NINETEENTH CONGRESS 
) 
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES ) 
First Regular Session 
) 
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES 
Introduced by Representative Rufus B. Rodriguez 
House Bill No.  _____ 
EXPLANATORY NOTE 
Congress is mandated under the law to undertake a mandatory review of Republic Act 
No 7160 otherwise known as the Local Government Code of 1991. 
In various consultations with concerned constituents nationwide, it has been 
determined that amendments to the Local Government Code of 1991 should be introduced to 
rationalized agricultural services. 
The passage of Republic Act No. 8435, otherwise known as the Agriculture 
Modernization Act of 1997, makes it imperative that the Department of Agriculture (DA), in 
connection with its monitoring and data gathering requirements, shall have complete 
administrative control and supervision over all personnel in the field level that are involved in 
agriculture and fishery in order to effectively implement and achieve the objectives of the 
Agriculture and Fisheries Law. The Department of Agriculture is the lead department tasked 
to implement the law. 
Furthermore, the present administration has placed agricultural productivity as one of 
its priority and to address this thrust it is imperative to amend certain provisions of the Local 
Government Code for the effective and efficient implementation of its programs. 
With the above cited reasons, the urgent passage of this Measure is earnestly 
requested. 
 RUFUS B. RODRIGUEZ 
April 12, 2023
6:30 pm
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NINETEENTH CONGRESS 
) 
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES ) 
First Regular Session 
) 
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES 
Introduced by Representative Rufus B. Rodriguez 
House Bill No.  _____ 
AN ACT 
REVERTING TO THE NATIONAL GOVERNMENT THE DISCHARGE OF BASIC 
AGRICULTURAL FUNCTIONS AND RESPONSIBILITIES DEVOLVED TO LOCAL 
GOVERNMENT UNITS AND AMENDING FOR THE PURPOSE REPUBLIC ACT NO. 7160, 
OTHERWISE KNOWN AS THE LOCAL GOVERNMENT CODE OF 1991 
Be it enacted by the Senate and the House of Representatives of the Philippines in Congress 
assembled: 
SECTION 1. The devolution of the basic services and facilities to the barangay on “Agricultural 
support services which include planting materials distribution system and operation of farm 
produce collection and buying stations” is hereby withdrawn from the Barangay and reverted 
back to the National Government. 
SEC 2. The devolution of the basic services and facilities to the Municipality on “Extension 
and on-site research services and facilities related to agriculture and fishery activities which 
include dispersal of livestock and poultry, fingerlings, and other seedling materials for 
aquaculture; palay, corn, and vegetable seed farms; medicinal plant gardens; fruit tree, 
coconut, and other kinds of seedling nurseries; demonstration farms; quality control of copra 
and improvement and development of local distribution channels, preferably through 
cooperatives; interbarangay irrigation system; water and soil resource utilization and 
conservation projects; and enforcement of fishery laws in municipal waters including the 
conservation of mangroves” is hereby withdrawn from the Municipality and reverted back to 
the National Government. 
SEC 3. The devolution of the basic services and facilities to the Province on “Agricultural 
extension and on-site research services and facilities which include the prevention and control 
of plant and animal pests and diseases; dairy farms, livestock markets, animal breeding 
stations, and artificial insemination centers; and assistance in the organization of farmers and 
fishermen's cooperatives, and other collective organizations, as well as the transfer of 
appropriate technology” is hereby withdrawn from the Province and reverted back to the 
National Government. 
SEC 4. All similar basic services and facilities devolve to the City are hereby likewise 
withdrawn and reverted back to the National Government.  
SEC 5. The pertinent provisions of Republic Act 7160 otherwise known as the Local 
Government Code of 1991, particularly Section 17, are hereby amended accordingly.  
SEC 6. Accordingly all personnel, technicians. facilities and properties previously transferred 
to the Barangay. Municipalities. Provinces and Cities shall be returned to the National 
Government. 
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SEC 7. The funds necessary to cover the implementation of these amendments shall be 
appropriated for agriculture and shall be provided for in the current General Appropriations Act 
and the years thereafter. 
 
SEC 8. For the purpose of this Act, an Agriculture and Fisheries Review Panel is hereby 
created to be composed of the following: the Secretary of Agriculture, as Chairman, the 
Secretary of Interior and Local Government, the President of National Agriculture and Fishery 
Council or their duly designated representatives as members. 
 
SEC 9. The Agriculture and Fishery Review Panel in consultation with concerned sectors in 
the field, shall identify the problems of the industry under the re-nationalization setup and 
recommend measures to enhance the agriculture productivity. 
 
SEC 10. All provisions of the Local Government Code of 1991 not inconsistent with the 
foregoing amendments will remain in force and effect. 
 
SEC 11. Separability Clause. - If any provision or section of this Act or the application thereof 
to any person or circumstances is held invalid, the other provisions or sections of this Act, in 
the application of such provision or section to other persons or circumstances, shall not be 
affected thereby.  
 
SEC 12. Repealing Clause. - All acts or parts of acts and executive orders, administrative 
orders, or parts thereof which are inconsistent with the provisions of this Act are hereby 
repealed. 
 
SEC 13. This Act shall take effect immediately upon its approval. 
 
Approved,