SIXTEENTH CONGRESS OF THE REPUBLIC 
OF THE PHILIPPINES 
) 
) 
) 
First Regular Session 
SENATE 
S.B. No. 2093 
Introduced by Senator Manuel ''Lito'' M. Lapid 
EXPLANATORY NOTE 
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JAN 28 P 5 :06 
At present, only provincial governments are mandated to appoint agriculturists 
in order to ensure effective representation of the agricultural sector in local government 
planning and coordination. The law permits the appointment of agriculturists by city 
and municipality governments but does not require the same. 
The mandatory appointment of agriculturists at the level of the provincial 
government reflects the importance vested by the State in the agricultural sector. It 
likewise reflects recognition that the Philippines remains a largely agricultural country 
with many citizens dependent on farming, fishing, or husbandry as sources of 
livelihood. 
In light thereof, the optional appointment of agriculturists at the level of smaller 
local government units, particularly municipalities, should be reviewed. 
In 
municipalities where the main industry is agriculture, the appointment of agriculturists 
to the local government unit should no longer be an option but a necessary prerequisite 
for local government growth. In such municipalities the interest and voice of the 
agricultural sector should be of paramount importance in the determination of local 
planning and development measures. Hence, a qualified expert in the field should be 
available to address constituent concerns as well as to aid in government decision-
making. 
The proposed measure will mandate the appointment of municipal agriculturists 
in municipalities where agriculture is a Significant industry. 
In view of the foregOing, the passage of this bill is earnestly sought. 


1 
SIXTEENTH CONGRESS OF THE REPUBLIC 
OF THE PHILIPPINES 
First Regular Session 
) 
) 
) 
SENATE 
S.B. No. 2093 
Introduced by Senator Manuel "Lito" M. Lapid 
AN ACT 
'14 
J~N 28 P 5 :06 
MANDATING THE APPOINTMENT OF MUNICIPAL AGRICULTURISTS IN 
MUNICIPALITIES WHERE AGRICULTURE IS A SIGNIFICANT INDUSTRY, 
AMENDING FOR THE PURPOSE SECTIONS 443 AND 4S2(A) 
OF REPUBLIC ACT NO. 7160, AS AMENDED, OTHERWISE KNOWN AS THE 
LOCAL GOVERNMENT CODE OF 1991 
Be it enacted by the Settate and House of Representatives of the Philippines in Congress 
assembled: 
SECTION 1. 
Section 443 of Republic Act No. 7160, as amended, otherwise 
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known as the Local Government Code of 1991, is hereby amended to read as follows: 
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"Section 443. Officials of the Municipal Government. -
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(a) There shall be in each municipality a municipal mayor, a 
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municipal vice-mayor, sangguniang bayan members, a secretary to the 
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sangguniang bayan, a municipal treasurer, a municipal assessor, a 
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municipal accountant, a municipal budget officer, a municipal planning 
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and development coordinator, a municipal engineer/building official, a 
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municipal health officer and a municipal civil registrar. 
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(b) In addition thereto, the mayor may appoint a municipal 
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administrator, a municipal legal officer, a municipal agriculturist, a 
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municipal environment and natural resources officer, a municipal social 
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welfare and development officer, a municipal architect, and a municipal 
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information 
officer: 
PROVIDED, 
THAT 
INSOFAR 
AS 
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MUNICIPALITIES WHERE AGRICULTURE IS A SIGNIFICANT 
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INDUSTRY 
OR 
WHERE 
THE 
MAIN 
LIVELIHOOD 
IS 
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AGRICULTURAL IN 
NATURE, THE APPOINTMENT OF A 
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MUNICIPAL AGRICULTURIST SHALL BE MANDATORY." 
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SEC. 2. 
Section 482(a) of R.A. No. 7160, as amended, is hereby amended to 
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read as follows: 
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"Section 482 Qualifications, Powers and Duties. 


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(a) No person shall be appointed agriculturist unless he is a citizen 
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of the Philippines, a resident of the local government unit concerned, of 
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good moral character, a holder of a college degree in agriculture or any 
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related course from a recognized college or university and a first grade 
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civil service eligible or its equivalent He must have practiced his 
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profession in agriculture or acquired experience in a related field for at 
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least five (5) years in the case of the provincial and city agriculturist, and 
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three (3) years in the case of the municipal agriculturist. 
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The position of the agriculturist shall be mandatory for the 
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provincial government and optional for the city and municipal 
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governments: PROVIDED, THAT INSOFAR AS MUNICIPALITIES 
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WHERE AGRICULTURE IS A SIGNIFICANT INDUSTRY OR WHERE 
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THE MAIN LIVELIHOOD IS AGRICULTURAL IN NATURE, THE 
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APPOINTMENT OF A MUNICIPAL AGRICULTURIST SHALL BE 
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MANDATORY." 
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SEC. 3. 
Implementing Agency. - The Department of Interior and Local 
19 
Governance (DILG) and the Department of Agriculture (DA), in coordination with local 
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government units, shall promulgate the rules and regulations necessary for the effective 
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implementation of this Act. 
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SEC. 4. 
Appropriations Clause. - The amount necessary for the effective 
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implementation of this Act shall be included in the general appropriations Act of the 
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year following its enactment. 
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SEC. 5. 
Repealing Clause. - Other relevant provisions of the R.A. No. 7160, 
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insofar as the appointment of agriculturists is concerned, and any law, decree, executive 
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order, and rules and regulations, or portions thereof not consistent with this Act are 
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hereby amended accordingly. 
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SEC. 6. 
SeparabilitJJ Clause. - Should any part or provision of this Act be 
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declared unconstitutional or invalid, the remaining parts or proviSions not affected 
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thereby shall remain in full force and effect. 
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SEC. 7. 
EffectivitlJ Clause. - This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after 
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its publication in two (2) newspapers of general circulation. 
Approved, 
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