• 
FIFTEENTH CONGRESS OF THE 
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES 
First Regular Session 
) 
) 
) 
SENATE 
S.B.No. 
1337 
Introduced by Senator Loren Legarda 
EXPLANATORY NOTE 
The agricultural sector of the country is experiencing constant decline. Due to 
the EI Nino phenomenon, said sector contracted by as much as 2.84% in the first 
quarter of 2010. Huge production losses in palay (pegged at 11.41 %) and corn 
(pegged at 16.76%) were recorded, along with cuts in the produciton of sugarcane, 
mongo, and rubber. The fisheries subsector also produced 0.63% less output in the 
first quarter of 2010. The gross value of fisheries production was P53.1 billion, which 
was lower by 1.2% from last year's record. 
There is a need to undertake Agricultural Extension in order to bolster this 
deteriorating sector. Agricultural extension is a policy instrument for empowering 
individuals and organizations by helping them help themselves. It is a system which 
assists farm people, through educational procedures and sharing best agricultural 
practices, in improving farming methods and techniques, increasing production 
efficiency and income, making levels of living and lifting social and educational 
standards. 
The clients of this agricultural and fisheries extension system are the 
producers (the farmers, fisherfolk, agricultural processors), traders, and consumers, 
with priority given to economically and socially disadvantaged groups. 
This bill provides for the creation of the Philippines Agriculture and Fisheries 
Extension Agency (P AFEA), which shall serve as the national apex organization to 
unify all agriculture and fisheries extension systems and ensure maintenance of the 
high standards of extension programs. It shall orchestrate, provide national 
direction, set standards of performance, and provide institutionalized financial and 
technical support to the LGUs. 
As a crucial sector that influences the country's continued economic 
development, there is an impressing need to uplift our agricultural and fisheries 
sector. Agriculture and Fisheries extension is central to the growth and development 
of this' sector, which remain the backbone of our economy. 
In view of the foregoing, early passage of this bill is earnestly requested . 
. ~~ 
Senator 


1 
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FIFTEENTH CONGRESS OF THE 
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES 
First Regular Session 
) 
) 
) 
SENATE 
S.B. No. 1337 
Introduced by Senator Loren Legarda 
AN ACT 
PRESCRIBING THE STRENGTHENING OF THE NATIONAL AGRICULTURE 
AND FISHERIES EXTENSION SYSTEM TO ACCELERATE AGRICULTURE 
AND FISHERIES DEVELOPMENT, APPROPRIATING FUNDS THEREFOR 
AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES 
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the Philippines in 
Congress assembled: 
ARTICLE I 
GENERAL PROVISIONS 
4 
SECTION 1. Short Title. - This Act shall be known as the" Agriculture and 
5 
Fisheries Extension Act of 2010." 
6 
7 
SEC. 2. Declaration of Policy. - The goals of national economy are a more 
8 
equitable distribution of opportunities, income and wealth; a sustained increase in 
9 
the amount of goods and services produced by the nation for the benefit of the 
10 
people; and expanding productivity as the key to raising the quality of life for all, 
11 
especially the underprivileged. 
12 
13 
The State shall promote economic modernization and full employment based 
14 
on sound agricultural development and agrarian reform, through industries that 
15 
make full and efficient use of human and natural resources, and which are 
16 
competitive in both domestic and foreign markets. In pursuit of these goals, all 
17 
sectors of the economy and all regions of the counhy shall be given optimum 
18 
opportunity to develop. 
19 
20 
Thus, it is hereby declared the policy of the State to enable those who belong 
21 
to the agriculture and fisheries sector to participate and share in the fruits of 
22 
development and growth in a manner that utilizes the nation's resources in the most 
1 


1 
efficient and sustainable way possible by establishing a more equitable access to 
2 
assets, income, basic and support services, and infrastructure. 
3 
4 
The State shall give priority to promote science, technology and human 
5 
resource development as essentials for national development and progress. 
6 
7 
The State shall utilize research results through information, education, 
8 
extension and communication services. It shall support the development of a 
9 
national extension system that will help accelerate the transformation of agriculture 
10 
and fisheries sectors of the country from a resource-based industry to a knowledge-
II 
based and market-oriented industry. 
12 
13 
The State shall adopt a market approach as the enabling framework for the 
14 
agriculture and fisheries sector to attain food security, poverty alleviation, 
15 
sustainable development and environmental protection, and balanced urban and 
16 
rural development while addressing the welfare of the consumers for more 
17 
affordable nutritious food especially among the lower income groups. The State 
18 
shall promote market-oriented policies in its agricultural development program to 
19 
enable agriculture producers to transform their enterprises into technologically 
20 
advanced profitable ventures. 
21 
22 
The State shall empower the agriculture and fisheries sector to develop and 
23 
sustain itself to meet present and future needs of the country. Towards this end, the 
24 
State shall ensure the establishment and development of the agriculture and 
25 
fisheries extension system that increases and sustains its contributions towards the 
, 
26 
achievement of the goals of agriculture modernization as mandated by Republic Act 
27 
8435: a) Poverty Alleviation and Social Equity; b) Food Security; c) Rational Use of 
28 
Resources and Sustainable Development; d) Global Competitiveness; and e) People 
29 
Empowerment. 
30 
31 
SEC. 3. Definition of Terms. As used in this Act, the term: 
32 
33 
a) "Agriculture Development Worker (ADW)" or "Agriculture Extension 
34 
Worker (AEW)" refers to a person who is a graduate of at least a bachelor's 
35 
degree in agriculture, agriculture engineering, agriculture economics, or any 
36 
related course registered and licensed with the Professional Regulation 
2 


I 
Commission or Civil Service Commission; who perform communication, 
2 
curriculum development, 
agricultural! coastal 
community 
organizing, 
3 
econometrics, water management, veterinary work, statistical work, training 
4 
and extension works in agriculture production, trade, and processing 
5 
including crop and animal protection, food safety, agriculture and natural 
6 
resource economics, and marketing. For purposes of this Act, the term 
7 
"Agriculture Development Worker (ADW)" is interchangeably used with 
8 
"Agriculture Extension Worker (AEW). 
9 
10 
b) "Agricultural Engineer" refers to a person registered with the Professional 
11 
Regulation Commission or Civil Service Commission performing training 
, 
12 
and extension work in agricultural and fisheries mechanization, irrigation, 
13 
. drainage, soil and water conservation, agricultural buildings and structures, 
14 
agricultural processing and post harvest facilities. 
15 
16 
c) "Agriculture Extension" is an educational and information service aimed at 
17 
the transformation of the behavioral traits or characteristics of agriculture and 
18 
fishery producers, consumers, or traders as a consequence of "new 
19 
knowledge" or research results. Agriculture extension services include all 
20 
those provided by both national and local governments, non-governmental 
21 
organizations, and the private sector. 
22 
23 
d) "Agroforester" refers to a person who is a graduate of a four-year course in 
24 
forestry, agroforestry, or related fields and licensed with the Professional 
25 
Regulation Commission or Civil Service Commission. 
26 
27 
e) "Barangay Technician" refers to a successful agriculture! fishery producer 
28 
who volunteers and is assigned to assists farmers and other agriculture 
29 
producers in their respective barangays towards the modernization of their 
30 
respective AF enterprises. The barangay agricultural technician works closely 
31 
with the barangay agriculture committee for the planning of projects to be 
32 
implemented at the barangay level. 
33 
34 
f) 
"Catalytic Financing" refers to the provision of financial assistance by the 
35 
National Government as a counterpart grant to the resources provided by the 
36 
IOGal government units to achieve increased investment by the private sector 
3 


1 
2 
3 
In the implementation of agriculture and fisheries extension services to 
accelerate the achievement of national goals. 
4 
g) "Civil Society" refers to the group of organizations whose voluntary 
5 
collective action revolves around shared interests, purposes and values. Civil 
6 
societies are organizations composed of community groups, women's 
7 
organizations, faith-based organizations, professional associations, trade 
8 
unions, self-help groups, social movements, business associations, coalitions 
9 
and advocacy groups. 
10 
II 
h) "Consumers" are those that acquire goods or services for direct use or 
12 
ownership rather than for resale or use in production and manufacturing. 
13 
14 
i) "Empowerment" is the expansion of assets and capabilities of people to 
15 
participate in, negotiate with, influence, control and hold accountable 
16 
institutions that affect their lives; it involves providing authority, 
17 
responsibility, and information to people directly engaged in agriculture and 
18 
fishery production, primarily at the level of the farmers, fisherfolk and those 
19 
engaged in food and non-food production and processing, in order to give 
20 
them enhanced economics rights. 
21 
22 
j) "Extension System for Agriculture and Fisheries" refers to the extension 
23 
service delivery system of the country that includes all services provided by 
24 
national, local, non-governmental organizations, and the private sector. 
25 
26 
k) "Farmer-to-Farmer or Fisher-to-Fisher Extension Approach" refers to the 
27 
modality of extension where farmers or fishers systematically learn from their 
28 
successful peers new knowledge or skills to improve the productivity and 
29 
income of their enterprises. 
30 
31 
I) "Fisheries" refers to all interrelated activities which include the production, 
32 
growing, harvesting, processing, marketing, developing, conserving and 
33 
managing of all aquatic and fisheries areas. 
34 
4 


, 
I 
m) "Fisheries Technologist" refers to a person who is a graduate of a four-year 
2 
course in Fisheries and registered and licensed with the Professional 
3 
Regulation Commission or Civil Service Commission. 
4 
5 
n) "Food Security" refers to the national policy objective of meeting the food 
6 
requirements of the present and the future generations of Filipinos in 
7 
substantial quantity, ensuring the availability and affordability of safe and 
8 
nutritious food for all, either through local production or importation, or 
9 
both, based on the country's existing and potential resource endowment and 
10 
related production advantages, and consistent with the overall national 
11 
development objectives and policies. 
12 
13 
0) "Formula grants" refer to financial transfers from the National Government 
14 
to the local governments to enable them to meet national standards in the 
15 
provision of Agriculture and Fisheries Extension Services (AFES) especially 
16 
among the poor. The funding formula takes into consideration, among others, 
17 
the financial capacity of a municipality or a province. 
18 
19 
p) "Knowledge Management" is a systematic approach which invents, 
20 
understands, shares, creates and utilizes knowledge in order to create values 
21 
such as producers value, customer's value, employee'S value, stockholder's 
22 
value, business partner's value and social value to achieve the vision and goal 
23 
of the organization. 
24 
25 
q) "Partnership" refers to the relationship between and among agencies that is 
26 
characterized by mutual cooperation and responsibility towards the 
27 
achievement of shared goals. 
28 
29 
r) "RBOs" are rural based organizations or people's organizations composed of 
30 
various sectors of the rural community such as farmers, fisherfolk, growers, 
31 
seed producers, women, and youth. 
32 
, 
33 
s) "Targeted Financial Transfer" is a financial support provided by the National 
34 
.Government to the LGUs to enable them to plan and implement projects in 
35 
agriculture extension aimed at helping the poor and economically 
36 
disadvantaged rural beneficiaries. 
5 


1 
t) "Value chain" - is a process from seed to shelf or from the producers to the 
2 
consumers, 
showing 
activities 
and 
interventions 
ofl for 
a 
chosen 
3 
commodity I ties based on understanding the needs for such interventions. 
4 
5 
u) "Veterinarian" refers to a person registered with the Professional Regulation 
6 
Commission performing professional services related to the practice of 
7 
veterinary medicine including training and extension on disease prevention 
8 
control and animal health. 
9 
10 
SEC. 4. Statement of Goals. - Agricultural Extension is a policy instrument 
11 
for agriculture and fisheries development aimed at empowering individuals and 
12 
organizations; public agriculture extension shall contribute towards the achievement 
13 
of the national goals of agriculture development. 
14 
15 
SEC. 5. Statement of Objectives. - Agriculture and fisheries extension shall 
16 
contribute to the following objectives: 
17 
18 
a) To enhance the economic right of producers, especially the poor, to use the 
19 
most appropriate technologies they feel will give them the best profit and to 
20 
'choose the most affordable loans in producing the quality and quantity of 
21 
products and to sell their products freely; traders, to move goods in the 
22 
expectation of profits unconstrained by serious lack of knowledge and 
23 
information; and consumers, regardless of their geographic location, to buy 
24 
safe and nutritious foods at the lowest prices possible. 
25 
26 
b) To manage knowledge in strengthening the individual and organizational 
27 
capabilities of producers, traders and consumers; and 
28 
29 
c) To help create an enabling environment that strengthens the linkage between 
30 
knowledge generation and knowledge use, and encourages increased 
31 
investment in agriculture extension by the private sector, civil society, and 
32 
local governments. 
33 
34 
SEC. 6. Clients. - The clients of Philippine agricultural and fisheries extension 
35 
system are the producers (farmers, fisherfolk, and agricultural processors), traders 
36 
and consumers along the value chain. Public extension shall focus on the delivery of 
6 


1 
public goods. The priority clients shall be the economically and socially 
2 
disadvantaged groups in agriculture and fisheries. Local government units shall put 
3 
primary attention to these groups in the provision of extension services. 
4 
5 
ARTICLE II 
6 
STRUCTURE AND ORGANIZATION 
7 
8 
SEC. 7. Creation of the Philippine Agriculture and Fisheries Extension 
9 
Agency (PAFEA). - The Agricultural Training Institute is hereby strengthened and 
10 
transformed into the Philippine Agriculture and Fisheries Extension Agency 
11 
(P AFEA). It shall serve as the national apex organization for a unified and efficient 
12 
agriculture and fisheries extension system of the country. It shall ensure that public 
13 
extension services meet the national standards of performance and effectively 
14 
contribute towards the achievement of the national goals of agriculture and fisheries 
15 
modernization and sustainable development. 
16 
17 
18 
SEC. 8. Powers and Functions. -
19 
a) Provide direction in the development of national extension policies In 
20 
agriculture and fisheries; 
21 
22 
b) Orchestrate the development of an extension strategic plan including its 
23 
financing in coordination with the Department of Budget and Management 
24 
and stakeholders; 
25 
26 
c) Develop and implement national policies and programs aimed at the 
27 
continuous improvement of the quality of extension methods, products, and 
28 
services towards a more efficient and client-responsive national agriculture 
29 
and fisheries knowledge management system; 
30 
31 
d) Develop a system towards the management of the country's extension 
32 
resources for agriculture and fisheries to ensure a sustainable, participatory 
33 
and efficient system of funding for 
information, 
education, 
and 
34 
communication materials (IEC); and to help achieve optimal efficiency along 
35 
the value chain; 
36 
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1 
e) Provide leadership in the development and implementation of the National 
2 
Agriculture and Fisheries Knowledge Network (NAFKN) in agriculture and 
3 
fisheries of the Department through a system of partnerships that may 
4 
include, but is not limited to, the local government units (LGUs), the Regional 
5 
Development Council (RDC), the Regional Agriculture and Fisheries Council 
6 
(RAFCs), the academe especially the state universities and colleges (SUCs) of 
7 
agriculture and fisheries, the Civil Society Organizations (CSOs), producers, 
8 
Rural-Based Organizations (RBOs), and the private sector; 
9 
10 
f) Provide national leadership in developing extension partnerships towards 
11 
increased investment and robust private sector participation in consultation 
12 
with agriculture and fisheries councils (AFCs); 
13 
14 
g) Harness centers of research excellence in collaboration with state universities 
15 
and colleges (SUCs) of agriculture and fisheries for the implementation of 
16 
national programs particularly in the areas of extension innovations, national 
17 
training, impact assessment, and monitoring and evaluation of extension 
18 
institutions, programs, and projects; 
19 
20 
h) Provide leadership in developing and implementing a national system of 
21 
strengthening 
institutional 
extension 
capacities 
at 
all 
levels 
of 
22 
implementation; and 
23 
24 
i) In coordination with the Department of Budget and Management (DBM), the 
25 
Local Government Units, the Department of Interior and Local Government, 
26 
and other stakeholders, the P AFEA shall set up a review mechanism for all 
27 
agriculture and fisheries extension programs and budgets of national 
28 
agencies to determine cost-effectiveness of operations and impacts to national 
29 
and local goals. 
30 
31 
SEC. 9. Structure oj PAFEA. - The PAFEA shall be headed by a Director 
32 
General (DG) with a rank of Assistant Secretary who shall be assisted by two 
33 
Deputy Director Generals (DDG) who shall be appointed by the President upon 
34 
recommendation of the Secretary of Agriculture from a list submitted by an 
35 
Independent Search Committee organized and based on the qualification standards 
36 
set by the Council of Extension Research Development in Agriculture and Fisheries 
8 


I 
(CERDAF). They shall have a fixed tenure of six (6) years and may be re-appointed 
2 
for an additional term of four (4) years based on very satisfactory performance. 
3 
4 
SEC. 10. The Council for Extension Research Development in Agriculture and 
5 
Fisheries (CERDAF). -
The Council for Extension Research Development in 
6 
Agriculture and Fisheries (CERDAF) is hereby strengthened. It shall ensure that the 
7 
agriculture and fisheries research, development and extension policies and 
8 
programs of the Department are consistent with national policies and priorities. 
9 
10 
As part of its functions and duties, the Council for Extension Research 
11 
Development in Agriculture and Fisheries (CERDAF) shall: 
12 
13 
a) Recommend to the Secretary of the Department of Agriculture policies 
14 
covering program priorities and resource allocation in agriculture and 
15 
fisheries research and extension of all agencies of the Department; 
16 
17 
b) Enhance coordination and linkage of government institutions involved in 
18 
agriculture and fisheries research, development and extension, 
19 
20 
c) Strengthen the participation of various stakeholders, especially the civil 
21 
society, local government units, and private sector in the development of the 
22 
National Research Development and Extension (NRDE) agenda and 
23 
programs; 
24 
25 
d) Strengthen the institutional efficiency of the NRDE system, including the 
26 
creation of a monitoring and evaluation system on the effectiveness and 
27 
. efficiency of its various components; and 
28 
29 
e) Set guidelines for the use of services and facilities, collection of fees, and the 
30 
utilization of income. 
31 
32 
SEC. 11. Composition of the Council for Extension Research Development in 
33 
Agriculture and Fisheries (CERDAF). - The Undersecretary for Policy and Planning 
34 
of the DA shall be the Chair of the Council. There shall be a Vice Chair to be elected 
35 
from among the other members of the Board. The Executive Director of the 
36 
Philippine Agriculture and Fisheries Extension Agency (P AFEA) and the Director of 
9 


I 
the Bureau of Agricultural Research (BAR) shall be the ex officio members, and the 
2 
Chair shall appoint the Executive Director of P AFEA as Secretary of the Council. 
3 
4 
The CERDAF shall have the following members: 
5 
6 
a) Designated Undersecretaries for Policy and Planning of the following 
7 
Departments: 
8 
1) Department of Science and Technology; 
9 
2) Department of Environment and Natural Resources; 
10 
3) Department of Interior and Local Government; 
11 
12 
b) Presidents of the following LGU organizations: 
13 
·1) League of Provinces; 
14 
2) Union of Local Authorities of the Philippines (ULAP); 
15 
16 
c) Four (4) CSO representatives or one each from the rural youth, rural women, 
17 
farmer, and fisherfolk as identified. and selected by the Department of 
18 
Agriculture; 
19 
20 
d) One (1) private sector representative appointed by the DA Secretary; 
21 
22 
e) One representative each from the following national professional scientific 
23 
societies/ organizations as recommended by the Secretary of the Department 
24 
of Science & Technology: 
25 
1) crops; 
26 
2) agriculture economics/economics; 
27 
3) fisheries & aquatic science, 
28 
4) livestock/ animal science; 
29 
5) plant protection; 
30 
6) sociology/anthropology/communications 
31 
32 
SEC. 12. Offices under the PAFEA. - To carry out and discharge its functions, 
33 
the PAFEA shall have four technical offices as follows: (1) Policy Development; (2) 
34 
Extension Innovations & National Training; (3) Knowledge Products and Services 
35 
Development; and (4) Extension Governance and Partnerships. 
36 
10 


I 
2 
3 
4 
5 
6 
7 
8 
9 
10 
The P AFEA shall maintain a small regional office to: 
a) 
b) 
c) 
Liaise with Department Regional Field Units (RFUs), which should 
serve as the principal arm of the Department in the implementation of 
extension policies and programs in the regions; 
Provide technical assistance in the efficient implementation of P AFEA 
policies and programs; and 
Monitor and evaluate extension programs and projects funded by the 
DA that are being undertaken in the region. 
11 
The PAFEA is authorized to utilize existing Agricultural Training Institute (ATI) 
12 
plantilla positions and to convert them into positions most appropriate to the 
13 
Agency to provide national technical and managerial leadership. 
14 
15 
ARTICLE III 
16 
ORGANIZATION OF THE LOCAL GOVERNMENT EXTENSION SERVICES 
17 
18 
SEC. 13. Province as the LGU Unit of Operation for Agriculture and Fisheries 
19 
Extension. - To achieve efficiency and to provide more responsive services, the 
20 
planning and implementation unit of the extension services at the level of the LGUs 
21 
shall be the province through a Provincial Agriculture and Fisheries Extension 
22 
Services under the Office of the Governor. Towards this end, all technical and 
23 
financial assistance for agriculture and fisheries development from the National 
24 
Government to the LGUs shall be coursed through, and coordinated by, the 
25 
province. 
26 
27 
The Provincial Agriculture and Extension Services shall be headed by a 
28 
technically qualified career Provincial Agriculturist & Fisheries Officer (P AFO). The 
29 
P AFO shall have two deputies or Assistant P AFOs: one for fisheries and one for 
30 
agriculture development. The PAFOs shall be appointed by the Director General of 
31 
P AFEA chosen from three qualified nominees per position submitted by the 
32 
Governor. Its staff shall be composed of technically qualified career agriculturists, 
33 
economists, 
statisticians, 
agricultural 
engineers, 
fishery 
technologist, 
and 
34 
veterinarians appointed by the Provincial Governor. 
35 
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4 
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29 
30 
31 
32 
33 
34 
35 
36 
SEC. 14. Extension Personnel in Municipalities & Non-chartered Cities. -
Upon the effectivity of this Act, all municipal and non-chartered cities agriculture 
and fisheries extension personnel shall become provincial government employees 
unless the LGU concerned chooses to retain these personnel under their own 
plantilla and budget. Municipal and city extension employees transferred to the 
province shall be issued a new appointment by the Governor as organic personnel of 
the Provincial Agriculturist & Fisheries Office (P AFO). Transferred extension 
personnel may continue to serve their respective municipalities and non-chartered 
cities as' detailed employees of the province based on a rationalized organizational 
structure submitted by the LGUs and approved by the PAFEA and the DBM. 
Existing employees of municipalities or cities that opt to retain their personnel do 
not need to issue new appointments to staff of the same positions. 
The Municipal/City Agriculture and Extension Services shall be headed by a 
technically qualified career Municipal/City Agriculturist & Fisheries Officer 
(M/CAFO) based on the criteria set by the PAFEA. They shall be appointed by the 
P AFEA chosen from three (3) qualified nominees submitted by the governors. 
Existing MAOs or CAOs who are not reappointed for reasons other than for just 
cause, shall serve as Supervising Agriculturists with salaries equal to that of their 
existing positions. M/CAFO whether under the plantilla of the province or the 
municipalities/ cities shall have direct day-to-day supervision of all extension 
municipal/ city personnel whether organic or detailed to the municipalities. 
On the other hand, the PAFO shall have direct technical supervision of all 
M/ CAFOs in the province regardless of their sources of salaries. As such, 
M/CAFOs and their personnel are obligated to attend meetings, workshops, 
seminars, and other activities organized by the province that require their 
participation. In addition, they shall, on a periodic basis, submit data and reports 
required by the province or the national government. In cooperation with the 
PAFEA and the state colleges and universities of agriculture, all provinces are 
required to design and implement a periodic external or third party evaluation of all 
municipal and city extension programs and services. 
, 
BEC. 15. Salaries and Wages of Extension Personnel. - The salaries and 
wages of all agriculture and fisheries technical extension personnel under the 
payroll of the provincial government shall be paid by the National Government 
12 . 


I 
through an annual grant-in-aid to be paid out of the regular appropriation of the 
2 
PAFEA of the Department of Agriculture; Provided, however, That during the first 
3 
year of the effectivity of this Act, the local government concerned shall reallocate its 
4 
savings from the personal services for agriculture personnel to its agriculture and 
5 
fisheries extension; Provided, further, That every year thereafter, the concerned LGU 
6 
shall appropriate the equivalent funds paid by the national government as the 
7 
minimum amount for its agriculture and fisheries operation or counterparts to 
8 
national grant-in-aid in agriculture and fisheries, without prejudice to the provision 
9 
of additional funds that may be allocated by the LGUs for this purpose. 
10 
II 
The salaries and wages of technical extension personnel for both agriculture 
12 
and fisheries shall be standardized so as to equal or be comparable with similar 
13 
positions of national employees without prejudice to the provision of additional 
14 
staff benefits by concerned LGUs where their finances warrant. The provision of 
15 
grants in aid to pay for the salaries and wages of the technical personnel of the LGU 
16 
extension services shall be subject to external review and evaluation every five (5) 
17 
years to determine its impact to the quality of services, its cost-effectiveness, and 
18 
impact on the goals of AFMA. A copy of the report shall be provided to Congress 
, 
19 
and senTe as the basis for the continuation or modification of the grants-in-aid. 
20 
21 
SEC. 16. Structure of the Provincial Extension Services. - The provincial and 
22 
municipal agriculture and fisheries extension services shall organize and structure 
23 
its services based on the agricultural and extension needs ot the province and on the 
24 
standards set by the P AFEA. The technical positions of the Provincial & Municipal 
25 
Extension Services shall be rationalized to provide the appropriate number of 
26 
positions for agriculturist, mixed crop-livestock/tree specialist, communication and 
27 
curriculum specialist, community organizers/anthropologists, economists/agribusiness 
28 
economists, agricultural engineers, fishery technologists, and veterinarians. 
29 
30 
SEC. 17. LGU Livestock Production Services. - In recognition of the need to 
31 
provide an integrated extension approach to total farm development, the LGU 
32 
livestock production services shall be part and parcel of the Provincial Agricultural 
33 
Office (PAO). In cases where these functions were earlier integrated into the 
34 
Provincial Veterinary Services, they shall be returned and re-integrated to the rest of 
35 
the PAO services. This is to prevent conflict of interest between regulatory functions 
36 
and livestock extension functions. 
13 


,. 
I 
SEC. 18. Strategic Plan in Agriculture and Fisheries. - To provide coherence 
2 
of all government plans in agriculture and fisheries and to achieve efficiency in the 
3 
use of resources, all provincial governments are required to develop a five-year 
4 
strategic ,plan in agriculture and fisheries based on the framework and principles 
5 
provided by the Department of Agriculture (DA). The Strategic Plan shall serve as 
6 
the basis for the Provincial Annual Work Program & Budget and for the DA to 
7 
provide short-term and long-term assistance. 
8 
9 
10 
11 
ARTICLE IV 
AGRICUL TURAL SERVICE C.f\REER DEVELOPMENT 
12 
SEC. 19. Professionalization of Extension Services. - The State shall support 
13 
the development and professionalization of agricultural services by providing the 
14 
necessary compensation and benefits to various extension workers based on their 
15 
duties, responsibilities and qualifications. For this purpose, the PAFEA, in 
16 
coordination with Civil Service Commission, shall develop qualification standards 
17 
beyond the minimum set by the Civil Service Commission for the various 
18 
managerial, technical and non-technical positions of the extension services of the 
19 
country including that of all local government units. The P AFEA shall also develop 
20 
a career path of all technical extension personnel that will allow them, regardless of 
21 
assignment or location in government, to move vertically in the promotion system. 
22 
Managerial positions shall be open to all qualified personnel regardless of 
23 
geographic or agency assignment. 
24 
25 
Towards this end, the PAFEA shall issue guidelines for the creation of a merit 
26 
promotion boards in all extension agencies/ office to include representatives of civil 
27 
societies and the SUCs of agriculture and fisheries. In determining the salaries of 
28 
agriculture and fishery development workers, the provisions of Joint Resolution No. 
29 
4, series' of 2009, entitled, "Joint Resolution Authorizing the President of the 
30 
Philippines to Modify the Compensation and Position Classification System of 
31 
Civilian Personnel and the Base Pay Schedule of Military and Uniformed Personnel 
32 
in the Government, and for Other Purposes, " shall apply. 
33 
34 
SEC. 20. Mandatory Managerial Positions for Agricultural Services in Local 
35 
Government Units. - The creation of the following positions' are hereby made 
14 


I 
mandatory in addition to the prescribed positions under the Local Government 
2 
Code of 1991: 
3 
4 
a) Provincial Agriculture & Fisheries Officer (P AFO) 
5 
1) Asst. P AFO for Fisheries Development 
6 
2) Asst. PAFO for Agriculture Development 
7 
8 
b) City Agriculturist & Fisheries Officer (CAFO) 
9 
10 
c) Municipal Agriculture & Fisheries Officer (MAFO) 
11 
12 
SEC. 21. Transfer of Geographical Reassignment of Agricultural Officers and 
13 
Employees of the LGUs. - No transfer or geographical reassignment shall be made or 
14 
effected without prior written notice to the personnel concerned stating therein the 
15 
reason therefor: Provided, That said written notice shall be made thirty (30) days 
16 
prior ~o the date of transfer or reassignment: Provided, further, That if the employee 
17 
concerned disagrees with the order of transfer or reassignment, he/ she may appeal 
18 
said order with the Civil Service Commission or the Department of Agriculture, as 
19 
the case may be: Provided, further, That pending appeal, such transfer or 
20 
reassignment shall be held in abeyance: Provided, furthermore, That no transfer or 
21 
reassignment shall be made three (3) months 'prior to any local or' national elections: 
22 
Provided, finally, That the necessary expenses of the transfer and/ or reassignment of 
23 
the agricultural worker or employee and his/her immediate family shall be paid by 
24 
the Government. 
25 
26 
SEC. 22. Security of Tenure. - An agricultural extension worker holding a 
27 
permanent position shall not be terminated except for just cause: Provided, That in 
28 
the event he/ she is found to be unjustly dismissed as verified by the Civil Service 
29 
Commission, he/she shall be entitled to reinstatement without loss of seniority 
30 
rights and back wages with twenty per centum (20%) interest to be computed from 
31 
the time compensation has been withheld. In cases, however, where the agricultural 
32 
extension worker does not desire to be reinstated, he/she shall be entitled to back 
33 
wages and separation pay with twenty per centum (20%) interest. 
34 
15 


1 
SEC. 23. Discrimination Prohibited. - An agricultural extension worker shall 
2 
not be. discriminated by reason of creed, sect, political belief, civil status, and ethnic 
3 
grouping in the exercise of his/her profession. 
4 
5 
6 
7 
8 
9 
10 
11 
12 
13 
14 
15 
16 
17 
18 
19 
20 
21 
22 
23 
24 
25 
26 
27 
SEC. 24. Safeguards in Administrative Proceedings. - In every administrative 
proceeding, an agricultural extension 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 not 
be less than seven (7) days from receipt of the formal charge; 
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 
impartially in prosecution. 
SEC. 25. Code of Conduct. - All agricultural extension workers shall be 
guided by a code of ethics not contrary to law, morals, safety, health, public policy 
and public order, which shall be prepared by the Secretary of Agriculture in 
consultation with the recognized national associations of agricultural extension 
, 
workers: 
28 
SEC. 26. Training and Scholarship Programs. -
The Department of 
29 
Agriculture through the PAFEA shall undertake training and scholarship programs 
30 
for agricultural extension workers, which shall be provided adequate budgetary 
31 
support by the National Government. 
32 
33 
SEC. 27. Married Agricultural Extension Workers. - Whenever possible, the 
34 
proper authorities shall take steps to enable married couples both of whom are 
35 
public agricultural extension workers, to be employed or assigned in the same 
36 
municipality. 
16 


1 
2 
ARTICLE V 
3 
INCENTIVES AND REWARDS SYSTEM 
4 
5 
SEC. 28. Criteria for Incentives and Rewards System. - The P AFEA shall 
6 
develop a reward and incentive system for agricultural extension workers provided 
7 
under this Act, to encourage them to stay in the service, promote their productivity 
8 
and reward them for extraordinary performance. 
9 
10 
SEC. 29. Other Compensation and Benefits. - All agricultural extension 
11 
workers ?hall be entitled to the following additional compensation and benefits: 
12 
13 
14 
15 
16 
17 
a) . Representation 
Allowance 
and 
Traveling 
Allowance 
All 
Provincial/City/Municipal AF Officers shall be entitled to Representation 
Allowance and Traveling Allowance (RATA) equivalent to the Department 
Head of the equivalent Local Government Units. 
18 
b) Hazard Allowance - All agricultural extension workers assigned in difficult 
19 
areas, strife-torn or embattled areas, distressed or isolated stations, 
20 
animal/ plant/ fisheries breeding station, plant nurseries, plantations and 
21 
demonstration farms, 
laboratories especially those handling x-rays, 
22 
radioisotopes, chemicals, etc., sea-borne patrols, construction and installation 
23 
of agricultural infrastructure projects, and other areas declared under a state 
24 
of calamity or emergency which exposes them to great danger, occupational 
25 
risks of perils of life shall be compensated with hazard allowance equivalent 
26 
to at least twenty per centum (20%) of the monthly basic salary. 
27 
28 
c) Subsistence Allowance - All agricultural extension workers who are required 
29 
to render services in the communities, institutions, animal and plant breeding 
30 
nurseries, plantations and demonstration farms and other barrier programs 
31 
and projects of the Department of Agricultural in order to make their services 
32 
available at all times, shall be entitled to full daily subsistence allowance of 
33 
three (3) meals, which shall be computed in accordance with the prevailing 
34 
circumstances. 
35 
17 


I 
d) Longevity Pay - A longevity pay equivalent to five per centum (5%) of the 
2 
monthly basic pay shall be paid to an agricultural extension worker for every 
3 
(3) years of continuous, efficient and meritorious services n;ndered. 
4 
5 
e) Clothing Allowance - All agricultural extension workers shall be entitled to a 
6 
clothing allowance in accordance with the approved laws and regulations or 
7 
as mandated by law. 
8 
9 
f) Housing - All agricultural extension workers who are on tour of duty and 
10 
those who, because of unavoidable circumstances, are forced to stay in the 
11 
institution or community shall receive housing allowances unless the 
12 
government is able to provide free public accommodation. Housing 
13 
allowance shall be reviewed periodically and adjusted accordingly.' 
14 
15 
g) Motor and Vehicle Loan - All agricultural development workers shall be 
16 
entitled to avail of the motor and vehicle loan of the Department of 
17 
Agriculture. The National Government shall provide adequate budgetary 
18 
support for this purpose. 
19 
ARTICLE VI 
20 
21 
22 
THE FARMER-TO-FARMER EXTENSION APPROACH 
23 
. SEC. 30. The Farmer-to-Farmer Approach. - The farmer-to-farmer approach 
24 
in extension is hereby institutionalized. The PAFEA, in cooperation with centers of 
25 
research excellence and interested LGUs, shall take leadership in developing a 
26 
highly flexible and innovative system. It shall pilot the approach until it becomes an 
27 
integral part of the national system in no more than ten (10) years. For the initial 
28 
implementation of this provision, an initial budget of Twenty Million Pesos 
29 
(P20,OOO,OOO.00) is hereby allocated for the first year. Every year thereafter the 
30 
budget shall be adjusted accordingly depending on the needs and response of the 
31 
LGUs and non-governmental organizations subject to review by the CERDAF. 
32 
33 
ARTICLE VII 
34 
FUNDING FOR EXTENSION SERVICES 
35 
18 


1 
SEC. 31. Initial Appropriation. - For the first year of implementation of this 
2 
Act, the amount of Ten Billion Pesos (P10,OOO,OOO,OOO.OO) shall be appropriated out 
3 
of the total budget of the Department of Agriculture (DA) for personal services, 
4 
grants-in-aid to the LGUs, operation and capital outlay requirements of the 
5 
Philippine Agriculture and Fisheries Extension Agency (P AFEA). 
6 
7 
The Department of Budget and Management (DBM) is hereby mandated to 
8 
include annually in the President's program of expenditures for submission to 
9 
Congres's and release, an amount not less than Ten Billion Pesos (P10,OOO,OOO,OOO.OO) 
10 
or one percent of the gross value added in agriculture and fisheries, whichever is 
11 
higher, for the implementation of this Act. Five Billion Pesos (P5,OOO,OOO,OOO.OO) of 
12 
this amount shall be allocated to the salary grant to LGUs for the local extension 
13 
personnel and operation of the P AFE. The Department of Agriculture is hereby 
14 
tasked accordingly to rationalize its budget to meet the requirements of this Act. 
15 
16 
The P AFEA is authorized to utilize part of its yearly appropriation to set up 
17 
or upgrade necessary facilities to improve the provision of national extension 
18 
services. All assets, resources both human and financial of Agricultural Training 
19 
Institute (ATI), shall be transferred to the PAFEA. 
20 
21 
All revenues generated out of the use of services, facilities and equipment 
22 
shall be utilized by the Agency to augment its maintenance and operating 
23 
expenditures subject to the approval of the Governing Board. 
24 
25 
26 
27 
ARTICLE VIII 
FINAL PROVISIONS 
28 
SEC. 32. Phased Implementation. - The implementation of this Act shall be 
29 
phased over a period of five (5) years. 
30 
31 
SEC. 33. Oversight Committee. - The Congressional Oversight Committee for 
32 
Agriculture 
and 
Fisheries 
Modernization 
(COCAFM) 
shall 
oversee 
the 
• 
33 
implementation of this Act for a period not exceeding five (5) years from its 
34 
affectivity. 
35 
19 . 


•• 
. 
' 
1 
SEC. 34. Implementing Rules and Regulations. - Within ninety (90) days from 
2 
the effectivity of this Act, the implementing rules and regulations (IRR) shall be 
3 
formulated by the Department of Agriculture in close coordination with the 
4 
Department of Interior and Local Government, the Leagues of Governors and 
5 
Mayors, and relevant members of the civil society, which shall include an 
6 
implementation plan indicating a phased approach to provide smooth transition 
7 
from the present to the reformed extension system under this Act. The Secretary of 
8 
the Department of Agriculture shall furnish a copy of the IRR to the Committee of 
9 
Agriculture of both Houses of Congress. 
10 
11 
SEC. 35. Repealing Clause. - All laws, decrees, executive orders, rules and 
12 
regulations, issuances or parts thereof inconsistent with this Act are hereby repealed 
13 
or amended accordingly. 
14 
15 
SEC. 36. Separability Clause. - If any provision of this Act is declared invalid 
16 
or unconstitutional, the other provisions not affected thereby shall remain valid and 
17 
subsisting. 
18 
19 
SEC. 36. Effectivity Clause. - This Act shall take effect thirty (30) days after 
20 
its publication in at least in two (2) national newspapers of general circulation. 
21 
22 
Approved, 
20