EIGHTEENTH CONGRESS )
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES )
First Regular Session )

HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

tative Rufus B. Rodriguez

introduced by Represe’

House Bill No. 3827
EXPLANATORY NOTE

Congress is mandated under the law to undertake a mandatory review of Republic
‘Act No 7160 otherwise known as the Local Government Code of 1991

In various consultations with concemed constituents nationwide, it has been
determined that amendments to the Local Goverment Code of 1991 should be introduced
to rationalized agricultural services

The passage of Republic Act No. 8435, otherwise known as the Agriculture
Modemization Act of 1997, makes it imperative that the Department of Agriculture (DA), in
‘connection with its monitoring and data gathering requirements, shall have complete
administrative control and supervision over all personnel in the field level that are involved in
agriculture and fishery in order to effectively implement and achieve the objectives of the
Agriculture and Fisheries Law. The Department of Agriculture is the lead department tasked

to implement the law.

Furthermore, the present administration has placed agricultural productivity as one of
its priority and to address this thrust it is imperative to amend certain provisions of the Local
Government Code for the effective and efficient implementation of its programs.

With the above cited reasons, the urgent passage of this Measure is eamestly
requested.

YMC

RUFUS/B. RODRIGU


EIGHTEENTH CONGRESS )
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES )
First Regular Session )

HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

tod

~~ introduced by Representative Rufus B.

House Bill No, 3827

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 Philipines in
Congress assembled:

SECTION 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operation of farm produce collection and buying stations” is hereby withdrawn from the
Barangay and reverted back to the National Government.

SEC 2. The devolution of the basic services and facilities to the Municipality on “Extension
nd on-site research services and facilities related to agriculture and fishery activities which
include dispersal of livestock and poultry, fingerlings, and other seedling 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; interbarangay 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.

SEC 3. The devolution of the basic services and facilities to the Province on “Agricultural
extension and on-site research services and facilities which include the prevention and
control of plant and animal pests and diseases; dairy farms, livestock markets, animal
breeding stations, and artificial insemination centers; and assistance in the organization of
farmers and fishermen's cooperatives, 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.

SEC 4. All similar basic services and facilities devolve to the City are hereby likewise
withdrawn and reverted back to the National Government

SEC 5. The pertinent provisions of Republic Act 7160 otherwise known as the Local
Government Code of 1991, particularly Section 17, are hereby amended accordingly

SEC 6. Accordingly all personnel, technicians. facilities and properties previously transferred
to the Barangay. Municipalities. Provinces and Cities shall be returned to the National

Goverment.


SEC 7. The funds necessary to cover the implementation of these amendments shall be
appropriated for agriculture and shall be provided for in the current General Appropriations
Act and the years thereafter.

SEC 8. 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 9. The Agriculture and Fishery Review Panel in consultation with concemed sectors in
the field, shall identify the problems of the industry under the re-nationalization setup and
recommend measures to enhance the agriculture productivity

SEC 10. All provisions of the Local Govemment Code of 1991 not inconsistent with the
foregoing amendments will remain in force and effect

SEC 11. Separability Clause. - If any provision or section of this Act or the application
thereof to any person or circumstances is held invalid, the other provisions or sections of this,
Act, in the application of such provision or section to other persons or circumstances, shall
not be affected thereby

SEC 12. Repealing Clause. - All acts or parts of acts and executive orders, administrative
orders, or parts thereof which are inconsistent with the provisions of this Act are hereby
repealed

SEC 13. This Act shall take effect immediately upon its approval

Approved,