Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

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Batasan Hills, Quezon City fe

NINETEENTH CONGRESS \S mee geasem
First Regular Session ‘¥ Cal a,
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House Bill No. __2712 Wo Invex

Introduced by
HON. YEDDA MARIE K. ROMUALDEZ

and
HON. JUDE A. ACIDRE

AN ACT
REVERTING TO THE NATIONAL GOVERNMENT THE DISCHARGE OF BASIC
AGRICULTURAL FUNCTIONS AND RESPONSIBILITIES DEVOLVED TO LOCAL
GOVERNMENT UNITS, AMENDING FOR THE PURPOSE REPUBLIC ACT NO.
7160, OTHERWISE KNOWN AS THE LOCAL GOVERNMENT CODE OF 1991

EXPLANATORY NOTE

Upon the enactment of Republic Act No. 7160, otherwise known as the Local
Government Code of 1991, the provision of basic services was devolved to the local
government units — agricultural support services were transferred to the barangays,
the extension and on-site research services and facilities related to agriculture and
fishery activities was transferred to the municipalities, and all the services and facilities
of the municipalities and province, and in addition thereto, the adequate
communication and transportation facilities were transferred to the cities. However,
the devolution of basic agricultural services resulted in low agricultural productivity,
hampered agricultural development, and food insecurity due to the gap between the
devolved responsibilities and the financial and human resources available.

Thus, this bill seeks to revert to the national government, particularly to the
Department of Agriculture (Department), the discharge of basic agricultural functions
and responsibilities which were devolved to the local government units pursuant to the
Local Government Code of 1991. The Department should be given full power and

DATE July 28, 2022

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authority to implement the agricultural programs, policies, rules, and regulations
efficiently, effectively, and uniformly across the country.

In view of the foregoing, approval of this bill is earnestly sought.

Rep. YEDDA MARIE K. ROMUALDEZ
Representative, Tingog Sinirangan

Rep. JUDE. ACIDRE
Representative, Tingog Sinirangan


Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES.
Batasan Hills, Quezon City

NINETEENTH CONGRESS
First Regular Session

House Bill No.__ 2712
ee
Introduced by

HON. YEDDA MARIE K. ROMUALDEZ
and
HON. JUDE A. ACIDRE

AN ACT
REVERTING TO THE NATIONAL GOVERNMENT THE DISCHARGE OF BASIC
AGRICULTURAL FUNCTIONS AND RESPONSIBILITIES DEVOLVED TO LOCAL
GOVERNMENT UNITS, AMENDING FOR THE PURPOSE REPUBLIC ACT NO.
7160, OTHERWISE KNOWN AS THE LOCAL GOVERNMENT CODE OF 1991

Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the Philippines in
Congress assembled:

Section 1. Short Title. This act shall be known as the “Renationalization of
Basic Agricultural Functions Act of 2022."

Section 2. Renationalization. Section 17 of Republic Act No. 7160, otherwise
known as the Local Government Code of 1991, is hereby amended:
Section 1.1 The devolution of the basic services and fac

Ss to the
Barangay on "Agricultural Support services which include planting materials
distribution system and operation of farm produce collection and buying
station," is hereby withdrawn from the Barangay and reverted back to the
National Government. This amends Section 17, item (b), No. (1), Par. 1 of the
Local Government Code of 1991.

Section 1.2 The devolution of the basic services and facilities to the
Municipality on "Extension and on-site research services and facilities related
to Agriculture and Fisheries activities which include dispersal of livestock and


poultry, fingerlings and other seedlings materials for aquaculture; palay, corn
and vegetable seed farms; medicinal plant gardens; fruit tree, coconut and
other kinds of seedling nurseries; demonstration farms; quality control of copra
and improvement and development of local distribution channels, preferable
through cooperatives; inter-barangay irrigation system; water and soil resource
utilization and conservation projects; and enforcement of fishery laws in
municipal waters including the conservation of mangroves" is hereby withdrawn
from the Municipality and reverted back to the National Government. This
amends Section 17, item (b). No. (2), Par. 1 of the Local Government Code of
1991.

Section 1.3 The devolution of basic services and facilities to the province
on “Agricultural extension and on-site research services and facilities which
include the prevention and control of pest and animal pet and diseases; dairy
farms, livestock markers, animal breeding station and artificial insemination
centers, and assistance in the organization of farmers’ and fishermen's
cooperative and other collective organizations, as well as the transfer of
appropriate technology." is hereby withdrawn from the Province and reverted
back to the National Government. This amends Section 17, item (b), No. (3),
Par. (1), of the Local Government Code of 1991.

Section 1.4 The devolution of the basic services and facilities to the City
“as embodied in the same basic services and facilities for Municipality and
Province," Section 17, Item (b), No. 1 and 3, Par. (1), is hereby withdrawn from
the city and reverted back to the national Government. This amends Section
17, item (b), No. (4), Par. (I) of the Local Government Code of 1991.

Section 3. Transfer of assets. Accordingly, all personnel, technicians,
facilities, and properties previously transferred to the Barangays, Municipalities,
Provinces, and Cities shall be returned to the National Government.

Section 4. Appropriations. The funds necessary to cover the implementation
of these amendments should be appropriated for agriculture and shall be provided for
in the current General Appropriations Act and the years after.


Section 5. Agriculture and Fisheries Review Panel. For the purpose of this
Act, an Agriculture and Fisheries Review Panel is hereby created to be composed of
the following: the Secretary of Agriculture, as Chairman; the Secretary of interior and
Local Government, the Director of the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources,
and the Director of the Philippine Council for Agriculture and Fisheries, or their duly
designated representatives, as members.

The Agriculture and Fishery Review Panel in consultation with concerned
sectors in the field, shall identify the problems of the industry under the re-
nationalization set-up and recommend measures to enhance the agriculture
productivity.

Section 6. Separability Clause. \f, for any reason, any section or provision of
this Act is declared invalid or unconstitutional, the other sections or provisions not
affected thereby shall continue to be in full force and effect.

Section 7. Repealing Clause. All laws, presidential decrees, executive orders,
tules and regulations, or parts thereof, inconsistent with the provisions of this Act are

hereby repealed or modified accordingly.

Section 8. Effectivity. This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after its
publication in the Official Gazette or in any two (2) newspapers of general circulation.

Approved,