Title
Reorganization of Agriculture and Natural Resources
Law
Presidential Decree No. 461
Decision Date
May 17, 1974
Presidential Decree No. 461 reorganizes the Department of Agriculture and Natural Resources into two separate departments, aiming to address the increasing demands for food and natural resources in the Philippines and maximize their utilization and conservation.
A

Composition and Structure of the Department of Agriculture

  • Department Proper includes Office of the Secretary, Planning Service, Financial and Management Service, Administrative Service, Computer Service Center, and Agrarian Reform Unit.
  • Supervises Bureaus: Bureau of Soils, Bureau of Plant Industry, Bureau of Animal Industry, Bureau of Agricultural Extension, Bureau of Agricultural Economics.
  • Attached government corporations: National Grains Authority, Philippine Tobacco Administration, Philippine Virginia Tobacco Administration, Philippine Coconut Authority, Coconut Investment Company, Philippine Cotton Corporation.
  • Administrative supervision over Fertilizer Industry Authority, National Food and Agricultural Council, and National Meat Inspection Commission.
  • Philippine Council for Agricultural Research attached to National Science Development Board.

Organization and Functions of Key Services in the Department of Agriculture

  • Planning Service, Financial and Management Service, and Administrative Services follow provisions in the Integrated Reorganization Plan.
  • Computer Service manages electronic data processing for department and attached entities.
  • Agrarian Reform Unit coordinates extension service and soil surveys with Department of Agrarian Reform.

Specific Bureaus under the Department of Agriculture

  • Bureau of Plant Industry: Responsible for research on crops, seed production, crop protection, farm equipment development.
  • Bureau of Soils: Responsible for soil resource assessment, conservation, research, and management with specific divisions focused on laboratory services, soil conservation, fertility, research, and surveys.
  • Other bureaus such as Animal Industry, Agricultural Extension, and Agricultural Economics function as per integrated reorganization plan and implementation letters.

Composition and Structure of the Department of Natural Resources

  • Department Proper includes Office of the Secretary, Planning Service, Financial and Management Service, Administrative Service, with added Legal Service, Computer Service Unit, and Agrarian Reform Unit.
  • Supervises Bureaus: Bureau of Forest Development, Bureau of Lands, Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources, Bureau of Mines.
  • Attached agencies: Presidential Committee on Wood Industries Development, National Committee for Mineral Exploration and Survey Operations, Fishery Industry Development Council, Surigao Mineral Reservation Board, Presidential Action Committee on Land Problems.
  • National Committee for Mineral Exploration and Survey Operations reconstituted with specific officials as members.

Organization and Functions of Key Services in the Department of Natural Resources

  • Planning, Financial and Management, and Administrative Services adhere to Integrated Reorganization Plan, except Administrative Service lacks Legal Division.
  • Legal Service handles legal affairs relating to disposition and use of natural resources, including representing officials in court, reviewing legal documents, and conducting administrative investigations.
  • Agrarian Reform Unit provides coordination on land surveys and release of public domain lands with the Department of Agrarian Reform.

Functions of Key Bureaus in the Department of Natural Resources

  • Bureau of Lands, Forest Development, Fisheries and Aquatic Resources, Mines organized per Integrated Reorganization Plan and implementation letters.
  • Creation of Petroleum Division for administration and development of petroleum resources.

Regional Offices and Their Establishment

  • Regional offices for key bureaus in agriculture and natural resources established according to Integrated Reorganization Plan and other guidelines.
  • Bureau of Mines regional offices subject to approval by the President.

Changes in Membership to National Economic and Development Authority

  • Separate membership for Secretary of Agriculture and Secretary of Natural Resources replacing prior joint membership.
  • Secretary of Agriculture and Secretary of Natural Resources assigned specific ex-officio chairmanships and memberships in various councils and boards related to their sectors.

General Provisions and Continuity

  • Unaffected provisions of the Integrated Reorganization Plan and related implementing directives remain in force.

Transfer of Functions, Appropriations, and Personnel

  • Functions relating to agriculture and natural resources transferred to respective new Departments.
  • Corresponding balances of appropriations, records, equipment, property, and personnel also transferred.
  • Additional funds to be appropriated for personal services if necessary.
  • Agricultural Guarantee and Loan Fund and related appropriations transferred to the Department of Agriculture.
  • Secretaries tasked with issuing administrative orders to implement these transfers immediately.

Effectivity

  • The Decree takes effect upon approval.

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