Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES,
Quezon City

FIFTEENTH CONGRESS
First Regular Session
2815

House Bill No.

Introduced by Rep. Eulogio “Amang” R. Magsaysay

EXPLANATORY NOTE

Extension Program is a set of projects and activities in extension,
community outreach or similar function regularly undertaken by an institution as
part of its mandate or organizational vision, mission, goals and objectives,
extending the resources of such institution by special arrangements to persons
otherwise unable to take advantage of such resources. Through the years,
extension has become an effective instrument of individual and social
transformation in the country.

Extension work is by all means a task not for the faint hearted. It is an
undertaking which can only be given justice by those who are strong-willed yet
yielding to those who are most in need. It involves devoting extra hours of work,
shelling out a few pesos off one’s meager earnings, and stepping halfway into
danger zones and frontiers that no one else wishes to uncover. Nonetheless, the
reward is priceless —- beaming faces silently conveying their gratitude,
unsolicited friendships from satisfied beneficiaries, and an altruistic feeling too
valuable to be priced. The extension workers, however, should also be accorded
what is due them. Like anybody else in this society, they too, have their own
share of necessities and concerns such as life, liberty, and property.

The object of this piece of legislation is two-fold. Firstly, to afford our
stakeholders, the extension workers, pertinent rights to allow them to carry on
with their chosen vocation of easing the plight of their brethren. This is an appeal
anchored on fear of losing for our nation the chance of ridding our society of ills
deeply rooted in the malpractices handed down to us by those who bore false
beliefs and pessimistic principles. We should exert every little way to keep these
people in momentum. It is imperative that we put premium on their gallantry and
passion for advocacies.

The trail of issues may be endless, thus, this is the most opportune time to
draw up a concrete set of rights and privileges to shield today’s brave catalysts
from wanton abuse and disregard. Let us not put to waste the sense of
volunteerism unselfishly emanating from our extension workers. A single act of
genuine support will insulate them from farther pain of malady.

Secondly, to institute certain mechanisms for the promotion and
expansion of extension program on the light of its significant role in our country’s
local and national development. Extension projects and activities enhance social
practices and help improve lives of people and communities. More importantly, is
to bring them into the mainstream of our society.

Approval of this bill, therefore, is earnestly sought. yf

aw

EULOGIO “AMANG” R. MAGSAYSAY


FIFTEENTH CONGRESS OF THE +)
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES _)
First Regular Session )

House of Representatives

House BillNo.__2815

Introduced by Rep. Eulogio “Amang” R. Magsaysay

AN ACT
STRENGTHENING EXTENSION PROGRAMS BY PROVIDING THE MAGNA
CARTA FOR EXTENSION WORKERS AND PRESCRIBING CERTAIN
GUIDELINES FOR PROMOTION AND EXPANSION OF EXTENSION
ACTIVITIES

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

CHAPTER 1

GENERAL PROVISIONS

SECTION 1. Title. — This Act shall be known and cited as the “Extension
Program Act of 2010"

SECTION 2. Declaration of Policy. — It is hereby declared a policy of the
State to advance the extension workers’ rights and privileges that promote their
empowerment. In pursuance of this policy, the State shall recognize and
guarantee the extension workers’ right to participate in charting their political,
economic, social, educational, moral and spiritual development. Furthermore, the
corresponding obligations of the extension workers to initiate, or undertake
worthwhile extension program that will attain national, regional and local
development as well as enhance the social practices and improve lives of the
people and communities must be fulfilled.

SECTION 3. Coverage. ~ This Act shall cover all extension workers in
public and private higher education institutions (HEIs), technical-vocational
institutions (TVIs), and elementary and secondary institutions undertaking non-
formal education or alternative learning modalities, and the extent herein

provided extension workers in non-government or people’s organizations,

4


department offices and agencies of the national government and local
government units (LGUs) involved in extension work or similar activities.

SECTION 4. Definition of Terms. — For purposes of this Act, these terms

are defined as follows:

a) Extension. A program that geographically extends the education
resources of an institution by special arrangements to persons
otherwise unable to take advantage of such resources.

b) Extension Program is herein defined as a set of projects and
activities in extension, community outreach or similar function regularly
undertaken by an institution as part of its mandate or organizational
vision, mission, goals and objectives. The goals and objectives should
indicate contribution to individual and social transformation and/or
local, regional or national development.

°)

Extension Work refers to any activities of a specific duration governed
by objectives, strategies of implementation, targets and expected
result outcomes that are geared towards individual and social
transformation and/or contributory to local, regional and national
development.

qd)

Extension Workers shall mean any person engaged in the planning,
implementation and evaluation of extension, community outreach,
development, organizing or similar programs, projects and activities for
purposes of attaining goals that empower the people or change their
social practices and improve their lives socially, educationally, morally
and spiritually. The term covers workers in government and non-
. government organizations or institutions or those who on their own
merit, initiate or continuing efforts have initiated or led the organization
of people’s organizations for individual and social transformation. It
also covers managerial, supervisory and rank and file employees
assigned to do line functions in extension offices, department or units

of either government or non-government organizations.

2


e) Extension Project is a set of activities and tasks with specific
objectives that are attained at a given period or duration of time. It
must be geared towards individual and social transformation outside
the spheres of a classroom or formal education. The non-formal
education projects or alternative learning modalities are covered by
this definition.

f) Empowerment refers to provision of opportunities whereby extension
workers can develop or improve their competencies or abilities in
undertaking extension programs, projects and activities.

9) Transfer refers to movement from one position to another which is of
equivalent rank. Level of salary without break in service; whereas
geographical reassignment or relocation is a movement from one

geographical location to another.

CHAPTER 2

EXTENSION WORKER'S PROFESSION AND CAREER

SECTION 5. General Provisions of Rights. — |n addition to all the

constitutional rights to all persons under the constitution and by other existing

laws of the land, the extension workers, by the very nature of their functions, are

specially guaranteed their rights to:

a) All the appurtenant labor rights provided by law specifically but not
limited to the right to organize, right to security of tenure and right to
fair salaries and other benefits as may be accorded by laws if
employed by the government or private sector, enterprises or
associations;

b) Be covered by social security to serve as protection from events such
as accidents, calamities, death, sickness and disabilitiy;

c) Be given the opportunity for professional development through formal

or non-formal education;


d) Avail of loans and other credit facilities and other forms of government
assistance;

e) Right to free legal aid from government legal assistance programs as
complainant or respondent for charges that they need to file or are files
against them relevant to the protection of their rights as such; and

f) Enjoy government recognition as a professional through licensing by
the Professional Regulatory Commission.

SECTION 6. Transfer. — Transfer of any extension worker employed in
the government or in any private agency or institution, from the original
appointment, to another shall not be made without his/her consent except when
made in the interest of justice/service, lack of appropriate educational
qualification, training and competence, poor performance, illness, and foreseen
hazard that would put the life and limb of the worker in peril, in which case after
the extension worker shall have been afforded due process of law, any act on the
part of the employer dismembering said extension worker shall be deemed
justified.

SECTION 7. Consent for Transfer. — Transfer of any extension worker
from one (1) station to another shall not be made without his/her consent.

Where the exigencies of the service required the transfer of the extension
worker from one station to another, such transfer may be effected by the head of
extension service who shall previously notify the extension worker concerned of
the transfer and the reason or reasons therefore. If the extension worker believes
there is no justification for the transfer, he/ she may appeal his case to the
Commission on Higher Education (CHED) if employed in a state college or
university or private higher education institution, to the Department of Education
(DepEd) if employed in a public or private elementary or secondary school, to the
Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA) if employed in a
public or private vocational/technical institution, or to the Department of Labor

and Employment (DOLE) if employed by non-government/private enterprise or


institution. Pending his/her appeal and decision thereon, his transfer shall be held
in abeyance.

Provided, However, that no transfer whatever shall be made three (3)
months before any local or national election.

SECTION 8. Transportation Expenses. — Necessary transfer expenses
of the extension worker and his/her family shall be paid for the concerned agency
if his/her transfer is finally approved.

SECTION 9. Code of Professional and Conduct for Extension
Workers. - Within six (6) months from the approval of this Act a Code of
Professional and Ethical Conduct for Extension Workers shall be formulated by
the Committee which shall be composed of the following:

Chair: Head of the Professional Regulation Commission

Vice-Chair: Secretary, Department of Labor and Employment

Members: Chairman, Commission on Higher Education

Secretary, Department of Education

Director-General, TESDA

Secretary, Department of interior and Local Government
Secretary, Department of Social Welfare and Development
Secretary, Department of Agriculture

Chairman, Civil Service Commission

Three (3) Representatives from national professional
associations of extension workers or similar organizations.

SECTION 10. Safeguard in Disciplinary Procedure. — Every extension
worker shall enjoy the equitable safeguards at each stage of any disciplinary
procedure and shalll have:

a) The right to be informed in writing of charges;

b) The right to full access to the evidence in the case;

©) The right to defend himself/herself and to be defended by representing

of his/her choice and/or by his/her organization, adequate time being

given to him/her for the preparation of his/her defense;

5


d) The right to appeal to clearly designated authorities;
e) The right to confront witnesses presented against him/her and
f) Such other rights as will ensure fairness and impartiality during the

proceedings.

CHAPTER 3

HOURS OF WORK AND REMUNERATION

SECTION 11. Hours of Work. — An extension worker employed full-time
‘on the job shall render eight (8) hours of work per week. If he/she is assigned
teaching loads as part of his/her regular workload, every hour of extension work
shall be equivalent to 1.25 hours of teaching. If he/she is assigned teaching
hours combined with extension services, the extension worker shall render six (6)
hours of work per day provided that every 15 hours of extension work an
incentive of one (1) hour of an overload/overtime which shall be paid either on a
load of hour basis if treated as overload and on an hourly basis if treated as
overtime, as may be provided for in the internal policies on overload/overtime of
the agency or institution or in the absence thereof at the rate of his regular
remuneration plus twenty-five percent (25%) of his/her basic pay. The extension
hours shall be so scheduled as to give the extension worker sufficient time for the
efficient and effective conduct of extension work while not sacrificing the quality
of his/her teaching.

SECTION 12. Duties and Obligations. — The extension worker shall

a) Discharge his/her duty humanely and effectively with conscience and
dignity;

b) Employ acceptable extension method and practices to ensure positive
changes in the lives of clientele by means of festering freedom of
initiative and self-reliance;

¢) Perform his/her duty with commitment, dedication and competence;
and

d) Exercise his/her functions without discrimination as to race, gender,

religion, nationality, party politics, social standing or economic strata


SECTION 13. Additional Compensation. — Notwithstanding and
provision of existing laws to the contrary, co-curricula and out of school/agency
activities extension worker shall be paid an additional compensation of at least
twenty-five percent (25%) of his regular remuneration after the extension worker
has completed at least six (6) hours of purely extension work or a combination of
teaching and extension work as the case may be.

In the case of other extension workers performing managerial/supervisory
function without any teaching load in an educational institution, any work perform
in excess of eight (8) hours per day shall be paid an additional compensation of
at least twenty five percent (25%) of their regular remuneration.

SECTION 14. Criteria for Salaries. — Extension workers’ salaries shall
correspond to the following criteria:

a) They shall compare favorably with those paid in other occupations

requiring equivalent or similar qualifications, training and abilities;

b)

They shail be such as to insure extension workers a reasonable

standard of life for themselves and their families;

°)

They shall be properly graded in accordance with existing system of
salary grading and in the absence thereof, the concemed
government/private agency shall prepare and implement one taking
into consideration fair and reasonable criteria for grading and assigning
of salary scales.

The salary scales of extension worker shall be comparable to their peers
within educational or other institutions and shall provide for gradual progression
from a minimum to a maximum salary by means of regular increments granted
automatically after three (3) years, provided that the efficiency rating of the
extension worker is least satisfactory.

SECTION 15. Cost of Living Allowance. — Extension worker salaries
shall, at the very least, keep pace with the rise in the cost of living by payment of
a cost of living allowance which shall automatically follow changes in the cost of

living index. The cost of living allowance of an extension worker shall be

7


comparable to those received by other employees with similar qualifications and
salary grade.

SECTION 16. Special Hardship Allowance. — \n areas in which
extension workers are exposed to hardship such as difficulty in commuting to the
place of work or other hazards peculiar to the place of extension work, they shall
be compensated special hardship allowance equivalent to at least twenty-five
percent (25%) of their monthly salary.

SECTION 17. Hazard Allowance. — Extension workers assigned in
difficult areas, strife-torn or embattled areas, distressed or isolated stations,
disease infested areas or in areas declared under state of calamity or emergency
or in armed conflict or the duration thereof that expose them to greater danger,
contagion, volcanic or eruption occupational risks or perils to life as determined
by the head of the agency shall be compensated by a hazard allowance
equivalent to at least twenty-five percent (25%) of the monthly basic salary of
extension workers receiving salary grade 19 below, and five percent (5%) for
extension worker with salary grade 20 above.

SECTION 18. Remote Assignment Allowance. — Extension workers who
accept assignment in remote areas or isolated stations, of far distance or hard
accessibility shall be entitled to an incentive bonus in the form of assignment
allowance equivalent to fifty percent (50%) of their basic pay bi-monthly, and
shall be entitled to reimbursement of the cost of reasonable transportation to and
from such remote post or station upon assuming or leaving such position and
during official trips. In addition to the above, extension workers mentioned in the
preceding paragraph shall be given priority in promotion or assignment in better
areas. Their tour of duties in remote areas shall not exceed two (2) years except
when there are no vacant positions for the transfer or they prefer to stay in such
posts in excess of two (2) years.

SECTION 19. Medical Examination. — Compulsory medical examination
shall be provided free of charge to all extension workers by government hospitals

before extension workers enter service in government or its subdivisions or in the


private sector and shall be repeated once a year during the tenure of all
extension workers; provided, that if the medical examination shows that medical
treatment and/or hospitalization is necessary, the treatment and/or hospitalization
including medicines shall be provided free in a government or any accredited
hospital

CHAPTER 4

LEAVE AND RETIREMENT BENEFITS

SECTION 20. Leave Benefits for Extension Workers. - Extension
workers are entitled to such vacation and sick leaves and other leaves such as
sabbatical leave, paternity leave as provided by existing laws and prevailing
practices; provided, that in addition to the leave privileges now enjoy by
extension workers, woman extension workers are entitled to such maternity
leaves granted by existing laws and prevailing practices; provided further, that
upon separation of the extension worker from service, he/she shall be entitled to
all accumulated leave credits with pay.

SECTION 21. Study Leave. — In addition to other leave privileges now
enjoyed, extension worker shall be entitled to study leave not exceeding two (2)
calendar years after five (5) years of service, which shall be granted by the head
of the agency under a schedule set by the agency. During the period of such
leave, the extension workers shall be entitled to at least sixty percent (60%) of
their monthly salary exclusive of any scholarship or grants that may be enjoyed;
provided, however that no extension worker shall be allowed to accumulate more
than two (2) years of leave unless he needs an additional semester to finish
his/her thesis in a graduate study in education or allied courses. Study leave
beyond the allowable number of years may be allowed but without
compensation.

SECTION 22. Indefinite Leave. — An indefinite leave shall be granted to
extension workers when the nature of the illness demands a long treatment that

will exceed one (1) year at the least.


SECTION 23. Salary Increase Upon Retirement. — Notwithstanding any
provision of existing laws to the contrary, all extension workers shall be covered
by @ retirement plan which shall be implemented by the agency concerned in
case of private enterprises, the retirement shall cover a retirement benefit that
shall be comparable with the retirement benefits of the applicable retirement laws
shall be given one (1) range of salary raise upon retirement, which shall be the
basis of the computation of the lump sum of the retirement pay and the monthly
benefits thereafter.

CHAPTER 5

EXTENSION WORKERS’ ORGANIZATION

SECTION 24, Freedom to Organize. — All extension workers shall have
the right to, freely and without previous authorization, establish and join
organizations of their choosing, whether local or national to further and defend
their interest.

SECTION 25. Discrimination Against Extension Workers Prohibited, —
It shall be unlawful for any person to commit any act of discrimination against
extension workers which are calculated to (a) make the employment of an
extension worker subject to the condition that he/she will not join an organization
or shall relinquish membership in an organization, (b) cause the dismissal of or
otherwise prejudice an extension worker by reason of his/her membership in an
organization or because of participation in activities outside the school hours, or
with the consent of the proper authorities, within school hours, and (c) prevent
him/her from carrying out the duties laid upon his/her position in the organization,
or to penalize him/her for an action undertaken in that capacity.

, SECTION 26. National Organization of Extension Workers. — The
National Organization of Extension Workers shall be consulted in the formulation
of national educational policies and professional standards including that of
accreditation in extension and in the formulation of policies governing the social
security of extension workers. A national organization of extension workers shall

meet the following criteria:
10


a) Must be a non-stock, non-profit professional association duly

registered with the Securities and Exchange Commission or accredited
by any government agency;

b)

The general and nationwide membership shall be composed of
persons employed in. ~— educational += and_—_—sootther
institutions/associations/agencies, and are undertaking extension work
or program implementation or managing/administering said programs;

°)

Nationwide membership means that its members shall come from the
three (3) islands: Luzon, Visayas, Mindanao and preferably in all
regions;

d)

Shall have been in existence for at least three (3) years; and,

e)

Have a satisfactory track record of undertaking projects and activities

for the development of the extension workers.

CHAPTER 6

PROMOTION OF EXTENSION PROGRAMS

SECTION 27. Expansion of Extension Program. — The State recognizes
that extension is a strong force in national, regional, and local development.
Hence, it shall promote the expansion of the extension programs, projects and
activities, to reach out to a greater number of sectors of Philippine society.

SECTION 28. Mandatory Extension Programs and Services. — All
higher education institutions (HEIs), whether government or private, offering a
bachelor’s degree program are mandated to establish an extension office
manned by competent and dedicated extension workers and prepare a plan on a
longeeti basis programs and services in extension that are geared towards
local, regional and national development. A separate budget shall be allocated
for this office for the implementation of its programs and services.

SECTION 29. National Service Training Program (NSTP). — Under

Republic Act 9163 or the National Service Training Program Law of 2001, all

"1


higher educational institutions are mandated to offer any/all of the two (2)
components of Civic Welfare Training Service (CWTS), Literacy Training Service
(LTS), and shall assign the design, implementation, evaluation, and
administration of these program components under the extension office/unit of
the institution where the NSTP trainees are affiliated. The performing NSTP
trainees shall be duly accredited by the extension office/units as the extensionists
of the institution in a fitting ceremony. Incentives, such as awarding of recognition
and similar awards shall be accorded to outstanding student extensionists. The
design of NSTP lectures shall be fashioned according to acceptable principles
and practices in extension to ensure a crop of dedicated and civic conscious
student extensionists as agents of change in the community.

SECTION 30. Role of State Universities and Colleges (SUCs). — The
extension programs of SUCs shall be supportive of national, regional, and local
development. Private higher educational institutions established in same
locations where SUCs are in operation of their extension programs, may
establish working relationships through complementation schemes of
partnerships or convergence in extension efforts. SUCs in this regard shall
provide leadership and support wherever necessary and requested by private
entities in the service areas.

SECTION 31. Zonal Centers of Extension. — Zonal Centers of Extension
shall be established under the leadership of CHED and TESDA who shall involve
a national association of extension workers in the formulation of standards and
criteria for the selection of Zonal Centers of Extension. Zonal centers selected
shall be given incentives and shall lead other institutions in the conduct of
extension programs and development of extension workers within the service
area. There shall be at least one (1) zonal center per region.

SECTION 32. Accreditation Standards and Criteria. — Any accrediting
agency shall review the policies and standards in evaluating expansion services
or similar programs in direct consultation with existing national professional

associations of extension workers and shall allow the participation of the qualified

12


members of said association on a selected basis in the accreditation team that
evaluates extension programs of an institution being accredited. Accreditation
standards in evaluating extension programs and services shall be reviewed on a
regular basis at least every three (3) years from date of effectivity of this Act
involving the participation of national associations of extension workers and
recognized institutions in the field of extension work. Any extension worker
participating in the accreditation shall be assigned to the accreditation of
extension programs and any extension program being reviewed for purposes of
accreditation shall be assigned to an accreditor with competence and experience
in extension. The percentage of points allocated to extension in any accreditation
standard shall be comparative to that allocated to instruction and research.

SECTION 33. Academic Rank. — All faculty members in SUCs,
notwithstanding provisions of existing laws and policies, shall be required as part
of their workload to undertake a minimum of six (6) hours of extension work per
week, such number of hours will increase commensurate to the increase in
academic rank.

SECTION 34. National Budget Circular (NBC) or Other Compensation
System. — At least twenty-five percent (25%) of the total points for the evaluation
in the NBC or other compensation system being implemented by government or
private institutions shall be allotted for professional achievement in doing actual
extension work.

SECTION 35. Awards. ~ The Annual Search for Outstanding Extension
Programs and Extentionists is hereby being institutionalized. The standards and
criteria shall be formulated by the following membership: Commission on Higher
Education (CHED); Technical Education and Skills Development Authority
(TESDA); Department of Education (DepEd); Civil Service Commission (CSC);
Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE); Representative from the national
association of extension workers; and Representative of a non-government

organizations (NGO) doing development or extension work

13


CHAPTER 7

MISCELLANEOUS PROVISIONS

SECTION 36. Implementing Guidelines. — Within ninety (90) days from
the promulgation of this Act, the necessary guidelines to carry out the provisions
of this Act shall be issued in collaboration among the Commission on Higher
Education (CHED), the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority
(TESDA), The Department of Education (DepED), the Civil Service Commission
(CSC), and the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE)

SECTION 37. Budgetary Estimates. — Each agency where extension

workers are employed shall prepare a budgetary estimate to implement the

provisions of this Act concerning the benefits contained herein and submit it to
the Department of Budget and Management for inclusion in the annual budget of
said agency in the ensuing year after the effectivity of this Act. The submission
shall be effected earlier or not later than six (6) months after effectivity of this Act

SECTION 38. Appropriations. — The Commission on Higher Education
shall immediately include in its program the implementation of this Act, the
funding of which shall be included in the General Appropriations Act

SECTION 39. Penal Provision. — Any person who shall willfully interfere
with, restrain, coerce any extension worker in the exercise of his/her rights
guaranteed under this Act, or shall in any manner commit any act to defeat any
of the provisions of this Act, shall, upon conviction, be punished for a fine of not
less than ten thousand pesos (Php10,000.00) or more than one hundred
thousand pesos (Php100,000.00), or by a corresponding years of imprisonment,
or both upon the discretion of the court.

SECTION 40. Separability Clause. — Should any provision of this Act be
declared unconstitutional by the court of law, such provision shall be severed
from this Act and shall not affect the enforceability of the other remaining

provisions.

14


SECTION 41. Repealing Clause. — All laws, presidential decrees,
executive orders, and rules and regulations inconsistent with the provisions of
this Act are hereby repealed or modified accordingly.

SECTION 42. Effectivity. — This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days

after its publication in any two (2) newspapers of general circulation.

Approved,

15