension, and aplJrove the 
19 
allocation of funds from national as well as foreign sources for national research, 
20 
development and extension programs. 
21 
8. Formulate and implement a national program to develop and maintain a critical mass 
22 
of scientists involved in agriculture and fisheries research by providing adequate and up-
23 
to-date science laboratory facilities and equipment, promoting a scientific environment 
24 
and culture conducive for scientific research and creativity, and providing compensation 
25 
rates and other benefits comparable with international standards; and 
26 
9. Call on the personnel of any of the services and offices of the Department and other 
27 
government agencies for technical support and assistance. 
28 
38 


SEC. 69. Tile Secretariat. -
The Bureau of Agriculture and Fisheries Research 
2 
and Development (BAFRD) shall serve as the Secretariat of the Cowlcil for research and 
3 
development while the Agricnlture and Fisheries Training Institute (AFT!) shall serve as 
4 
the Secretariat for Extension and Training. 
5 
The Undersecretary of the Department for Research, Development and Extension shall 
6 
head both Secretariats that shall assist the Couucil in: 
7 
I. Formulating and setting the priorities for the national research, development and 
8 
extension agenda for agriculture and fisheries; 
9 
2. Implementing a system for monitoring and evaluating research, development and 
10 
extension in agriculture and fisheries; 
II 
3. Preparing details of the budget for the national agriculture and fisheries research, 
12 
development and extension activities; and 
13 
4. Performing such other functions as may be assigned to it by the COWlcil to achieve its 
14 
goals and objectives. 
15 
16 
SEC. 70. Agriculture and Fisheries National Research and Development 
17 
System) Subsystems. -
The Agriculture and Fisheries National Research and 
18 
Development System (AFNaRDS) shall be composed of two (2) subsystems: the 
19 
Agriculture Research and Development subsystem and the Fisheries Research and 
20 
Development subsystem. 
21 
l. Agriculture Research and Development Subsystem - The agriculture research and 
22 
development subsystem shall be composed of the following: 
23 
a. the agriculture research and development system of the Department; 
24 
b. the national agriculture and resources research and development network including 
25 
PCARRD; 
26 
c. the Bureau of Agrarian Reform Beneficiaries Development of the Department of 
27 
Agrarian Reform; 
28 
d. appropriate Wlits and offices of other government agencies with functions relating 
29 
to agricultural research; 
39 


1 
e. the Commission on Higher Education; 
2 
f. selected State Universities and Colleges involved in fisheries research; and 
3 
g. private agencies and institutions involved in agriculture research 
4 
2. Fisheries Research and Development Subsystem shall be composed of the following: 
5 
a. the fisheries research and development system of the Depmtment; 
6 
b. the National Aquatic Resources Research and Development System including the 
7 
Philippine Council for Aquatic and Marine Research and Development (PCAMRD); 
8 
c. appropriate lmits and offices of other government agencies with functions relating 
9 
to, fisheries research; 
10 
d. the Commission on Higher Education; 
II 
e. selected State Universities and Colleges involved in fisheries research, and 
12 
f. private agencies and institutions involved in fisheries research. 
13 
14 
SEC. 71. Role of tlte Philippine Council for Agricultural Research and Rural 
15 
Development and the Philippine Council for Aquatic and Marine Research and 
16 
Development. -
The Philippine Council for Agricultural Research mId Rural 
17 
Development (PCARRD) and the Philippine Council for Aquatic and Marine Research 
18 
and Development (PCMARD) under the Agriculture and Fisheries Research 
19 
Development and Extension Council (AFRDEC), shall perform the following functions: 
20 
I. Collaborate with the Bureau of Agriculture and Fisheries Research and Development 
, 
21 
in the screening of proposals mId in the monitoring of ongoing agriculture and fisheries 
22 
research and development in the country; 
23 
2. Develop methodologies and systems for effective research, development and extension 
24 
planning in agriculture and fisheries emphasizing the quality and intensity of 
25 
participation on farmers, fisherfolk and the industry in setting the research, development 
26 
and extension agenda of the Department and related allocation of resources; 
27 
3. Develop and coordinate the implementation of output-oriented perfonnaIlce standards 
28 
for staff, institutions and programs in agriculture aIld fisheries research aIld development; 
40 


• 
4. Set-up an efficient and effective computerized system of monitoring and evaluation of 
2 
research, development and extension staff and institutions, including databases required 
3 
for the assessment of research excellence, performance and capacity, such as the 
4 
"Database of Scientific and Technical Personnel, " Database for research, development 
5 
and extension infrastructure, and "Database of Research, Development and Extension 
6 
Investment"; 
7 
5. Develop and administer a career development program and a unified merit promotion 
8 
system for scientific and technical personnel in agriculture and fisheries research, 
9 
development and extension; 
1 0 
6. Develop and administer a career development program and a unified merit promotion 
11 
system for scientific and technical persomlel in agriculture and fisheries research, 
12 
development and extension; 
13 
7. Develop and administer an incentive system to support high quality scientific journals 
14 
in agriculture and fisheries; 
15 
8. Develop a human resonrce maintenance system for providing incentives and benefits 
16 
to technical and scientific personnel in agriculture and fisheries aimed at ensuring that 
17 
agriculture and fisheries institutions gain and maintain a competitive edge in attracting 
18 
and maintaining their staff; and 
19 
9. Provide technical assistance in the improvement of institutions gain and maintain a 
20 
competitive edge in attracting and maintaining their staff. 
21 
22 
SEC. 72. Integrated Council. - The Philippine Council for Agriculture and Rural 
23 
Development (PCARRD) and the Philippine Council for Aquatic and Marine Research 
24 
and Development (PCMARD) shall be transfelTed and integrated with the Agriculture 
25 
and Fisheries, Research, Development and Extension Council (AFRDEC). 
41. 


• 
( , 
CHAPTER 11 
2 
GENERAL PROVISIONS 
3 
4 
SEC. 73. Otller Agencies, Offices and Units. - Other agencies, offices anti units 
5 
engaged in agriculture and fisheries not otherwise specifically mentioned in thi~ Act shall 
6 
be integrated with the appropriate bureaus, councils and offices created and/or 
7 
rationalized in accordance with provisions of this Act. The National Stud Farm shall be 
8 
integrated with the Philippine Racing Commission. 
9 
10 
SEC. 74. Security of Tenure. - In the implementation of this Act, the Department 
11 
shall ensure that there shall be no undue loss of employment of personnel' as a result of 
12 
the rationalization authorized herein. In the event that the separation of personnel 
13 
becomes unavoidable because of the integration, transfer, or abolition of their office or 
14 
positions, or the reduction of the functions of the office, impact mitigation measures shall 
15 
be adopted, such as redeployment of separated employees of one unit of the Department 
16 
to other appropriate tmits, agencies, entities of the Department. 
17 
18 
SEC. 75. Transitory Provision. - In accomplishing the acts of rationalization 
19 
herein prescribed, the following transitory provisions shall be complied with: 
20 
1. The transfer or integration of a govermnent unit or office shall include the functions, 
21 
appropriations, funds, records, equipment, facilities, change in action, rights, other assets, 
22 
and liabilities, if any, of the transferred or integrated wlit or office as well as the 
23 
personnel thereof, as may be necessary who shall in hold-over capacity cont!nue to 
24 
perform their respective duties and responsibilities, and receive the corresponding 
25 
salaries and benefits unless separated from govemment due to causes other than the 
26 
implementation of the provisions, of this Act. 
27 
2. The integrated units or offices shall be deemed abolish. Personnel of the transferred or 
28 
integrated units whose positions are not included or who are no longer qualified in the 
29 
Department's new position structure and staffing pattern shall be deemed separated from 
42 


service and shall be entitled to the benefits provided for in this Act and such other 
2 
applicable laws; 
3 
3. The transfer of function which result in tbe abolition of the unit or office that has 
4 
exercised them shall include the appropriations, fund, records, equipment, facilities, 
5 
change in action, rights, other assets, and personnel as may be necessary to the proper 
6 
discharge of the transferred functions. The remaining appropriations for funds of the 
7 
abolished units or offices shall revert to the General Fund and its remaining assets, if any, 
8 
shall be allocated to such appropriate units in the new organizational structure of the 
9 
Department as determined by the Secretary or shall otherwise be disposed in accordance 
10 
with the Government Auditing Code and other pertinent laws, rules and regulations. 
II 
4. In case of termination of functions which does not result in the abolition of the 
12 
government wlit which has performed such functions, the appropriations and funds 
13 
intended to finance the discharge of such function shall revert to the General Fund, while 
14 
the records, equipment, facilities, change in action, rights and other assets used in 
15 
connection with the discharge of fimctions shall be allocated to the appropriate lmits as 
, 
16 
the Secretary shall detennine or shall otherwise be disposed in accordance with the 
17 
Government Auditing Code and other pertinent laws, rules and regulations. 
18 
The liabilities, if any, that may have been incun'ed in connection with the 
19 
discharge, of such functions shall likewise be treated in accordance with the Government 
20 
Auditing Code and other pertinent laws, rules and regulations. The personnel who may 
21 
have performed such functions, whose positions are not included or who may no longer 
22 
be qualified in the new organization structure and staffing pattern shall be deemed 
23 
separated from the service and shall be entitled to the benefits provided for in this Act 
24 
and other pertinent laws. 
25 
26 
SEC. 76. New Structure and Pattern. -
Upon approval of this Act, the offices 
27 
and employees of the Department shall, in a hold-over capacity, continue to perform their 
28 
respective duties and responsibilities and receive the corresponding salaries and benefits 
43 


1 
unless in the meantime, they are separated from the service from causes other than the 
2 
implementation of the provisions of this Act. 
3 
The new position structure and staffing pattern of the Department shall be 
4 
approved and prescribed by the Secretary within one hundred twenty (120) days from the 
5 
approval of this Act, and the authorized positions thereunder shall be filled with .regular 
6 
appointments by him or by the President, as the case may be. Those incumbents' whose 
7 
positions are not included therein or those who are no longer qualified and re~appointed 
8 
shall be deemed separated from the service and shall be entitled to the benefits provided 
9 
for in this Act and other pertinent laws. 
10 
11 
SEC. 77. Separation Benefits. - Career and civil service employees of the 
12 
Department separated from the service not for cause but as a result of the rationalization 
13 
effected pursuant to this Act, shall be entitled to appropriate separation pay and to 
14 
retirement benefits accruing to tllem under the laws of general application in force at the 
15 
time of their separation. 
16 
17 
SEC. 78. Time Frame. - The Secretary shall complete the implementation of this 
18 
Act within six (6) months from the approval thereof and shall, within two (2) months 
19 
thereafter, submit to the President of the Philippines the report of completion of this 
20 
rationalization. 
21 
22 
SEC. 79. Submission of Report to Congress. - Within four (4) months after the 
23 
completion of the rationalization of the Department, the President shall submit to 
24 
Congress a report on the result of the rationalization. 
25 
26 
SEC. 80. Appropriations. - Upon the effectivity of tllis Act, the rationalized 
, 
27 
cotIDcils, bureaus, agencies, and offices shall retain their present appropriations lIDtil a 
28 
new budget of the rationalized Department shall have been completed and submitted to 
44 


the Department of Budget and Management six (6) months after the effectivity of this 
2 
Act. 
3 
SEC. 81. Repealillg Clause. - All laws, decrees, executive issuance, rules and 
4 
regulations inconsistent with this Act are hereby repealed or modified accordingly. 
5 
6 
SEC. 82. Separability Clause. - The provisions of this Act are hereby declared to 
7 
be separable, and in the event one or more of such provisions are held unconstitutional, 
8 
the validity of the other provisions shall not be affected 26 thereby. 
9 
10 
SEC. 83. Effectivity. - This Act shall take effect thirty (30) days from the date of 
11 
its publication in the Official Gazette or in at least two (2) newspapers of general 
12 
circulation. 
Approved. 
45