EIGHTEENTH CONGRESS OF THE 
) 
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES 
)
First Regular Session 
)
S E N A T E
Senate Bill No. 1 1 3 8
v 
of t(tf ^ c r r t n r p
'19 
NOV -4  
P 3  2 1
Introduced by Senator CYNTHIA A. VILLAR
AN ACT STRENGTHENING LOCAL GOVERNMENT 
P A R TIC IP A TIO N  IN  AGRICULTURE DEVELOPMENT BY 
IN S T IT U T IO N A L IZ IN G  A TEN PERCENT (1 0 % ) BUDGETARY 
ALLO CATIO N FROM T H E IR  IN TER N AL REVENUE ALLOTMENT 
FOR THE IM PLEM EN TATIO N  OF PROGRAMS, A C T IV IT IE S , AN D  
SERVICES FOR AGRICULTURE AND FISHERIES, AND A M E N D IN G  
FOR THE PURPOSE SECTIONS 17, 106, 107, 110, 287, 4 4 3 , 4 5 4 , 
4 8 2 (A ), AND 5 1 1 -A  OF REPUBLIC ACT 7 1 6 0  OTHERW ISE 
KNOW N AS THE LOCAL GOVERNMENT CODE AND FOR OTHER
PURPOSES
EXPLANATORY NOTE
Executive Order (EO) No. 5, series of 2016 adopted AmBisyon 
Natin 2040 as the long term vision for the country. Section 3 states that 
the four medium-term Philippine Development Plans (PDPs) to be 
crafted and implemented until 2040 shall be anchored on the country's 
Long Term Vision: "By 2040, the Philippines shall be a prosperous, 
predominantly middle-class society where no one is poor; our people 
shall live long and healthy lives, be smart and innovative, and shall live 
in a high trust society."1
The PDP 2017-2022 is the first medium-term plan anchored on 
Ambisyon Natin 2040. Under the current plan, the target is to reduce 
poverty incidence from 21.6 percent in 2015 to 14.0 percent by 2022. 
This is equivalent to lifting about 6 million people out of poverty. 
Specifically, poverty in agriculture and in lagging regions with high
1 http://w w w .neda.gov.ph/w p-content/uploads/2018 /02/C A R -C ordillera-R D P -2017-20 22.pdf


poverty incidence and inequality will be targeted. Innovation will be 
encouraged as the country sets its eyes on graduating to a knowledge 
economy in order to accelerate growth in the future.2 In fact, two (2) o f 
the nine (9) identified priority sectors with the greatest potential to 
contribute 
to 
realizing 
AmBisyon 
Natin 
2040 
are 
agricultural 
development and countryside development.3
The agriculture, fisheries, and forestry (AFF) sector is pivotal in 
generating employment for about a third of the country's labor force, 
thereby reducing poverty and inequality for three-fourths of the poor 
who are in the rural areas. AFF is also a key to providing raw materials 
to the manufacturing and service sectors, resulting in forward linkages in 
terms of higher-paying and more stable job opportunities. Intensifying 
efforts to revitalize the AFF and harnessing its growth potentials are 
needed to promote more inclusive development. Given the sector's links 
to agribusiness, interventions and investments will be channeled to 
expand existing opportunities and develop new ones, thus inducing 
greater participation of small farmers and fisherfolk.
The 
performance of AFF 
in 
the 
past years 
indicates that 
revitalization must be strengthened. The contribution of AFF to the 
country's gross domestic product (GDP) continued to decline. 
It 
recorded an annual average GDP share of 10 percent from 2013-2015.4 
One of the long-standing challenges in the Agriculture and Fisheries 
sector which continue to hamper productivity is the weak extension 
service which slows down the diffusion and adoption of farm practices 
and technologies that are applicable to a specific area and responsive to 
the needs of farmers and fisher folks. Inefficiencies in the delivery o f 
extension services can be attributed to inadequate operational funds and 
lack of human resources of local government units (LGUs). Almost half 
of the agricultural extension workers are ageing, ranging from 34-64 
years old, based on the survey conducted by the Agricultural Training 
Institute.5
Closely linked to the Agriculture and Fisheries sector is food. It is a 
key outcome of agricultural activities. Most agriculturalists do not 
consider 
the 
main 
goal 
of agricultural 
development to 
be 
the
2 Page 1-7, Philippine D evelopm ent Plan 2017-2022.
3 P agel-6, Ibid.
4 Page 8-1, Ibid.
5 Page 8-4, Ibid.


improvement of human health, beyond providing sufficient calories, but 
rather a broader agenda recognizing the important role that agriculture 
plays as a major livelihood and driver of economic growth in countries. 
More specifically, it calls for stronger focus on climate-smart agriculture, 
improving nutritional outcomes, and building more inclusive and efficient 
food value chains. Agriculture has the most direct influence and contact 
with the m ajority of households where undernourished individuals reside 
worldwide. Beneficiaries of typical agricultural projects overlap with 
those most affected by undernutrition: the rural poor. Seventy-eight 
percent of the world's poor are rural, and most of those are smallholder 
farmers. 
Any 
development 
activity 
reaching 
this 
population 
has 
enormous potential to influence factors that constrain human capital and 
well-being, of which nutrition is an essential part.6
In the first quarter of 2018, according to the SWS survey an 
estimated 2.3 million Filipino families or close to 10% (specifically 9.9% ) 
of the population said they suffered hunger in the first quarter of 2018. 
The numbers showed significant improvement after a spike in the 
December 2017 survey, where self-rated hunger spiked to 15.9%. As to 
location, there were 190,000 families in Metro Manila, 583,000 families 
in the Visayas, and 390,000 families in Mindanao who said they suffered 
hunger.7
Accordingly, UNFAO said that the small farmers feed the world and 
they are expected to feed the growing population by providing safe and 
affordable 
food, 
while 
taking 
care 
of the 
environment through 
sustainable farming methods. They can only do this with a clear 
program for small farm development.
Solutions to food insecurity must include elimination of poverty in 
the countryside and sustainable agriculture & environment. Government 
plans and projects must focus on improving the quality of life of its 
citizens. In particular, agricultural development must better the lives not 
only of the farmers but of the rural poor in general who comprise more 
than a half of the population. Programs and services must result in 
greater productivity, access to market and resources both financial and 
technical, competitiveness, and better income.8
6 h ttps://blog s.w orldbank.org/hea lth/nutritio n -a n d -a g ricu ltu re -b rid g in g -g a p
7 h ttp s //w w w .rappler.com /nation/201425-sw s-m arch2018-self-rated-hunger
8 http://w w w .pdf.ph/dow nloads/decentralization/LP P -A gri-P olicyP aper2.pdf


National 
development 
goals 
are 
best 
achieved 
through 
strengthened local autonomy and decentralization. Agricultural and 
fisheries production, trade, safe and sustainable development is a jo in t 
responsibility between the central government and the LGUs.9 Through 
devolution, the 1991 Local Government Code and its implementation is 
an instrument to promote sustainable development and address related 
problems of poverty, inequity, and food security.
Integration and synergistic intergovernmental relations are keys to 
program effectiveness and success. For the Department of Agriculture, 
as a national agency, it should strengthen its capacity to deliver 
extension services, provide capability-building/technical support to LGUs, 
and to perform effective regulatory functions and state-of-the-art 
research and development. For their part, LGUs must be able to define 
specific roles and targets in the translation of national goals to local 
development programs and projects. This process should include fund 
utilization 
and 
allocation 
of resources of their Internal 
Revenue 
Allocation (IRA) shares and grants for national and local programs.10
Currently, the local agricultural officers have become "political 
appointees" or else are being assigned to unrelated tasks. The DA now 
operates only at the level of Regional Offices, not working directly 
through each LGU at provincial and municipal levels. This resulted in 
ineffective coordination between agricultural development plans at 
national to the local levels.11
In order to address the abovementioned 
underlying issues, 
agricultural labor and land productivity as well as food safety and quality 
standards should be improved. Towards this end, the Department o f 
Agriculture should strengthen 
its coordination with the extension 
services through the Local Government Units. This coordination will 
result to a more efficient and effective delivery of extension services to 
the farmers and fishermen, addressing correctly their issues within their 
respective community and giving them easy access to value-chains, 
technology, financing, and programs that will ensure that their rights 
and welfare are defended and asserted.
9 Philippine A griculture and Fishery Extension System : Lessons Learned and The W ay Forward A fte r 
Fifteen Years o f Devolution ( h ttps://slidep la ye r.co m /slid e /1 1 8 7 2 0 3 9 /).
10 http://w w w .pdf.ph/dow nloads/decentralization/LP P -A gri-P olicyP aper2.pdf
11 Ibid.


This bill further seeks to mandate the allocation of funds for 
agriculture and fisheries development from the yearly Internal Revenue 
Allotment (IRA) of the LGUs and to professionalize the position o f 
Agriculturist for better extension services in agriculture and fisheries 
programs that can effectively result in poverty alleviation, social equity, 
food security, and job creation in the Philippine countryside.
In view o f the foregoing, the passage o f this measure is earnestly 
sought.
C Y N TH IA  A. V ILLA R
Senator


\
EIGHTEENTH CONGRESS OF THE 
) 
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES 
)
First Regular Session 
)
S E N A T E
Senate Bill No. 1 1 3 8
Senate
of tl)f fern rt/irf>
•19 
NOV- 4  
P 3  2 1
RECEIVED BV:
Introduced by Senator CYNTHIA A. VILLAR
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AN ACT STRENGTHENING LOCAL GOVERNMENT 
P A R TIC IP A TIO N  IN  AGRICULTURE DEVELOPMENT BY 
IN S T IT U T IO N A L IZ IN G  A T E N  PERCENT (1 0 % ) BUDGETARY 
ALLO CATIO N FROM TH E IR  IN TER N AL REVENUE ALLOTMENT 
FOR THE IM PLEM EN TATIO N  OF PROGRAMS, A C T IV IT IE S , AN D  
SERVICES FOR AGRICULTURE AND FISHERIES, AND A M E N D IN G  
FOR THE PURPOSE SECTIONS 17, 106, 107, 110, 287, 4 4 3 , 4 5 4 , 
4 8 2 (A ), AND 5 1 1 -A  OF REPUBLIC ACT 7 1 6 0  OTHERW ISE 
KNOW N AS THE LOCAL GOVERNMENT CODE AND FOR OTHER
PURPOSES
Be it enacted by the Senate and the House o f Representatives o f the 
Philippines in Congress assembled
C h a p te r I  
G eneral P ro visio n s
S e ctio n  1. T itle . -  This Act shall be known as the "Local Government 
Agriculture Development Act of 2019"
S e ctio n  2. D e c la ra tio n  o f P olicy. -  It is hereby declared the policy o f 
the State to promote, localize, and accelerate the development and 
modernization o f Philippine agriculture and fisheries resulting to the 
improvement of the economic and social well-being of farmers and
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fishermen, as well as the enhancement of food production and food 
security throughout the country.
The State, through the active participation and empowerment of the 
local government units, shall develop the agricultural and fisheries sector 
by 
increasing 
farmers 
and 
fisherfolks' employment and 
income, 
resiliency to climate change risks, food safety, food security, poverty 
alleviation, and promoting social equity and sustainable development 
especially in the countryside.
A healthy and dynamic agricultural and fisheries sector is an im portant 
foundation o f economic development. The devolution o f responsibilities 
from the national to local government units is one of the key factors for 
improving the effectivity and efficiency of services to the public and 
carrying 
out a 
bottom-up 
approach 
to 
agricultural 
development. 
Agricultural development involves transition from farming and fishing to 
agribusiness. This devolution of responsibilities shall be multidisciplinary 
and shall involve not only the farmers and fisher folks, but also those 
engaged in food production and processing, including the public and 
private sectors.
Towards this end, there shall 
be a comprehensive program 
on 
agriculture and fisheries development in all local government units which 
shall form part o f the basic, regular, and direct services it shall deliver to 
the inhabitants within their respective territorial jurisdictions.
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S e ctio n  3. Scope a nd  C overage. -  This shall be implemented in all
2 
Local Government Units in consultation and 
partnership with 
all
3 
stakeholders.
4
5 
S e ctio n  4. 
Local A g ric u ltu re  D e ve lo p m e n t P ro gram . -  The
6 
program shall focus on the areas identified as factors contributing to the
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competitiveness of the agriculture and fisheries industry. These are
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inputs 
including 
but 
not 
limited 
to 
seeds, 
labor, 
research 
and
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development, mechanization and post-harvest equipment, irrigation
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maintenance, 
production, 
marketing, 
credit, 
guarantee, 
insurance,
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farming systems, and organic farming. Towards this aim, the Local
12 
Government Units (Provinces, Cities, Municipalities, and Barangays) shall
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undertake the following mandated duties and functions:
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1. Enhance, strengthen, and promote agriculture and fisheries as a
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major livelihood within the locality;
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2. Enhance, strengthen, and promote easy access to adequate and
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safe food within the locality through improved production, post-
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harvest 
storage, 
processing, 
transportation, 
marketing, 
and
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distribution;
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3. Allocate a minimum of ten percent (10% ) of their annual
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development fund to the agriculture and fishery sector's value
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chain of production, processing, and marketing, including but not
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limited to production inputs, technical assitance, mechanization,
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promotion of crop diversification, post-harvest and processing
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facilities, and promotion of sustainable agribusiness;


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4. Create a Committee on Agriculture and Fisheries Development in
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the Local Government Legislative Council to address legislation in
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the said legislative body related to all agriculture and fisheries
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development and protection matters;
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5. Create the position of City and Municipal Agriculturist in the Local
6 
Government Unit's regular plantilla;
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6. Enhance capability of Local Chief Executives to deliver agriculture
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and fisheries programs;
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7. Strengthen linkages and partnerships among various partners in
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agriculture, fisheries, and food development;
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8. Establish an agriculture and fisheries office and strengthen the
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capacities o f its personnel who shall oversee the implementation of
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the agriculture and fisheries programs;
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9. Conserve, 
protect, and 
manage the agriculture and aquatic
15 
environment using high-quality and updated 
agricultural 
and
16 
aquaculture practices;
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10. Develop and strengthen the capacities and the technical skills o f
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farmers and fisher folks throughout the initial stages, production,
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harvesting, processing, storage, and transport stages in the food
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value chain, including simple business management, marketing,
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and profitability;
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11. Im prove the quality of life of farmers and fisher folks by providing
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programs with gender perspective 
that will support gender
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equality and social equity;
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12. Provide appropriate infrastructure and equipment for post-harvest
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technology;


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13. Promote the easy access of farmers and fisher folks to financial 
institutions of agriculture and fisheries stakeholders;
14. Monitor and assess the implementation of the agriculture and 
fisheries development program and evaluate its impact to the 
citizenry, including the effect on food security;
15. Coordinate with national government agencies, local government 
agencies, non-governmental organizations, private companies, and 
individuals 
which 
promote 
agricultural, 
aquatic, 
and 
food 
productivity through 
appropriate technology 
compatible 
with 
environmental integrity; and
16. Properly discharge the functions and responsibilities incidental to 
the efficient and effective performance of the above-mentioned 
objectives and duties.
C h a p te r I I  
D e fin itio n  o f T erm s
S e ctio n  5. D e fin itio n  o f T erm s. - For purposes o f this Act, the 
following terms shall be defined as follows:
a. "Agroecology" is defined as an environmentally and socially 
sensitive approach to agriculture that focuses 
not only on 
production, 
but also on the ecological 
sustainability of the 
productive system. It refers to the study of purely ecological 
phenomena within the crop field, such as predator/prey relations, 
or crop/weed competition.


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b. "Capacity" is a combination o f all strengths and resources available
2 
within the community, society, or organization. Capacity may
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include infrastructure, institutions, human knowledge, skills, and
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collective attributes such as social relationships, leadership, and
5 
management. It also means capability.
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c. "Climate Change" refers to a change in climate that can be
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identified by changes in the mean and/or variability of its
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properties and that persist for an extended period typically
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decades or longer, whether due to natural variability or as a result
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of human activity.
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d. "Food Safety" refers to the conditions and practices that preserve
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the quality of food to prevent contamination and food-borne
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illnesses
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e. "Food Security" shall mean building local capacity, increasing
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productivity, and improving markets and trade.
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f. "Good Agricultural Practices" (GAP) is an approach which aims at
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applying 
available 
knowledge 
to 
addressing 
environmental,
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economic 
and 
social 
sustainability 
dimensions 
for 
on-farm
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production and post-production processes, resulting in safe and
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quality food and non-food agricultural products.
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g. "Integrated Pest Management" (IPM) is an ecologically based
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approach to pest (animal and weed) control that utilizes a multi-
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disciplinary knowledge of crop/pest relationships, establishment of
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acceptable economic thresholds for pest populations and constant
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field monitoring for potential problems. Management may include
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such practices as "the use of resistant varieties; crop rotation;
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cultural practices; optimal use of biological control organisms;


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certified seed; protective seed treatments; disease-free transplants
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or rootstock; timeliness of crop cultivation; improved timing of
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pesticide applications; and removal or 'plow down' of infested
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plant material.
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h. "Land Use Planning" refers to the process undertaken by public
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authorities to identify, evaluate and decide on different options for
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the use of land, including consideration of long-term economic,
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social and environmental objectives and the implications for
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different communities and interest groups, and the subsequent
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form ulation 
and 
promulgation 
of 
plans 
that 
describes 
the
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permitted or acceptable uses.
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i. "Local Government Unit" refers to a province, city, municipality,
13 
and barangay in the country.
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j. "N utrient 
management" 
is 
managing 
the 
amount, 
source,
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placement, form, and timing of the application of nutrients and soil
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amendments to ensure adequate soil fertility for plant production
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and to minimize the potential for environmental degradation,
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particularly water quality impairment.
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k. "Sustainable Agriculture" means an integrated system of plant and
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animal production practices having a site-specific application that
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will 
in the 
long term satisfy human food 
needs, 
enhance
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environmental quality and natural resource base upon which the
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agricultural economy depends, sustain the economic viability of
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farm operations, efficient use o f on-farm resources and enhance
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the quality of life of farmers as a whole. A whole-systems
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approach to food, feed, and other plant and animal production
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that 
balances 
environmental 
soundness, 
social 
equity, 
and


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economic viability among all sectors of the public, including 
international and intergeneration of people.
I. "Sustainable agro ecosystems" refers to the maintenance o f the 
natural resource base o f a farm the reliance on minimum artificial 
inputs from outside the farm system, the management of pests 
and diseases through internal regulating mechanisms and the 
recovery o f the land from the disturbances caused by cultivation 
and harvest.
C h a p te r I I I
In s titu tio n a l M echanism
S ection 6. R ole o f th e  D e p a rtm e n t o f A g ric u ltu re  and o th e r 
G o v e rn m e n t O ffice s. - (a) The Department of Agriculture (DA) shall 
continue to be responsible for the promotion of agricultural development 
by providing the policy framework, public investments, and support 
services including infrastructure support, research, development, and 
extension, including agribusiness and market development services, 
regulation and policy planning.
It shall use a bottom -up self-reliant farm system approach that will 
emphasize gender equality, social justice, equity, productivity and 
sustainability in the use of agricultural resources. The convergence 
framework recognizes that "one size does not fit all" -  that different 
rural communities have different opportunities, needs, and aspirations.


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(b) State Agencies and Instrumentalities- Through this convergence, the
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DA and the LGU shall maximize their partnership in this development
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program to reduce cost in the delivery o f services and maximize
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knowledge on programs, funding, and investment access. The Field
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Regional Offices of the Department of Agriculture (DA-RFU), the
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Regional Directors o f the Department of Interior and Local Government
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(DILG), Department of Agrarian Reform (DAR), Department o f Science
8 
and Technology (DOST), the National Economic Development Authority
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(NEDA), 
Department 
of 
Public 
Works 
and 
Highways 
(DPWH),
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Department of Tourism (DOT), Regional Integrated Agriculture Research
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Centers (RIARC), the Regional Fisheries Research Centers (RFRC), the
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Regional Director of the Agricultural Training Institute (Regional Director
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-  ATI), the Regional Head of the Philippine Association of State Colleges
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and Universities (Regional Head of PASUC), the Head of the Regional
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Agricultural 
and 
Fisheries 
Council, 
the 
Provincial 
Agriculture 
and
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Fisheries Council Head, the Office of the Provincial Agriculturists (OPA),
17 
and the Provincial Governors, all City Mayors, and the Municipal Mayors
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shall constitute the Regional Agricultural Development Council (RADC).
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The RADC shall assist in the preparation, monitoring, and evaluation o f
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the short and long-term Local Government Unit's development plans,
22 
investment programs, and other projects.
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The offices of the various regional agencies of the government shall,
25 
upon request of the local chief executives, provide such technical
26 
support as may be required in the discharge o f their functions.
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The Council shall be headed by the DA-Regional Executive Director. The
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Council shall meet as often as necessary but not less than once a
3 
semester.
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Funds 
necessary 
for 
the 
RADC 
operations, 
project 
monitoring, 
evaluation, and implementation o f special projects shall be included in 
the General Appropriations Act of the DA, subject to the usual auditing 
and accounting rules and regulations.
(c) The Governors, through the Office of the Provincial Agriculturist, 
shall activate the Provincial Agricultural Council which shall monitor the 
form ulation, 
development, 
and 
implementation 
of 
the 
cities, 
municipalities, and barangays agriculture development plans, programs, 
and projects within their jurisdictions.
(d) The Municipal and Component City Mayors shall activate their
17 
Agriculture Sectoral Council which shall formulate and implement a three
18 
year agriculture development plan with measurable and time-bounded
19 
annual goals, programs, activities, and 
projects. The Local Chief
20 
Executive 
(LCE) 
shall 
oversee 
the 
timeliness, 
transparency, 
and
21 
accountability in the delivery of technical know-how, goods and services
22 
to farmers and fisher folks. The agriculture development plan of each
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Local Government Unit shall be submitted to the Governor through the
24 
Provincial 
Development 
Council. 
An 
annual 
report 
containing
25 
accomplishments and the impact of the 
programs and projects shall
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likewise be submitted to the Provincial Development Council on or
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before March 31, o f the succeeding year.
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The Municipal and City Planning Office shall be the Secretariat of the 
Agricultural Sectoral Council. The members o f the council shall be the 
following -  The barangay chairmen of the agricultural barangays, the 
Chair of the Municipality/City Sanggunian Bayan in charge of Agriculture 
and Fisheries, three (3) representative of the local famer's organization, 
the head of the local fisheries organization, an NGO in agriculture 
operating in the Municipality/City, a representative of a local agricultural 
development cooperative, the Local Chief Executive, the DA-Regional 
Executive Director or his representative.
S e ctio n  7. In c e n tiv e s  and A w a rd s. -  There shall be established an 
incentives and award system for good performing Local Government 
Units, which shall be administered by the DA. The DA shall promulgate 
such rules and regulations with regard to the qualifications of deserving 
Local Government Units which have exhibited outstanding performance 
in the promotion and implementation of the agriculture, fisheries, and 
food development within their respective territories.
C h a p te r IV
A m e n d a to ry  P ro visio ns
S e ctio n  8. A m e n d a to ry  P ro visio ns. -  Section 17 of Republic Act No. 
7160, otherwise known as the Local Government Code of 1991, is 
hereby amended to read as follows:
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1. Section 17 o f Republic Act No. 7160, otherwise known as the 
Local Government Code of 1991, is hereby amended to read as 
follows
"Section 17. Basic Services and Facilities. -
(a) 
Local government units shall endeavor to be self- 
reliant and shall continue exercising the powers and 
discharging the duties and functions currently vested 
upon them. They shall also discharge the functions and 
responsibilities of national agencies and offices devolved 
to them pursuant to this Code. Local government units 
shall likewise exercise such other powers and discharge 
such other functions and responsibilities as are necessary, 
appropriate, 
or 
incidental 
to 
efficient 
and 
effective 
provisions of the basic services and facilities enumerated 
herein.
THE LOCAL GOVERNMENT U N ITS SHOULD STRIVE 
TO 
CAPACITATE 
TH E IR  
CONSTITUTENTS 
AND 
T H E IR  IN S T IT U T IO N S  TO BECOME FOOD SECURE 
BY: T R A IN IN G  T H E IR  SMALL FARMERS, FISHER 
FOLKS, AND THE M ICRO AND SMALL BUSINESSES 
IN  
AGRICULTURE 
BE 
IT  
IN  
PRODUCTION, 
PROCESSING, 
TRADE, 
AND 
PRO M O TIO N; 
M IN IM IZ IN G  
T H E IR  
RISKS 
AND 
LOSSES; 
ESTABLISHING  
CLIM ATE 
CHANGE AD APTATIO N
12


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STRATEGIES, 
IN C LU D IN G  
PEST 
MANAGEMENT; 
AND PROM OTING FOOD SAFETY."
(b) 
Such basic services and facilities include, but are 
not limited to, the following: xxxx"
2. Section 106 of Republic Act No. 7160, otherwise known as the 
Local Government Code of 1991, is hereby amended to read as 
follows:
"Section 106. Local Development Councils. - (a) Each local 
government unit shall 
have a comprehensive m ulti­
sectoral 
development 
plan 
to 
be 
initiated 
by 
its 
development council and approved by its sanggunian. For 
this purpose, the development council at the provincial, 
city, 
municipal, 
or 
barangay 
level, 
shall 
assist the 
corresponding sanggunian in setting the direction of 
economic and 
social 
development, 
and 
coordinating 
development efforts within its territorial jurisdiction. THE 
LOCAL CHIEF EXECUTIVES SHALL CONVENE T H E IR  
RESPECTIVE 
LOCAL 
DEVELOPMENT 
COUNCILS 
W IT H IN  
T H IR TY  
(3 0 ) 
DAYS 
FROM 
TH EIR  
ASSUM PTIO N TO OFFICE."
3. Section 107 of Republic Act No. 7160, otherwise known as the 
Local Government Code of 1991, hereby amended to read as 
follows:
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SEC. 107. Composition of Local Development Councils. - 
The composition of the local development council shall be 
as follows: (a) The barangay development council shall be 
headed by the punong barangay and shall be composed 
of 
the 
following 
members: 
(1) 
Members 
o f 
the 
sangguniang 
barangay; 
(2) 
Representatives o f non­
governmental organizations operating in the barangay, 
who shall constitute not less than one fourth (1/4) of the 
members 
of 
the 
fully 
organized 
council; 
(3) 
A 
representative of the congressman.
(b) The city or municipal development council shall be 
headed by the mayor and th e  vice  m a y o r as v ic e  
ch a ir, and shall be composed of the following members: 
(1) All punong barangays in the city or municipality; (2) 
The chairman of the committee on appropriations of the 
sangguniang 
panlungsod 
or 
sangguniang 
bayan 
concerned; (3) The congressman or his representative; 
and 
(4) 
Representatives 
of 
non-governmental 
organizations operating in the city or municipality, as the 
case may be, who shall constitute not less than one- 
fourth (V4) of the members o f the fully organized council.
(c) The provincial development council shall be headed by 
the governor and th e  v ic e  g o v e rn o r as vice ch a ir, and 
shall be composed o f the following members: (1) All
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mayors of component cities and municipalities; (2) The 
chairman of the committee on appropriations of the 
sangguniang panlalawigan; (3) The congressman or his 
representative; (4) Representatives of non-governmental 
organizations 
operating 
in 
the 
province, 
who 
shall 
constitute not less than one-fourth ( 1/ 4 )  o f the members 
of the fully organized council; 
and (5 ) P ro v in c ia l 
P re s id e n t o f th e  V ice M a yo r's League (V M LP ) to  
in c lu d e  
th e  
c o m m itte e  
on 
in fra s tru c tu re  
a n d  
p la n n in g  in a ll le ve ls o f le g is la tu re  e x c e p t th e  
b a ra n g a ys."
4. Section 110 o f Republic Act No. 7160, otherwise known as the 
Local Government Code of 1991, hereby amended to read as 
follows:
"Section 
110. 
Meetings 
and 
Quorum. 
- 
The 
local 
development council shall meet at least [once every six 
(6) m onths] FOUR (4 ) TIM E S  A YEAR, PREFERABLY 
EVERY 
MARCH, 
JUNE, 
SEPTEMBER, 
A N D  
DECEMBER EACH YEAR, or as often as may be 
necessary."
5. Section 287 o f Republic Act No. 7160, otherwise known as the 
Local Government Code of 1991, hereby amended to read as 
follows:
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"Section 287. Local Development Projects. - Each local 
government unit shall appropriate in its annual budget no 
less than twenty percent (20% ) of its annual internal 
revenue allotment for development projects. Copies of the 
development plans of local government units shall be 
furnished 
the 
Department 
of 
Interior 
and 
Local 
Government. O f th is  a m o u n t th e  Local G o v e rn m e n t 
U n its sh a ll a llo c a te  te n  p e rc e n t (1 0 % ) fo r th e  
im p le m e n ta tio n  
o f 
p ro g ra m s, 
p ro je c ts , 
a n d  
a c tiv itie s  o f th e  local c o u n c il fo r th e ir a g ric u ltu re  
a n d /o r 
fis h e rie s  
d e v e lo p m e n t 
to w a rd s  
th e  
p ro m o tio n  o f fo o d  s e c u rity ."
6. Section 443 of Republic Act No. 7160, otherwise known as the 
Local Government Code of 1991, hereby amended to read as 
follows:
"Section 443. Officials of the Municipal Government, -(a) 
There shall be in each municipality a municipal mayor, a 
municipal vice-mayor, sangguniang bayan members, a 
secretary 
to 
the 
sangguniang 
bayan, 
a 
municipal 
treasurer, a municipal assessor, a municipal accountant, a 
municipal 
budget officer, 
a 
municipal 
planning 
and 
development coordinator, a municipal engineer/building 
official, a municipal health officer and a municipal civil 
registrar.
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(b) In addition thereto, the mayor may appoint a 
municipal 
administrator, 
a 
municipal 
legal 
officer, 
[m u n ic ip a l a g ric u ltu ris t], a municipal environment and 
natural resources officer, a municipal social welfare and 
development 
officer, 
a 
municipal 
architect, 
and 
a 
municipal 
information 
officer. 
PROVIDED 
TH AT 
IN SO FAR  AS LIVE LIH O O D  OF THE M U N IC IP A L IT Y  
IS  
AT 
LEAST 
FIFTY 
(5 0 ) 
PERCENT 
IN  
AGRICULTURE 
A N D /O R  
FISHERIES, 
THE 
APPO INTM EN T OF A M U N IC IP A L AG R IC U LTU R IST 
SHALL BE M ANDATO RY."
7. Section 454 of Republic Act No. 7160, otherwise known as the 
Local Government Code of 1991, hereby amended to read as 
follows:
"Section 454. Officials o f the City Government, (a) There 
shall be in each city a mayor, a vice-mayor, sangguniang 
panlungsod members, a secretary to the sangguniang 
panlungsod, a city treasurer, a city assessor, a city 
accountant, a city budget officer, a city planning and 
development coordinator, a city engineer, a city health 
officer, a city civil registrar, a city administrator, a city 
legal officer, a city veterinarian, a city social welfare and 
development officer, and a city general services officer, 
(b) In addition thereto, the city mayor may appoint a city 
architect, a city information officer,[a city agriculturist], a
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city population officer, a city environment and natural 
resources 
officer, 
and 
a 
city 
cooperatives 
officer.
PROVIDED THAT INSO FAR AS LIV E LIH O O D  OF THE 
C ITY 
IS  
AT 
LEAST 
FIFTY 
(5 0 ) 
PERCENT 
IN  
AGRICULTURE 
A N D /O R  
FISHERIES, 
THE 
APPO INTM EN T OF A CITY AG RICU LTUR IST SHALL 
BE M ANDATORY.
The appointment of a city population officer shall be 
optional in the city: Provided, however. That cities which 
have existing population offices shall continue to maintain 
such offices for a period of five (5) years from the date o f 
the effectivity of this Code, after which said offices shall 
become optional."
8. Section 482 (a) of Republic Act No. 7160, otherwise known as 
the Local Government Code of 1991, hereby amended to read 
as follows:
"Section 482. Qualifications, Powers and Duties, (a) No 
person shall be appointed agriculturist unless he is a 
citizen 
of the 
Philippines, 
a 
resident 
o f the 
local 
government unit concerned, of good moral character, a 
holder of a college degree in agriculture or any related 
course from a recognized college or university and a first 
grade civil service eligible or its equivalent. He must have 
practiced 
his 
profession 
in 
agriculture 
or 
acquired
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experience in a related field for at least five (5) years in 
the case of the provincial and city agriculturist, and three 
(3) years in the case of the municipal agriculturist.
The position of the agriculturist shall be mandatory for 
the provincial government and optional for the city and 
municipal 
governments: 
PROVIDED 
TH AT
M U N IC IP A L IT IE S  WHERE AGRICULTURE A N D /O R  
FISHERIES 
IS  
A 
S IG N IF IC A N T  
IN D U STR Y 
OR 
WHERE THE M A IN  LIVE LIH O O D  IS  AG RICULTURAL 
IN  NATURE, THE APPO INTM ENT OF A M U N IC IP A L 
AG R IC U LTU R IST SHALL BE M ANDATO RY."
9. A new section denominated as Section 511-A o f Republic Act 
No. 7160, otherwise known as the Local Government Code o f 
1991, hereby incorporated to read as follows:
"SEC TIO N  
511-A . 
FAILURE 
TO 
CONVENE 
THE 
LOCAL DEVELOPMENT CO UNCIL UNDER SECTIONS 
106A  
AND 
106 
HEREOF 
W ITH O U T 
V A LID  
GROUNDS 
SHALL 
BE 
PUNISHED 
W IT H
SUSPENSION FROM OFFICE FOR A PERIOD OF 
T H IR T Y  
(3 0 ) 
DAYS. 
SUBSEQUENT V IO LA TIO N S  
SHALL BE PUNISHED W IT H  SUSPENSION FROM 
OFFICE FOR A PERIOD OF N IN ETY (9 0 ) DAYS."
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S e ctio n  9. F u n d in g . -  The initial funding requirements for the 
implementation of this Act shall 
be charged against the current 
appropriations of the Local Government Unit. Thereafter, such sums as 
may be necessary to the implementation of this Act shall be included in 
the yearly budget o f the Local Government Unit from their Internal 
Revenue Allocation.
S e ctio n  10. Im p le m e n tin g  R ules and R e g u la tio n s. -  The DILG, in 
consultation with the Department of Agriculture and other concerned 
agencies and stakeholders, shall promulgate the implementing rules and 
regulations o f this Act within ninety (90) days from the effectivity o f this 
Act.
S e ctio n  11. N o n -im p a irm e n t C lause. -  Nothing in this Act shall be 
construed as to diminish, impair, or repeal the prohibited acts under 
existing laws, presidential decrees, executive orders, ordinances, rules 
and regulations, and other issuances.
S e ctio n  12. S e p a ra b ility  C lause. -  If for any reason, any section or 
provision of this Act shall be declared to be unconstitutional or invalid, 
the other sections or provisions not affected thereby shall remain in full 
force and effect.
S e ctio n  13. R epealing C lause. -  All laws, presidential decrees, 
executive orders, ordinances, rules and regulations, and other issuances 
or parts thereof which are inconsistent with this Act, are hereby 
repealed or modified accordingly.
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S e ctio n  14. E ffe c tiv ity . -  This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days 
after its publication in the Official Gazette or in a newspaper o f general 
circulation in the country.
Approved.
*
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