QuestionsQuestions (Republic Act No. 680)
To consolidate, coordinate, systematize, expand agricultural extension work and to disseminate practical and scientific information and knowledge on specified agricultural and related fields, under the Department of Agriculture and Natural Resources.
The diffusion among the people of useful and practical information on agriculture, soil conservation, livestock, fisheries, forest conservation, public lands and natural resources laws, home economics and rural life, to encourage application through field demonstrations, lectures and conferences, publications, and other information-imparting means.
The Secretary of Agriculture and Natural Resources.
The head is the Director of Agricultural Extension and the assistant is the Assistant Director of Agricultural Extension. Both are appointed, on recommendation of the Secretary, by the President with the consent of the Commission on Appointments.
Director: Seven thousand two hundred pesos per annum; Assistant Director: Six thousand pesos per annum.
Subject to the general supervision and control of the Secretary of Agriculture and Natural Resources, the head of the Bureau possesses the powers generally conferred upon directors of bureaus.
The Agricultural Extension Division of the Bureau of Plant Industry and the Livestock Extension Division of the Bureau of Animal Industry are abolished, and their corresponding personnel, appropriations, equipment and facilities (including those under Commonwealth Act No. 85) are transferred to the Bureau of Agricultural Extension.
All positions with their corresponding personnel and appropriation items in other divisions/sections/services actually identified with carrying out agricultural extension work are transferred to the Bureau of Agricultural Extension.
By (1) sums set aside in the Appropriations Law for transferred divisions/positions and (2) an appropriation out of the General Fund not less than Five hundred thousand pesos annually, plus the “Agricultural Fund” under Commonwealth Act No. 85.
Salaries and wages of appointed personnel; purchase of office furniture, equipment and supplies; traveling expenses; and other expenses necessarily involved in operating the Bureau and carrying out its activities and functions.
It must be used exclusively for agricultural extension work in that province, including local extension personnel salaries/wages and travel, furniture/equipment/supplies/materials, construction or rental of buildings, nurseries/demonstration farms/livestock farms (establishment, operation and maintenance), purchase of land for projects, freight/transportation/communication, and other incidental expenses necessary for efficient extension work.
The provincial Agricultural Fund is for salaries/wages of local extension personnel except those whose salaries are expressly provided to be paid from the National Fund.
Forty percent based on number of farms; forty percent based on cultivable area (using the most recent Census statistics by the Bureau of Census); and the remaining twenty percent apportioned among provinces on needs as determined by the Secretary.
The Director (with the Secretary’s approval) may organize personnel in divisions/sections for maximum efficiency, using a standardized scale of salaries commensurate with duties and responsibilities.
Appointments must be made in accordance with Civil Service laws and regulations, and no appointment (whether paid from the provincial Agricultural Fund under CA 85 or from national appropriation) shall be made without the knowledge and consent and, in proper cases, recommendation of the Director of Agricultural Extension.
One Provincial Agricultural Agent (head) paid from the National Fund (salary not below ₱2,400 per annum for a fifth class province) and one Home Demonstration Agent (a woman), both paid from the National Fund, plus necessary technical and clerical force paid from provincial agricultural funds.
Into an appropriate number of extension districts, each supervised by one District Extension Agent for men and one District Home Demonstration Agent for women.
For provincial agents: provided by the province. For other local extension agents: provided by the corresponding local governments concerned.
Section 7 repeals all laws, rules and regulations inconsistent with the Act. Section 8 provides that the Act takes effect upon its approval.