QuestionsQuestions (MEMORANDUM ORDER NO. 368)
It is an Executive issuance (Memorandum Order) issued by the President under the powers vested by law, directing the Department of Agriculture to grant incentive allowances and directing the DBM to release specified funds.
The order supports the implementation of the “Gintong Ani” national government program of the Department of Agriculture aimed at sustaining increased food production through productivity-enhancing measures.
To provide incentive allowance to LGU agricultural extension personnel involved in the implementation of Gintong Ani, in order to ensure effective dissemination and adoption of production, post-production, and marketing technologies by farmers.
Agricultural extension personnel of local government units (LGUs) involved in implementing Gintong Ani.
The Department of Agriculture (DA) is mandated to develop the guidelines; the incentives are “subject to the guidelines to be developed by the Department of Agriculture.”
It directs the Department of Budget and Management to release P108.9 million to the Department of Agriculture, taken from DBM’s 1996 General Appropriations Act (GAA) budget.
It notes that funds for technology transfer were appropriated under the 1996 GAA, and it specifically authorizes DBM to release P108.9 million to DA for the stated purpose, tying the incentive program to appropriated funds.
The extension services function of the Department of Agriculture was devolved to local government units.
RA 7160 transferred the corresponding personnel, assets, facilities, and liabilities related to extension services to the LGUs.
Because implementation mobilizes existing institutions and resources to deliver support services more efficiently, and this requires the services of LGU agricultural extension workers to disseminate technologies and assist farmers.
It indicates that the grant of incentives is not self-executing in full detail; it requires subsequent rule-making or guideline issuance by the DA to define eligibility, amounts, procedures, and conditions.
It argues that sustaining increased food production depends on technology dissemination and adoption, and that incentive allowances help ensure LGU extension personnel can fully support the program’s implementation.
Production, post-production, and marketing technologies.
Aside from granting incentives, it is responsible for developing the guidelines governing the incentive allowance program.