FOURTEENTH CONGRESS OF THE 
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9 PEB -3 pfj :,!o 
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES 
) 
Second Regular Session 
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SENATE 
Introduced by SENATOR EDGARDO J. ANGARA 
EXPLANATORY NOTE 
The backbone of the Philippine economy remains to be the agriculture and 
fisheries industry. More than ever before, the country faces the challenge of achieving 
food security under the looming threat of a global food crisis caused by, among others, 
spiraling fuel and energy costs and the degradation of the world's natural resources. 
Thus, the landmark Agriculture and Fisheries Modernization Act of 1997 
(AFMA) provides the policies and plans to the continuing modernization and 
development of the agriculture and fishery sector amid the ever-changing demands of 
globalization and food security. 
The success of AFMA depends on the men and women who comprise the 
agriculture and fishery development workers. 
This bill seeks to accelerate the 
development and modernization of Philippine agriculture and more importantly, improve 
the economic and social well-being of agriculture and fishery development workers as 
well as their working condition and employment status. 
The bill affirms the rights of workers identified as follows: (a) security of tenure; 
(b) prohibition of discrimination; (c) safeguards in administrative privileges; (d) normal 
working hours and overtime work; (e) training and scholarship; (f) right to join 
organization; (g) freedom from interference or coercion; and (h) human resource 
development. The bill also provides for incentives and rewards system. 
In view of the foregoing, the passage of the bill is earnestly sought. 
Senator 


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FOURTEENTH CONGRESS OF THE 
) 
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES 
) 
Second Regular Session 
) 
Introduced by SENATOR EDGARDO J. ANGARA 
AN ACT 
PROVIDING FOR A MAGNA CARTA OF 
AGRICULTURE AND FISHERY DEVELOPMENT WORKERS 
Be it enacted by the Senate and the House of Representatives of the Philippines in 
Congress assembled 
SECTION 1. Title. - This Act shall be known as the “Magna Carta of Agriculture and 
Fishery Development Workers.” 
SEC. 2. Declaration of Policy. - It is hereby declared the policy of the State to accelerate 
the development and modernization of Philippine agriculture and improve the economic and 
social well-being of agriculture and fishery development workers as well as their working 
condition and employment status. The state shall likewise develop their skills, knowledge, 
orientation and capabilities so that they will become more responsive and effective in providing 
the necessary services for countryside development. 
SEC. 3. Dejnition of Term. - As used in this Act, the following terms shall be 
construed to mean as follows: 
(a) Agricultural Engineer - shall refer to a person registered with the Professional 
Regulation Commission performing engineering activities in agriculture, particularly 
on areas of farm power and machinery, irrigation and drainage, soil and water 
conservation, agricultural buildings and infrastructure, agricultural processing and 
post harvest facilities. 
(b) Agricultural Extension Worker - shall refer to an agriculturist, veterinarian, 
agricultural engineer, aquaculturist, nutritionist or home extensionist who helps 
farmers and fishermen in the promotion of agricultural and fishery development 
plans, programs and projects through the use of extension methodologies, concepts 
and principles. 


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(c) Agricultural Technician - shall refer to a trained or sltilled agricultural worker but not 
necessarily a college graduate, performing activities such as plant nursery propagator, 
plant breeder and farm mechanic. 
(d) Agriculture and Fishery Development Workers - shall mean all persons who are 
engaged in agriculture and fishery development activities and all persons employed in 
the, Department of Agriculture including its bureaus and attached agencies, Local 
Government Units and concerned government institutions, state universities and 
colleges, vocational and technical schools and training institutions, and shall include 
aquaculturists, veterinarians, agricultural engineers, nutritionists, agricultural 
extension workers, agricultura1 technicians and operators, allied agricultural 
professionals, administrative and support personnel employed regardless of their 
employment status. They are graduates of either agriculture, fisheries, animal science, 
animal husbandry or any other related course from a recognized college or university 
and are holders of appropriate civil service eligibility or its equivalent. 
(e) Agriculturist - shall refer to a person who is a graduate of a four (4) year course in 
agriculture or any related c o m e  performing any of the specialized activities such as 
agronomy, horticulture, animal husbandry, entomology, plant pathology, plant 
breeding, agricultural economics, agricultural extension and marketing. 
(f) Aquaculturist - shall refer to a person who is a graduate of a four (4) year course in 
fisheries and aquaculture, and fishery production and processing. 
(g) Nutritionist - shall refer to a person registered with the Professional Regulation 
Commission performing activities related to dietary and proper nutrition. 
(h) Veterinarian - shall refer to a person registered with the Professional Regulation 
Commission performing professional activities on veterinary services such as disease 
prevention, control and animal health. 
SEC. 4. Coverage. - This Act shall cover all eligible Agriculture and Fishery 
development worlters, agricultural practitioners in government and all those promotecUappointed 
as provincial/municipal/city agriculturist and as Department Heads of the Local Government 
Units under Republic Act No. 7160, otherwise known as the Local Government Code of 1991; 
Provided, That the Civil Service Commission, as the case may be, develops and administers 
specialized examination for purposes of providing appropriate eligibilities to positions, 


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SEC. 5. Recruitment and Qualifications. - The position of the Municipal Agriculturist 
shall be mandatory. In the absence of a Municipal Agriculturist, the position of the agricultural 
officer who is occupying the highest position in the municipality shall automatically be 
converted to Municipal Agriculturist. The selection and appointment of agricultural 
officers/employees shall be in accordance with the merit and fitness principle; Provided, That 
he/she is an eligible agriculture/fishery officer and/or employee. 
SEC. 6. 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 and fishery development workers. Such career and personnel 
development plan shall include provisions on merit promotion, performance evaluation, in- 
service training grants, job rotation and incentive awards system. 
SEC. 7. Composition. - The composition of the Agricultural Officers and Employees 
Consultative Council shall be determined from the list submitted by the Regional Association of 
MunicipaKity Agricultural Officers and Provincial Agriculturists, throughout the country as 
well as from the list submitted by the Agriculture and Fishery Council Chairman, Provincial 
Agriculture and Fishery Council Chairman, Regional Agriculture and Fishery Council Chairman 
and the National Agriculture and Fishery Council Chairman. 
SEC. 8. Transfer of Gti!ographicul Reassignment of AgriculturdFisllzery Workers - 
Except in the interest of public service, no transfer or geographical reassignment shall be made 
or effected without a written notice to the agriculture/fisheries development workers concerned 
stating therein the reasons for such; Provided, That said written notice shall be made at least 
thirty (30) days prior to the date of transfer or reassignment; Provided, further, That if the 
agricuIture/fishery worker concerned believes that there is no justification for the transfer and/or 
reassignment, he/she may appeal hidher case to the Civil Service Commission, which shall cause 
hisker reassignment to be held in abeyance; Provided, furthermore, That transfer or 
reassignment coinciding with any local or national election shall be made in compliance with the 
Omnibus Election Code of the Philippines, as amended, and other existing laws and rules; 
Provided, jnally, That the necessary expenses of the transfer and/or reassignment of the 
agriculture/fishery worker or employee and his/her immediate family shall be paid for by the 
Government. 
SEC. 9. Safeguards in Administrative Proceedings. - In every administrative 
proceeding, an agriculture/fishery development worker shall have: 
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(a) the right to be informed of the charges in writing; 
(b) the right to full access to the evidence in the case; 
(c) the right to defend himself/herself or to be defended by a counsel of hisher choice; 
(d) the right to be given adequate time to prepare hisiher defense, which shall in no case 
exceed twenty (20) days; 
(e) the right to appeal to designated authorities; 
(f, the right to confront witnesses presented against hidher and summon witnesses in 
hisher behalf; 
(g) the right to reimbursement of reasonable expenses incurred in hisker defense in case 
of exoneration or dismissal of the charges; and 
(h) such other rights provided by other national agencies and local government units to 
its respective officers and employees so as to ensure fairness and impartiality in the 
proceedings. 
SEC. 10. Code of Conduct. - All agriculture/fishery development workers must be 
guided by a code of ethics not contrary to law, moral standards, safety, health, public policy and 
public order. The code of conduct of agricultwe/fishery development workers shall be prepared 
by the Secretary of Agriculture in consultation with the recognized national associations of 
agricultural development workers. 
SEC. 11. Normal Hours of Work. - The normal hours of work of any agriculture/fishery 
development worker shall not exceed eight (8) hours a day or forty (40) hours a week. Hours of 
work shall include: (a) the time during which the agricultureifishery development worker is 
required to be on active duty or to be at a prescribed workplace; and (b) the time during which an 
agriculture/fishery development worker is required to work in a place other than the prescribed 
workplace. 
SEC. 12. Overtime Work. - Where the exigencies of the service so require, any 
agriculture/fishery development worker may be required to render service beyond the normal 
eight (8) hour workday, inclusive of Saturdays, Sundays and non-working holidays. In such case, 
the agriculturdfishery development worker shall be given an additional compensation in 
accordance with existing laws. 
SEC. 13. On-Cull Pay. - In cases of “On-Call” status, the agricultureifishery 
development worker shall be entitled to an “On-Call “ pay equivalent to fifty per centurn (50%) 
of hidher regular wage. “On-Call” status refers to a condition when an agricultural 
officer/employee is called upon to respond to urgent or immediate need or relief work during 
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emergencies such that the agricultureifishery development worker shall not be put on “On-Call” 
status beyond seven (7) days. 
SEC. 14. Married Agriculture/Fishery Development Worker. - Whenever possible, the 
proper authorities shall talce steps to enable married couples, both of whom are public workers, 
to be employed or assigned in the same municipalityicity. 
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SEC. 15. Basic Compensation. - The existing law on the salary scale of government 
employees shall apply in determining the salaries of agriculture/fishery development workers. 
SEC. 16. Hazard Allowance. - Any agricultureifishery development worker assigned in 
difficult areas, strife-torn or embattled areas, distressed or isolated animalipladbreeding station, 
and other areas declared under a state of calamity or emergency, which expose them to great 
danger, volcanic activity/eruption, occupational risks or perils of life, shall be compensated with 
hazard allowance equivalent to at least twenty per centum (20%) of their monthly basic salary. 
SEC. 17. Subsktence Allowance. - Any agriculture/fishery development worker who is 
required to render service in the communities, institutions, animal and plant breeding stations, 
fish sanctuaries/nurseries, plantation and demonstration farms and other banner programs and 
project 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) meals which shall be computed in 
accordance with the prevailing circumstances. 
SEC. 18. Longevity. - A longevity pay equivalent to five per centum (5%) of the 
monthly basic pay shall be paid to an agriculture/fishery development worker for every three (3) 
years of continuous, efficient and meritorious services rendered. 
SEC. 19. Clothing Allowance. - All agricultural employees shall be entitled to a clothing 
allowance in accordance with the approved laws and regulations or as mandated by law. 
SEC. 20. Other Privileges and Benefits. - These refer to the privileges and allowances 
granted by the National Government to the Department of Agriculture officers and employees 
such as, but not limited to, anniversary bonus, loyalty, productivity pay and amelioration pay. 
These allowances shall also be granted to the devolved agriculture/fishery development worker 
and shall be paid by the National Government. 
SEC. 21. Retirement Benefit. - All agriculturelfishery workers shall be entitled to 
terminal pay; Provided, however, That the number of years rendered by the devolved personnel 
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in the national level shall be paid by the Department of Agriculture upon retirement including the 
accrued leave credits while the services rendered to the Local Government Units shall he paid 
where they are devolvediassigned regardless of any promotion availed; Provided, further, That 
all government employees, both locally and nationally hired on June 1, 1977 who are covered 
under Presidential Decree No. 1146 dated May 31, 1977, shall not receive any lump sum 
retirement but will, instead, receive a monthly pension of Two Thousand Seven Hundred Fifty 
Pesos (P2,750.00) only regardless of the salary received. In view hereof, Presidential Decree No. 
1146 dated May 31, 1977 shall not apply to all officers and employees of the Department of 
Agriculture as well as to the devolved personnel and those appointed as AgriculturisVDepartment 
Head under Republic Act No. 7160, including agricultural practitioners in the government 
service; Providedfinally, That under no circumstances shall Presidential Decree No. 1 146 dated 
May 3 1, 1977 be repealed by this Act. 
SEC. 22. Housing. - All agriculture/fishery development worlcers who are on tour of 
duty and those who because of unavoidable circumstances are forced to stay in the regionalifield 
officehgency, community, etc. shall be entitled to free living quarters within the regionalifield 
office/agency. If such quarters are not available, he/she shall be entitled to housing allowance as 
may be determined by the appropriate government agencies concerned; Provided, That the rate 
shall be periodically adjusted for inflation. 
SEC. 23. Compensation from Injuries. - Agriculture/fishery development workers shall 
be protected against work-related injuries in accordance with the Civil Service Law. Injuries 
incurred while. doing overtime work shall be presumed work-connected. 
SEC. 24. Right to Join Organizations. - Agriculture/fishery development workers shall 
have the right to freely join any organization or union for purposes not contrary to law, in order 
to defend and protect their mutual interest and to obtain redress of grievances through peaceful 
concerted activities; Provided, That under no circumstance shall government agriculture and 
fishery development workers join, declare, stage, or form any strike or cessation of services. 
SEC. 25. Freedom from Interference of Coercion. - It shall be unlawful for any person 
to commit any of the following acts of interference or coercion: 
(a) to require as condition for employment that the agricultureifishery development 
worker shall not join an agricultural organization or union; 
(b) to discriminate in order to encourage or discourage membership in any 
agricultureifishery development workers’ organization or union; 
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(c) to prevent an agricultureifishery development worker from carrying out his duties and 
functions in the agricultural work organization or union or to penalize hidher for any 
lawful action performed in that capacity; 
(d) to make calculated harassment and interference with the intention of intimidating or 
preventing the agricultureifishery development worker from performing hisiher duties 
and €unctions; and 
(e) to perform acts calculated to diminish the independence and freedom of the union or 
organization to direct its own affairs. 
SEC. 26. Consultation. - The Department of Agriculture shall consult professional and 
agricultural work organizations or unions in formulating policies to govern the welfare and 
security of the agriculture and fishery development workers. 
SEC. 27. Human Resource Development. - The Department of Agriculture shall 
conduct human resource development and management studies in the following areas: 
(a) adequate facilities and resources to render quality agriculture and fishery services to 
the clientele; 
(b) opportunity for the agricultureifishery development worker to grow and develop 
hidher potentials and to experience a sense of worth and dignity in hisher work; 
(c) mechanism for democratic consultation; 
(d) ways and means of enabling rank and file agriculture and fishery development 
worlters to attain viable education oppodunities for personal growth and 
development; and 
(e) staffing patterns and qualification standards for agriculture and fishery development 
worlters to ensure that farmers and fisherfolks receive quality services. 
SEC. 28. Rules and Regulations. - The Secretary of the Department of Agriculture in 
consultation with the Department of Labor and Employment, Civil Service Commission, 
National Labor Relations Commission, Department of Interior and Local Government, and the 
national organizations of agriculture and fishery development workers shall formulate and 
prepare the necessary rules and regulations in implementing the provisions of this Magna Carta. 
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SEC. 29. Penal Provisions. - Any person who shall willfully interfere with, restrain or 
coerce any agriculturelfishery development worker in the exercise of hisiher right or shall in any 
manner commit any act in violation of any provisions of this Act shall, upon conviction, be 
punished by a kne of not less than Twenty Thousand Pesos (P20,OOO.OO) 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 
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provided in the preceding paragraph, may impose the additional penalty o€ disqualificalion from 
office of such offending public official. 
SEC.30. Funding. - The amount necessary to carry out the provisions of this Act shall 
be included in the General Appropriations Act of the year following its enactment into law and 
every year thereafter. 
SEC. 31. Separability Clause. - If any provision of this Act is declared unconstitutional 
or invalid, the other provisions thereof not affected thereby shall continue to be in full force and 
affect. 
SEC. 32. Repealing Clause. - All laws, presidential decrees, orders, rules and 
regulations or issuances inconsistent with the provisions of this Act are hereby repealed, 
atnended or modified accordingly. 
SEC. 33. Effectivity. - This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after its publication in 
at least two (2) newspapers of general circulation. 
Approved, 
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