1 
EIGHTEENTH CONGRESS OF THE      ) 
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES       ) 
Second Regular Session      ) 
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES 
HOUSE BILL No. _______ 
Introduced by Representative Deogracias Victor B. Savellano 
 MAGNA CARTA FOR THE ADVANCEMENT OF AGRICULTURAL 
WORKERS WELFARE ACT 
EXPLANATORY NOTE 
This proposed measure is vital in unlocking the full potential of our 
agriculture workers. This will serve as a tool in advancing our human 
capital development. In the Philippines, agriculture is still a dominant 
key player but it has yet to play a pivotal role in the economy of the 
country. Thus, emphasizing this proposal will highlight the impact of 
having a high productivity growth in the agricultural sector which can 
promote a long-term economic growth. 
Our agriculturists, agricultural engineers, fishery technologists, 
veterinarians, and agricultural technicians are the subsets comprising 
the universal set of our agricultural workers. They are the drivers that 
lay down the foundation of an inclusive growth, a high-trust and resilient 
society, and a globally-competitive knowledge economy1 in the 
agriculture sector. To strengthen their rights through the proposition of 
having a Magna Carta for them is a recognition of their significant roles 
and contributions, and eventually this will yield into a more progressive 
and productive PH agri-sector. 
1 As contained in Philippine Development Plan (PDP) Overall Strategic Framework 2017-2022 
April 20, 2021
1:20 pm
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2 
In view thereof, the passage of this bill is earnestly sought. 
DEOGRACIAS VICTOR B. SAVELLANO 


3 
EIGHTEENTH CONGRESS OF THE 
) 
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES 
) 
Second Regular Session 
) 
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES 
HOUSE BILL No. _______ 
____________________________________________________________________ 
Introduced by Representative DEOGRACIAS VICTOR B. SAVELLANO 
____________________________________________________________________ 
MAGNA CARTA FOR THE ADVANCEMENT OF AGRICULTURAL WORKERS 
WELFARE ACT 
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the Philippines in 
Congress assembled: 
ARTICLE I 
GENERAL PROVISIONS 
Section 1. Short Title. – This Act shall be known as the "Magna Carta for the 
Advancement of Agricultural Workers Welfare Act".  
Sec. 2. Declaration of Policy. – It is hereby declared a policy of the State to accelerate 
the development and modernization of Philippine agriculture and improve the 
economic and social well-being of agricultural development workers as well as their 
working conditions and employment status. The State shall likewise develop their 
skills, knowledge, orientation and capabilities so that they will become more 
responsive and effective in providing the necessary services for countryside 
development and the modernization of the Philippine Agriculture. 
Sec. 3. Definition of Terms. – As used in this Act: 
a. Agricultural Development Workers – shall mean all persons who are engaged in
agricultural development activities and all persons employed in the Department of
Agriculture (DA), including its bureaus and attached agencies, Local Government Units
(LGUs), State Colleges and Universities (SUCs) and concerned government and private
institutions, and shall include agriculturist, 
agricultural 
engineers, fishery
technologists, 
veterinarians, agricultural technicians, 
agricultural employees,
9227


 
 
 
4 
 
administrative and support personnel employed regardless of their employment 
status; 
 
b. Agriculturist – shall refer to a person who is a graduate of a course in agriculture 
or any related course registered and license with the Professional Regulation 
Commission (PRC) who performs any of the specialized activities such as agronomy, 
horticulture, animal husbandry, entomology, plant pathology, plant breeding, 
agricultural economics, agricultural extension, and marketing; 
 
c. Agricultural Engineer – shall refer to a person registered with the PRC performing 
engineering activities in agriculture, particularly on areas of farm power and 
machinery, irrigation and drainage, soil and water conservation, agricultural buildings 
and structures, agricultural processing, and postharvest facilities; 
 
d. Fishery Technologist – shall refer to a person who is a graduate of a course in 
fisheries and registered and licensed with the PRC performing activities on fisheries 
and aquaculture, and, fishery production and processing;  
 
e. Veterinarian – shall refer to a person registered with the PRC performing 
professional activities on veterinary services such as disease prevention, control, and 
animal health; 
 
f. Agricultural Technician – shall refer to a trained or skilled agricultural worker who 
is not necessarily a college graduate and certified by the Technical Education and 
Skills Development Authority (TESDA) performing job such as plant nursery 
propagator, farm mechanic and agricultural machinery operator and other related 
skilled job in agricultural production, processing, and marketing;  
 
g. Agricultural Extension Worker – shall refer to an agriculturist, agricultural engineer, 
fishery technologist and veterinarian who helps farmers and fishermen in the 
promotion of agricultural and fisheries development plans, programs and projects 
through the use of extension the theologies, concepts and principles;  and, 
 
h. Agricultural Employee – is a person who is a graduate of Agriculture, Agricultural 
Engineering, Fisheries, Veterinary Medicine or any other agriculture- related course 
from any recognized college or university and in holder of an appropriate civil service 
but not a licensed professional under the PRC who is employed in the government, 
non-government organization or private institution who performs activities on 
agriculture development. 
 
Sec. 4. Coverage. – This act shall cover all Agricultural Development Workers of the 
government, non-government organizations and private institutions and shall include 
agriculturists, agricultural engineers, fishery technologists, veterinarians, agricultural 
technicians, agricultural employees, farm workers, administrative and support 
personnel employed regardless of their employment status. 
 
 


 
 
 
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ARTICLE II 
EMPLOYMENT AND CAREER DEVELOPMENT 
 
Sec. 5.  Recruitment and Qualifications. – The selection and appointment of 
agricultural development workers shall be in accordance with the merit and fitness 
principle: Provided, That he/she has the appropriate civil service eligibilities and/or 
professional license, educational qualification, skills and related work experiences. 
 
Sec.  6. Employment Assistance. – There shall be employment opportunities for the 
graduates of agriculture and fishery related courses who are certified and licensed to 
practice their profession and/or perform specialized works by the PRC and TESDA, 
respectively. In line with this, the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE), 
together with academic institutions, PRC, TESDA and the Department of Trade and 
Industry (DTI) shall undertake employment promotion of the produced agricultural 
development workers in the domestic and foreign market and adopt and implement a 
National Employment Program for Agricultural Development Workers. 
 
Sec. 7. Professionalization of Government Agricultural Services. – There shall be 
support on the professionalization of agricultural services of the government by 
ensuring the appropriate position titles, just compensation and benefits of the 
agricultural development workers relative to the implementation of the government’s 
agricultural programs. For this purpose, the DA, together with CSC, Department of 
Budget and Management (DBM), Department of the Interior and Local Government 
(DILG), and in coordination with the recognized national associations of agricultural 
development workers shall review the existing functions, responsibilities, position, 
titles, qualifications and allocations of the agricultural development workers employed 
at the DA, LGUs and concerned government agencies, and to reallocate, reclassify 
and/or match them with appropriate position, titles and compensation. It shall likewise 
adopt the existing CSC agricultural positions with corresponding salary grade. 
 
Sec. 8. Mandatory Positions of Agricultural Development Workers in Local Government 
Units. – The creation of the following positions are hereby made mandatory in addition 
to the prescribed position under the Local Government Code of 1991, as amended: 
 
i. Provincial Agricultural Engineer; 
ii. Provincial Fishery Officer; 
iii. City Agricultural Engineer; 
iv. City Veterinarian; 
v. City Agriculturist; and, 
vi. Municipal Agriculturist. 
 
The LGUs shall create staffing pattern for agricultural development workers. 
 
Sec. 9. Performance Evaluation and Merit Promotion. - The Secretary of Agriculture in 
consultation with CSC, DOLE and recognized national associations of agricultural 


 
 
 
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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 and incentives awards system. The performance 
evaluation plan shall consider foremost the improvement of individual employee 
efficiency and organizational effectiveness: Provided, that each employee shall be 
informed regularly by his/her supervisor of his/her performance evaluation. Provided 
further, That the merit promotion plan shall be in consonance with the rules of the 
CSC 
 
Sec. 10. Transfer of Geographical Reassignment of Agricultural Officers and 
Employees. – No transfer of geographical reassignment shall be made or effected 
without a written notice to the agricultural development worker concerned stating 
therein the reason for such: Provided, That said written notice shall be made thirty 
(30) days prior to the date of transfer or reassignment and that if the employee 
concerned disagrees with the order of transfer or reassignment, he/she may appeal 
said order with CSC or DOLE, 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 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 Philippine Government. 
 
Sec. 11. Security of Tenure. – Any agricultural development worker holding a 
permanent position in the government shall not be terminated except for cause: 
Provided, That in the event the agricultural development worker is found to be unjustly 
dismissed by CSC, 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 is withheld up to the reinstatement. Provided however, that if 
the agricultural development worker does not desire to be reinstated, he/she shall be 
entitled to back wages and separation pay with twenty per centum interest. 
 
Sec. 12. Married Agricultural Development Worker. – Whenever possible, the proper 
authorities shall take steps to enable married couples both of whom are public 
agricultural development workers, to be employed or assigned in the same or adjacent 
city/municipality. 
 
Sec. 13. Code of Conduct. – All Agricultural Development Workers must be guided by 
the Code of Ethics, as adopted by the Secretary of Agriculture in consultation with 
CSC, DOLE, and concerned stakeholders. 
 
Sec. 14. Normal Hours of Work. – The normal hours of work of an agricultural 
development worker shall not exceed eight (8) hours a day or forty (40) hours a week. 
Hours of work shall include:  
 
a. the time the agricultural worker is required to be on active duty or to be at a 
prescribed workplace;  


 
 
 
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b. the time which an agricultural development worker is permitted to work; and, 
c. the time which an agricultural development worker is required to work in a place 
other than the prescribed workplace. 
 
Sec. 15. Overtime Work – Where the exigencies of the service so require, any 
agricultural development worker, whether in government or non-government service, 
may be required to render service beyond the normal eight (8) hours a day, inclusive 
of Saturday and Sunday and non-working holidays. In such cases, the agricultural 
development worker shall be given additional compensation in accordance with the 
existing applicable laws. 
 
Sec. 16. Personnel Required. – All offices, firms and establishments either government 
or private, and farmer organizations and cooperatives engaged in the production, 
processing, handling and marketing  of agriculture and fisheries products and likewise 
implementing projects related to irrigation, farm mechanization, postharvest facilities 
and agricultural infrastructures shall employ the required number and/or engage the 
services of agriculturists, agricultural engineers, fishery technologists and 
veterinarians to perform professional services.  
 
Provided, That there shall be no understaffing and/or overloading of agricultural 
development workers. The ratio of staff to clientele shall be such as to reasonably 
effect a sustained quality of agricultural service at all times without overworking the 
agricultural development workers and over-extending their services. Only qualified 
professional shall occupy the agriculturist, agricultural engineer, fishery technologist 
and veterinarian in all government instrumentalities, non-government organization 
and private firms and establishments; 
 
Provided further, That in cases that the LGU decides to employ additional agricultural 
development workers, they shall be exempted in the prescribed ceiling for personnel 
services by the DBM provided such positions shall be filled up within one (1) year after 
its creation. Provided furthermore, That the national government shall allocate the 
necessary funds for the hiring of additional agricultural development workers in cases 
of overloading of personnel in specific areas of assignment of concerned government 
offices. 
 
ARTICLE III 
RIGHTS, BENEFITS, AND REWARDS 
 
Sec. 17. Freedom from Interference or Coercion. – It shall be unlawful for any person 
to commit any of the following acts of interference or coercion: 
 
a.  to require as a condition of employment that the agricultural development worker 
shall not join an organization or union; 
 
b. to discriminate in order to encourage or discourage membership in any agricultural 
development workers organization or union; 


 
 
 
8 
 
 
c. to prevent an agricultural development worker from carrying out his/her duties and 
functions in his/her organization or union or to penalize him/her for any lawful action 
performed in that capacity; 
 
d. to harass or to intimidate an agricultural development worker or prevent him/her 
from performing duties and functions; and, 
 
e. to perform acts that will diminish the independence and freedom of the union or 
organization to direct its own affairs.  
 
Sec. 18. Discrimination Prohibited. – An agricultural development worker shall not be 
discriminated by reason of creed, gender, political belief, civil status, religious belief 
and ethnic grouping in the exercise of his/her profession. 
 
Sec. 19. Safeguards in Administrative Proceedings. –  In every administrative 
proceeding, an agricultural development worker shall have: 
 
a. the right to be informed of the charges; 
b. the right to full access to evidence against him/her; 
c. 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 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 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 fairness and impartiality in 
prosecution.  
 
Sec. 20. Right to Join Organizations. – Agricultural development workers shall have 
the right to freely join organizations or unions for purposes not contrary to law, in 
order to protect their mutual interest and to seek redress of grievances through 
peaceful concerted activities. The various national organizations of agricultural 
development workers shall be consulted in the formulation of national education 
policies and professional standards, and in the formulation of national policies and 
programs on agriculture of the government. 
 
Provided, that the government shall ensure that the agricultural development workers 
organizations are represented in the national and local Agricultural and Fishery 
Councils, local development councils and other policy making and consultative bodies 
of the government. 
 
Sec. 21. Criteria for Incentives and Rewards System. – the reward and incentive 
system for agricultural development workers provided under this Act, which will 


 
 
 
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encourage them to stay in the service, promote their productivity and reward them 
for extraordinary performance shall be governed and funded by DA with the following 
criteria: 
 
a.) Honorarium – form of remuneration for services rendered beyond the established 
workload of agricultural development workers whose broad and superior knowledge 
and expertise contribute to agricultural productivity and innovativeness; 
 
b.) Incentive pay – form of remuneration given to individuals whose services in 
management, administration, policy making and support contribute to the efficient 
and effective implementation of the agricultural and fisheries program of the 
government, 
 
c.) Performance Bonus – form of remuneration given to the agricultural development 
workers for performance that exceeds established targets; and 
 
d.) Other incentives that DA and LGUs may establish. 
 
The DA is hereby mandated to create a committee to formulate the mechanics relative 
to this provision. 
 
Sec. 22. Other Compensation and Benefits. – All agricultural development workers 
shall be entitled to the following additional compensation and benefits: 
 
a.) 
Representation 
Allowance 
Travelling 
Allowance 
(RATA) 
– 
all 
Provincial/City/Municipal Agriculturist, Veterinarians, Agricultural Engineers and 
Fisheries Officers shall be entitled to RA equivalent to the Department Head of the 
LGUs; 
 
b.) Hazard Allowance – All agricultural development workers assigned in difficult 
areas, 
strife-torn 
or 
embattled 
areas, 
distressed 
or 
isolated 
stations, 
animal/plant/fisheries 
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 risk or perils of life shall 
be compensated with hazard allowance equivalent to at least twenty-five per centum 
(25%) of the monthly basic salary; 
 
c.) Subsistence Allowance – All agricultural development 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 DA 
and/or LGU in order to make their services available at all times, shall be entitled to 
full daily subsistence allowance of three (3) meals, incidental expenses and other 
actual expenses that may be incurred while on official function, which shall be 
computed in accordance with the prevailing circumstances;  


 
 
 
10 
 
d.) Longevity Pay – A longevity pay equivalent to five per centum (5%) of the monthly 
basic pay shall be paid to an agricultural worker for every (3) years of continuous, 
efficient and meritorious services rendered; 
 
e.) Clothing Allowance – All agricultural development workers shall be entitled to a 
clothing allowance in accordance with approved laws and regulations or as mandated 
by law; 
 
f.) Housing – All agricultural workers who are in tour of duty and those who, because 
of unavoidable circumstances, are forced to stay in the institution or community with 
living quarters shall be entitled to such quarters for free; Provided, That if such living 
quarters are not available, their workers shall receiving housing allowance: Provided 
further, That said allowance shall be reviewed periodically and adjusted for inflation;  
 
g.) Compensation for injuries – Agricultural development workers shall be protected 
against work-related injuries in accordance with the Labor Code or Civil Code as the 
case may be; 
 
h.) Medical Examination – During the tenure of their employment, agricultural 
development workers personnel shall be given a compulsory free medical examination 
once a year and immunization as the case may warrant. The medical examination 
shall include: 
 
1. Complete physical examination; 
2. Routine laboratory; 
3. Dental examination; and, 
4. Other indicated examination 
 
Provided, That the cost of such medical examination shall be included as automatic 
appropriation in said entity’s annual budget. 
 
a. On-Call Pay – In case of “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 
or employee is called upon the respond to an urgent or immediate need or relief work 
during emergencies such that the agricultural worker cannot utilized 1 his/her time 
for personal needs: Provided, That no agricultural worker shall be placed in an “On-
Call” status beyond seven (7) days; 
 
b. Motor and Vehicle Loan – All agricultural development workers shall be entitled to 
avail of the motor and vehicle load of DA. The government shall provide adequate 
budgetary support for their purpose; and, 
 
c. Highest Basic Salary Upon Retirement – Three (3) prior to the compulsory 
retirement, the agricultural development worker shall automatically be granted one 
(1) salary range or grade higher than his/her basic salary and his/her retirement 
benefits thereafter, computed on the basis of his/her highest salary: Provided, That 
he/she has reached the age and fulfilled service requirements under existing laws. 


 
 
 
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ARTICLE IV 
HUMAN RESOURCE DEVELOPMENT 
 
Sec. 23. Training Program. – The DA together with the DOLE, PRC, Commission on 
Higher Education (CHED) and DILG shall formulate and implement a comprehensive 
training programs for the agricultural development workers as part of the Continuing 
Professional Development (CPD) Program as mandated by the PRC and Human 
Resource Development Program of the LGUs. Provided, That adequate budgetary 
support shall be provided by the national government; Provided further, that the 
trainings conducted by Agricultural Training Institute (ATI) for Agricultural 
Development Workers shall be credited as part of the CPD Program requirements of 
the PRC. 
 
Sec. 24. Scholarship Program. – The Agricultural Development Workers and students 
on agriculture, agricultural engineering, fishery, and veterinary medicine courses shall 
have full access and priority allocation on the scholarship program of the government. 
 
Sec. 25. Capability Assessment. – The DA shall conduct a periodic agricultural 
development worker resource development/management study into, among others, 
the following areas: 
 
a. Types and amounts of resources to include the ratio of personnel -clientele based 
on the geographical area and program coverage; 
 
b. Adequacy of facilities and supplies to render quality agricultural extension services; 
 
c. Opportunity for agricultural development workers to grow and develop their 
potentials and experience a sense of worth and dignity in their work. Those who 
undertake agriculture related postgraduate studies shall be entitled to an upgrading 
in their position or raise in pay of two (2) steps higher or its equivalent to his/her 
current salary; 
 
d. Mechanisms for annual regional consultation on the welfare of agricultural 
development workers; 
 
e. Staffing patterns and standard of agricultural extension services. Existing 
recommendations on staffing and standards of agricultural extension services shall be 
immediately and strictly enforced; 
 
f. Ways and means of enabling the rank-and-file workers to avail of education 
opportunities for personal growth and development; 
 
g. Upgrading of working conditions, reclassification positions and salaries of 
agricultural development workers to correct disparity vis-à-vis other profession such 
that position requiring longer study to upgrade and given corresponding pay scale; 
and, 


 
 
 
12 
 
h. Assessment of the national policy on exportation of skilled agricultural development 
workers resource to focus on how these resources could instead be utilized 
productivity for the country’s needs. 
 
There is hereby created a Congressional Commission on Agricultural Extension 
Services (CAESCOM) to review, assess and impose the implementation of human 
resources development in agricultural extension services, to include the Continuing 
Professional Education and Training and the other areas described above. The 
Commission shall be composed of five (5) members from the House of 
Representatives and five (5) members from the Senate. It shall be co-chaired by the 
chairperson of the committee on agriculture of both houses. It shall render a report 
and recommendation to the Congress which shall be the basis for policy legislation in 
the field of agriculture. Such a congressional review shall be undertaken once every 
five (5) years. 
 
 
ARTICLE V 
ADMINISTRATION AND ENFORCEMENT 
 
Sec. 26. Composition of the Agricultural Officers and Employees Consultative Council. 
– 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 and 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 and the National 
Agriculture and Fishery Chairman. 
 
Sec. 27. Penalties. – Any person who shall willfully interfere with, restrain or coerce 
any agricultural development workers in the exercise of his/her rights or shall violate 
any of the provisions of this Act shall upon conviction, 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 additional to 
the penalties provided in the preceding paragraph, shall impose the additional penalty 
of disqualification from office of such offending public official. 
 
Sec. 28. Appropriations. – The amount necessary to carry out the provisions of this 
Act shall be included in the General Appropriations Act of the year following its 
enactment into law and every year thereafter. 
 
Sec. 29. Implementing Rules and Regulations. – The Secretary of DA, together with 
the DOLE, CSC, DILG, and in consultation with the national organizations of 
agricultural development workers shall formulate and prepare necessary rules and 
regulations in implementing the provisions of this Magna Carta. 
 


 
 
 
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Sec. 30. Separability Clause. – If any provision of this Act shall be declared 
unconstitutional or invalid, the other provisions not otherwise affected shall remain in 
full force and effect. 
 
Sec. 31. Repealing Clause. – All laws, presidential decrees, executive orders, rules and 
issuance or parts thereof inconsistent with the provisions of this Act and Section 484 
of the Local Government Code are hereby repealed or modified accordingly.  
 
Sec. 32. Effectivity. – This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after its publication 
in the official gazette or in a newspaper of general circulation. 
 
 
 
Approved,