LA TRINIDAD -- A municipal agriculturists is being pushed in all municipal governments of the country.
Benguet Representative Nestor Fongwan Sr. recently filed a bill seeking to amend a provision of the 1991 Local Government Code, making the position of municipal agriculturist mandatory in all municipal governments in the Philippines.
Under proposed House Bill 4468, Fongwan Sr. seeks to amend section 482 of the Republic Act 7160, particularly providing the position of an agriculturist mandatory only for the Provincial Government and optional for the city and municipal governments.
"The position of an agriculturist in the Municipal Government is very vital as it indicates indispensability in the implementation of agriculture programs and policies in the municipal level," Fongwan Sr. said.
The lawmaker said the municipal agriculturist cannot just be taken lightly as they are in-charge of the office tasked in formulating measures, developing plans and strategies aside from ensuring access and assistance to resources in production, processing and marketing of agricultural products are extended to farmers and entrepreneurs.
"It cannot be denied that about 80 percent of our municipal governments rely on agriculture as a primary economic industry. Considering that sound agriculture programs and policies starts in the grassroots level and thus serves as a kick off to our government's concern in bringing about food security, it becomes equally necessary to make the position of municipal agriculturist mandatory," he said.
The Provincial Board of Benguet earlier supported the move of the lawmaker through a resolution manifesting their support with the approved resolution forwarded to House Speaker Allan Peter Cayetano.