FIFTEENTH CONGRESS OF THE 
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES 
First Regular Session 
SENATE 
Senate Bill No. 1138 
INTRODUCED BY HON. MANNY VILLAR 
EXPLANATORY NOTE 
Filipino farmers and the agricultural development workers either in government or 
non-government services are the key players in the agricultural sector which require 
government support and assistance. 
At present, the weak and fragmented agricultural service delivery hampers the· 
implementation of government agricultural development programs. One of the cause of 
this problem is the LGU's are financial constraints to hire the needed agricultural 
development workers and provide them with the necessary support. 
This bill seeks to address these concerns. Its immediate passage is therefore 
earnestly requested. 
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FIFTEENTH CONGRESS OF THE 
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES 
First Regular Session 
SENATE 
Senate Bill No.113S 
i 
I. 
, . 
INTRODUCED BY HON. MANNY VILLAR 
AN ACT PROVIDING FOR A MAGNA CARTA OF AGRICULTURAL OFFICERS AND 
EMPLOYEES 
Be it enacted by the House of Representatives and the Senate of the Philippines 
in Congress assembled: 
SECTION 1. Title. - This act shall be known as the "Magna Carta of Agricultural 
Officers and Employees." 
Sec. 2. Definition of Terms - As used in this Act, the following terms shall be 
construed to mean as follows: 
(a.) Agricultural Officer - refers to a person who is a graduate of agriculture, 
fisheries, animal science, animal husbandry or any other related course from a 
recognized college or university and is a holder of a first grade civil service eligibility or 
its equivalent, currently holding a supervisory position in the local government units for 
at least three (3) years for a municipal agricultural officer or those appointed as 
agriculturist and as Department Head under RA 7160 and at least five (5) years for a 
city agricultural officer. He must be a citizen of the Philippines with good moral 
character. 
(b.) Agricultural Employee - is a person who is a graduate of Agriculture, 
Fisheries, Animal Science, or Animal Husbandry or any other agriculture- related course 
from any recognized college or university and is a holder of an appropriate civil service 
eligibility and is employed at the Department of Agriculture or devolved to the local 
government units whose functions and duties are related to agriculture and must be a 
citizen of the Philippines with good moral character. 
(c.) Agricultural Extension Work - refers to the profession which helps farmers, 
fisher folks, homemakers, (RIC), youths (4-H - dub) and other interested parties in the 


promotion of agricultural development plans, programs and projects in agriculture 
through the use of extension, methodologies, concepts and principles upon request. 
(d.) Practitioner - is a citizen of the Philippines with good moral character who is 
a graduate of Agriculture employed in a government or non-government agency or in a 
private institution whose actual duties and functions are related to agriculture. 
(e.) CSC - refers to the Civil Service Commission 
(f.) the right to cross-examine witnesses incurred in his/her defense in case of 
exoneration or dismissal of the charges. 
(g.) NLRC - refers to the National Labor Relations Commission 
(h.) DA - refers to the Department of Agriculture 
(L) 
LGU - refers to the Local Government Unit 
Sec. 3. Declaration of Policy - The state shall promote the agriculture sector 
being the backbone of the country and likewise improve the economic and well-being of 
the agricultural officers/employees as well as their standard of living and elevate their 
working conditions and employment status. The state shall likewise develop the 
agricultural officers/employees' skills, knowledge, orientations and capabilities in order 
that they will be more responsive to the needs of the farmers, fisher folks, homemakers 
(RIC), youths (4-H Club) and other interested parties as well as better equip the 
agricultural officers/employees to deliver their basic services and programs to their 
clientele. Lastly, the state shall encourage those with proper qualifications and excellent 
abilities to remain in agricultural extension work either in government or non-
government services. 
Sec. 4. Coverage - This act shall cover all eligible Agricultural Officers/Employees 
as well as all agricultural practitioners in government or non-government service and all 
those promoted/appointed as municipal/city agriculturist and as Department Heads of 
the Local Government Units under RA 7160. 
Sec. 5. Recruitment and Qualifications - The selection and appointment of 
agricultural officers/employees shall be in accordance with the merit and fitness 
principle; provided, that he/she is an eligible agricultural officer and/or employee: 


Provided, further, that the Civil Service Commission or the Department of Labor and 
Employment, as the case may be, develops and administers specialized examination 
for purposes of providing appropriate eligibilities to positions. 
Sec. 6. Performance Evaluation and Merit Promotion. - The Secretary of 
Agriculture, upon consultation with the Civil Service Commission and the recognized 
national associations of agricultural development workers shall prepare a uniform career 
and personnel development plan applicable to all agricultural development workers. 
Such career and personnel development plan shall include provisions on merit 
promotion, performance evaluation, in-service training grants, job rotation and incentive 
, 
awards system. 
Sec. 7. Composition. - The composition of the Agricultural Officers and Employees 
Consultative Council shall be determined from the list submitted by the Regional 
Association of Municipal/City Agricultural Officers, Provincial Agriculturists, throughout 
the country as well as from the list submitted by the Agriculture and Fishery Council 
Chairman, Provincial Agriculture and Fishery Council Chairman, Regional Agriculture 
and Fishery Council Chairman and the National Agriculture and Fishery Council 
Chairman. 
Sec. 8. Transfer of Geographical Reassignment of Agricultural Officers/Employees 
- No transfer or geographical reassignment shall be made are effected without a written 
notice to the agricultural development workers concerned stating therein the reasons for 
such 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 Labor and Employment, as the case may be: 
Provided, further, That, pending appeal, such transfer or reassignment shall be held in 
abeyance: Provided, furthermore, That no transfer and/or reassignment whatsoever 
shall be made three (3) months prior to any local or national elections. Provided, finally, 
that the necessary expenses of the transfer and/or reassignment of the agricultural 
worker or employee and his/her immediate family shall be paid by the Government. 
Sec. 9. Safeguards in Administrative Proceedings - in every administrative 
proceeding an Agricultural officer/employee shall have: 
(a) the right to be informed of the charges; 
(b) the right to full access on evidence against him or/her; 


(c) the right to defend himse1f/herself or by a counsel of his/her choice; 
(d) the right to be given adequate time to prep'are his/her case, which shall in no case 
exceed twenty (20) days; 
(e) the right to appeal to designated authorities; 
(f) the right to cross-examine witnesses and to processes of 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 right provided by other national agencies and local government units to 
its respective officers and employees so as to ensure fairness and impartiality in the 
proceedings. 
Sec. 10. Code of Conduct. - All agricultural workers must be guided by a code of 
ethics not contrary to law, morals, society, health, public policy and public order. The 
code of conduct of agricultural development workers shall be prepared by the Secretary 
of Agriculture in consultation with the recognized national associations of agricultural 
development workers. 
Sec. 11. Normal Hours of Work. - The normal hours of work of any agricultural 
officer and employee shall not exceed eight (8) hours or forty (40) hours a week. 
Hours of work shall include: (a) the time the agricultural officer/employee is 
, 
required tc;> be on active duty or to be at a prescribed workplace; (b) the time which an 
agricultural officer/employee is required to work in a place other than the prescribed 
workplace. 
Sec. 12. Overtime Work - Where the exigencies of the service so require, any 
agricultural officer/employee, whether in the government or non-government service, 
may be required to render service beyond the normal eight (8) hours a day, inclusive of 
Saturdays, Sundays and non-working holidays. In such case, the agricultural 
officer/employee shall be given an additional compensation in accordance with existing 
laws on the matter. 
Sec. 13. On-Call Pay. -
In cases of "On-Call" status, the agricultural 
officer/employee shall be entitled to an "On-Call" pay equivalent to fifty per centum 
(50%) of his/her regular wage. "On-Call" status refers to a condition when an 
agricultural officer/employee is called upon to respond to urgent or immediate need or 
relief work during emergencies such that the agricultural officer/employee shall be put 
on "On-Call" status beyond seven (7) days. 


Sec. 14. Married Agricultural Officer and Employee. - Whenever possible, the 
proper authorities shall take steps to enable married couples, bath of who are public 
workers, to be employed or assigned in the same municipality/city. 
Sec. 15. Basic Compensation. - After the effectivity of this Act, the salaries of the 
Agricultural Officer/Employee shall be: 
(a) ·for the Municipality/City Agricultural Officer a Salary of Grade 24 shall be 
allocated to the said position with an equivalent rank as Department Head of the Local 
Government Unit where (s)he is devolved or assigned and with a salary rate adopting 
the National Pay Plan. 
(b) for Agricultural Technologies (As) - their salary grades and positions shall be 
upgrade to Salary Grade 18; and likewise adopting the National Pay Plan. 
(c) for Agricultural Development Specialist (ADS) - their salary grades shall be 
upgraded to Salary Grade 20. 
(d) all devolved Agricultural Officers/Employees shall be granted a step 
increment and shall be paid by the National Government. 
Provided, however, that the National Government shall augment the necessary 
funds to cover any deficit in the i3dopted national pay plan for the above-mentioned 
positions in the Municipalities/Cities/Provinces. 
Sec. 16. Representation Allowance and Traveling Allowance. - All Municipal/City 
Agricultural Officers shall be entitled to Representation Allowance and Traveling 
Allowance (RATA) equivalent to the National Government positions. Provided, however, 
that any deficit shall be augmented by the National Government. 
Sec. 17. Hazard Allowance. - Any agricultural officer/employee assigned in difficult 
areas, strife-torn or embattled areas, distressed or isolated animal/plant/breeding 
station, handling x-rays, radioisotope's, chemical, etc., sea-borne patrols and other 
areas declared under a state of calamity or emergency, which expose them to great 
danger volcanic activity/eruption, occupational risks or perils of life, shall be 
, 
compensated with hazard allowance equivalent to at least twenty per centum (20%) of 
their monthly basic salary. 
Sec. 18. Subsistence Allowance. - Any Agricultural Officer/Employee who is 
required to render service in the communities, institutions, animal and plant breeding 
stations, fiSh sanctuaries/nurseries, plant nurseries, plantation 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. 
Sec. 19. Longevity Pay. - A longevity pay equivalent to five per centum (5%) of 
the monthly basic pay shall be paid to an agricultural officer/employee for every three 
(3) years of continuous, efficient and meritorious services rendered. 
Sec. 20. Clothing Allowance - All agricultural employees shall be entitled to a 
clothing allowance in accordance with the approved law and regulations or as mandated 
bylaw. 
Sec. 21. Other Privileges and Benefits. - These refer to the privileges and 
allowance granted by the National Government to the Department of Agricultural 
Officers and Employees such as anniversary bonus, loyalty, productivity pay and 
amelioration pay. These allowances shall also be granted to the devolved agricultural 
officers and employees and shall be paid by the National Government. 
Sec. 22. Retirement Benefits. - All agricultural officers and employees shall be 
entitled to terminal pays. Provided, however, that the number of years rendered by the 
devolved personnel in the national level shall be paid by the Department of Agriculture 
upon retirement including the accrued leave credits. Whereas, the services rendered to 
the Local Government Units shall be paid where they are devolved/assigned regardless 
of any promotion availed. Provided, further, that under Presidential Decree 1146, all 
government employees both, locally and nationally hired on the first day of June 1977, 
shall not receive any lump sum retirement but instead, a monthly pension of Two 
Thousand Seven Hundred Fifty Pesos (P2, 750.00) only regardless of the salary 
received. In view hereof, this decree shall not be applicable to all officers and 
employees of the Department of Agriculture as well as the devolved personnel and 
those appointed as agriculturist/Department Head under RA 7160, including agricultural 
practitioners in the government service. Provided, that under no circumstances PD 1146 
shall be repealed by this Act "Magna Carta of Agricultural Officers and Employees". 
Sec. 23. Housing. - All agricultural officers and employees who are on tour of 
duty and those, because of unavoidable circumstances are forced to stay in the 
institution, community, etc. living quarters or such quarters are not available, (s)he be 
entitled to free living quarters: Provided, that if such living quarters are available, the 


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agricultural officers and employees shall receive housing allowances: Provided, further, 
that the rate shall be reviewed periodically in view of an increase. 
Sec, 24. Compensation for Injuries. - Agricultural Officers and employees shall be 
protectea against work-related injuries in accordance with the Labor Code of the Civil 
Code Law as the case may be. 
Sec. 25. Right to Join Organizations. - Agricultural Officers and employees shall 
have the right to freely join organizations or union for purposes not contrary to law, in 
order to defend and protect their, mutual interest and to obtain redress of grievances 
through peaceful concreted activities provided, that under no circumstances shall 
government agricultural officer/employee' be allowed to join declare, stage, form any 
strike or cessation of services. 
Sec. 26. Freedom from Interference of Coercion. - it shall be unlawful for any 
person to commit any of the following acts of interference or coercion: 
(a) to require as condition of employment that the agricultural g officer/employee 
shall not join an agricultural organization or union; 
(b) to discriminate in order to encourage or discourage membership in any 
agricultural officer and employee organization or union; 
(c) to prevent agricultural officer/employee from carrying out his duties and 
functions in the agricultural work organization or union or to penalize the agricultural 
officer and employee for any lawful action performed in that capacity; 
(d) to make calculated harassment and interference with the intention of 
intimidating or preventing the agricultural worker from performing his/her duties and 
functions; and 
(e) to perform acts calculated to diminish the independence and freedom of the 
union or organization to direct its own affairs. 
Sec. 27. Consultation. - The Department of Agriculture shall consult professional 
and agricultural work organizations or unions in formulating policies to govern the 
agricultural security of the agricultural officers and employees. 
Sec. 28. Human Resource Development - The government and non-government 
agencies that conduct human resource development and management study in the 
following areas: 
(a) adequate facilities and resources to render quality agricultural serf/ices to the 
clientele; 


(b) opportunity for the agricultural officer/employee to grow and develop his/her 
potentials and to experience a sense of worth and dignity in his/her work; 
(c) mechanism for democratic consultation; 
(d)' ways and means of enabling rank and file agricultural employee's to attain 
viable education opportunities for personal growth and development; and 
(e) staffing patterns and standards of agricultural officers/employees welfare to 
ensure that people receive quality care. 
Sec. 29. Rules and Regulations. - The management and Agricultural Officers and 
Employees Organization or Union Consultative Council shall formulate and prepare 
necessary rules and regulations in implementing the provisions of the Magna Cart'd, in 
coordination with DOLE, CS, NLRC, LGUs and DA. 
Sec. ~o. Penal Provisions. - Any person who shall willfully interfere with, restrain 
or coerce any agricultural officer/employee in the exercise of his/her right or shall in any 
manner commit any act in violation of any of the provisions of this Act upon conviction, 
shall be punished by a fine of not less than Twenty Thousand Pesos (P20, 000.00) 
but not more than Forty Thousand Pesos (P40, 000.00) or imprisonment of not more 
than one (1) year or both at the discretion of the court. If the offender is a public official, 
the court, in addition to the penalties provided in the preceding paragraph, may impose 
the additional penalty of disqualification from office of such offending public official. 
Sec. 31. Separability Clause. - If any provision from this Act is declared 
unconstitutional or invalid, the remainder thereof not affected thereby shall continue to 
be in full force and effect. 
Sec. 32. Repealing Clause. - All laws, decrees, orders, rules and regulations or 
other Issuance inconsistent with the provisions of this Act are hereby repealed, 
amended or modified accordingly. 
Sec. 33. Effectivity. - This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after its 
publication in at least two (2) newspapers of general circulation. 
Approved,