HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

Republic of the Philippines RECEIVED

HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES, pare: 20 JUN 2016
. ema,

Quezon City me PGE
17" CONGRESS ey: 7
First Regular Session j
i RECISTRATION UNA

HOUSE BILL NO. 433 L. BILLS AND INDEX SERVICE

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
¢ field involved in agriculture and fishery, so that the objectives of the Agriculture and
isheries 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.



Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES.
Quezon City

17" CONGRESS
First Regular Session

433

HOUSE BILL NO.

Introduced by REP, 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, 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 farms, livestock
markets, animal breeding station and artificial insemination centers. and assistance in

1


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 (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.

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

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

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

Approved,