Objectives of Agricultural and Fishery Councils (AFCs)
- Act as advisory, monitoring, and evaluation bodies.
- Link Department of Agriculture (DA) to Local Government Units (LGUs).
- Serve as forums for consultative and continuous discussions in the agricultural sector.
General Functions of Local AFCs
- Identify and assess local agricultural and fishery needs and resources.
- Participate in policy formulation, planning programs, and projects for agriculture, fishery, agribusiness.
- Assist DA and LGU agricultural offices in organizing, monitoring, and evaluating services.
Duties and Responsibilities of Local AFCs
- Conduct regular and special meetings.
- Hold consultations/congresses to identify opportunities and problems.
- Resolve local issues and refer legislative concerns to appropriate bodies.
- Monitor and evaluate DA programs and provide feedback.
- Submit budgetary requirements for operations.
Composition of AFC Members
- Members include private and government sector individuals and associations involved directly/indirectly in agriculture and fishery.
- Majority are from the private sector.
- Council composition varies by level: Regional, Provincial/City, Municipal/City, and Barangay with representatives from corresponding organizations or individuals if sectors are unrepresented.
- Government representatives are agency heads.
- Private sector representatives include farmer entrepreneurs, civic leaders, association representatives, input suppliers, and sectoral reps.
- AFC Chairmen nominate private sector members, subject to council confirmation.
Rights of AFC Members
- Vote personally or by proxy (with written authority).
- Eligibility for elective/appointive council offices.
- Participate in deliberations/meetings.
- Avail council facilities and services.
- Examine council records during business hours.
Duties and Responsibilities of Members
- Comply with council rules and policies.
- Attend all called meetings.
Suspension, Expulsion, Termination, and Withdrawal
- Grounds: absenteeism without valid reasons, failure to comply with obligations, rule violations, acts prejudicial to the council.
- Complaints filed in writing under oath.
- Suspension/expulsion requires two-thirds affirmative vote.
- Members may withdraw with a 30-day notice.
Officers of the Councils
- Chairman (private sector), two Vice-Chairmen (one government, one private sector), Treasurer, Auditor.
- Government Vice-Chairman is the highest ranking DA official locally; others elected by council members.
Term of Office
- Two-year term with up to two successive re-elections for elected officers.
- Government Vice-Chairman serves while holding the office.
Election Procedures
- Elected by secret ballot.
- Scheduled every two years: Barangay (1st week Nov), Municipal/City (2nd week Nov), Provincial/City (3rd week Nov), Regional (last week Nov).
Vacancies
- Filled by special election within 15 days unless within 2 months of regular election.
- Vice-Chairman (private) acts as Chairman if vacancy occurs.
- Government Vice-Chairman replaced by Officer-in-Charge temporarily.
Automatic Disqualification
- Private sector officers appointed/elected to government positions forfeit council post.
- Officers running for elective office deemed resigned; barred from office for one year.
Leave of Absence
- Up to 120 days with majority approval.
- Longer absence leads to vacancy.
Specific Officer Duties
- Chairman: CEO, presides meetings, supervises operations, signs documents, represents council, approves vouchers, reports monthly.
- Government Vice-Chairman: assists Chairman, coordinates government agency support.
- Private Vice-Chairman: assists Chairman, coordinates private sector support, acts as Chairman in absence.
- Secretariat-Coordinator: appointed by Government Vice-Chairman, manages meeting records, notices, membership register.
- Treasurer: manages private funds, disburses expenses, issues receipts, renders financial reports, posts bond.
- Auditor: audits all council transactions, submits annual report.
Meetings
- Monthly meetings held last Friday at 2:00 PM in DA or local agriculture offices.
- Special meetings may be called by Chairman, Vice-Chairmen, or six members.
- Notice given at least one week prior by registered mail or personally; urgent notices by telephone/telegram.
- Quorum: majority of members; majority decides except for fundamental matters.
- Order of business includes call to order, roll call, reading and approval of minutes, reports, new and unfinished business, adjournment.
- Each member entitled to one vote; proxy voting allowed with written authority.
Electoral Board
- Composed of chairman (private sector) and two members (one government, one private).
- Oversees free, honest, orderly elections.
- Adopts election rules with council approval.
- Decides election contests.
- Decisions final unless appealed within five days to NAFC Executive Director; final decision non-appealable.
Miscellaneous Provisions
- Calendar year runs January 1 to December 31.
- Council seal design determined by the council.
- Funds derived from assessments, donations, grants, and legacies.
- Inconsistent prior issuances repealed or amended.
Transitory Provisions
- First election under amended regulations held in 1994 as scheduled.
- Terms of elected officers begin January 1, 1995, for two years with re-election rights.
- Electoral Board elected by council members.
- Electoral Board empowered to ensure free, honest, and orderly elections through rules and regulations.