· \ 
SIXTEENTH CONGRESS OF THE 
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES 
First Regular Session 
) 
) 
) 
SENATE 
S.B. No. 681 
Introduced by Senator LOREN LEGARDA 
EXPLANATORY NOTE 
"13 
JUL -9 !\ 9 :28 
In the Philippines, there is a need to undertake Agricultural Extension in 
order to bolster the agricultural sector. Agricultural extension is a system which 
assists farm people, through educational procedures and sharing best agricultural 
practices, in improving farming methods and techniques, i11creasing 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, fisherfolk, agricultural processors), traders, and consumers, 
with priority given to economically and socially disadvantaged groups. 
This bill provides for the creation of the Philippine Agriculture and Fisheries 
Extension Agency (1' AFEA), 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 prograrl:ls. 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 earnccstly requested. 


1 
2 
3 
SIXTEENTH CONGRESS OF 1;'HE 
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES 
First Regular Session 
) 
) 
) 
SENATE 
,I /"'8 
s.B.No._~l 
Introduced by Senator LOREN LEGARDA 
AN ACT 
'13 
JUL -9 :\ \) :/ tl 
STRENGTHENING 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 House of Representatives of the Philippines in 
Congress assembled: 
ARTICLE I 
GENERAL PROVISIONS 
4 
SECTIONl .. Short Title.- This Act shall be known as the" Agriculture and 
5 
Fisheries Extension Act of 2013." 
6 
7 
SEC. 2. Declaration of Policy. - The goals of national economy are a more 
8 
equitable distribution of opportunities, income and wealth; a sustained increase in 
9 
the amount'of goods and services produced by the nation for the benefit of the 
10 
people; and expanding producHvity as the key to raising the quality of life for all, 
11 
especially the underprivileged. 
12 
13 
The State shall promote e<wnomic modernization and full employment based 
14 
on sound agricultural development and agrarian reform, through industries that 
15 
make full and efficient use of human and natural resources, and which are 
16 
competitive in both domestic and foreign markets. In pursuit of these goals, all 
17 
sectors of the economy and all' regions of the country shall be given optimum 
18 
opportunity to develop. 
19 
20 
Thus, it is hereby declared the policy of the State to enable those who belong 
21 
to the agriculture and fisheries sector to participate and share in the fruits of 
22 
development and growth in a manner that utilizes the nation's resources in the most 
1 


--------~--------------~~ 
~ 
I 
efficient and sustainable way possible by establishing a more equitable access to 
2 
assets, income, basic and support services, and infrastructure. 
3 
4 
The State shall give priority to promote science, technology and human 
5 
resource development as essentials for national development and progress. 
6 
7 
The State shall utilize research results through information, education, 
I 
8 
extension and communication services. It shall support the development of a 
9 
national extension system that will help accelerate the transformation of agriculture 
10 
and fisheries sectors of the country from a resource-based industry to a knowledge-
11 
based and market-oriented industry. 
12 
13 
The State shall adopt a market approach as the enabling framework for the 
14 
agriculture and fisheries sector to attain food security, poverty alleviation, 
15 
sustainable development and environmental protection, and balanced urban and 
16 
rural development while addressing the welfare of the consumers for more 
17 
affordable nutritious food especially among the lower income groups. The State 
18 
shall promote market-oriented policies in its agricultural development program to 
19 
enable agriculture producers to transform their enterprises into technologically 
20 
advanced profitable ventUres. 
21 
22 
The State shall empower the agriculture and fisheries sector to develop and 
23 
sustain itself to meet present and future needs of the country. Towards this end, the 
24 
State shall ensure the establishment and development of the agriculture and 
25 
fisheries extension system that increases and sustains its contributions towards the 
26 
achievement of the goals of agriculture modernization as mandated by Republic Act 
27 
8435: a) Poverty Alleviation and Social Equity; b) Food Security; c) Rational Use of 
28 
Resources and Sustainable Development; d) Global Competitiveness; and e) People 
29 
Empowerment. 
30 
31 
SEC. 3. Definition of Terms. As used in this Act, the term: 
32 
33 
a) "Agriculture Development Worker (ADW)" or "Agriculture Extension 
34 
Worker (AEW)" refers to a person who is a graduate of at least a bachelor's 
35 
degree in agriculture, agriculture engineering, agriculture economics, or any 
36 
related course registered and licensed with the Professional Regulation 
2 


1 
2 
3 
4 
5 
6 
7 
8 
9 
Commission or Civil Service Commission; who perform communication, 
curriculum 
development, 
agricultural/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 purposes of this Act, the term 
"Agriculture Development Worker (ADW)" is interchangeably used with 
"Agriculture Extension Worker (AEW), 
10 
b) "Agricultural Engineer" refers to a person registered with the Professional 
11 
Regulation Commission or Civil Service Commission performing training 
12 
and extension work in agricultural and fisheries mechanization, irrigation, 
13 
drainage, soil and water conservation, agricultural buildin9s and structures, 
14 
agricultural processing and post harvest facilities, 
15 
16 
c) "Agriculture Extension" is an educational and information service aimed at 
17 
the transformation of the behavioral traits or characteristics of agriculture and 
18 
fishery producers, consumers, or traders as a consequence of "new 
19 
knowledgi"" or research results, Agriculture extension services include all 
20 
those provided by both national and local governments, non-governmental 
21 
organizations, and the private sector. 
22 
23 
d) "Agroforester" refers to a person who is a graduate of a four-year course in 
24 
forestry, agroforestry, or related fields and licensed with the Professional 
25 
Regulation Commission or Civil Service Commission, 
26 
27 
e) "Barangay Technician" refers to a successful agriculture/fishery producer 
28 
who volunteers and is assigned to as!3ists farmers and other agriculture 
29 
producers in their respective barangays towards the modernization of their 
30 
respective Afl enterprises, The barangay agricultural technician works closely 
31 
with the barangay agriculture committee for the planning of projects to be 
32 
implemented at the barangay leveL 
33 
34 
f) 
"Ciltalytic Financing" refers to the provision of financial assistance by the 
35 
36 
National Government as a counterpart grant to the resources provided by the 
local government units to achieve increased investment by the private sector 
3 


1 
2 
3 
in the implementation of agriculture and fisheries extension' services to 
accelerate the achievement of national goals. 
4 
g) "Civil Society" refers to the group of organizations whose voluntary 
5 
collective action revolves around shared interests, purposes and values. Civil 
6 
societies are 
oq~anizations composed of community group", women's 
7 
organizations, faith-based org,\nizations, professional associations, trade 
8 
unions, self-help groups, social movements, business associations, coalitions 
9 
and advocacy groups. 
10 
11 
h) "Consumers" are those that acquire goods or services for direct use or 
12 
ownership rather than for resale or use in production and manufacturing. 
13 
14 
i) "Empowerment" is the expansion of assets and capabilities of people to 
15 
participate in, negotiate with, influence, control and hold accountable 
16 
institutions that affect their lives; it involves providing authority, 
17 
responsibility, and information to people directly engaged in agriculture and 
18 
fishery productiot, primarily at the level of the farmers, fisherfolk and those 
19 
engaged in food and non-food production and processing, in order to give 
20 
them enhanced economics rights. 
21 
22 
. j) "Extension System for Agriculture and Fisheries" refers to the extension 
23 
service delivery system of the country that includes all services provided by 
24 
25 
national, local, non-governmental organizations, and the private sector. 
26 
k) "Farmer-to-Farmer or Fisher-to-Fisher Extension Approach" refers to the 
27 
modality of extension where farmers or fishers systematically learn from their 
28 
successful peers new knowledge or skills to improve the productivity and 
29 
income of-their enterprises. 
30 
31 
1) "Fisheries" refers to all interrelated activities which include the production, 
32 
growing, harvesting, processing, marketing, developing, conserving and 
33 
managing of all aquatic and fisheries areas. 
34 
4 


13 
0) "Formula grants", refer to financial transfers from the National Government 
14 
to the local govemments to enable them to meet national standards in the 
15 
provision of Agrkulture and Fisheries Extension Services (AFES) especially 
16 
among the poor. The funding formula takes into consideration, among others, 
17 
the financial capaqity of a municipality or a province. 
18 
19 
p) "Knowledge Management" is a systematic approach which invents, 
20 
understands, shares, creates and utilizes knowledge in order to create values 
21 
such as producers value, customer's value, employee's value, stockholder's 
22 
value, business partner's value and social value to achieve the vision and goal 
23 
of the organizatioN. 
24 
25 
q) "Partnership" refECrs to the relationship between and among agencies that is 
26 
characterized by. mutual cooperation and responsibility towards the 
27 
achievement of sh~red goals. 
28 
29 
r) "RBOs" are rural pased organizations or people's organizations composed of 
30 
various sectors ot: the rural community such as farmers, fisherfolk, growers, 
31 
seed producers, women, and youth. 
32 
33 
s) "Targeted Financial Transfer" is a financial support provided by the National 
34 
Government to the LGUs to enable them to plan and implement projects in 
35 
agriculture extension aimed at helping the poor and economically 
36 
disadvantaged ru~al beneficiaries. 
5 


, 
, 
1 
t) ,"Value chain" - is a process from'seed to shelf or from the producers to the 
2 
consumers, 
showing activities 
and 
interventions 
of/for a 
chosen 
3 
commodity/ties based on understanding the needs for such interventions. 
4 
5 
u) "VeteriD;wian" refers to a person registered with tl}e Professional Regulation 
6 
C.ommission performing professional services related to the practice of 
7 
veterinary medicine including training and extension on. disease prevention 
8 . 
control and animal health. 
9 
10 
SEC. 4. Statement of Goals. - Agricultural Extension is a policy instrument 
11 
for agriculture anq fisheries development aimed, at empowering individuals and 
12 
organizations; P~blic agricultUre extension shall con~ribute towards the.achieyement 
13 
of the national goals 6f agriculture development 
14 
15 
SEC,S. Statement of Objectives. - Agriculture and fisheries extension shall 
16 
contribute to ~he following objectives: 
17 
18 
,a) To enhance 'the economic right of producers, especially the poor, to use the 
19 
most appropriate technologi!3s they feel willgiv!3 them the best profit and to 
20 
choose the ~ost affo~dable loans in producing the quality and quantity of 
21 
products and to sell their r-rodlJ.cts freely; traders, to move goods in the 
22 
expectation of profits uncpnstrained by ,~erious lack of knowledge and 
23 
information;. and consumers, iegardlessof their geographic locatio~, to buy 
24 
, safe and nutritioull foods at the lowestptites possible. 
25 
26 
27 
28 
b)' To manage knowledg!3 in stren~thening th,e'individual and organizational 
, 
~"" 
" 
" 
'\ 
" 
,I 
capabilities of prodllcers, trad!3~s and cortsumers; and 
:49 
c) T6 help creat!3 an enabling environment'that strenl¥hens the linkage betw!3en 
'30 
knowledge .generiltion ~nd knowledge lJ.Se( and encourages irtcreased· 
31 
inveshnent In agticllltlJ.re ext~nsion by the private sector, civil soCiety, and 
, 
, 
32 
loc~l governinent~: . 
33 
34, 
SEC, 6. Cliel1ts~-Th~ clients oi'Philippirte agricuif!:iral and fisheries extension 
35 
system are 1;he produc~rs (farmers, fisherfolk, and agricultural:processors), traders 
36 . and cons]1mers along the value chain, Publkext!3nllion slilll focus on the deli~ery 9f 
6 


1 . public goods. The priority clients shall bE' the economically and socially 
2 
disadvantaged groups in agriculture and fisheries. Local government units shall put 
3 
primary attention to these,groups in the provision of extension services. 
4 
5 
6 
7 
ARTICLE II 
STRUCTURE AND ORGANIZATION 
8 
SEC. 7. Cre(ltion of the Philippine Agriculture and Fisheries Extension 
. 9' Agency (PAFEA). - The Agricultural Training Institute is hereby strengthened and 
10 
transformed into the Philippine Agriculture and Fisheries Extension Agency 
11 
(PAFEA). It shall serve as the national ape~ organization' for a unified and efficient 
12 
agriculture and fisheries extension system of the country. It shall ensure that public 
13 
extension services meet the national standards of performance and effectively 
14 . contribute towards the achievement of the national goals of agriculture and fisheries 
15 
modernization and sustainable development. 
16 
17 
SEC. 8: Powers and Functions. -
18 
19 
a) Provide direction in the development of national extension policies in 
20 
agriculture and fisheries; 
21 
22 
b) Orchestrate the development of an extension strategic plan including its 
.23 
financing in coordination.with the Department of Budget and Management 
24 
and stakeholders; 
25 
26 
c) Develop and implement n~tional policies and programs aimed at the 
27 
continuous improvement of the quality of extension methods, products, and 
·28 
services towards a more efficient and client-responsive national agriculture 
29 
and fisheries knowledge management system; 
30 
31 
d) Develop' a system towards the management of the country's extension 
32 
resources for agriculture and fisheries to ensqre a sustainable, participatory 
33 
and efficient system of funding. for 
information, 
education, and 
34 
communication materials (IEC); and, to help achieve optimal efficiency along 
35 
the value chain; 
36 
7 


1 
e) Provide leadership in the development and implementation of the National 
, 
2 
Agriculture and Fisheries Knowledge Network (NAFKN) in agriculture and 
3 
fisheries of the Department through a system of partnerships that may 
4 
indude, but is not limited to"the localgovernment,units (LGUs), the Region,;,l 
5 
Development Council (RDC), the Regional Agriculture and Fisheries Council 
6 
(RAFes), the academe especially the state universities and colleges (SUCs) of 
7 
<\griculture and fisheries, the Civil Society Organizations (eSOs), producers, 
8 
Rural-Based Organizations (RBOs), and the private sector; 
9 
10 
f) Provide national leadertJhip in developing extension partnerships towards 
11 
increased investment and robust private sector participation in consultation 
12 
with agriculture and fisheries councils (AFCs); 
13 
14 
g) Harness centers of research e,):cellence in collflborfltion with state universities 
15 
and colleges (SUCs) of agriculture and fisheries for the implementation of 
16 
national programs particularly in the areas of extension innovations, national 
17 
training, impact assessment, and monitoring and evaluation of extension 
18 
institutions, programs, and projects; 
19 
20 
h) Provide leadership' in developing and implementing a national system of 
21 
strengthening 
institutional 
extension 
capacities 
at 
all 
levels 
of 
22 
implementation; and 
23 
24 
i) In coordination with the Department of Budget and Management (DBM), the 
25 
Local Government Units, the Department of Interior and Local Government, 
26 
and other stakeholders, the P AFEA shqll set up a review mechanism for all , 
27 
agriculture and fisheries extension programs and budgets of national 
28 
agencies to determine cost~effectiveness of opera.tions and impacts to national 
29 
and local goals. 
30 
31 
SEC. 9. Structure of PAFEA. - The PAFEA shall be headed by a Director 
32 
General I(DG) with a rank of Assistant Secretary who shall be assisted by two 
33 
Deputy Director Generals (DDG) who shall be appointed by the President upon 
34recornmendation 'of the Secretary of Agriculture from a list submitted by an 
35 
Independent Search Committee organized and based on the qualification standards 
36 
set by the Council of Extension Research Development in Agriculture and Fisheries, 
8 


··1 
(CERDAF). They shall have a fixed tenure of six (6) years and may be re-appointed 
2 
for an additional term of four (4) years based on very satisfactory performance. 
'3 
4 
SEC. 10. The Council for Extension Research Development in Agriculture and 
5 
Fisheries (CERDAF). 
~ 'The Council for Extension Research Development in 
/ 
. 
6 
Agriculture and Fisheries (CERDAF) is hereby strengthened. It shall ensure that the 
7 
agriculture and fisheries research, development and extension policies and 
8 
programs of the Department are consistent with national policies and priorities. 
9 
10 
As part of its functions and duties, the Council for Extension Research 
11 
Development in Agriculture and Fisheries (CERDAF) shall: 
12 
13 
a) Recommend to the Secretary of the Department of Agriculture policies 
14 
covering program priorities and resource allocation in agriculture and 
15 . 
fisheries research. and extension 6f all agencies of the Department; 
16 
17 
b) Enhance coordination and linkage. of government institutions involved in 
18 
agriculture and fisheries research, development and extension, 
19 
20 
c) Strengthen the participation of various stakeholders, especially the civil 
21 
society, local government units, and private sector in the development of the 
22 
National Research Development and Extension (NRDE) agenda and 
23 
programs; 
24 
25 
d) .Strengthen the institutional· efficiency of the NRDE. system, including the 
26 
. creation of a monitoring and evaluation system on the effectiveness and. 
27 
efficiency of its various components; and 
28 
29 
e) Set guidelines for the use of services and facilities, collection of fees, and tj1e 
30 
utilization of income. 
31 
32 
SEC. 11. Composition of the Council for Extension Research Development in 
33 
Agriculture.and Fisheries (CERDAF). - The Undersecretary for Policy and Planning 
34 
oithe DA shall be the Chair of the Council. There shall be a Vice Chair to be elected 
35 
from among t:p.e other members of the· Board. The Executive Director of the 
36 
Philippine Agriculture and Fisheries Extension Agency (PAFEA) and the Director of 
9 


1 
the Bureau of Agricultural Research (BAR) shall be the ex, officio members, and tlle 
2 
Chair shall appoint the Executive Director of P AFEA as Secretary of the Council. 
3 
4 
,The CERDAF shall have the following members: 
5 
6 
7 
8 
9 
10 
11 
12 
13 
,,14 
15 
a) DeSignated Undersecretaries for Policy and Planning of the following 
Departments: 
1) Department of Science and Technology; 
2)' Department of Environment and Na1:t:tral Resources; 
3) Department of Interior and Local Government; 
b) Presidents of the following LOU organizations: 
1) League of Provinces; 
2) Union of Local Authorities of the Philippiries (ULAP); 
'16 
c) Four (4) eso representatives or one each from the rural youth, rural women, 
17 
farmer, and fisherfolk as identified and selected by the Department of 
18 
Agriculture; 
19 
20 
d) 'One (1) private sector representative appointed by the DA Secretary; 
21 
22 
e) One representative each from the following national professional scientific 
23 
SOcieties/organizations as recommended by the Secretary of the Department 
24 
of Science & Technology: 
25 
1) crops; 
26 
2) agriculture economics/ economics;' 
27 
3) fishefies & aquatic science, 
28 
4) livestock/ animal science;' 
'29 
5) plant protection; 
30 
6) sociology/anthropology/communications 
;31 
32' 
SEC. 12. Offices under the PAFEA. - To carry out and discharge its functions, 
' .  
33 
the PAFEA shall have four technical offices as follows: (1) PoIidy Development; (2) 
.34' 
Extension Innovations & National Training; (3) Knowledge Products and Services 
35 
Development; and (4) Extension Governance and Partnerships. 
:36 
10 


1 
2 
3 
4 
5 
.6 
7 
8 
9 
10 
The P AFEA 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 t~chnical assistance in the efficient implementation of P AFEA 
policies and programs; and 
c) 
Monitor and evaluate extension programs and projects funded by the 
DA that are being undertaken in the region. 
11 
The PAFEA is authorized to utilize existing Agricultural Training Institute (ATI) 
. 
I 
12 
plantilla positions and to convert them into positions most appropriate to the 
13 
Agency to provide national. technical and managerial leadership. 
14 
15 
ARTICLE JII 
16 
ORGANIZATION OF THE LOCAL GOVERNMENT EXTENSION SERVICES 
17 
18 
SEC. 13. Province as the LGU Unit of Operation for Agriculture and Fisheries 
19 
Extension . . - To achieve efficiency and to provide more responsive services, the 
20 
planning and implementation unit of the extension services at the level of the LGUs 
21 
shall be the province through a Provincial' Agriculture and Fisheries Extension 
22 
Services under the Office of the Governor. Towards this end, all technical and 
23 
financial assistan<:e for agriculture and fisheries development from the National 
24 
Government to the LGUs shall be coursed through, and coordinated by, the 
25 
province.' 
26 
27 
The Provincial Agriculwre and Extension Services shall be headed by a 
28 
technically qualified career Provincial Agriculturist & Fisheries Officer (P AFO). The 
29 
P AFO shall have two deputies or Assistant P AFOs: one for fisheries and one for 
30 
agrieulture development. The pAFOs shall be appointed by the Director General of 
31 
PAFEA chcisen from three qualified nomInees per position submitted by the 
32 
Governor. Its staff shall be composed of technically qualified <:areer agrkulturists, 
33 
e<:onomists, 
statisticians, 
agricultural 
engineers, 
fishery 
te<:hnologist, 
and 
34 
veterinarians appointed by the Provincial Governor, 
35 
11 


1 
SEC. 14. Extension Personnel in Municipalities & Non-chartered Cities. -
2 
Upon the effectivity of this Act, aU municipal and non-chartered cities agriculture 
3 . and fisheries extension personnel shall become provincial government employees 
4 
unless the LGU concerned chooses to retain these personnel under their own 
5 
plantilla and budget. Municipal and city extension employees transferred to the 
6 
province shall be issued a new appointment by the Governor as organic personnel of 
·7 
the Provincial Agriculturist & Fisheries Office (P AFO). Transferred extension 
8 
personnel may continue to serve their respective municipalities and non-chartered 
9 
cities as detailed employees of the province based on a rationalized organizational 
10 
:structure submitted by the LGUs and approved by the PAFEA and the DBM. 
11 
Existing employees of municipalities or cities that opt to .retain their personnel do 
12 
not need to issue new appointments to staff of the same positions. 
13 
14 
The Municipal/City Agriculture and Extension Services shall be headed by a 
15 
. technically qualified career Municipal/City Agriculturist & Fisheries Officer 
16 
(M/G:AFO) based on the criteria set by the PAFEA. They shall be appointed by the 
, 
17 
P AFEA chosen from -three (3) qualified nominees submitted by the governors. 
18 
Existing MAQs orCAOs who are not reappointed for reasons other than for just 
19 
cause, shall serve as Supervising Agriculturists with salaries equal to that of their 
20 
existing positions. M/CAFO whether under the plantilla of the province or the 
21 
municipalities/dties shall have direct day-to-day supervision of all extension 
22 
municipal/ city personnel whether org,mic or detailed to the municipalities. 
23 
24 
On the other hand, the P AFO shall have direct technical sup~rvision of all . 
25 
M/ CAFOs in the province regardless of their sources of salaries. As such, 
26 
M/ CAFOs and their personnel are obligated to attend meetings, workshops, 
27 
seminars, and other activities organized by the province that require their 
28 
participation. In addition, ,they, shall, on a periodic basis, submit data and reports 
29 
required, by the province or the national government. In cooperation with the 
30 
P AFEA and the state colleges and universities of agriculture, all provinces are 
31 . required to design and implement a periodic external or third party evaluation of all 
32 
municipal and city extension programs and services. 
33 
34 
SEc. 15. Salaries and Wages qf Extension Personnel. - The salaries and 
35 
wages of all agriculture and fisheries technical extension personnel under the 
36 
payroll of the provincial government shall be paid by the National Government 
12 


1 
through an annual grant-in-aid to be paid out of the regular appropriation .of the 
2 
P AFEA of the Department of Agriculture; Provid~d, however, That during the first 
3 
year of the effectivity of this Act, the local government concerned shall reallocate its 
4 
savings from the personal services for agriculture personnel to its agriculture and 
5 
fisheries extension; Provided, further, That every year thereafter, the concerned LGU 
6 
shall appropriate the eqUivalent funds paid by the national government as the 
7 
minimum amount for its agriculture and fisheries operation or counterparts to 
8 
national grant-in-aid in agriculture and fisheries, without prejudice to the provision 
9 
of additional funds that may be allocated by the LGUs for this purpose. 
10 
II 
The salaries and wages of technical extension personnel for b'oth agriculture 
12 
and fisheries shall be standardized so as to equal or be comparable with similar 
13 
positions of national emplo.yees without prejudice to the provision of additional 
.• 14 
staff benefits by concerned LGUs where their finances warrant. The provision of 
15 
grants in aid to pay for the salaries and wages of the technical personnel of the LGU 
16 
extension services 'shall be subject to external review and evaluation every five (5) 
. 
. 
17 
years to determine its impact to the quality of services, its cost-effectiveness, and 
18 
impact on the goals of AFMA. A copy of the report shall be provided to Congress 
19 
and serve as the basis for the continuation or modification of the grantS-in-aid. 
20 
21 
SEC. 16. StruCture of the 'Pro1jincial Extension Services. - The provincial arid 
22 
municipal agriculture and fisheries extension services shall organize and structure 
23 
its services based on the agricultural and extensio):, needs of the province and on the 
24 
standards set by the P AFEA. The techniCal positions of the Provincial & Municipal 
25 
Extension Services shall be rationalized to provide the appropriate number of 
26 .. positions for agriculturist, mixed crop-livestock/tree specialist; communication and 
27 
curriculum specialist, community organizern/anihropologists, economists/agribusiness 
28 
economists, agricultural engineers, fishery technologists, and veterinarians. 
29 
30 
SEC. 17. LOU Livestock Product.ion Services. - In recognition of the need to 
. '  
' 
31 
provide an integrated extension approach to total farm development, the LGU 
32 
livestock production services shall be part and parcel of the Provincial Agricultural 
. 
I 
33 
Office (PAO). In cases where these functions were earlier integrated into the 
. 34 
Provincial Veterinary Services, they shall be returned and re-integrated to the rest of 
35 
the P AO services. This is to prevent conflict of interest:between regulatory functions 
36 
and livestock extension functions. 
13 


1 
SEC. 18. Strategic Plan in Agriculture and Fisheries. - To provide coherence 
2 
of all government plans in agriculture and fisheries apd to achieve efficiency in the 
3 
use of resources, all provincial governments are required to develop a .five-year 
4 
strategic plan in agriculture and fisheries based on the framework and principles 
5 
provided by the Department of Agriculture (DA). The Strategic Plan shall serve as 
6 
the basis for the Provincial Annual Work Program & Budget and for the DA to 
7 
provide short-term and long-term assistance. 
8 
9 
10 
11 
ARTICLE IV 
AGRICULTURAL SERVICE CAREER DEVELOPMENT 
12 
SEC. 19. Professionalization of Extension Services. - The State shall support 
13 
the development and professionalization of i\gricultural services by providing the 
14 
necessary compensation and'benefits to various extension workers based on their 
15 
duties, responsibilities and qualifications. For this purpose, the P AFEA, in 
16 
coordination with Civil Service Commission, shall develop qualification standards 
17 
beyond the minimum set by the Civil Service Commission for the various 
18 
managerial, technical and non-technical positions of the' extension services of the 
. 
I 
19 
country including that of all local government units. The P AFEA shall also develop 
20' a career path of all technkal extension personnel thatwm allow them, regardless of 
21 
assignment or location in government, to move vertically in the promotion system. 
22 
Managerial pOliitions' shall be open to all qualified personnel regardless of 
23 
geographic or agency assignment. 
24 
25 
Towards this end, the PAFEA sha1l4ssue guidelines for the creation of a merit 
26 
promotion boards in all extension agencies/office to include represent(ltives of civil 
27 
societies and the SUCs of agriculture and fisheries. In determining the salaries of 
. 28 
agriculture and fishery development workers, the provisions of Joint Resolution No. 
29 
4, 'series of 2Q09, entitled, "Joint Resolution Authorizing the President of the 
30 
Philippines to Modify the Compensation and Position Classification System of 
31 
Civilian Personnel and, the Base Pay Schedule of Military and Uniformed Personnel 
32 
in the Government, and for Other Purposes," shall apply. 
33 
34 
SEC. 20. Mandatory Managerial Positions for Agricultural Services in Local 
35 
Government Units. - The creation of ,the following positions are hereby made 
14 


1 
2 
3 
4 
5 
6 
7 
mandatory in addition to the prescribed positions under the Local Government 
Code of 1991: 
. 
a) Provincial Agriculture & Fisheries Officer (P AFO) 
1) Asst. P AFO for Fisheries Development 
2) Asst. P AFO for Agriculture Development 
8 
b) City Agriculturist & Fisheries Officer (CAPO) 
9 
10 
c) Municipal Agriculture & Fisheries Officer (MAFO) 
11 
·12 
SEC. 21. Transfer of Geographic'al Reassignment of Agricultural Officers and 
13 
Employees of the LGUs. - No transfer or geographical reassignment shall be made or 
14 
effected without prior written notice to the personnel concerned stating therein the 
15 
reason therefor: Provided, That said written notice shall be made thirty (30) days 
16 
prior to the date of transfer or reassignme,nt: Provided, further, That if the employee 
17 
concerned disagrees with the order of transfer or reassignment, he/ she may appeal 
18 
said order with the Civil Service Commissiohor the Department of Agriculture, as 
19 
. the case may be: Provided, further, That pending appeal, such transfer or 
20 
reassignment shall be held in abeyance: Provided,. furthermore, That no transfer or 
21 
reassignment shall be made three (3) months prior to any local or national elections: 
22 
Provided, finally, That the necessary expenses of the transfer and/ or reassignment of 
23 
the agricultural worker or employee and his/her immediate family shall be paid by 
24 
the Government. 
25 
26 
. SEC. 22. Security of Tenure. - An agricultural extension worker holding a 
27 
permanent position shall not be terminated except for just cause: Provided, That in 
28 
the event he/ she is found to be unjustly dismissed as verified by the Civil Service 
29. 
Commission, he/ she shall be entitled to reinstatement without loss of seniority 
30 
rights and back wages With twenty per centum (20%) interest to be computed from 
31 
the time compensation has been withheld. In cases, however, where the agricultural 
32 
extension worker does not desire to be reinstated; he/she shall be entitled to back 
33 
wages and separation pay with twenty per centum (20%) interest. 
34. 
15 


1 
. SEC. 23. Discrimination Prohibited. - An agricultural extension worker shall 
2 
not be discriminated by reason of creed, sect, political belief, civil status, and ethnic 
, 
3 . grouping in the exercise of his/her profession. 
4 
5' 
'SEC. 24. Safeguards in Administrative Proceedings. - In every administrative 
6 
proceeding, an agricultural extension worKer shall have: 
7 
8 
a) The right to be informed of the charges; 
9 
b). The right to full access to evidence against him/her; 
10 
c) The right to defend himself/herself through counsel of his/her choice; 
11 
d) The right to be given adequate time to prepare his/her case, which shall not· 
12 
be less than seven (7) days from receipt of the formal charge; 
13 
e) The right to appeal to designatedauthotities; 
14 
f) The right to cross-examine' witnesses and to processes for the production of 
15 
witnesses; 
16 
g) The right to reimbursement for reasonable expenses incurred in his/her 
17 
defense in case of exoneration or dismissal of the charges; and 
18 
h) Such other rights provided by other national agencies and local government 
19 
units to their respective officers and employees to ensure fairness and 
20 
impartially in prosecution. 
21 
22 
SEC. 25. Code of Conduct. - All agricultural extension workers shall be 
23 
guided by a code cif ethics not contrary to law, morals, safety, health, public policy 
24 
and public order, which shall be prepared by the Secretary of Agriculture in 
25 
consultation with the recognized .national associations of agricultural extension 
26 
workers 
27 
28 
SEC. 26. Training' and Scholarship Programs. -
The Department of 
29 
Agriculture through the P AFEA shall undertake training' and scholarship programs 
30 
for agricultural extension workers, which shall be provided adequate budgetary 
31 
support by the National Government. 
32 
33 
SEC. '27. Married Agricultural Extension W(jrkers. - Whenever possible, the 
34 
proper authorities shall take steps to enable married couples both of whom are 
35 
public agricultural extension workers, to be employed or assigned in the same 
36 
municipality. 
16 


ARTIC:LEV 
1 
2 
3 
4 
INCENTIVES AND REWARDS SYSTEM 
5 
SEC. 26. Criteria for Incentives and Rewards System. - The P AFEA shall 
6 
develop a reward and incentive system for agricultural extension workers provided 
7 
under this Act, to encourage them to stay in the service, promote their productivity 
8 
and reward them for extraordinary performance. 
9 
10 
SEC. 29. Other Compensation and Benefits. - All agricultural extension 
11 
workers shall be entitled to the following additional compensation and benefits: 
12 
13 
a) Representati.on 
Allowance 
and 
Traveling 
Allowance 
All 
14 
Provincial/ City/Municipal AF Offjcers' shall be entitled to Representation 
15 
Allowance and Traveling Allowance (RATA) equivalent to the Departinent 
16 
Head of the equivalent Local Government Units. 
17 
18 
. b) Hazard Allowance - All agricultural extensiop workers assigned in difficult 
19 
. areas~ strife-torn' or embattled areas, distressed or isolated stations, 
20 
animal/ plant/ fisheries breeding station, plant nurseries, plantations and 
21 
demonstration farms, 
laboratories especially 
those handling x-rays, 
22 
radioisotopes, chemicals, etc., sea-borne p<ltJ;ols, construction and install<ltion 
23 
of agricultural iI)frastructure. projects, and other are<lS declared under a state 
24 
. of c<llamity or emergency which exposes them to great danger, occupational 
25 
risks of perils of life shall be compensated with hazard allowance equivalent 
. 
I 
26 
to at least twenty per centum (20%) of the monthly basic salary. 
27 
28 
c) Subsistence Allowance - All agricultural extension workers who are required 
29 
to render services in the communities, institutions, animal and plant breeding 
30 
nurseries, plantations and demonstration farms and other barrier programs 
31 
and projects of the Department of Agricultural in order to make their services 
32 
available at all times, shall be entitled tp full daily subsistence allowance' of 
33 
three (3).meals, which shall be computed in accordance with the prevailing 
34 
circumstances. 
35 
17 


1 
d) Longevity Pay - A longevity pay equivalent to five per centum (5%) of the 
2 
monthly basic pay shall be paid to an agricultural extension worker for every 
3 
(3) years of continuous, efficient and meritorious services rendered. 
4 
5 
e) Clothing Allowance - All agricultural extension workers shall be entitled to a 
6 
clothing allowance in accordance with the approved laws and regulations or 
7 
as mandated by law. 
8 
9 
10 
11 
12 
13 
14 
f) Housing.- All agricultural extension workers who ar<c 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 
. 
I 
government is able to provide free public accommodation. Housing 
allowance shall be reviewedperjodically and adjusted accordingly. 
15 
g) Motor and Vehicle Loan - All agricultural development workers shall be 
16 
entitled to a:..rail of the 'motor and vehicle loan of the Department of 
17 
Agriculture. The National Government shall provide adequate budgetary 
18 
support for this purpose. 
19 
20 
21 
22 
ARTIC):,E VI 
THE FARMER.-TO-FARMER EXTENSION APPROACH 
23 
.sEC. 30. The Farmer-to-Farmer Approach. - The farmer-to-farmer approach 
24 
in extension is hereby institutionalized. The P AFEA, in cooperation with centers of 
·25,. 
I:esearch excellence and interested LGUs,. shall tilke leadership in developing a 
26 '. :,hi,ghly flexible and innovative system. It shall pilot the approach until it becomes an 
', ... , 
2i 
~lutegral. part of the national system in no more thiln ten (10) yea~s. For the initial 
, , '.,':" ~ 
, 
' 
" 
, 
. , .. 
" 
" 
,):, 
28·'. implementation of this provision, an initial budget of Twenty Million Pesos 
'",-!j,,' 
',' 
, 
29 
\t7Q,OC)O;00b.00) is. hereby allocilted for the ·first year. Every year thereafter the 
30 
budget shall be adjusted accordingly depending on the needs and response of the 
31. LGUs qnd non-governmental organizations subject to reView by the CERDAF. 
32 
33 
34 
, 35 
ARTICLE VII 
FUNDING FOR EXTENSION SERVICES 
18 


1 
SEC. 31. Initial Appropriation. - For the first year of implementation of this 
2 
Act, the amount of Ten Billion Pesos (P10,OOO,OOO,OOO.OO) shall be appropriated out 
3· of the total budget of the Department of Agriculture (DA) for personal services, 
4 
grants-in-aid to the LGUs, operation and capital outlay requirements of the 
5 
Philippine Agriculture and Fisheries ExtensionAgency (PAFEA). 
6 
7 
The Department of Budget and Management (DBM) is hereby mandated to 
8 
fndude annually in the President's / program of expendi1:].Ires for submission to 
9 
Congress and release, an amount not less than Ten Billion Pesos (P10,OOO,OOO,OOO.OO) 
10 
or one percent of the gross value added in agriculture and fisheries, whichever is 
11 
higher, for the implementation of this Act. Five Billion Pesos (P5,OOO,OOO,OOO.OO) of 
12 
this amount shall be allocated to the salary grant to LGUs for the local extension 
13 
personnel and operation of the P APE. The Department of Agriculture is hereby 
14 
tasked accordingly to rationalize its budget-to meet the requirements of this Act. 
15 
16 
The PAFEA. is authorized to utilize part of its yearly appropriation to set up 
17 
or upgrade necessary facilities to improve the provision of national extension 
18 
services. All assets, resources both human and financial of Agricultural Training 
19 
Institute (An), shall be transferred to the PAFEA. 
20 
21 
All revenues generated out of the use of services, facilities and equipment 
22 
. 23. 
24 
25 
26 
27 
shall be utilized by the Agency to augment its maintenance 
. expenditures subject to the approval of the Governing Board . 
,. 
ARTICLE VIII 
FINAL PROVISIONS 
and operating 
28 
SEC. 32. Phased Implementation. - The implementation of this Act shall be 
29 
phased bver a period of five (5) years. 
30 
31 
SEC. 33. Oversight Committee. - The Congressional OverSight Committee for 
32 
Agriculture and' Fisheries 
Modernization 
(COCAFM) 
shall 
oversee 
the 
33 
implementation of this Act for a period not exceeding five (5) years from its 
34 
affectivity. 
35 
19 


1 
SEC 34. Implementing Rules And Regulations. - Within ninety (90) days from 
2 
the effectivity of this Act, the implementing rules and regulations (IRR) shall be 
3 
formulated· by the Department of Agriculture in close coordination with the 
4 
Department of Interior and Local Government, the Leagues of Governors and 
'5 
Mayors, and relevant members of the civil society; which shall include an 
6 
implementation plan indicating a phased approach to provide smooth transition 
7 
from the present to the reformed extension system under this Act. The Secretary of' 
8 
the Department of Agriculture shall furnish a copy of the IRR to the Committee Of 
9 
Agriculture of both Houses of Congress. 
10 
11 
SEC 35. RepeAling Clause. - All laws, decrees, executive orders, rules and 
12 
regUlations, issuances or parts thereof inconsistent with this Act are'hereby repealed 
13 
or <lmended accordingly. 
14 
15 
SEC 36. SepArability Clause. - If any provision of this Act is declared invalid 
16 
or unconstitutional, the other provisions not affected'there?y shall remain valid and 
17 
subsisting. 
18 
19 
SEC 36. Effectivity Clause. - This Act shall take effect thirty (30) days after 
20 
its publication in at least in two (2) national newspapers of general circulation. 
21 
~2 
Approvedj 
20