Question & AnswerQ&A (NAFC)
The Department of Agriculture is mandated to encourage people's participation in agricultural development through sectoral representation in agricultural policy-making bodies. This is to ensure that policies, plans, and programs satisfy the needs of the people, focusing on a bottom-up, self-reliant farm systems approach emphasizing social justice, equity, productivity, and sustainability.
The primary objective of these councils is to act as advisory, monitoring, and evaluating bodies that link the Department of Agriculture to the Local Government Units, ensuring the success of DA and its attached agencies' programs and providing a forum for consultative and continuing discussions within the agricultural sector of the national economy.
Their general functions include identifying and assessing local needs and resources in agriculture and fishery, participating in policy formulation and planning of programs, and assisting the Department of Agriculture and local government agricultural offices in organizing, monitoring, and evaluating agricultural services.
Members are individuals and associations involved directly or indirectly in agriculture and fishery from both private and government sectors, with the majority from the private sector. Specific compositions vary by level, including chairmen of organizations at various levels and representatives from crops, livestock, fisheries, and related sectors.
Members have the right to vote in council matters, be eligible for offices, participate in meetings, access facilities and services, and examine council records during business hours.
A member may be suspended, expelled, or terminated for three consecutive months of unexcused absence, continuous failure to comply with obligations, violation of the Manual of Regulations, or acts prejudicial to the council's interest. A two-thirds affirmative vote by members is required for such action.
Officers include a Chairman from the private sector, two vice-chairmen (one government official and one private sector), a Treasurer, and an Auditor. Except the government vice-chairman, officers are elected by council members via secret ballot every two years on a scheduled timeline for each council level.
Vacancies due to death, incapacitation, removal, resignation, or disqualification prompt a special election within 15 days to fill the position for the unexpired term unless the vacancy occurs less than two months before regular elections. The private sector vice-chairman acts as chairman if that office is vacant.
The Chairman presides over council meetings, supervises operations and internal administration, signs contracts, represents the council externally, calls special meetings, approves vouchers and payments, reports monthly operations, and performs other duties assigned by the council.
Regular meetings are held monthly on the last Friday at 2:00 PM at respective DA or Agriculture offices unless moved due to holidays. A quorum is the majority of council members, and decisions require a majority of the quorum.