QuestionsQuestions (DOA ADMINISTRATIVE ORDER NO. 38, S. 1999)
To ensure optimum opportunities for all sectors and regions to develop through the rational and sustainable use of local resources to maximize agricultural productivity, promote efficiency and equity, and accelerate the modernization of agriculture and fishery sectors.
It recognizes all areas identified and included in NPAAAD as prime resource endowments for agriculture and fishery modernization under AFMA, and designates prime lands selected from NPAAAD as SAFDZ, which are officially recognized as LGU initiatives supporting the national modernization program.
To establish and delineate SAFDZ based on sound resource accounting and in full consultation with DAR, DTI, DENR, DOST, HLURB, concerned provincial and municipal LGUs, organized farmers and fisherfolk groups, private sector, and affected communities.
They are areas within NPAAAD identified for production, agro-processing, and marketing activities to modernize agriculture and fisheries in an environmentally and socio-culturally sound manner; they serve as the integrating framework for planning and allocation of national financial/economic resources and priority investments for convergence programs on food security and poverty alleviation.
A network of protected areas for agricultural and agro-industrial development identified by DA through BSWM in coordination with NAMRIA; it covers all irrigated areas, all irrigable lands covered by irrigation projects with firm funding commitments, alluvial plain lands highly suitable for agriculture, agro-industrial croplands, highlands (500 meters or above) for high-value crops, agriculturally ecologically fragile lands where conversion causes serious environmental degradation, and mangrove areas and fish sanctuaries.
Agricultural Lands are lands devoted to or suitable for cultivation/farming and not classified by law as mineral, forest/timber, national park, residential, commercial, or industrial land. Marginal Lands are portions of alienable and disposable lands excluded from SAFDZ/NPAAAD due to natural limitations and low productivity where agriculture/fishery use would cause serious land/environmental degradation.
The Official List refers to the verified list of municipalities comprising NPAAAD and the barangays in each municipality with their SAFDZ adoption resolutions. The Official SAFDZ and NPAAAD Maps are the reviewed and approved maps (by DA-RFU/BSWM/NAMRIA and relevant offices) that form part of the Order and are used for reference and implementation.
It has six (6) months from effectivity to submit the required resolution; implementation of SAFDZ programs/projects is contingent on final submission and the corresponding SAFDZ Integrated Development Plan (IDP) where applicable.
They become part of the NPAAAD.
To focus and improve efficiency in using scarce resources for agriculture and fishery modernization by identifying areas of convergence among adjoining and contiguous SAFDZs with similar commodity and land-use capability for joint planning.
Municipalities in convergence areas jointly prepare the IDP (to be aggregated to the regional level and submitted to DA Planning Service for national AFMP integration) and each municipality/city prepares its own AFMP incorporating the IDP of its SAFDZ; AFMPs are aggregated to provincial, regional, and national levels.
They are barangays earlier entitled/included in the SAFDZ list selected by LGUs for focused investments; the Governor coordinates with mayors to choose 5 to 10 priority barangays based on importance, strategic location, and comparative advantage, then submits them for evaluation/endorsement by the Regional SAFDZ Committee to the National SAFDZ Committee for inclusion in national modernization priorities.
They are set aside, evaluated, and planned for off-farm and non-farm livelihood activities, other viable land uses, value-adding agri-related infrastructure, and environmentally acceptable non-agricultural uses; the plan must enhance rather than displace marginalized farmers and include basic needs/rural non-farm employment and safety nets.
An inter-agency and multi-sectoral committee reorganized to include DA-Planning Service, DA bureaus/attached agencies, DAR, DENR, DILG, NEDA, DPWH, DOST, DOT, DTI, HLURB, LBP, NAMRIA, DOTC, League of Municipal Mayors and Provincial Governors, other agencies, private sector, NGOs, POs, farmers/fisherfolk, and other stakeholders; it is chaired by the DA Undersecretary for Operations and co-chaired by the BSWM Director, with PS and BSWM as secretariat support.
They assist coordination of AFMA provisions on SAFDZ/NPAAAD, provide technical assistance in preparing/implementing AFMP and IDP, review/recommend SAFDZ IDP and investment programs, help integrate SAFDZ with Comprehensive Land Use Plan and zoning ordinance, monitor/evaluate land use reclassification and conversion within SAFDZ, review strategies for SAFDZ convergence areas, and recommend organizational mechanisms for handling applications, evaluation, and approval of reclassification within SAFDZs.
Municipal Agricultural Officer (MAO) monitors and reports changes in critical land uses (especially irrigated lands) to the Municipal Mayor; citizens may be deputized to report to the PLUTC and to the Regional SAFDZ Committee (copy furnished to the Municipal Mayor); the Mayor evaluates and endorses with recommendations to the Regional SAFDZ Committee for further evaluation/endorsement to the National Committee.
Section 20 LGC governs reclassification limits for agricultural land conversion (including marginal and prime lands), while Section 9 AFMA is restricted on conversion of specific land use within approved SAFDZ; because of the specific AFMA conditions, SAFDZ lands not devoted to restricted enumerated land uses, lands within NPAAAD, and agricultural lands excluded from NPAAAD are covered by Section 20 LGC.
Premature/illegal conversion is penalized with imprisonment of two (2) to six (8) years or a fine equivalent to 100% of the government’s investment cost, or both, plus forfeiture of land and improvements; administratively, DAR may cancel/withdraw conversion authorization and blacklist or automatically disapprove pending and subsequent conversion applications.