1 
NINETEENTH CONGRESS 
) 
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES ) 
First Regular Session 
) 
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES 
Introduced by Representative Rufus B. Rodriguez 
House Bill No.  _____ 
EXPLANATORY NOTE 
For 2020, data from the Philippine Statistics Authority show that the Agriculture, 
Forestry, and Fishing (AFF) sector had a 10.2% of the GDP of the Philippines.  
This shows the important role that agriculture plays in the development of the country, 
and the important role of workers in the agriculture sector.  
Thus, this measure which aims to protect of our agriculture workers and strengthen 
their rights. 
In view of the foregoing, immediate approval of this measure is earnestly requested. 
RUFUS B. RODRIGUEZ 
May 29, 2023
8:15 am
8383


2 
NINETEENTH CONGRESS 
) 
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES ) 
First Regular Session 
) 
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES 
Introduced by Representative Rufus B. Rodriguez 
House Bill No.  _____ 
AN ACT 
PROVIDING FOR THE MAGNA CARTA FOR THE ADVANCEMENT OF AGRICULTURAL 
WORKERS WELFARE  
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the Philippines in Congress 
assembled: 
ARTICLE I 
GENERAL PROVISIONS 
Section 1. Short Title. – This Act shall be known as the "Magna Carta for the Advancement 
of Agricultural Workers Welfare”.  
Sec. 2. Declaration of Policy. – It is hereby declared a policy of the State to accelerate the 
development and modernization of Philippine agriculture and improve the economic and 
social well-being of agricultural development workers as well as their working conditions and 
employment status. The State shall likewise develop their skills, knowledge, orientation and 
capabilities so that they will become more responsive and effective in providing the necessary 
services for countryside development and the modernization of the Philippine Agriculture. 
Sec. 3. Definition of Terms. – As used in this Act: 
a. Agricultural Development Workers – shall mean all persons who are engaged in agricultural
development activities and all persons employed in the Department of Agriculture (DA),
including its bureaus and attached agencies, Local Government Units (LGUs), State Colleges
and Universities (SUCs) and concerned government and private institutions, and shall include
agriculturist, agricultural engineers, fishery technologists, veterinarians, agricultural
technicians, agricultural employees, administrative and support personnel employed
regardless of their employment status;
b. Agriculturist – shall refer to a person who is a graduate of a course in agriculture or any
related course registered and license with the Professional Regulation Commission (PRC)
who performs any of the specialized activities such as agronomy, horticulture, animal
husbandry, entomology, plant pathology, plant breeding, agricultural economics, agricultural
extension, and marketing;
c. Agricultural Engineer – shall refer to a person registered with the PRC performing
engineering activities in agriculture, particularly on areas of farm power and machinery,
irrigation and drainage, soil and water conservation, agricultural buildings and structures,
agricultural processing, and postharvest facilities;
d. Fishery Technologist – shall refer to a person who is a graduate of a course in fisheries and
registered and licensed with the PRC performing activities on fisheries and aquaculture, and,
fishery production and processing;
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e. Veterinarian – shall refer to a person registered with the PRC performing professional 
activities on veterinary services such as disease prevention, control, and animal health; 
 
f. Agricultural Technician – shall refer to a trained or skilled agricultural worker who is not 
necessarily a college graduate and certified by the Technical Education and Skills 
Development Authority (TESDA) performing job such as plant nursery propagator, farm 
mechanic and agricultural machinery operator and other related skilled job in agricultural 
production, processing, and marketing;  
 
g. Agricultural Extension Worker – shall refer to an agriculturist, agricultural engineer, fishery 
technologist and veterinarian who helps farmers and fishermen in the promotion of agricultural 
and fisheries development plans, programs and projects through the use of extension the 
theologies, concepts and principles;  and, 
 
h. Agricultural Employee – is a person who is a graduate of Agriculture, Agricultural 
Engineering, Fisheries, Veterinary Medicine or any other agriculture- related course from any 
recognized college or university and in holder of an appropriate civil service but not a licensed 
professional under the PRC who is employed in the government, non-government 
organization or private institution who performs activities on agriculture development. 
 
Sec. 4. Coverage. – This act shall cover all Agricultural Development Workers of the 
government, non-government organizations and private institutions and shall include 
agriculturists, agricultural engineers, fishery technologists, veterinarians, agricultural 
technicians, agricultural employees, farm workers, administrative and support personnel 
employed regardless of their employment status. 
 
ARTICLE II 
EMPLOYMENT AND CAREER DEVELOPMENT 
 
Sec. 5.  Recruitment and Qualifications. – The selection and appointment of agricultural 
development workers shall be in accordance with the merit and fitness principle: Provided, 
That he/she has the appropriate civil service eligibilities and/or professional license, 
educational qualification, skills and related work experiences. 
 
Sec.  6. Employment Assistance. – There shall be employment opportunities for the graduates 
of agriculture and fishery related courses who are certified and licensed to practice their 
profession and/or perform specialized works by the PRC and TESDA, respectively. In line with 
this, the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE), together with academic institutions, 
PRC, TESDA and the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) shall undertake employment 
promotion of the produced agricultural development workers in the domestic and foreign 
market and adopt and implement a National Employment Program for Agricultural 
Development Workers. 
 
Sec. 7. Professionalization of Government Agricultural Services. – There shall be support on 
the professionalization of agricultural services of the government by ensuring the appropriate 
position titles, just compensation and benefits of the agricultural development workers relative 
to the implementation of the government’s agricultural programs. For this purpose, the DA, 
together with CSC, Department of Budget and Management (DBM), Department of the Interior 
and Local Government (DILG), and in coordination with the recognized national associations 
of agricultural development workers shall review the existing functions, responsibilities, 
position, titles, qualifications and allocations of the agricultural development workers 
employed at the DA, LGUs and concerned government agencies, and to reallocate, reclassify 


 
 
 
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and/or match them with appropriate position, titles and compensation. It shall likewise adopt 
the existing CSC agricultural positions with corresponding salary grade. 
 
Sec. 8. Mandatory Positions of Agricultural Development Workers in Local Government Units. 
– The creation of the following positions is hereby made mandatory in addition to the 
prescribed position under the Local Government Code of 1991, as amended: 
 
i. 
Provincial Agricultural Engineer; 
ii. 
Provincial Fishery Officer; 
iii. 
City Agricultural Engineer; 
iv. 
City Veterinarian; 
v. 
City Agriculturist; and, 
vi. 
Municipal Agriculturist. 
 
The LGUs shall create staffing pattern for agricultural development workers. 
 
Sec. 9. Performance Evaluation and Merit Promotion. - The Secretary of Agriculture in 
consultation with CSC, DOLE and recognized national associations of agricultural 
development workers shall prepare a uniform career and personnel development plan 
applicable to all agricultural development workers. Such career and personnel development 
plan shall include provisions on merit promotion, performance evaluation, in-service training 
grants and incentives awards system. The performance evaluation plan shall consider 
foremost the improvement of individual employee efficiency and organizational effectiveness: 
Provided, that each employee shall be informed regularly by his/her supervisor of his/her 
performance evaluation. Provided further, That the merit promotion plan shall be in 
consonance with the rules of the CSC 
 
Sec. 10. Transfer of Geographical Reassignment of Agricultural Officers and Employees. – 
No transfer of geographical reassignment shall be made or effected without a written notice 
to the agricultural development worker concerned stating therein the reason for such: 
Provided, That said written notice shall be made thirty (30) days prior to the date of transfer 
or reassignment and that if the employee concerned disagrees with the order of transfer or 
reassignment, he/she may appeal said order with CSC or DOLE, as the case may be: 
Provided further, That pending appeal, such transfer or reassignment shall be held in 
abeyance: Provided furthermore, That no transfer or reassignment whatsoever shall be made 
three (3) months prior to any local or national elections: Provided finally, That the necessary 
expenses of the transfer and/or reassignment of the agricultural worker or employee and 
his/her immediate family shall be paid by the Philippine Government. 
 
Sec. 11. Security of Tenure. – Any agricultural development worker holding a permanent 
position in the government shall not be terminated except for cause: Provided, That in the 
event the agricultural development worker is found to be unjustly dismissed by CSC, he/she 
shall be entitled to reinstatement without loss of seniority rights and back wages with twenty 
per centum (20%) interest to be computed from the time compensation is withheld up to the 
reinstatement. Provided however, that if the agricultural development worker does not desire 
to be reinstated, he/she shall be entitled to back wages and separation pay with twenty per 
centum interest. 
 
Sec. 12. Married Agricultural Development Worker. – Whenever possible, the proper 
authorities shall take steps to enable married couples both of whom are public agricultural 
development workers, to be employed or assigned in the same or adjacent city/municipality. 
 


 
 
 
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Sec. 13. Code of Conduct. – All Agricultural Development Workers must be guided by the 
Code of Ethics, as adopted by the Secretary of Agriculture in consultation with CSC, DOLE, 
and concerned stakeholders. 
 
Sec. 14. Normal Hours of Work. – The normal hours of work of an agricultural development 
worker shall not exceed eight (8) hours a day or forty (40) hours a week. Hours of work shall 
include:  
a. the time the agricultural worker is required to be on active duty or to be at a prescribed 
workplace;  
b. the time which an agricultural development worker is permitted to work; and, 
c. the time which an agricultural development worker is required to work in a place other 
than the prescribed workplace. 
 
Sec. 15. Overtime Work – Where the exigencies of the service so require, any agricultural 
development worker, whether in government or non-government service, may be required to 
render service beyond the normal eight (8) hours a day, inclusive of Saturday and Sunday 
and non-working holidays. In such cases, the agricultural development worker shall be given 
additional compensation in accordance with the existing applicable laws. 
 
Sec. 16. Personnel Required. – All offices, firms and establishments either government or 
private, and farmer organizations and cooperatives engaged in the production, processing, 
handling and marketing  of agriculture and fisheries products and likewise implementing 
projects related to irrigation, farm mechanization, postharvest facilities and agricultural 
infrastructures shall employ the required number and/or engage the services of agriculturists, 
agricultural engineers, fishery technologists and veterinarians to perform professional 
services.  
Provided, That there shall be no understaffing and/or overloading of agricultural 
development workers. The ratio of staff to clientele shall be such as to reasonably effect a 
sustained quality of agricultural service at all times without overworking the agricultural 
development workers and over-extending their services. Only qualified professional shall 
occupy the agriculturist, agricultural engineer, fishery technologist and veterinarian in all 
government instrumentalities, non-government organization and private firms and 
establishments; 
Provided further, That in cases that the LGU decides to employ additional agricultural 
development workers, they shall be exempted in the prescribed ceiling for personnel services 
by the DBM provided such positions shall be filled up within one (1) year after its creation. 
Provided furthermore, That the national government shall allocate the necessary funds for the 
hiring of additional agricultural development workers in cases of overloading of personnel in 
specific areas of assignment of concerned government offices. 
 
ARTICLE III 
RIGHTS, BENEFITS, AND REWARDS 
 
Sec. 17. Freedom from Interference or Coercion. – It shall be unlawful for any person to 
commit any of the following acts of interference or coercion: 
a. to require as a condition of employment that the agricultural development worker shall 
not join an organization or union; 
b. to discriminate in order to encourage or discourage membership in any agricultural 
development workers organization or union; 
c. to prevent an agricultural development worker from carrying out his/her duties and 
functions in his/her organization or union or to penalize him/her for any lawful action 
performed in that capacity; 
d. to harass or to intimidate an agricultural development worker or prevent him/her from 
performing duties and functions; and, 


 
 
 
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e. to perform acts that will diminish the independence and freedom of the union or 
organization to direct its own affairs.  
 
Sec. 18. Discrimination Prohibited. – An agricultural development worker shall not be 
discriminated by reason of creed, gender, political belief, civil status, religious belief and ethnic 
grouping in the exercise of his/her profession. 
 
Sec. 19. Safeguards in Administrative Proceedings. –  In every administrative proceeding, an 
agricultural development worker shall have: 
a. the right to be informed of the charges; 
b. the right to full access to evidence against him/her; 
c. the right to defend himself/herself through counsel of his/her choice; 
d. the right to be given adequate time to prepare his/her case, which shall in no case 
exceed twenty (20) days; 
e. the right to appeal to designated authorities; 
f. the right to cross-examine witnesses and to processes for the production of witnesses; 
g. the right to reimbursement for reasonable expenses incurred in his/her defense in case 
of exoneration or dismissal of the charges; and, 
h. such other rights provided by other national agencies and local government units to 
their respective officers and employees to ensure fairness and impartiality in 
prosecution.  
 
Sec. 20. Right to Join Organizations. – Agricultural development workers shall have the right 
to freely join organizations or unions for purposes not contrary to law, in order to protect their 
mutual interest and to seek redress of grievances through peaceful concerted activities. The 
various national organizations of agricultural development workers shall be consulted in the 
formulation of national education policies and professional standards, and in the formulation 
of national policies and programs on agriculture of the government. 
Provided, that the government shall ensure that the agricultural development workers 
organizations are represented in the national and local Agricultural and Fishery Councils, local 
development councils and other policy making and consultative bodies of the government. 
 
Sec. 21. Criteria for Incentives and Rewards System. – the reward and incentive system for 
agricultural development workers provided under this Act, which will encourage them to stay 
in the service, promote their productivity and reward them for extraordinary performance shall 
be governed and funded by DA with the following criteria: 
a. Honorarium – form of remuneration for services rendered beyond the established 
workload of agricultural development workers whose broad and superior knowledge 
and expertise contribute to agricultural productivity and innovativeness; 
b. Incentive pay – form of remuneration given to individuals whose services in 
management, administration, policy making and support contribute to the efficient and 
effective implementation of the agricultural and fisheries program of the government, 
c. Performance Bonus – form of remuneration given to the agricultural development 
workers for performance that exceeds established targets; and 
d. Other incentives that DA and LGUs may establish. 
The DA is hereby mandated to create a committee to formulate the mechanics relative to this 
provision. 
 
Sec. 22. Other Compensation and Benefits. – All agricultural development workers shall be 
entitled to the following additional compensation and benefits: 
a. Representation Allowance Travelling Allowance (RATA) – all Provincial/City/Municipal 
Agriculturist, Veterinarians, Agricultural Engineers and Fisheries Officers shall be 
entitled to RA equivalent to the Department Head of the LGUs; 
 


 
 
 
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b. Hazard Allowance – All agricultural development workers assigned in difficult areas, 
strife-torn or embattled areas, distressed or isolated stations, animal/plant/fisheries 
breeding station, plant nurseries, plantations and demonstration farms, laboratories 
especially those handling x-rays, radioisotopes, chemicals, etc., sea-borne patrols, 
construction and installation of agricultural infrastructure projects, and other areas 
declared under a state of calamity or emergency which exposes them to great danger, 
occupational risk or perils of life shall be compensated with hazard allowance 
equivalent to at least twenty-five per centum (25%) of the monthly basic salary; 
c. Subsistence Allowance – All agricultural development workers who are required to 
render services in the communities, institutions, animal and plant breeding nurseries, 
plantations and demonstration farms and other banner programs and projects DA 
and/or LGU in order to make their services available at all times, shall be entitled to 
full daily subsistence allowance of three (3) meals, incidental expenses and other 
actual expenses that may be incurred while on official function, which shall be 
computed in accordance with the prevailing circumstances;  
d. Longevity Pay – A longevity pay equivalent to five per centum (5%) of the monthly 
basic pay shall be paid to an agricultural worker for every (3) years of continuous, 
efficient and meritorious services rendered; 
e. Clothing Allowance – All agricultural development workers shall be entitled to a 
clothing allowance in accordance with approved laws and regulations or as mandated 
by law; 
f. Housing – All agricultural workers who are in tour of duty and those who, because of 
unavoidable circumstances, are forced to stay in the institution or community with living 
quarters shall be entitled to such quarters for free; Provided, That if such living quarters 
are not available, their workers shall receiving housing allowance: Provided further, 
That said allowance shall be reviewed periodically and adjusted for inflation;  
g. Compensation for injuries – Agricultural development workers shall be protected 
against work-related injuries in accordance with the Labor Code or Civil Code as the 
case may be; 
h. Medical Examination – During the tenure of their employment, agricultural 
development workers personnel shall be given a compulsory free medical examination 
once a year and immunization as the case may warrant. The medical examination 
shall include: 
i. Complete physical examination; 
ii. Routine laboratory; 
iii. Dental examination; and, 
iv. Other indicated examination 
Provided, That the cost of such medical examination shall be included as automatic 
appropriation in said entity’s annual budget. 
i. 
On-Call Pay – In case of “On-Call” pay equivalent to fifty per centum (50%) of his/her 
regular wage, “On-Call” status refers to a condition when an agricultural officer or 
employee is called upon the respond to an urgent or immediate need or relief work 
during emergencies such that the agricultural worker cannot utilized 1 his/her time for 
personal needs: Provided, That no agricultural worker shall be placed in an “On-Call” 
status beyond seven (7) days; 
j. 
Motor and Vehicle Loan – All agricultural development workers shall be entitled to avail 
of the motor and vehicle load of DA. The government shall provide adequate budgetary 
support for their purpose; and, 
k. Highest Basic Salary Upon Retirement – Three (3) prior to the compulsory retirement, 
the agricultural development worker shall automatically be granted one (1) salary 
range or grade higher than his/her basic salary and his/her retirement benefits 
thereafter, computed on the basis of his/her highest salary: Provided, That he/she has 
reached the age and fulfilled service requirements under existing laws. 
 


 
 
 
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ARTICLE IV 
HUMAN RESOURCE DEVELOPMENT 
 
Sec. 23. Training Program. – The DA together with the DOLE, PRC, Commission on Higher 
Education (CHED) and DILG shall formulate and implement a comprehensive training 
programs for the agricultural development workers as part of the Continuing Professional 
Development (CPD) Program as mandated by the PRC and Human Resource Development 
Program of the LGUs. Provided, That adequate budgetary support shall be provided by the 
national government; Provided further, that the trainings conducted by Agricultural Training 
Institute (ATI) for Agricultural Development Workers shall be credited as part of the CPD 
Program requirements of the PRC. 
 
Sec. 24. Scholarship Program. – The Agricultural Development Workers and students on 
agriculture, agricultural engineering, fishery, and veterinary medicine courses shall have full 
access and priority allocation on the scholarship program of the government. 
 
Sec. 25. Capability Assessment. – The DA shall conduct a periodic agricultural development 
worker resource development/management study into, among others, the following areas: 
a. Types and amounts of resources to include the ratio of personnel -clientele based on 
the geographical area and program coverage; 
b. Adequacy of facilities and supplies to render quality agricultural extension services; 
c. Opportunity for agricultural development workers to grow and develop their potentials 
and experience a sense of worth and dignity in their work. Those who undertake 
agriculture related postgraduate studies shall be entitled to an upgrading in their 
position or raise in pay of two (2) steps higher or its equivalent to his/her current salary; 
d. Mechanisms for annual regional consultation on the welfare of agricultural 
development workers; 
e. Staffing patterns and standard of agricultural extension services. Existing 
recommendations on staffing and standards of agricultural extension services shall be 
immediately and strictly enforced; 
f. Ways and means of enabling the rank-and-file workers to avail of education 
opportunities for personal growth and development; 
g. Upgrading of working conditions, reclassification positions and salaries of agricultural 
development workers to correct disparity vis-à-vis other profession such that position 
requiring longer study to upgrade and given corresponding pay scale; and 
h. Assessment of the national policy on exportation of skilled agricultural development 
workers resource to focus on how these resources could instead be utilized 
productivity for the country’s needs. 
There is hereby created a Congressional Commission on Agricultural Extension Services 
(CAESCOM) to review, assess and impose the implementation of human resources 
development in agricultural extension services, to include the Continuing Professional 
Education and Training and the other areas described above. The Commission shall be 
composed of five (5) members from the House of Representatives and five (5) members from 
the Senate. It shall be co-chaired by the chairperson of the committee on agriculture of both 
houses. It shall render a report and recommendation to the Congress which shall be the basis 
for policy legislation in the field of agriculture. Such a congressional review shall be 
undertaken once every five (5) years. 
 
ARTICLE V 
ADMINISTRATION AND ENFORCEMENT 
 
Sec. 26. Composition of the Agricultural Officers and Employees Consultative Council. – The 
composition of the Agricultural Officers and Employees Consultative Council shall be 
determined from the list submitted by the Regional Association of Municipal/City Agricultural 


 
 
 
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Officers and Provincial Agriculturists, throughout the country as well as from the list submitted 
by the Agriculture and Fishery Council Chairman, Provincial Agriculture and Fishery Council 
Chairman and the National Agriculture and Fishery Chairman. 
 
Sec. 27. Penalties. – Any person who shall willfully interfere with, restrain or coerce any 
agricultural development workers in the exercise of his/her rights or shall violate any of the 
provisions of this Act shall upon conviction, be punished by a fine of not less than Twenty 
Thousand Pesos (P20,000.00) but not more than Forty Thousand Pesos (P40,000.00) or 
imprisonment of not more than one (1) year, or both, at the discretion of the court. If the 
offender is a public official, the court, in additional to the penalties provided in the preceding 
paragraph, shall impose the additional penalty of disqualification from office of such offending 
public official. 
 
Sec. 28. Appropriations. – The amount necessary to carry out the provisions of this Act shall 
be included in the General Appropriations Act of the year following its enactment into law and 
every year thereafter. 
 
Sec. 29. Implementing Rules and Regulations. – The Secretary of DA, together with the 
DOLE, CSC, DILG, and in consultation with the national organizations of agricultural 
development workers shall formulate and prepare necessary rules and regulations in 
implementing the provisions of this Magna Carta. 
 
Sec. 30. Separability Clause. – If any provision of this Act shall be declared unconstitutional 
or invalid, the other provisions not otherwise affected shall remain in full force and effect. 
 
Sec. 31. Repealing Clause. – All laws, presidential decrees, executive orders, rules and 
issuance or parts thereof inconsistent with the provisions of this Act and Section 484 of the 
Local Government Code are hereby repealed or modified accordingly.  
 
Sec. 32. Effectivity. – This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after its publication in the 
official gazette or in a newspaper of general circulation. 
 
Approved,