FIFTEENTH CONGRESS )
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES —)
FIRST REGULAR SESSION

HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

Introduced by Representative Rufus B. Rodriguez and
Representative Maximo B. Rodriguez, Jr.

House Bill No._ 3992

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 com
(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 last year’s record

There is 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

sno Me JR.


FIFTEENTH CONGRESS )
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES )
FIRST REGULAR SESSION

HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

Introduced by Representative Rufus B. Rodriguez and
Representative Maximo B. Rodriguez, Jr.

4
House Bill No. 3592
AN ACT
PRESCRIBING THE STRENGTHENING OF THE NATIONAL AGRICULTURE AND.
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 of 2010”.

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 modemization 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 modemization 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,
agriculturaV/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.

©) “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-govemmental organizations, and the private sector.

4) 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

©) “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 modemization 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
Govemment 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.

9) “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.

}) “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 leamed from their
successful peers new knowledge or skills to improve the productivity and income of
their enterprises.

|) “Fisheries” refers to all interrelated activities which include the production,
growing, harvesting, processing, marketing, developing, conserving and managing of
all aquatic and fisheries areas.

Mm) “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.

0) “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 Managemenf is a systematic approach which invents,
understands, shares, creates and utilizes knowledge in order to create values such
as producers value, customers value, employee's value, stockholders value,
business partner’s value and social value to achieve the vision and goal of the
organization



@) “Partnership” refers to the relationship between and among agencies that is
characterized by mutual cooperation and responsibility towards the achievement of
shared goals.

) "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.

) “Value Chain’ is a process from seed to shelf or from the producers to the
consumers, showing activities and interventions offfor 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,

¢) 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 shail put
primary attention to these groups in the provision of extension services.

ARTICLE It
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
modemization 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 syste’

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;

®) 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 parinership
that may include, but not limited to the LGUs (Local Government Units), the
Tegional 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);

9) Hamess 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,

©) Strengthen the participation of various stakeholders, especially the
civil society, local govemment units, and private sector in the development
of National Research Development and Extension (NRDE) agenda and
programs;

4) 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 Goverment;

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;

@) 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 (AT!)
plantilla and to convert them into positions most appropriate to the Agency to provide
national technical and managerial leadership.

ARTICLE Il
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
@ new appointment by the Govemor 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 shail 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
MICAFOs 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 concemed 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 extemal review and evaluation
every five (6) 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 retuned 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 goverment plans in agriculture and fisheries and to achieve efficiency in the use
of resources, all provincial goverments 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 goverment 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 Govemment, 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)
¢) 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 concemed 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
concemed 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;

») the right to full access to evidence against him/her,

) 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;

@) 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 faimess 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-tom or embattled areas, distressed or isolated stations,
animal/plantfisheries 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.


¢) 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.

€) 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.

9) 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 institutionalize. 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 Vil
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 (AT!),
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 Vill
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 Modemization (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 Goverment, the Leagues of Govemors 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 (0) days from the
date of its publication in the Official Gazette or in at least in two (2) national
newspapers of general

Approved,