Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Quezon City

EIGHTEENTH CONGRESS
First Regular Session

House Bill No.___ 4027

Introduced by Representative Sharon S. Garin

EXPLANATORY NOTE

Basic agricultural functions and responsibilities are discharged to Local Government
Units (LGUs) by virtue of Republic Act 7160, also known as the Local Government Code of
1991. It isin line with the goal of the national government to achieve economic development
at the regional and local levels by decenttralizing powers and responsibilities in favor of LGUs.
The Code also provides an expanded platform for LGUs to make vital decisions in governing
their local communities, therefore empowering them.

However, economic and political realities have impeded LGUs to fully exercise their
agricultural functions, much to the detriment of poor and marginalized farmers. Among the
challenges faced by LGUs include the poor implementation of agricultural programs due to
the glaring disconnect between their devolved responsibilities and the financial resources
available to them; local government officials who are expected to function both as economic
managers and administrators of their localities; and the lack of appreciation of the devolved
tasks, resulting in the underutlization of technical personnel

lt has further been observed that the devolution of agricultural extension services to
LGUs has resulted to low agricultural productivity, hampered agricultural development, and
food insecurity.

Clearly, there is a need for local governments to have its role re-examined and
Fedefined in light of community interest, needs, and demands. This bill aims to rationalize
agricultural services by amending several provisions of the Local Government Code of 1991.
This representation maintains that reinstating the agricultural functions and responsibilities to
the national level will not only help address the challenges posed by a demand-driven and
fast-changing environment, but will also help alleviate the lives of poor and marginalized
farmers.

In view of the foregoing, the immediate passage of this bill is earnestly sought.

. GARIN

Party4ist, AAMBIS-OWA


Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Quezon City

EIGHTEENTH CONGRESS
First Regular Session

House Bill No-__4027

Introduced by Representative Sharon a

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, com
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
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

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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 and facilities to the City
“as embodied in the same basic services and facilities for Municipality and
Province," Section 17, Item (bj, 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.

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

SEC. 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.

‘SEC. 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
Chairman, the Secretary of Interior and Local Government, the President of National
Agriculture and Fishery Council or their duly designated representatives, as members.

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

SEC. 6. All provisions of the Local Government Code of 1991 not inconsistent
with the foregoing amendments will remain in force and effect.

SEC. 7. This Act shall take effect immediately upon its approval.

Approved,