NINETEENTH CONGRESS OF THE 
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES 
First Regular Session
)
SENATE
s. No. 1084
i&i. &ena!'f
of tlje ^?:rctnr
*22 AUG-8 PI 32
RUCEiVcD SY;
Introduced by Senator Jinggoy Ejercito Estrada
AN ACT
PROVIDING FOR A MAGNA CARTA OF AGRICULTURAL DEVELOPMENT 
WORKERS
EXPLANATORY NOTE
The Filipino farmers and the agricultural development workers are the key 
players in the agricultural sector, which require government support and assistance. 
In particular, the agricultural development workers (agriculturists, veterinarians, 
technologists and other agricultural engineers, aqueculturists extension workers, 
home extentionists, nutritionists, agricultural technologists and other agricultural 
technicians) provide the service in the countryside necessary for modernizing 
Philippine agriculture.
At present, the weak and fragmented agricultural service delivery operating 
within the Department of Agriculture (DA) and the Local Government Units (LGU) 
hampers the implementation of government agricultural development programs. One 
of the causes of this problem is that the LGUs are financially constraineo to hire the 
needed agricultural development workers and provide them with the necessary 
support. It is also unfortunate that the Local Government Code of 1991 makes the 
agricultural positions in the municipal and city levels optional and not mandatory. 
Moreover, the position of Municipal, City, Provincial Agricultural Engineer and 
Provincial Fishery Officer were not even created although these services are essential 
in accelerating agricultural modernization.


Furthermore, agricultural development workers in the government deserve 
appropriate position titles, adequate remuneration and other incentives to ensure the 
responsive and effective delivery of services to the agricultural and fisheries sector. 
The bill seeks to address these concerns. Hence, passage of this bill is earnestly 
sought.
INSGOY E3ERCITO ESTRADA


NINETEENTH CONGRESS OF THE 
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES 
First Regular Session
)
SENATE
s. No. 1084
*22 AUG-8 PI 32
RHCHIVEO BY;
Introduced by Senator Jinggoy Ejercito Estrada
AN ACT
PROVIDING FOR A MAGNA CARTA OF AGRICULTURAL DEVELOPMENT 
WORKERS
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the Philippines in 
Congress assembled:
1 
Section 1. Short Title. - This Act shall be known as the Magna Carta of
2 
Agricultural Development Workerd'.
3 
Sec. 2. Declaration of Policy. - It is hereby declared a policy of the State to
4 
accelerate the development and modernization of Philippine agriculture and improve
5 
economic and social well-being of agricultural development workers as well as their
6 
working conditions and employment status. The State shall likewise develop their
7 
skills, knowledge, orientation and capabilities so that they will be more responsive and
8 
effective in providing the necessary services for countryside development.
9 
Sec, 3. Definition of Terms. - As used in this Act, the following terms shall be
10 
defined as follows:
11 
a) Agricultural Development Workers. - she ll mean all persons who are
12 
engaged in agricultural development activities, and all persons employed
13 
in the Department of Agriculture (DA) Including its bureaus and attached
14 
agencies. Local government units (LGUs) and concerned government
15 
and private institi'tions, and shall include aquaculturists, veterinarians,
16 
agricultural engineers, nutritionists, agricultural extension workers.


1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8 
9
10
11
12
13
14
15
16
17
18
19
20 
21 
22
23
24
25
26
27
28
29
30
31
32
agricultural technicians and operators, al' ed agricultural professionals, 
administrative and support personnel employed regardless of their 
employment status.
b) Agriculturist- shall refer to a person who is a graduate of a four (4) year 
course in agriculture or any related course performing any of the 
specialized activities such as agronomy, horticulture, animal 
husbandry, entomology, plant pathology, plant-breeding, agricultural 
economics, agricultural extension and marketing.
c) Veterinarian - shall refer to a person registered with the Professional 
Regulatory Commission (PRC) performing professional activities on 
veterinary services such as disease prevention control, animal health 
care, etc.
d) Agricultural Engineer - shall refer to a person registered with the PRC 
performing engineering activities in agricLilture, particularly in area of 
farm power and machinery, irrigation and drainage, soil and water 
conservation, agricultural buildings and infrastructure, agricultural 
processing and post-harvest facilities.
e) Aquacuiturist - shall refer to a person who is a graduate of a four (4) 
year course in fishery and aquaculture and fishery and processing.
f) Nutritionist - shall refer to a person registered with the professional 
Regulation Commission performing activities related to dietary and 
proper nutrition.
g) Agricultural Technician - shall refer to a trained or skilled agricultural 
worker but not necessarily a college graduate, performing activities such 
as plant nursery propagator, plant breeder, farm mechanics, etc.
h) Agricultural Extension Worker - shall refer to an agriculturist,
veterinarian, agricultural engineer, aquacuiturist or home extensionist 
who helps farmers and fishermen in the promotion of agricultural and 
fishery development plan, programs and projects through the use 
of extension methodologies, 
concepts 
and principles.


1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8 
9
10
11
12
13
14
15
16
17
18
19
20 
21 
22
23
24
25
26
27
28
29
30
31
32
ARTICLE II
AGRICULTURAL SERVICES CAREER DEVELOPMENT
Sec. 4. Professionalization of Agricultural Services. -The State shall support the 
development and professionalization of agricultural services by providing the 
necessary compensation and benefits to various agricultural development workers 
based on their duties, responsibilities and qualificatior s. For this purpose, the Civil 
Service Commission (CSC) in coordination with the Department of Agriculture (DA), 
Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG) and the recognized national 
associations of agricultural development workers shall review the existing functions, 
responsibilities, position titles and qualifications of he agricultural d .‘velopment 
workers employed at the DA, local government units (LGUs) and concerned 
government agencies, and match them with appropriate position titles and 
compensation: Provided, That the following benchmark position titles of and 
agricultural development workers with corresponding salary grades shall La used.
Position
Agricultural Technician I 
Agriculturist I 
Aquaculturist I 
Agricultural Engineer I 
Nutritionist I 
Veterinarian I 
Agricultural Technologist 
City Agricultural Engineer 
City,Veterinarian 
City Agriculturist 
City Fishery Officer 
Municipal Agriculturist 
Municipal Veterinarian 
Municipal Agricultural Engineer 
MunicijSal Fishery Officer 
Provincial Agricultural Engineer 
Provincial Agriculturist
Salary Grade 
10 
12 
12 
13 
12 
13 
13 
24 
24 
24 
24 
24 
24 
24 
24 
26 
26


1 
Provincial veterinarian 
26
2 
Provincial Fisher Officer 
26
3 
Sec. 5. Mandatory Positions of Agricuiturai Deveiopment- The creation of the
4 
following positions is hereby made mandatory in addition to the prescribed positions
5 
under the Local Government Code of 1991:
6 
a) Provincial Agricultural Engineer
7 
b) Provincial Agriculturist
8 
c) City Agriculturist
9 
d) City Agricuiturai Engineer
10 
e) City Veterinarian
11 
f) City Fishery and Aquacultural Officer
12 
g) Municipal Agriculturist
13 
h) Municipal Agricultural Engineer
14 
i) Municipal Veterinarian
15 
j) Municipal Fishery and Aquacultural Officer
16 
Provided, That in the case of fourth (4th) class LGUs, financial subsidy shall be
17 
provided by the National Government for the personnel services needed in the hiring
18 
of the above mentioned mandatory positions: Provided, further. That the funding
19 
requirement shall be incorporated in the subsequent annual appropriations of the DA.
20 
Sec. 6. Recruitment and Quaiifications.- The selection and appointment of
21 
agricultural development workers shall be in accordance with the merit and fitness
22 
principles: Provided, That he/she has the appropriate civil eligibility and/or
23 
professional license, educationci qualification, skills and experiences.
24 
Sec. 7. Performance Evaiuation and Merit Promotion. - The Secretary of
25 
Agriculture, upon consultation with the CSC and the recognized national associations
26 
of agricultural development workers shall prepare a uniform career and personnel
27 
development plan applicable to all agricultural developm'ent workers. Such career and
28 
personnel development plan shall Include provisions on merit promotion, performance
29 
evaluation, and in service training grants, job rotation and incentive awards system.
30 
Sec. 8. Transfer or Geographicai Reassignment of Agricuiturai Officers and
31 
Empioyees. - No transfer of geographical reassignment shall be made or effected
32 
without a written notice to the agricultural development workers concerned stating


1 
therein the reasons the reasons: Provided, That the said written notice shall be made
2 
thirty (30) days prior to the data of transfer or reassigr inent: Provided, further, That
3 
if the employees concerned disagrees with the order of transfer or reassignment,
4 
he/she may appeal said order with the CSC or the Department of Labor and
5 
Employment (DOLE), as the case shall be held in abeyance: Provided, furthermore,
6 
That no transfer and/or reassignment whatsoever shell be made three (3) months
7 
prior to any local or national elections: Provided, finaiiy, That the necessaiy expenses
8 
of the transfer and/or reassignment of the agricultural worker or employee and his/her
9 
Immediate family shall be paid by the Government.
10 
Sec. 9. Security of Tenure. ~ An agricultural worker holding a permanent
11 
position shall not be terminated except for cause: Provided, That in the event the
12 
agricultural development worker is found to be unjustly dismissed by the CSC, he/she
13 
shall be entitled to reinstatement without loss of seniority rights and back wages with
14 
twenty percent (20%) interest to be computed from the time compensation Is withheld
15 
up to reinstatement.
16 
However, if the agricultural worker does not desire to be reinstated, he/she
17 
shall be entitled to back wages and separation pay with twenty percent (20%) interest.
18 
Sec. 10. Discrimination Prohibited. - An agricultural worker shall not be
19 
discriminated by reason of creed, sex, political belief, cis/il statusr and ethnic grouping
20 
In the exercise of his/her profession.
21 
Sec. 11. No Understaffing and/or Overbading of Agricuiturai Workers. -There
22 
shall be no understaffing and/or overloading of agricultural workers. The ratio of staff
23 
to clientele shall be such as to reasonably effect a sustained quality of agricultural
24 
service at all times without overworking and agricultural development workers and
25 
over-extending their services.
26 
Only qualified professional and eligible agricultural workers shall occupy the
27 
agriculturist and other agriculture-related positions in all government agricultural
28 
agencies and institutions and/or government-owned and controlled corporations;
29 
Provided, that the government shall allocate the necessary funds for the hiring of
30 
additional agricultural development workers in cases of over loading of personnel In
31 
specific areas of assignment.


1 
Sec. 12. Safeguards in Administrative Proceedings. - In every administrative
2 
proceeding, an agricultural worker shall have:
3 
a) The right to be informed of the charges;
4 
b) The right to full access to evidence against him/her;
5 
c) The right to defend himself/herself through counsel of his/her choice;
6 
d) The right to be given adequate time to preoare his/her case, which shall
7 
in no case exceed twenty (20) days;
8 
e) The right to appeal to designated authorities;
9 
f) The right to cross-examine witnesses and to process for the production
10 
of witnesses;
11 
g) The right to reimbursement for reasonable expenses incurred in his/her
12 
defense in case of exoneration or dismissal of the charges; and
13 
h) Such other rights provided by other national agencies and LGUs to their
14 
respective officers and employees to ensure fairness and impartiality in
15 
prosecution.
16 
Sec. 13. Code of Conduct. - All agricultural workers must be guided by a code
17 
of ethics not contrary to law, morals, safety, health, public policy and public order.
18 
The code of conduct of agricultural workers shall be prepared by the Secretary of DA
19 
In consultation with the recognized national associations of agricultural development
20 
workers.
21 
Sec. 14. Normai Hours of Work. -The normal hours of work of an agricultural
22 
worker shall not exceed eight (8) hours a day of forty (40) hours a week. Hours of
23 
work shall include:
24 
a) the time the agricultural worker is required to be in active duty or to be
25 
at a prescribe workplace:
26 
b) the time which an agricultural worker is permitted to work;
27 
c) the time, which an agricultural worker Is required to work in place than,
28 
prescribed workplace.
29 
Sec. 15. Overtime Work-\Nhere the exigencies of the service so require, any
30 
agricultural development worker, whether in government or non- government service,
31 
may be required to render service beyond normal eight (8) hours a day, inclusive of
32 
Saturdays and Sundays and non- working holidays. In such, cases, the agricultural


1 
development worker shall be given additional compensation in accordance with
2 
existing laws on the matter.
3 
Sec. 16. Training and Schoiarship Program. - The DA through its scholarship
4 
committee and the Agricultural Training Institute shall undertake training and
5 
scholarship program for the agricultural development workers, which shall be given
6 
adequate budgetary support by the government.
7 
Sec. 17. Married Agricuiturai Worker. - Whenever possible, the proper
8 
authorities shall take steps to enable married couples both of whom are public
9 
agricultural development workers, to be employed or assigned in 
the same
10 
municipality.
11 
ARTICLE III
12 
INCENTIVES AND REWARDS SYSTEM
13 
Sec. 18. Criteria for incentives and Rewards System. - The reward and
14 
incentives system for agricultural development workers provided under this Act, which
15 
will encourage them to stay in the service, promote their productivity and reward them
16 
for extraordinary performance, shall be given by the governed by the following criteria:
17 
a) Innovativeness and creativity resulting in productive activities;
18 
b) Actual performance and accomplishment of established targets;
19 
c) Extraordinary performance and exemplary quality of Achievements in
20 
agriculture, giving rise to new or innovative techniques and productive results;
21 
d) Quality of work and consistency of performance which Is satisfactory for at
22 
least two (2) consecutive rating periods, and
23 
e) Risks faced by nature of work area or place of assignment.
24 
Sec. 19, Forms of Incentives and Rewards. -
25 
a) Honorarium - form of remuneration for services rendered beyond the
26 
established workload of agricultural development workers whose broad and
27 
superior knowledge and expertise contribute to agricultural productivity and
28 
innovativeness;
29 
b) Incentive pay -- form of remuneration given to individuals whose services in
30 
management, administration, policy making and support contribute to the
31 
efficient and effective implementation of the agricultural and fisheries programs
32 
of the government;


1 
c) Performance Bonus - form of remuneration given to agricultural development
2 
workers for performance that exceeds established targets; and,
3 
d) Other Incentives that the DA and LGU may establish.
4 
Sec. 20. Other Compensation and Benefits. - All agricultural development
5 
workers shall be entitled to the following additional compensation and benefits:
6 
a) Representation Allowance and Travelling Allowance - All Provincial / City
7 
/Municipal Agriculturists, Veterinarians, Agricultural Engineers, end Fishery
8 
Officers shall be entitled to Representation Allowance and Travelling Allowance
9 
(RATA) equivalent to the Department Heads of the LGUs.
10 
b) Hazard Allowance - All agricultural development workers assigned in difficult
11 
areas, strife-torn or embattled areas, distressed or isolated stations,
12 
animal/plant/fisher breeding stations, plant nurseries, plantations and
13 
demonstration farms, laboratories specifically those handling x-ray,
14 
radioisotopes, chemicals, etc., sea- bored patrols, construction and installation
15 
of agricultural infrastructure projects, and other areas declared under a state
16 
of calamity emergency which exposes them to great danger, occupational
17 
risks of perils of life shall be compensated with hazard allowance equivalent to
18 
at least twenty percent (20%) of the monthly basic salary.
19 
c) Subsistence Allowance - All agricultural development workers who are required
20 
to a render services in the communities, institutions, animal and plant breeding
21 
nurseries, plantations and demonstration farms and other banner programs and
22 
projects of the DA in order to make their services available at all times shall be
23 
entitled to full daily subsistence allowance of three (3) meats, which shall be
24 
computed in accordance with the prevailing circumstances.
25 
d) Longevity Pay - A longevity pay equivalent to five percent (5%) of the monthly
26 
basic pay equivalent to five percent (5%) of the monthly basic pay shall be paid
27 
to an agricultural worker for every three (3) years of continuous efficient and
28 
meritorious services rendered.
29 
e) Clothing Allowance - k\\ agricultural development workers shall be entitled to a
30 
clothing allowance in accordance with the approved laws and regulations or as
31 
mandated by law.


1 
f) Housing - All agricultural development workers who are on tour of duty and
2 
those who, because of unavoidable circumstances, are -“orced to stay in the
3 
institution or community with living quarters foi free: Provided, 1 hat if such
4 
living quarters are not available; the workers shall housing allowance: Provided,
5 
further. That said allowance shall be reviewed periodically and adjusted for
6 
Inflation.
7 
g) Compensation for injuries- Agricultural development workers shall be protected
8 
against work- related injuries in accordance with the Labor Code as the case
9 
may be.
10 
h) On- Caii Pay - In cases of "on-call" status, the agricultural development worker
11 
shall be entitled to an On- Call" pay equivalent to fifty percent (50%) of higher
12 
regular wage. "On- Call" status refers to a condition When agricultural office or
13 
employee is called upon to respond to an urgent or immediate need or relief
14 
work during emergencies such that the agricultural worker cannot utilize his/her
15 
time for personal need: Provided, That no agricultural worker shall be placed
16 
in an "On-Call" Status beyond seven (7) days.
17 
i) Motor and Vehicie Loan -All agricultural development workers shall be entitled
18 
to avail of the motor and vehicle loan of the Department of Agriculture. The
19 
government shall provide adequate budgetary support for this purpose.
20 
ARTICLE IV
21 
MISCELLANEOUS PROVISIONS
22 
Sec. 21. Right to Join an Organization. - Agricultural development workers shall
23 
have the right to freely join organizations or unions for purposes not contrary to law,
24 
in order to protect their mutual interests and to seek redress of grievance through
25 
peaceful activities.
26 
Sec. 22. Freedom from interference or Coercion. - It shall be unlawful for a
27 
person to commit any of the following acts of interference or coercion:
28 
a) to require a condition of employment that the agricultural development worker
29 
shall join an organization or union;
30 
b) to discriminate In order to encourage or discourage membership in any
31 
agricultural development workers organization or union;


1 
c) to prevent an agricultural development worker from carrying out his/her duties
2 
and functions in his/her organization or union or to penalize him/her for any
3 
lawful action performed in that capacity;
4 
d) to harass or intimidate an agricultural development worker or prevent him/her
5 
for performing duties and functions; and,
6 
e) to perform acts that will dismiss the independence and freedom of the union
7 
or organization to direct its own affairs.
8 
Sec. 23. Consultation. - The DA shall consult professional and agricultural
9 
workers organization or unions in formulating policies to govern the welfare and
10 
security of the agricultural development workers.
11 
Sec. 24. Human Resources Development - The government and non-
12 
government agencies shall conduct human resource development and management
13 
study in the following areas:
14 
a) Types and amount of facilities and resources to render quality agricultural
15 
service to the clientele;
16 
b) Venue and opportunities for the agricultural development workers to grow and
17 
develop their potentials and develop a sense of self-worth and dignity in their
18 
work;
19 
c) Mechanism for democratic consultation;
20 
d) Ways and means of giving rank-and-file agriculturai development workers
21 
viable opportunities for education, personal growth and development; and,
22 
e) Staffing patterns and standards of welfare for agricultural development workers
23 
welfare to ensure that they receive quality care.
24 
Sec. 25. Rules and Regulations. - The Secretary of the DA, in consultation with
25 
DOLE, CSC, NLRC, and DILG and the national organizations of agricultural
26 
development workers shall formulate and prepare necessary rules and regulations In
27 
implementing the provisions of this Magna Carta.
28 
Sec. 26. Monitoring and Implementation. - The Secretary of the DA shall create
29 
a Monitoring Committee, which shall monitor the Implementation of the provision of
30 
this Act. The committee shall be composed of representatives of the DA, DILG, CSC
31 
and the recognized national associations of agricultural development workers:
32 
Provided, That the Secretary of Agriculture shall submit semi-annual reports on the
10


1 
status on the Implementation of this Act to the Committee of Agriculture and Food of
2 
the House of Representatives and the Senate.
3 
Sec. 27. Pena!Provisions.-kr\y person who shall willfully interfere with, restrain
4 
or coerce any agricultural development worker In the exercises of his/her rights or
5 
shall violate any of the provisions of this Act shall upon conviction, be punished by a
6 
fine if not less than Twenty thousand pesos (P20,000.00) but not more than Forty
7 
thousand pesos (P40,000.00) or imprisonment of not more than one (1) year, or both,
8 
at the discretion of the court.
9 
If the offender is a public official, the court, in addition to the penalties provided
10 
in the preceding paragraph, shall impose the additional penalties of disqualification
11 
from office of such offending public ofRclal.
12 
Sec. 28. Funding. - The amount necessary to carry out the provisions of this
13 
Act shall be included in the General Appropriations Act of the year following its
14 
enactment into law and every year thereafter.
15 
Sec. 29. Separabiiity Ciause. - If any provision or provision of this Act is
16 
declared unconstitutional or Invalid, the remainder of this Act or any provisions not
17 
affected thereby shall remain in force and effect.
18 
Sec. 30. Repeaiing Clause. - Any law, presidential decrees or Issuance,
19 
executive orders, letter of instruction, administrative order, rule, or regulation contrary
20 
to or inconsistent with the provisions of this Act are hereby repealed, modified or
21 
amended accordingly.
22 
Sec. 31. Effectivity. - This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days from the date
23 
of its publication in the Official Gazette or in a newspaper of general circulation.
Approved,
11