Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Quezon City

16" CONGRESS
First Regular Session

HOUSE BILL NO. 1322

Introduced by REP. EVELINA G. ESCUDERO.

EXPLANATORY NOTE

The Congress is mandated under law to undergo a mandatory review of Republic
Act No. 7160 otherwise known as the Local Government Code of 1991.

With multiple consultations with concerned constituents nationwide, it is clearly
determined that revisions to the Local Government Code of 1991 should be introduced to
rationalized agricultural services.

The recent passage of Republic Act No. 8435 also known as the Agriculture
Modernization Act of 1997 makes it essential that the Department of Agriculture, the
leading department tasked to implement the law, for its monitoring and data gathering
requirements, shall have complete administrative control, regulation and supervision over
all personnel in the field involved in agriculture and fishery, so that the objectives of the
Agriculture and Fisheries Law will be effectively implemented. More so, the DA
devolved agricultural extension workers are a potent force that can be utilized to pole
vault the country’s present agricultural growth to fast growing agricultural-based
economy.

Most of the time, the government has always prioritized agricultural productivity
and in order to address this, it is necessary to amend certain provisions of the Local
Government Code for effective and efficient implementation of its program thrusts.

With the above cited reasons, the urgent passage of this measure is earnestly
requested.

EVELINA G. ESCUDERO


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Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
. Quezon City

16" CONGRESS.
First Regular Session

299
HOUSE BILL. nol Oey

Introduced by RE!

EVELINA G.

ESCUDERO

AN ACT
REVERTING TO THE NATIONAL GOVERNMENT THE DISCHARGE OF
BASIC AGRICULTURAL FUNCTIONS AND RESPONSIBILITIES DEVOLVED
TO LOCAL GOVERNMENT UNITS AND AMENDING FOR THE PURPOSE
REPUBLIC ACT NO. 7160, OTHERWISE KNOWN AS THE LOCAL
GOVERNMENT CODE OF 1991

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

SECTION 1. Section 17 of the Republic No. 7160, otherwise known as the Local
Government Code of 1991, is hereby amended:

Section 1.1 The devolution of the basic services and facilities to the
Barangay on “Agricultural Support services which include planting materials
distribution system and operation of farm produce collection and buying
station,” is hereby withdrawn from the Barangay and reverted back to the
National Government. This amends Section 17, item (b), No. (1), Par. 1 of the

Local Government Code of 1991

Section 1.2 The devolution of the basic services and facilities to the
Municipality on "Extension and on-site research services and facilities related to
Agriculture and Fisheries activities which include dispersal of livestock and
poultry, fingerlings and other seedlings materials for aquaculture; palay, cor
and vegetable seed farms; medicinal plant gardens; fruit tree, coconut and other

kinds of seedling nurseries; demonstration farms; quality control of copra and

improvement and development of local distribution channels. preferably


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through cooperatives: inter-barangay

irrigation system; water and soil resource
utilization and conservation projects: and enforcement of fishery laws in
municipal waters including the conservation of mangroves” is hereby
withdrawn from the Municipality and reverted back to the National
Government. This amends Section 17, item (b), No. (2), Par. 1 of the Local
Government Code of 1991

Section 1.3 The devolution of basic services and facilities to the province
on "Agricultural extension and on-site research services and facilities which
include the prevention and control of pest and animal pest and diseases; dairy
farms, livestock markets, animal breeding station and artificial insemination
centers, and assistance in the organization of farmer's and fishermen's
cooperative and other collective organizations, as well as the transfer of
appropriate technology,” is hereby withdrawn from the Province and reverted
back to the National Government. This amends Section 17, item (b), No. (3),
Par. 1, of the Local Government Code of 1991.

Section 1.4 The devolution of the basic services

ind facilities to the City
"as embodied in the same basic services and facilities for Municipality and

Province," Section 17, Item (b), No. 2 and 3, Far 1, is hereby withdrawn from
the city and reverted back to the National Government. This amends Section 17,

item (b), No. (4), Par 1 of the Local Government Code of 1991.

SECTION 2. Accordingly all personnel, technicians, facilities and properties
previously transferred to the Barangay, Municipalities, Provinces and Cities shall be

returned to the National Government.

SECTION 3. The funds necessary to cover the implementation of these
amendments should be appropriated for agriculture and shall be provided for in the

current General Appropriations Act and the years thereafter.

SECTION 4. For the purpose of this Act, an Agriculture and Fisheries Review
Panel is hereby created to be composed of the following: the Secretary of Agriculture, as

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1 Chairman, the Secretary of Interior and Local Government, the President of National

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Agriculture and Fishery Council or their duly designated representatives, as members.

SECTION 5. The Agriculture and Fishery Review Panel in consultation with

4 concerned sectors in the field, shall identify the problems of the industry under the re-

nationalization set-up and recommend measures to enhance the agriculture productivity.

6 SECTION 6. All provisions of the Local Government Code of 1991 not

7 inconsistent with the foregoing amendments will remain in force and effect.

\CTION 7. Thi:

shall take effect immediately upon its approval,

9 Approved,

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