Question & AnswerQ&A (NAFC)
The NAFC is replicated in regions, provinces, cities, municipalities, and barangays as various Agricultural and Fishery Councils to encourage people's participation in agricultural development through sectoral representation in policy making, emphasizing social justice, equity, productivity, and sustainability in agricultural resource use.
The objectives include serving as advisory, monitoring and evaluating bodies; linking the Department of Agriculture with Local Government Units (LGUs); ensuring success of DA programs and activities; and providing a forum for consultative discussions within the agricultural sector.
They identify and assess the diverse needs and resources related to agriculture and fishery; participate in policy assessment, formulation, planning of programs and projects; and assist the Department of Agriculture and local agricultural offices in organizing, monitoring, and evaluation.
Members are individuals and associations/cooperatives directly or indirectly involved in agriculture and fishery and related activities from both private and government sectors, with the majority from the private sector.
Members must be Filipino citizens of good moral standing involved in agriculture and fishery; government sector representatives include heads of DA offices and agricultural officers; private sector includes individuals and associations in agricultural production, post-harvest, marketing, credit, and farm supplies.
Members have the right to vote personally (no proxy), be eligible for office, participate in meetings, avail of council services, and examine council records during business hours.
Grounds include absence from three consecutive meetings without valid reason, failure to meet obligations, violation of the manual's provisions, and acts prejudicial to the Council's interest.
Officers include a Chairman from the private sector, a Treasurer, an Auditor, and a PRO. The Vice-Chairman is the highest-ranking DA/agriculture official locally, and other officers are elected from the private sector.
Officers serve a three-year term with one reelection allowed. Elections are by secret ballot held during specified weeks of June every 3 years following initial elections in November 1998.
The Chairman presides over meetings, supervises operations, signs documents, represents the Council, approves vouchers, presents reports, submits consolidated reports to NAFC, and performs other Council-assigned functions.
Vacancies due to death, resignation or other causes require a special election within 15 days unless within 2 months of regular election. Vice-Chairman may assume Chairman role automatically in case of vacancy.
The Secretariat-Coordinator prepares meeting minutes and agendas, ensures notices, keeps records and laws, affixes the Council seal, consolidates reports, and performs duties assigned by the Chairman or Council.
Funds come from assessments, donations, grants, and projects. Disbursement requires signatures of the Treasurer, Chairman, and Government Sector Vice-Chairman, and funds are deposited in authorized banks.
The Electoral Board, composed of three members including a private sector chairman, governs election procedures, settles election contests, and its decisions are final and executory.
A quorum consists of a majority of the members present at the meeting.