‘SEVENTEENTH CONGRESS
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES
Second Regular Session

HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

Introduced by Representative Maximo B. Rodriguez, Jr.
House Bill No, 7601

EXPLANATORY NOTE

Congress is mandated under the law to undertake a mandatory review of
Republic Act No 7160 otherwise known as the Local Government Code of 1991.

In various consultations with concerned constituents nationwide, it has been
determined that amendments to the Local Government Code of 1991 should be
introduced to rationalized agricultural services.

The passage of Republic Act No. 8435, otherwise known as the Agriculture
Modernization Act of 1997, makes it imperative that the Department of Agriculture (DA),
in connection with its monitoring and data gathering requirements, shall have complete
administrative control and supervision over all personnel in the field level that are
involved in agriculture and fishery in order to effectively implement and achieve the
objectives of the Agriculture and Fisheries Law. The Department of Agriculture is the
lead department tasked to implement the law.

Furthermore, the present administration has placed agricultural productivity as
‘one of its priority and to address this thrust it is imperative to amend certain provisions
of the Local Government Code for the effective and efficient implementation of its
programs.

With the above cited reasons, the urgent passage of this Measure is earnestly
requested.

MAXIMO B. RODRIGUEZ, JR.


‘SEVENTEENTH CONGRESS
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES }
Second Regular Session

HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

Introduced by Representative Maximo B. Rodriguez, Jr.
House Bill No. 7601

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

SECTION 1. The devolution of the basic services and facilities to the barangay on
“Agricultural support services which include planting materials distribution system and
Operation of farm produce collection and buying stations” is hereby withdrawn from the
Barangay and reverted back to the National Government.

SEC 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 fishery
activities which include dispersal of livestock and poultry, fingerlings, and other seedling
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, preferably through cooperatives; interbarangay 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.

SEC 3. The devolution of the basic services and facilities to the Province on
“Agricultural extension and on-site research services and facilities which include the
prevention and control of plant and animal pests and diseases; dairy farms, livestock
markets, animal breeding stations, and artificial insemination centers; and assistance in
the organization of farmers and fishermen's cooperatives, 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.

SEC 4. All similar basic services and facilities devolve to the City are hereby likewise
withdrawn and reverted back to the National Government.


SEC 5. The pertinent provisions of Republic Act 7160 otherwise known as the Local
Government Code of 1991, particularly Section 17, are hereby amended accordingly.

SEC 6. Accordingly all personnel, technicians. facilities and properties previously
transferred to the Barangay. Municipalities. Provinces and Cities shall be returned to the
National Government.

SEC 7. The funds necessary to cover the implementation of these amendments shall be
appropriated for agriculture and shall be provided for in the current General
Appropriations Act and the years thereafter.

SEC 8. 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 President of National Agriculture and
Fishery Council or their duly designated representatives as members.

SEC 9. 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 setup and recommend measures to enhance the agriculture productivity.

SEC 10. All provisions of the Local Government Code of 1991 not inconsistent with the
foregoing amendments will remain in force and effect.

SEC 11. Separability Clause. - If any provision or section of this Act or the application
thereof to any person or circumstances is held invalid, the other provisions or sections
of this Act, in the application of such provision or section to other persons or
circumstances, shall not be affected thereby.

SEC 12. Repealing Clause. - All acts or parts of acts and executive orders,
administrative orders, or parts thereof which are inconsistent with the provisions of this
Act are hereby repealed.

SEC 13. This Act shall take effect immediately upon its approval.

Approved,