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Republic of the Philippines 
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES 
Quezon City, Metro Manila 
NINETEENTH CONGRESS 
2nd Regular Session 
House Bill No. ________ 
Introduced by Representative ERIC GO YAP 
EXPLANATORY NOTE 
Article XIII Section 5 of the 1987 Philippine Constitution provides for the recognition 
of the right of farmers, farmworkers, and landowners, as well as cooperatives, and 
other independent farmers’ organizations to participate in the planning, organization, 
and management of the program, and for the provision of support to agriculture 
through appropriate technology and research, and adequate financial, production, 
marketing, and other support services. 
As stated under Section 482 of Republic Act No. 7160 or the Local Government Code 
of 1991, the appointment of an Agriculturist is mandatory for the provincial 
government and optional for the city and municipal governments. However, this 
provision discounts the significance of the appointment of an Agriculturist in cities 
and municipalities where agriculture is a significant industry or the main livelihood 
of the people. 
Thus, this measure seeks to amend the Local Government Code of 1991, mandating 
the appointment of an Agriculturist in every city and municipality, where agriculture 
is a significant industry or the main livelihood of the people, mandatory. As issues 
and concerns on agriculture continue to disrupt the livelihood of our farmers and the 
food security of our nation, the mandatory appointment of an Agriculturist in certain 
cities and municipalities is of the essence.   
In view of the foregoing, approval of this bill is earnestly sought. 
HON. ERIC GO YAP 
September 5, 2023
4:30 pm
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Republic of the Philippines 
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES 
Quezon City, Metro Manila 
NINETEENTH CONGRESS 
2nd Regular Session 
House Bill No. ________ 
Introduced by Representative ERIC GO YAP 
AN ACT 
MAKING THE APPOINTMENT OF AN AGRICULTURIST MANDATORY IN 
MUNICIPALITIES WHERE AGRICULTURE IS A SIGNIFICANT INDUSTRY, 
AMENDING FOR THE PURPOSE AND 482 (A) OF REPUBLIC ACT NO. 7160, AS 
AMENDED, OTHERWISE KNOWN AS THE LOCAL GOVERNMENT CODE OF 
1991 
          Be it enacted by the Senate and the House of Representatives of the Philippines in 
Congress assembled: 
SEC. 1. Section 482 (a) of Republic Act No. 7160 as amended, otherwise known 
as the "Local Government Code of 1991" is hereby further amended as follows: 
"Sec 482. Qualifications, Powers and Duties. - (a) x x x 
The position of the agriculturist shall be mandatory for the provincial 
government and optional for the city and municipal governments: 
PROVIDED, THAT INSOFAR AS CITIES AND MUNICIPALITIES 
WHERE AGRICULTURE IS A SIGNIFICANT INDUSTRY OR WHERE 
THE MAIN LIVELIHOOD IS AGRICULTURAL IN NATURE, THE 
APPOINTMENT OF A CITY OR MUNICIPAL AGRICULTURIST SHALL 
BE MANDATORY. 
SEC. 3. Implementing Agency.- The Department of Interior and Local 
Government (DILG) and the Department of Agriculture (DA), in coordination with 
local government units, shall promulgate the rules and regulations necessary for the 
effective implementations of this Act. 
SEC. 4. Appropriations Clause. The amount necessary for the effective 
implementation of this Act shall be included in the general appropriations Act of the 
year following its enactment. 
SEC. 5. Repealing Clause.- Other relevant provisions of the R.A. No. 7160, 
insofar as the appointment of agriculturist is concerned, and any law, decree, 
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executive order, and rules and regulations, or portions thereof not consistent with this 
Act are hereby amended accordingly. 
 
SEC. 6. Separability Clause.- Should any part or provisions of this Act be 
declared unconstitutional or invalid, the remaining parts or provisions not affected 
thereby shall remain in full force and effect. 
 
SEC. 7. Effectivity.- This Act shall take effect after fifteen (15) days following 
the completion of its publication either in the Official Gazette or in newspaper of 
general circulation in the Philippines. 
 
Approved,