NINETEENTH CONGRESS  
) 
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES ) 
First Regular Session  
 
) 
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES 
Introduced by Representative Rufus B. Rodriguez 
House Bill No.  _____ 
EXPLANATORY NOTE 
The agricultural sector of the country is experiencing constant decline.  Due to the El 
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 production 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 2009’s record. 
For 2018, agricultural production grew at only 0.56%, greatly missing the target of 4% 
for the year. The 2018 figure is much lower than 2017's record of 3.95%. The steep decline 
was led by the fisheries sector, which was down by -1.13%. While in the negative, it was still 
a slight recovery from 2017's -1.73%. Crop production in the country also went down, 
registering -0.98%. This was a sharp drop from 2017's record of 6.69%. 
Poultry and livestock lifted the overall figure, as they registered growths of 5.75% and 
1.89%, respectively. 
There is therefore 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, fisherfolks, agricultural processors), traders and consumers, with priority given to 
economically and socially disadvantaged groups. 
The bill provides for the creation of the Philippine Agriculture and Fisheries Extension 
Agency (PAFEA), 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 sought. 
 RUFUS B. RODRIGUEZ 
March 16, 2023
7:00 pm
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NINETEENTH CONGRESS ) 
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES ) 
First Regular Session  
 
) 
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES 
Introduced by Representative Rufus B. Rodriguez 
House Bill No.  _____ 
AN ACT 
PRESCRIBING THE STRENGTHENING OF THE NATIONAL AGRICULTURE & 
FISHERIES EXTENSION SYSTEM TO ACCELERATE AGRICULTURE AND FISHERIES 
DEVELOPMENT, APPROPRIATING FUNDS THEREFOR AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES 
Be it enacted by the Senate and the House of Representatives of the Philippines in Congress 
assembled: 
ARTICLE I 
GENERAL PROVISIONS 
Section 1. Short Title. - This Act shall be known as the “Agriculture and Fisheries 
Extension Act”.  
Section. 2. Declaration of Policy. – The goals of national economy are a more equitable 
distribution of opportunities, income and wealth; a sustained increase in the amount of goods 
and services produced by the nation for the benefit of the people; and expanding productivity 
as the key to raising the quality of life for all, especially the underprivileged. 
   The State shall promote economic modernization and full employment based on sound 
agricultural development and agrarian reform, through industries that make full and efficient 
use of human and natural resources, and which are competitive in both domestic and foreign 
markets. In pursuit of these goals, all sectors of the economy and all regions of the country 
shall be given optimum opportunity to develop. 
Thus, it is hereby declared the policy of the State to enable those who belong to the 
agriculture and fisheries sector to participate and share in the fruits of development and growth 
in a manner that utilizes the nation’s resources in the most efficient and sustainable way 
possible by establishing a more equitable access to assets, income, basic and support 
services and infrastructure. 
The State shall give priority to promote science, technology and human resource 
development as essentials for national development and progress.  
The State shall utilize research results through information, education, extension and 
communication services. It shall support the development of a national extension system that 
will help accelerate the transformation of agriculture and fisheries sectors of the country from 
a resource-based industry to a knowledge-based and market-oriented industry. 
 The State shall adopt a market approach as the enabling framework for the agriculture 
and fisheries sector to attain food security, poverty alleviation, sustainable development and 
environmental protection, and balanced urban and rural development while addressing the 
welfare of the consumers for more affordable nutritious food especially among the lower 
income groups. The State shall promote market-oriented policies in its agricultural 
development program to enable agriculture producers   to transform their enterprises into 
technologically advanced profitable ventures. 
  The State shall empower the agriculture and fisheries sector to develop and sustain 
itself to meet present and future needs of the country. Towards this end, the State shall ensure 
the establishment and development of the agriculture and fisheries extension system that 
increases and sustains its contributions to the achievement of the goals of agriculture 
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modernization as mandated by Republic Act 8435: a) Poverty Alleviation and Social Equity; 
b) Food Security; c) Rational Use of Resources and Sustainable Development; d) Global 
Competitiveness; and e) People Empowerment. 
 
Section 3. Definition of Terms. As used in this Act, the term: 
 
 
 a) “Agriculture Development  Worker (ADW)”  or “Agriculture Extension Worker (AEW)” 
refers to a person who is a graduate of at least a  bachelor’s degree in agriculture, agriculture 
engineering, agriculture economics, or any related course registered and licensed with the 
Professional Regulation Commission or Civil Service Commission; who perform 
communication, curriculum development, agricultural/coastal community organizing, 
econometrics, water management, veterinary  work, statistical work, training and extension 
works  in agriculture production, trade, and processing including crop and animal protection, 
food safety, agriculture and natural resource economics, and marketing. For the purposes of 
this Act, “Agriculture Development Worker (ADW) is interchangeably used with “Agriculture 
Extension Worker (AEW).” 
        b) “Agricultural Engineer” refers to a person registered with the Profession Regulation 
Commission or Civil Service Commission performing training and extension work in 
agricultural and fisheries mechanization, irrigation, drainage, soil and water conservation, 
agricultural buildings and structures, agricultural processing and post harvest facilities.  
 
   c) “Agriculture Extension” is an educational and information service aimed at the 
transformation of the behavioral traits or characteristics of agriculture and fishery producers, 
consumers, or traders as a consequence of “new knowledge” or research units.  Agriculture 
extension services include all those provided by both national and local governments, non-
governmental organizations, and the private sector. 
        d) Agroforester refers to a person who is a graduate of a four-year course in forestry, 
agroforestry, or related fields and licensed with the Professional Regulation Commission or 
Civil Service Commission.  
        e) “Barangay Technician” refers to a successful agriculture/fishery producer who 
volunteers and is assigned to  assist farmers and other agriculture producers in their 
respective barangays towards the modernization of their respective AF enterprises.  The 
barangay agricultural technician works closely with the barangay agriculture committee for the 
planning of projects to be implemented at the barangay level. 
 
       f) “Catalytic Financing” refers to the provision of financial assistance  by the National 
Government as counterpart grant to the resources provided by the Local Government Units  
to achieve increased investment by the private sector in the implementation of agriculture and 
fisheries extension services to accelerate  the achievement of national goals. 
      g) “Civil Society” refers to the group of organizations whose voluntary collective action 
revolves around shared interests, purposes and values. Civil societies are  organizations 
composed of community groups, women’s organizations, faith-based organizations, 
professional associations, trade unions, self-help groups, social movements, business 
associations, coalitions and advocacy groups. 
        h) “Consumers” are those that acquire goods or services for direct use or ownership 
rather than for resale or use in production and manufacturing. 
        i) “Empowerment” is the expansion of assets and capabilities of people to participate in, 
negotiate with, influence, control and hold accountable institutions that affect their lives; it 
involves providing authority, responsibility, and information to people directly engaged on 
agriculture and fishery production, primarily at the level of the farmers, fisher folk and those 
engaged in food and non-food production and production, in order to give them enhanced 
economics rights. 
 j) “Extension System for Agriculture and Fisheries” refers to the extension service delivery 
system of the country that includes all services provided by national, local, non-governmental 
organizations and the private sector.  


 
  k) “Farmer-to-Farmer or Fisher-to-Fisher Extension Approach” refers to the modality of 
extension where a farmer or fishers systematically learned from their successful peers new 
knowledge or skills to improve the productivity and income of their enterprises.  
        l) “Fisheries” refers to all interrelated activities which include the production, growing, 
harvesting, processing, marketing, developing, conserving and managing of all aquatic and 
fisheries areas. 
       m) “Fisheries Technologist” refers to a person who is a graduate of a four year course in 
Fisheries and registered and licensed with the Professional Regulation Commission or Civil 
Service Commission. 
       n) “Food Security” refers to the national policy objective of meeting the food requirements 
of the present and the future generations of Filipinos in substantial quantity, ensuring the 
availability and affordability of safe and nutritious food to all, either through local production or 
importation, or both, based on the country’s existing and potential resource endowment and 
related production advantages, and consistent with the overall national development 
objectives and policies. 
       o) “Formula grants” refer to financial transfers from the national government to the local 
governments to enable them to meet national standards in the provision of Agriculture and 
Fisheries Extension Services (AFES) especially among the poor. The funding formula takes 
into consideration, among others, the financial capacity of a municipality or a province.  
       p) “Knowledge Management” is a systematic approach which invents, understands,  
shares, creates and utilizes knowledge in order to create values such as producers value, 
customer’s value, employee’s value, stockholder’s value, business partner’s value and social 
value to achieve the vision and goal of the organization. 
 
q) “Partnership” refers to the relationship between and among agencies that is 
characterized by mutual cooperation and responsibility towards the achievement of shared 
goals. 
       r) “RBOs” are rural based organizations or people’s organizations composed of various 
sectors of the rural community such as farmers, fisherfolk, growers, seed producers, women 
and youth. 
       s) “Targeted Financial Transfer” is a financial support provided by the national government 
to the LGUs to enable them to plan and implement projects in agriculture extension aimed at 
helping the poor and economically disadvantaged rural beneficiaries. 
 
 t) “Value chain” is a process from seed to shelf or from the producers to the consumers, 
showing activities and interventions of/for a chosen commodity/ies based on understanding 
the needs for such interventions. 
       u) “Veterinarian” refers to a person registered with the Professional Regulation 
Commission performing professional services related to the practice of veterinary medicine 
including training and extension on disease prevention control and animal health. 
 
 
 Section 4. Statement of Goals. – Agricultural Extension is a policy instrument for 
agriculture and fisheries development aimed at empowering individuals and organizations; 
public agriculture extension shall contribute towards the achievement of the national goals of 
agriculture development. 
 
 
 Section 5. Statement of Objectives. – Agriculture and Fisheries extension shall 
contribute to the following objectives: 
        a) To enhance the economic right of producers, especially the poor, to use the most 
appropriate technologies they feel will give them the best profit and to choose the most 
affordable loans in producing the quality and quantity of products and to sell their products 
freely; traders, to move goods in the expectation of profits unconstrained by serious lack of 
knowledge and information; and consumers, regardless of their geographic location,  to buy 
safe and nutritious foods at the lowest prices possible. 
         b) To manage knowledge in strengthening the individual and organizational capabilities 
of    producers, traders and consumers; and, 


         c) To help create an enabling environment that strengthens the linkage between 
knowledge generation and knowledge use, and encourages increased investment in 
agriculture extension by the private sector, civil society, and local governments. 
 
       Section 6. Clients. – The clients of Philippine agricultural and fisheries extension system 
are the producers (farmers, fisherfolk, and agricultural processors), traders and consumers 
along the value chain. Public extension shall focus on the delivery of public goods. The priority 
clients shall be the economically and socially disadvantaged groups in agriculture and 
fisheries. Local Government Units shall put primary attention to these groups in the provision 
of extension services.   
 
ARTICLE II 
STRUCTURE AND ORGANIZATIONS 
 
        Section 7. Creation of the Philippine Agriculture and Fisheries Extension Agency 
(PAFEA). – The Agricultural Training Institute is hereby strengthened and transformed into 
the Philippine Agriculture and Fisheries Extension Agency (PAFEA). It shall serve as the 
national apex organization for a unified and efficient agriculture and fisheries extension system 
of the country. It shall ensure that public extension services meet the national standards of 
performance and effectively contribute towards the achievement of the national goals of 
agriculture and fisheries modernization and sustainable development. 
 
       Section 8. Powers and Functions:  
 
      a) Provide direction in the development of national extension policies in agriculture    and 
fisheries;   
      b) Orchestrate the development of extension strategic plan including its financing in 
coordination with the Department of Budget and Management and stakeholders;   
      c) Develop and implement national policies and programs aimed at the continuous 
improvement of the quality of extension methods, products, and services towards a more 
efficient and client-responsive national agriculture and fisheries knowledge management 
system;   
      d) Develop a system towards the management of country’s extension resources for 
agriculture and fisheries to ensure a sustainable, participatory and efficient system of funding 
for information, education, and communication materials (IEC);  and  help  achieve optimal 
efficiency along the value chain; 
      e) Provide leadership in the development and implementation of the National Agriculture 
and Fisheries Knowledge Network (NAFKN) in agriculture and fisheries of the Department 
through a system of partnership that may include, but not  limited to the LGUs (Local 
Government Units), the regional development council (RDC), the Regional Agriculture and 
Fisheries Council (RAFCs), the academe especially the state universities and colleges (SUCs) 
of agriculture and fisheries, the Civil Society Organizations (CSOs), producers, rural- based 
organizations (RBOs) and the private sector; 
       f) Provide national leadership in developing extension partnerships towards increased 
investment and robust private sector participation in consultation with agriculture and fisheries 
councils (AFCs); 
       g) Harness centers of research excellence specially state  universities and colleges 
(SUCs) of agriculture and fisheries in the implementation of the national programs especially 
in the areas of extension innovations, national training, impact assessment, and monitoring 
and evaluation of extension institutions, programs, and projects; 
       h) Provide leadership in developing and implementing a national system of strengthening 
institutional extension capacities at all levels of implementation; and 
        i) In coordination with the Department of Budget and Management (DBM), the Local 
Government Units, The Department of Local Governments, and other stakeholders, the 
PAFEA shall set up a review mechanism for all agriculture and fisheries extension programs 


and budgets of national agencies to determine cost-effectiveness of operations and impacts 
to national and local goals. 
 
      Section 9. Structure of PAFEA. – The Agency  shall be headed by a Director General 
(DG) with a rank of Assistant Secretary who shall  be assisted by two Deputy Director Generals 
(DDG);   they shall be appointed by the President upon recommendation of the Secretary of 
Agriculture from a list submitted by an Independent Search Committee organized and based 
on the qualification standards set by the Council of Extension Research Development in 
Agriculture and Fisheries (CERDAF). They shall have a fixed tenure of six (6) years and may 
be re-appointed for an additional term of four (4) years based on very satisfactory 
performance. 
 
      Section 10. The Council for Extension Research Development in Agriculture and 
Fisheries (CERDAF) – The Council for Extension Research Development in Agriculture and 
Fisheries (CERDAF) is hereby strengthened. It shall ensure that the agriculture and fisheries 
research, development and extension policies and programs of the Department are consistent 
with national policies and priorities. 
 
As part of the functions and duties, the Council for Extension Research Development 
in Agriculture and Fisheries (CERDAF) shall: 
      a) Recommend to the Secretary of the Department of Agriculture policies covering 
program priorities and resource allocation in agriculture and fisheries research and extension 
of all agencies of the Department; 
      b) Enhance coordination and linkage of government institutions involved in agriculture and 
fisheries research, development and extension, 
       c) Strengthen the participation of various stakeholders, especially the civil society, local 
government units, and private sector in the development of National Research Development 
and Extension (NRDE) agenda and programs; 
       d) Strengthen the institutional efficiency of the NRDE system, including the creation of a 
monitoring and evaluation system on the effectiveness and efficiency of its various 
components; and 
       e) Set guidelines in the use of services and facilities, collection of fees and in the utilization 
of income. 
 
      Section 11. Composition of the Council for Extension Research Development in 
Agriculture and Fisheries (CERDAF). The Undersecretary for Policy and Planning of the DA 
shall be the Chair of the Council. There shall be a Vice Chair to be selected from among the 
other members of the Board. The  Director General of the Philippine Agriculture and Fisheries 
Extension Agency (PAFEA) and the Director of the Bureau of Agricultural Research (BAR) 
shall be the officio members, and the Chair shall appoint the Director General of PAFEA as 
Secretary of the Council.  
 
The CERDAF shall have the following   members: 
 
      a) Designated Undersecretary for Policy and Planning of the following Departments: 
 
1) Department of Science and Technology; 
 
2) Department of Environment and Natural Resources; 
 
3) Department of Interior and Local Government; 
 
      b) Presidents of the following LGU organizations: 
 
1) League of Provinces; 
 
2) Union of Local Authorities of the Philippines (ULAP); 
 
      c) Four (4) CSO representatives or one each  from the rural youth, rural women,  farmer, 
and  fisherfolk  as identified and selected by the Department of Agriculture; 
 
      d) One (1) private sector representative appointed by the DA Secretary; 


 
      e) One representative each from the following national professional scientific 
societies/organizations as recommended by the Secretary of the Department of Science & 
Technology:  
             1) crops; 
             2) agriculture economics/economics;  
             3) fisheries & aquatic science;  
             4) livestock/animal science;  
             5) plant protection;  
             6) sociology/anthropology/communications 
 
       Section 12. Offices under the PAFEA – To carry out and discharge its functions, the 
PAFEA shall have four technical offices as follows: (1) Policy Development; (2) Extension 
Innovations & National Training; (3) Knowledge Products and Services Development; and (4) 
Extension Governance and Partnerships. 
 
 
The PAFEA shall maintain a small regional office to:  
 
      a) 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;  
      b) Provide technical assistance in the efficient implementation of PAFEA policies and 
programs; and  
      c) Monitor and evaluate extension programs and projects funded by the DA  that are being 
undertaken  in the region.  
 
The PAFEA is authorized to utilize existing Agricultural Training Institute (ATI) plantilla 
and to convert them into positions most appropriate to the Agency to provide national technical 
and managerial leadership. 
 
ARTICLE III 
Organization of the Local Government Extension Services 
 
      Section 13. Province as the LGU Unit of Operation for Agriculture and Fisheries 
Extension. – To achieve efficiency and to provide more responsive services, the planning and 
implementation unit of the extension services at the Level of Local Government Units shall be 
the province through a Provincial Agriculture and Fisheries Extension Services under the 
Office of the Governor. Towards this end, all technical and financial assistance for agriculture 
and fisheries development from the National Government to the LGUs shall be coursed 
through, and coordinated by the province.    
 
The Provincial Agriculture and Extension Services shall be headed by a technically-
qualified career Provincial Agriculturist & Fisheries Officer (PAFO). The PAFO shall have two 
deputies or Assistant PAFOs: one for fisheries and one for agriculture development. The 
PAFOs shall be appointed by the Director General of PAFEA chosen from three qualified 
nominees per position submitted by the Governor. Its staff shall be composed of technically 
qualified career agriculturists, economists, statisticians, agricultural engineers, fishery 
technologist, and veterinarians appointed by the Provincial Governor. 
 
      Section 14. Extension Personnel in the Municipalities & Non-chartered Cities. – 
Upon the effectivity of  this Act, all municipal and non-chartered cities agriculture and fisheries 
extension personnel  shall become provincial 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 (PAFO).  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 PAFEA 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.  
  
      Section 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 through an annual grant-in-aid to be 
paid out of the regular appropriation of the PAFEA of the Department of Agriculture; Provided, 
however, that during the first year of the effectivity of this Act, the local government concerned 
shall reallocate its savings from the personal services for agriculture personnel to its 
agriculture and fisheries extension; Provided, further, that every year thereafter, the concerned 
LGU shall appropriate the equivalent funds paid by the national government as the minimum 
amount for its agriculture and fisheries operation or counterparts to national grant-in-aid in 
agriculture and fisheries, without prejudice to the provision of additional funds that may be 
allocated by the LGUs for this purpose.  
 
The salaries and wages of technical extension personnel for both agriculture and 
fisheries shall be standardized so that these are equal or be comparable with similar positions 
of national employees without prejudice to the provision of additional staff benefits by 
concerned LGUs where their finances warrant. The provision of grants in aid to pay for the 
salaries and wages of the technical personnel of the LGU extension services shall be subject 
to external review and evaluation every five (5) years to determine its impact to the quality of 
services,   its cost-effectiveness, and impact on the goals of AFMA. A copy of the report shall 
be provided to Congress and serve as the basis for the continuation or modification of the 
grant-in-aid. 
 
      Section 16. Structure of the Provincial Extension Services. – The provincial and 
municipal agriculture and fisheries extension services shall organize and structure its services 
based on the agricultural and extension needs of the province and on the standards set by the 
PAFEA. The technical positions of the Provincial & Municipal Extension Services shall be 
rationalized to provide the appropriate number of positions for agriculturist, mixed crop-
livestock/tree 
specialist, 
communication 
and 
curriculum 
specialist, 
community 
organizers/anthropologists, economists/agribusiness economists, agricultural engineers, 
fishery technologists, and veterinarians.  
 
      Section 17. LGU Livestock Production Services. In recognition of the need to provide 
an integrated extension approach to total farm development, the LGU livestock production 
services shall be part and parcel of the Provincial Agricultural Office (PAO). In cases where 
these functions were earlier integrated into the Provincial Veterinary Services, they shall be 


returned and re-integrated to the rest of the PAO services. This is to prevent conflict of interest 
between regulatory functions and livestock extension functions. . 
 
      Section 18. Strategic Plan in Agriculture and Fisheries. To provide coherence of all 
government plans in agriculture and fisheries and to achieve efficiency in the use of resources, 
all provincial governments are required to develop a five-year strategic plan in agriculture and 
fisheries based on the framework and principles provided by the Department of Agriculture 
(DA). The Strategic Plan shall serve as the basis for the Provincial Annual Work Program & 
Budget and for the DA to provide short-term and long-term assistance.  
 
ARTICLE IV 
AGRICULTURAL SERVICE CAREER DEVELOPMENT 
 
      Section 19. Professionalization of Extension Services. - The State shall support the 
development and professionalization of agricultural services by providing the necessary 
compensation and benefits to various extension workers based on their duties, responsibilities 
and qualifications. For this purpose, the PAFEA, in coordination with Civil Service 
Commission, shall develop   qualification standards beyond the minimum set by the Civil 
Service Commission for the various managerial, technical and non-technical positions of the 
extension services of the country including that of all local government units. The PAFEA shall 
also develop a career path of all technical extension personnel that will allow them, regardless 
of assignment or location in government, to move vertically in the promotion system. 
Managerial positions shall be open to all qualified personnel regardless of geographic or 
agency assignment.  
 
 
 
Towards this end, the PAFEA shall issue guidelines for the creation of a merit 
promotion boards in all extension agencies/office to include representatives of civil societies 
and the SUCs of agriculture and fisheries.   In determining the salaries of agriculture and 
fishery development workers, the provisions of Joint Resolution No. 4, series of 2009, entitled, 
“Joint Resolution Authorizing the President of the Philippines to Modify the Compensation and 
Position Classification System of Civilian Personnel and the Base Pay Schedule of Military 
and Uniformed Personnel in the Government, and for Other Purposes,” shall apply. 
 
      Section  20. Mandatory Managerial Positions in the Provision of Agriculture 
Services in the 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: 
 
      a) Provincial Agriculture & Fisheries Officer (PAFO) 
             1) Asst. PAFO for Fisheries Development 
             2) Asst. PAFO for Agriculture Development 
 
      b) City Agriculturist   & Fisheries Officer (CAFO) 
 
      c) Municipal Agriculture & Fisheries Officer (MAFO) 
 
       Section 21. Transfer of Geographical Reassignment of Agricultural Officers and 
Employees  of the LGUs.  No transfer or geographical reassignment shall be made or 
effected without a written notice to personnel concerned stating therein the reason therefor: 
Provided, that said written notice shall be made thirty (30) days prior to the date of transfer or 
reassignment: Provided, further, that if the employee concerned disagrees with the order of 
transfer or reassignment, he/she may appeal said order with the Civil Service Commission or 
the Department of  Agriculture, 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 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 Government. 
         
      Section 22. Security of Tenure. – An agricultural extension worker holding a permanent 
position shall not be terminated except for cause: Provided, that in the event he/she is found 
to be unjustly dismissed as verified by  the Civil Service Commission, 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 has been withheld. In cases, however 
when the agricultural extension worker does not desire to be reinstated, he/she shall be 
entitled to back wages and separation pay with twenty per centum (20%) interest. 
      
       Section 23. Discrimination Prohibited. - An agricultural extension worker shall not be 
discriminated by reason of creed, sect, political belief, civil status, and ethnic grouping in the 
exercise of his/her profession. 
          
      Section 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. 
 
      Section 25. Code of Conduct. - All agricultural extension workers must 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. 
 
      Section 26. Training and Scholarship Program. - The Department of Agriculture 
through the PAFEA shall undertake training and scholarship programs for the agricultural 
extension workers, which shall be provided  adequate budgetary support by the Government. 
  
      Section 27. Married Agricultural Extension Workers. - Whenever possible, the proper 
authorities shall take steps to enable married couples both of whom are public agricultural 
extension workers, to be employed or assigned in the same municipality. 
 
ARTICLE V 
INCENTIVES AND REWARDS SYSTEM 
 
      Section 28. Criteria for Incentives and Rewards System. – The PAFEA shall develop 
a reward and incentive system for agricultural extension workers provided under this Act, 
which will encourage them to stay in the service, promote their productivity and reward them 
for extraordinary performance. 
 
      Section 29. Other Compensation and Benefits. - All agricultural extension workers shall 
be entitled to the following additional compensation and benefits:  


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. 
 
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 risks of perils of life 
shall be compensated with hazard allowance equivalent to at least twenty per centum (20%) 
of the monthly basic salary. 
 
       c) Subsistence Allowance - All agricultural extension 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 of the Department of Agriculture 
in order to make their services available at all times, shall be entitled to full daily subsistence 
allowance of three (3) meals, 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 extension worker for every (3) years of continuous, efficient 
and meritorious services rendered.  
 
      e) Clothing Allowance - All agricultural extension workers shall be entitled to a clothing 
allowance in accordance with the approved laws and regulations or as mandated by law. 
 
      f) Housing – All agricultural extension  workers who are on tour of duty and those who, 
because of unavoidable circumstances, are forced to stay in the institution or community shall 
receive housing allowances unless the government is able to provide free public 
accommodation. Housing allowance shall be reviewed periodically and adjusted accordingly. 
 
      g) Motor and Vehicle Loan – All agricultural extension workers shall be entitled to avail of 
the motor and vehicle loan of the Department of Agriculture. The government shall provide 
adequate budgetary support for this purpose. 
 
ARTICLE VI 
The Farmer-to-Farmer Extension Approach  
 
      Section 30. The Farmer-to-Farmer Approach. The farmer-to-farmer approach in 
extension is hereby institutionalized.  The  PAFEA, in cooperation with centers of research 
excellence and interested LGUs,  shall take leadership in developing a highly flexible and 
innovative system. It shall pilot the approach until it becomes an integral part of the national 
system in no more than ten (10) years.  For the initial implementation of this provision, an initial 
budget of Twenty   Million Pesos (P20,000,000) is hereby allocated for the first year. Every 
year thereafter the budget shall be adjusted accordingly depending on the needs and 
response of the LGUs and non-governmental organizations subject to review by the CERDAF.  
 
ARTICLE VII 
 Funding for Extension Services 
 
 
Section 31. Initial Appropriation. – For the first year of implementation of this Act, 
the amount of Ten Billion Pesos (P10,000,000,000.00) shall be appropriated out of the total 
budget of the Department of Agriculture (DA) for personal services, grants-in-aid to the LGUs, 


operation and capital outlay requirements of the Philippine Agriculture and Fisheries Extension 
Agency (PAFEA). 
 
 
 The Department of Budget and Management (DBM) is hereby mandated to include 
annually in the President’s program of expenditures for submission to Congress and release 
an amount not less than Ten Billion Pesos (P10,000,000,000.00) or one percent of the gross 
value added in agriculture and fisheries, whichever is higher, for the implementation of this 
Act. Five Billion Pesos (P5,000,000,000) of this amount shall be allocated to the salary grant 
to LGUs for the local extension personnel and operation of the PAFE.  
The Department of 
Agriculture is hereby tasked accordingly to rationalize its budget to meet the requirements of 
this Act.  
 
 
The PAFEA is authorized to utilize part of its yearly appropriation to set up or upgrade 
necessary facilities to improve the provision of national extension services. All assets, 
resources both human and financial of Agricultural Training Institute (ATI), shall be transferred 
to the PAFEA. 
 
  
All revenues generated out of the use of services, facilities and equipment shall be 
utilized by the Agency to augment its maintenance and operating expenditures subject to the 
approval of the Governing Board. 
 
ARTICLE VIII 
Final Provisions  
 
      Section  32. Phased implementation. The implementation of this Act shall be phased 
over a period of five (5) years.  
 
      Section  33. Oversight Committee. The Congressional Oversight Committee for 
Agriculture and Fisheries Modernization (COCAFM) shall oversee the implementation of this 
Act for a period not exceeding five (5) years from its effectivity.   
 
      Section 34. Implementing Rules and Regulations. – Within ninety (90) days from the 
effectivity of this Act, the Implementing Rules and Regulations (IRR) shall be formulated by 
the Department of Agriculture in close coordination with the Department of Interior and Local 
Government, the Leagues of Governors and Mayors and relevant members of the civil society 
which shall include an implementation plan indicating a phased approach to smooth transition 
from the present to the reformed extension system under this Act.  The Secretary of the 
Department of Agriculture shall furnish a copy of the IRR to the Committee of Agriculture of 
both Houses of Congress. 
 
      Section 35. Repealing Clause. – All laws, decrees, executive orders, rules and 
regulations, issuance or parts thereof inconsistent with this Act are hereby repealed or 
amended accordingly.  
 
   
      Section 36. Separability Clause – If any provision of this Act is declared invalid or 
unconstitutional, the other provisions not affected thereby shall remain valid and subsisting. 
 
      Section 37. Effectivity Clause. – This Act shall take effect thirty (30) days from the date 
of its publication in the Official Gazette or in at least in two (2) national newspapers of general  
 
Approved,