FOURTEENTH CONGRESS OF THE 
) 
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES 
) 
First Regular Session 
) 
S E N A T E  
S. B. No. 
516 
Introduced by Senator JINGGOY EJERCITO ESTRADA 
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, aquaculturists 
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 and Local Government Units 
hampers the implementation of government agricultural development programs. 
One of the causes of this problem is that LGUs are financially constrained 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 city and the municipal levels optional 
and not mandatory. 
Moreover, the position of Provincial I City / Municipal 
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. Its immediate passage is 
therefore earnestly requested. 
/ 
Senator 


FOURTEENTH CONGRESS OF THE 
) 
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES 
) 
First Regular Session 
) 
S.B.No. 
516 
Introduced by Senator JINGGOY EJERCITO ESTRADA 
AN ACT 
PROVIDING FOR A MAGNA CARTA OF AGRICULTURAL 
DEVELOPMENT WORKERS 
Be it enacfed by the Senate and House of Representatives of the Philippines in 
Congress assembled: 
ARTICLE 1 
SECTlON 1. Title. - This Act shall be known as the "Magna Carta of 
Agricultural Development Workers." 
SEC. 2. Declaration of Policy. - It is hereby declared a policy of 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 work ing conditions and employment status. The State shall 
likewise develop their skills, knowledge, orientation and capabilities so that they 
will more responsive and effective in providing the necessary services for 
countryside development. 
SEC. 3. Definition of Terms. - 
a. Agricultural Development Workers- shall mean all persons who are 
engaged in agricultural development activities, and all persons employed 
in the Department of Agriculture including its bureaus and attached 
agencies, Local Government Units (LGUs) and concerned government 
and private institutions, and shall include agriculturists, veterinarians, 
agricultural extension workers, agricultural technicians and operators, 
allied 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 year 
course in agriculture and 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 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 
Professional Regulatory Commission performing engineering activities in 
agriculture, 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. Aquaculturist - shall refer to a person who is a graduate of a four 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 dietry 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, aquaculturist 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. 
i. CSC - refers to the Civil Service Commission. 
j. 
DOLE - refers to the Department of Labor and Employment. 
k. NLRC - refers to the National Labor Relations Commission. 
I. DA - refers to the Department of Agriculture. 
m. LGU - refers to the Local Government Unit. 
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 qualifications. For this purpose, the Civil Service Commission in coordination 
with the Department of Agriculture, Department of Interior and Local Government 
and the recognized national associations of agricultural development workers 
shall review the existing functions, responsibilities, position titles and 
qualifications of the agricultural development workers employed at the 
Department of Agriculture, Local Government Units 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 be used. 
Position 
Salary Grade 
Agricultural Technician I 
10 
Agriculturist I 
12 
Aquaculturist I 
12 
Agricultural Engineer 1 
13 
Nutritionist I 
12 
Veterinarian I 
13 
Agricultural Technologist 
13 


City Agricultural Engineer 
City ,Veterinarian 
City Agriculturist 
City Fishery Officer 
Municipal Agriculturist 
Municipal Veterinarian 
Municipal Agricultural Engineer 
Municij5al Fishery Officer 
Provincial Agricultural Engineer 
Provincial Agriculturist 
Provincial veterinarian 
Provincial Fisher Officer 
24 
24 
24 
24 
24 
24 
24 
24 
26 
26 
26 
26 
SEC. 5. Mandatory Positions of Agricultural Development - The 
creation of the following positions is hereby made mandatory in addition to the 
prescribed positions under the Local Government Code of 1991 ; 
Provincial Agricultural Engineer 
Provincial Agriculturist 
City Agriculturist 
City Agricultural Engineer 
City Veterinarian 
City Fishery and Aquacultural Officer 
Municipal Agriculturist 
Municipal Agricultural Engineer 
Municipal Veterinarian 
Municipal Fishery and Aquacultural Officer 
Provided, that in the case of fourth (4th) class LGUs, financial subsidy shall be 
provided by the National Government for the personnel services needed in the 
hiring of the above mentioned mandatory positions: Provided, further That the 
funding requirement shall be incorporated in the subsequent annual 
appropriations of the Department of Agriculture. 
SEC. 6. Recruitment and Qualifications.- 
The selection and 
appointment of agricultural development workers shall be in accordance with the 
merit and fitness principles: Provided, That he/she has the appropriate civil 
eligibility andlor professional license, educational qualification, skills and 
experiences. 
SEC 7. Performance Evaluation and Merit Promotion. - The Secretary 
of Agriculture, upon consultation with the Civil Service Commission and the 
recognized national associations of agricultural 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, and in- 
service training grants, job rotation and incentive awards system. 
SEC. 8 Transfer or 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 workers 
concerned stating therein the reasons the reasons: Provided, That the said 
written notice shall be made thirty (30) days prior to the date of transfer or 
reassignment: Provided, further, That if the employees concerned disagrees with 
the order of transfer or reassignment, helshe may appeal said order with the Civil 
Service Commission or the Department of Labor and Employment, as the case 


may be: Provided, further, That pending appeal, such transfer or reassignment 
shall be held in abeyance: Provided, furthermore, That no transfer and/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 hislher 
immediate family shall be paid by the Government. 
Hours of Work shall include: 
a. the time the agricultural worker is required to be in active duty or to be at a 
prescribe workplace: 
b. the time which an agricultural worker is permitted to work; 
c. the time, which an agricultural worker is required to work in place than, 
prescribed workplace. 
SEC. 9. 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 normal eight (8) hours a day, 
inclusive of Saturdays and Sundays and non- working holidays. In such, cases, 
the agricultural development worker shall be given additional compensation in 
accordance with existing laws on the matter. 
SEC. IO. Training and Scholarship Program. - The Department of 
Agriculture through its scholarship committee and the Agricultural Training 
Institute shall undertake training and scholarship program for the agricultural 
development workers, which shall be given adequate budgetary support by the 
government. 
SEC. 11. Married Agricultural 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 
municipality. 
ARTICLE 111 
INCENTIVES AND REWARDS SYSTEM 
SEC. 12. Criteria for lncentives and Rewards. - 
The reward and 
incentives system for agricultural development workers provided under this Act, 
which will encourage them to stay in the service, promote their productivity and 
reward them for extraordinary performance, shall be given by the governed by 
the following criteria: 
a. 
b. 
c. 
Innovativeness and creativity resulting in productive activities; 
Actual performance and accomplishment of established targets; 
Extraordinary performance and exemplary quality of Achievements 
in agriculture, giving rise to new or innovative techniques and 
productive results; 
Quality of work and consistency of performance which is 
satisfactory for at least two (2) consecutive rating periods, and 
Risks faced by nature of work area or place of assignment. 
d. 
e. 
SEC. 13. Forms of Incentives. - Incentive and rewards for agricultural 
development workers shall be in the form of, but not limited to, the following: 
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 fishery programs of the government; 
Performance Bonus - form of remuneration given to agricultural 
development workers for performance that exceeds established 
targets; and 
Other incentives that the Department of Agriculture and Local 
Government may established. 
C. 
d. 
SEC. 14. Other Compensafion and Benefits. - All agricultural 
development workers shall be entitled to the following additional compensation 
and benefits: 
a. Representation Allowance and Traveling Allowance -All Provincial I 
City / Municipal Agriculturists, Veterinarians, Agricultural Engineers, 
and Fishery Officers shall be entitled to Representation Allowance 
and Traveling Allowance (RATA) equivalent to the Department Heads 
of the Local Government Units. 
b. Hazard Allowance - All agricultural development workers assigned in 
difficult areas, stife-torn or embattled areas, distressed or isolated 
stations, animal/plant/fisher 
breeding stations, plant nurseries, 
plantations and d emonstration farms, laboratories specifically those 
handling x-ray, radioisotopes, chemicals, etc. , sea- bored 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 risks of perils of life shall 
be compensated with hazard allowance equivalent to at least twenty 
percent (20%) of the monthly basic salary. 
c. Subsistence Allowance. - All agricultural development workers who are 
required to a render services in the communities, institutions, animal 
and plant breeding nurseries, plantations and demonstration farms and 
other banner programs and projects of the Department of Agriculture in 
order to make their services available at all times shall be entitled to 
full daily subsistence allowance of three (3) meats, which shall be 
computed in accordance with the prevailing circumstances. 
d. Longevity Pay - A longevity pay equivalent to five percent (5%) of the 
monthly basic pay equivalent to five percent (5%) of the monthly basic 
pay shall be paid to an agricultural worker for every three (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 the approved laws 
and regulations or as mandated by law. 
f. Housing- All agricultural development workers who are on tour of duty 
and those who, because of unavoidable circumstances, are forced to 
stay in the institution or community with living quarters for free: 
Provided, that if such living quarters are not available; the workers 
shall receive 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 as the case may be. 
h. On- Call Pay- In cases of “on-call” status, the agricultural development 
worker shall be entitled to an On- Call” pay equivalent to fifty percent 
(50%) of hidher regular wage. “On- Call” status refers to a condition 
When agricultural office or employee is called upon to respond to an 
urgent or immediate need or relief work during emergencies such that 
the agricultural worker cannot utilize hidher time for personal need: 
Provided, that no agricultural worker shall be placed in an “On-Call’’ 
Status beyond seven (7) days. 
i. Motor and Vehicle Loan -All agricultural development workers shall be 
entitled to avail of the motor and vehicle loan of the Department of 
Agriculture. The government shall provide adequate budgetary support 
for this purpose. 
ARTICLE IV 
MISCELLANEOUS PROVISIONS 
SEC. 75. Right to Join an Organization - Agricultural development 
workers shall have the right to freely join organizations or unions for purposes not 
contrary to law, in order to protect their m,utual interests and to seek redress of 
grievance through peaceful activities. 
SEC 96. Freedom from interference or Coercion - It shall be unlawful 
a. 
to require a condition of employment that the agricultural 
development worker shall join an organization or union; 
b. 
to discriminate in order to encourage or discourage membership in 
any agricultural development workers organization or union; 
c. 
to prevent an agricultural development worker from carrying out 
hislher duties and functions in hislher organization or union or to 
penalize himlher for any lawful action performed in that capacity; 
d. 
to harass or intimidate an agricultural development worker or 
prevent himlher for performing duties and functions; and 
e. 
to perform acts that will dismiss the independence and freedom of 
the union or organization to direct its own affairs. 
SEC. 77. Consultation - T he Department of Agriculture shall consult 
professional and agricultural workers organization or unions in formulating 
policies to govern the welfare and security of the agricultural development 
workers 
SEC. 18. Human Resources Development - The government and non- 
government agencies shall conduct human resource development and 
management study in the following areas: 
for any person to commit any of the following acts of interference or coercion: 
a. 
b. 
Adequate facilities and resource to render quality agricultural 
service to the clientele; 
Opportunity for the agricultural development workers to grow and 
develop their potentials and develop a sense of self-worth and 
dignity in their work; 
C. 
Mechanism for democratic consultations 


d. 
Ways and means of giving rank-and-file agricultural development 
workers viable opportunities for education, personal growth and 
development; and 
staffing patterns and standards welfare to ensure that they receive 
quality care. 
e. 
SEC. 19. Rules and Regulations. - The Secretary of the Department of 
Agriculture in consultation with DOLE. CSC, NLRC, and DILG and the national 
organizations of agricultural development workers shall formulate and prepare 
necessary rules and regulations in implementing the provisions of this Magna 
Carta. 
SEC. 20. Monitoring and Implementation. - The Secretary of the 
Department of Agriculture shall create a Monitoring Committee, which shall 
monitor the implementation of the provision of this Act. The committee shall be 
composed of representatives of the DA, DILG, CSC and the recognized national 
associations of agricultural development workers: Provided further, that the 
Secretary of Agriculture shall submit semi-annual reports on the status on the 
implementation of this Act to the Committee of Agriculture and Food of the 
House of Representatives and the Senate. 
SEC. 21. Penal Provisions.- Any person who shall willfully interfere with, 
restrain or coerce any agricultural development worker in the exercises of hislher 
rights or shall violate any of the provisions of this Act shall upon conviction, be 
punished by a fine if not less than Twenty thousand pesos (P20, 000.00) but not 
more than Forty thousand pesos (P40,OOO.OO) 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 addition to the penalties 
provided in the preceding paragraph, shall impose the additional penalties of 
disqualification from office of such offending public official. 
SEC. 28. Funding. - The amount necessary to carry out the provision 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. Separability Clause. If any provision of this Act is declared 
unconstitutional or invalid, the other provision thereof shall not be affected 
thereby and shall continue to be in full force and effect. 
SEC. 30. Repealing Clause. - All laws, decrees, orders, rules, and 
regulations or other issuances inconsistent with the provision of this Act are 
hereby repealed, amended or modified accordingly. 
SEC. 31, Effectivity. -This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after its 
publication in at least two (2) newspapers of general circulation. 
Approved,