Roles and Responsibilities of LGUs in the Implementation of the National Organic Agriculture Program Under RA No. 10068

January 15, 2013

JOINT DA-DILG MEMORANDUM CIRCULAR NO. 02-13

 

1.0 Legal Bases

In consonance with the State policy to increase agricultural productivity, enrich the fertility of the soil, reduce pollution and destruction of the environment, prevent depletion of natural resources, protect the health of the general public, and save on imported farm inputs, Republic Act No. 10068, otherwise known as "An Act Providing for the Development and Promotion of Organic Agriculture in the Philippines and for Other Purposes" or simply "Organic Act of 2010" was enacted into law on 01 February 2010. This act aims to promote, propagate, develop further and implement the practice of organic agriculture in the Philippines. It also seeks to uphold and expand ecologically sound, socially acceptable, economically viable and technically feasible methods of food and fiber production in the country.

In achieving this goal, a National Organic Agricultural Program (NOAP) for the promotion of organic agriculture systems, particularly cited in Sec. 5, which include, among others, farmer-produced purely organic fertilizers such as compost, pesticides and other farm inputs, together with a nationwide educational and promotional campaign for their use and processing, as well as the adoption of organic agricultural system as a viable alternative, shall be undertaken.

The National Government Agencies (NGAs) are expected to collaborate with each other and form the National Organic Agricultural Board (NOAB) which shall be the policy-making body and shall provide direction and general guidelines for the implementation of the NOAP. Likewise, the State recognizes the pivotal role of the LGUs as front liners in the implementation of this Act. Furthermore, farmers, Indigenous Peoples and other stakeholders at the grassroots should have representations as they also play a central role in this program. SHCaEA

2.0 Purposes

2.1 To clarify and promote the roles and responsibilities of the LGUs in propagating, developing further and implementing the practice of Organic Agriculture in the Philippines;

2.2 To identify the roles and responsibilities of the Department of Agriculture (DA) and Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) in providing support to the LGUs for the implementation of this Act; and

2.3 To encourage partnership and alliances among various Government Agencies, Leagues of Provinces, Cities and Municipalities of the Philippines, and grassroots stakeholders in the full adoption and implementation of this Act, and in ensuring that local initiatives are consistent with national organic agriculture programs, rules, regulations and policies.

3.0 Roles and Responsibilities of Local Government Units (Provinces, Cities and Municipalities)

3.1 All provincial governors, city and municipal mayors shall adhere to the provisions of RA 10068 and shall likewise ensure compliance therewith, and of all stakeholders within their respective jurisdiction;

3.2 The LGUs shall promulgate appropriate provincial and/or city/municipal ordinances or resolutions that would specify the participatory and bottom-up approach to grassroot organic agricultural programs and projects and subsequently approve or adopt the Provincial, Municipal or City Organic Agricultural Program as a strategy in addressing concerns on food security, environment, health and wellness and poverty alleviation through their Sangguniang Bayan/Panlungsod/Panlalawigan and appropriating funds for the purpose;

3.3 The LGUs, with the assistance of DA and the NOAB, shall ensure that local industries have been adequately informed and consulted and that a viable plan to ensure supply for vulnerable industries is in place, if a local government unit intends to shift its area of responsibility to organic agriculture; CEDHTa

3.4 Promotion and Advocacy of OA Farming System. LGU shall support the DA and the NOAB in conducting a sustained and massive National and Community Based Quad Media Information, Education and Communication (IEC) to promote and advocate OA farming systems adoption and accreditation during the two-year transition period of the implementation of the Organic Act;

3.5 Establishment of Local Technical Committees. Every LGU shall, insofar as practicable, form a provincial and municipal/city technical committee, respectively, and which shall, in coordination with and assistance of the BAFPS/DA Regional Field Units (RFUs) implement activities in line with the National Organic Agriculture Program (NOAP).

3.5.1 The Provincial Technical Committee may be composed of the following:

Chairman:	Provincial Governor
Vice Chairman:	Provincial Agricultural Officer
Members:	o	SP Member from the Agriculture Sector
		(if any)/SP Member Committee on
		Agriculture
	o	Provincial Director — DILG
	o	Provincial Environment and Natural
		Resources Officer
	o	Schools Division Superintendent
	o	Provincial Agrarian Reform
	o	Provincial Director — DTI
	o	Provincial Health Officer
	o	3 Representatives from small farmers, to be
		drawn through their own process of selection
	o	Representative from NGOs involved in
		sustainable Agriculture for the last three
		years, to be drawn through their own process
		of selection
	o	Representative from Agriculture College and
		Universities, to be drawn through their own
		process of selection
	o	Representative from the private sector or
		agribusiness firms, to be drawn through
		their own process of selection
	o	Representative from consumers' group, to
		be drawn through their own process of
		selection

3.5.2 The Municipal/City Technical Committee may be composed of the following:

Chairman:	Municipal/City Mayor
Vice Chairman:	Municipal Agricultural Officer
Members:	o	SB Member from the Agriculture Sector
		(if any)/SB Member Committee on
		Agriculture
	o	DILG (if any)
	o	DENR (if any)
	o	Schools District Supervisor
	o	Municipal Agrarian Reform
	o	DTI (if any)
	o	Municipal/City Health Officer
	o	3 Representatives from small farmers,
		to be drawn through their own process
		of selection
	o	Representative from NGOs involved in
		sustainable Agriculture for the last three
		years, to be drawn through their own
		process of selection
	o	Representative from the private sector
		or agribusiness firms, to be drawn through
		their own process of selection
	o	Representative from consumers' group, to
		be drawn through their own process of
		selection

3.5.3 LTC/OA shall review, consolidate and endorse local organic agriculture plans, programs, projects and activities to the NOAB through the Technical Working Groups (TWGs) and follow through their implementation at their levels. Furthermore, the LTC/OA shall develop a local organic agriculture plan that will form part of the local development plan and annual investment program of the LGUs.

3.6 Appropriation of Funds. LGUs shall allocate, as much as possible, funds from their annual budgets (GAA, IRA, development fund, EDF, ODA, ACEF, etc. and private sector investment) to support the planning, implementation, monitoring and evaluation of the NOAP.

3.6.1 LGUs, together with government financial institutions (GFIs) shall, insofar as possible, guarantee funds for small organic farmers, artisanal fisherfolks and indigenous peoples.

3.7 Establishment of Trading Posts for Organic Products and Inputs.

3.7.1 The LGU shall establish dedicated stalls in the public markets and organize special market day for organic products;

3.7.2 The LGU shall establish, if feasible, a trading post for organic inputs, provided that the organic inputs for sale comply with the standard specifications established by the NOAB through BAFPS and as stated in the IRR of the Organic Act. The DA, in partnership with the LGUs, make available funding for the establishment of such trading posts. IDSaTE

4.0 Roles and Responsibilities of National Government Agencies (NGAs)

The DILG and DA shall collaborate in the full implementation of this Circular.

4.1 Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG)

4.1.1 The DILG shall assist the DA and the NOAB in implementing the provisions of this Act to all the municipalities, cities, regions and provinces of the Philippines;

4.1.2 The DILG shall assist the DA and the local chief executives of LGUs in organizing the provincial/municipal/city Technical Committee on Organic Agriculture (LTC/OA) which may be composed, among others, of members similar to that of the NOAB, with an additional member representing the consumer group. Representation of NGOs, academe, private business, and policies and giving more concern on the prevention of air pollution through proper delegation should be given priority. The DA shall ensure that the roles and responsibilities of the LGUs, POs, NGOs, as well as the academe, should be identified; and

4.1.3 The DILG shall assist the DA in conducting capacity building programs, advocacy campaigns, technical assistance and other activities to provide assistance and to work closely with local executives in this endeavor. In the same manner, the NOAB shall call upon the private sector, POs and NGOs and the academe to provide advice on matters pertaining to organic agriculture and conduct of capacity building initiatives to farmers, producers, extension workers, consumers and other stakeholders in agriculture sector.

4.2 Department of Agriculture (DA)

4.2.1 The DA and the DILG shall collaborate with each other, together with other NGAs and concerned stakeholders shall form the National Organic Agricultural Board (NOAB), as stipulated in Sec. 6 of RA 10068, which shall act as the policy-making body and shall provide direction and general guidelines for the implementation of the National Organic Agricultural Program (NOAP), DA to lead; IATSHE

4.2.2 The DA, through the NOAB, shall formulate policies, plans, projects and programs to develop and promote organic agriculture, production, processing and trade;

4.2.3 The DA and the NOAB shall seek assistance and maintain coordination with the appropriate government department/agency, LGU, entrepreneur and private entities for the production of organic fertilizer in accordance with the Ecological Solid Waste Management Act and the Sanitation Code of the Philippines;

4.2.4 The DA and the NOAB shall identify protected areas legislated as such under the National Integrated Protected Areas System Act (NIPAS Act) and areas adjacent to water tributaries delineated as Organic Agriculture Zones in coordination with the proper government agency. Water resource users through institutional arrangements should be tapped to protect and develop these Organic Agriculture Zones;

4.2.5 The DA and the NOAB shall seek assistance and maintain coordination with the appropriate department or government agency in ensuring the full implementation and adoption of the provisions stipulated in the IRR of the Organic Agriculture Act of 2010.

5.0 Cooperation of LGU Leagues

DA BAFPs shall enjoin cooperation of the Leagues of Cities, Municipalities and Provinces in preparing an Organic Agriculture program that will directly benefit the grassroot communities. Furthermore, the DA RFUs, LGUs and OA stakeholders shall work closely to operationalize this Act.

6.0 Repealing Clause

All issuances, circulars, orders and memoranda, part or parts of which are inconsistent with any provisions of this Circular are hereby repealed or modified accordingly. TaCSAD

7.0 Effectivity

This Joint Memorandum Circular shall take effect immediately.

(SGD.) PROCESO J. ALCALASecretary, DA

(SGD.) MAR ROXASSecretary, DILG