REORGANIZING THE DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE AND NATURAL RESOURCES INTO TWO DEPARTMENTS, NAMELY: DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE AND DEPARTMENT OF NATURAL RESOURCES, AMENDING FOR THIS PURPOSE CHAPTER 1, PART VIII OF THE INTEGRATED REORGANIZATION PLAN.

• Number: Presidential Decree No. 461
• Sections: 19

Preamble

WHEREAS, it is a primary objective of the Government to

conserve, revitalize and develop the country's national wealth and

manage its utilization for the continued well-being of present and

future generations;

WHEREAS, progressively increasing demands for food,

agricultural raw materials, mineral, aquatic, and forest products, are

being felt throughout the world and predicted to intensify in the

immediate future:

WHEREAS, within the Philippines itself, the demands of a

growing population exert tremendous pressure on the country's existing

food and natural resources;

WHEREAS, in the light of growing domestic and world demands

for basic commodities, there is a pressing need to continuously assess

the status of all existing food and natural resources of the Philippines

with the view to maximizing their utilization, programming their

exploitation and, whenever possible, providing for their replacement;

WHEREAS, the development of agriculture and the management

of natural resources involve two separate broad and complex programs

which are presently being planned and implemented by only one

organization; and

WHEREAS, the attainment as soon as possible of the national

goal of increased production and self-sufficiency in basic foods and the

completion of an up-dated inventory and assessment of the nation's

natural resources for the purpose of ensuring conservation, optimal

utilization, programmed exploitation and replacement whenever possible

can best be achieved if these objectives are prosecuted by two separate

departments.

NOW, THEREFORE, I, FERDINAND E. MARCOS, President of the

Philippines, by virtue of the powers vested in me by the Constitution,

do hereby adopt this amendment to Chapter I, Part VIII of the Integrated

Reorganization Plan as part of the law of the land.

Section 1

SECTION 1. Presidential Decree No. 1, dated September 24,

1972, relative to Chapter I, Part VIII of the Integrated Reorganization

Plan is hereby amended by reorganizing the Department of Agriculture and

Natural Resources into two Departments, namely: (a) Department of

Agriculture and (b) Department of Natural Resources.

Section 2

SEC. 2. The Department of Agriculture shall be composed of

the Department Proper which shall include the Office of the Secretary,

the Planning Service, the Financial and Management Service, the

Administrative Service, the Computer Service Center, and the Agrarian

Reform Unit. The Bureaus under the supervision and control of the

Department are the (1) Bureau of Soils, (2) Bureau of Plant Industry,

(3) Bureau of Animal Industry, (4) Bureau of Agricultural Extension, and

(5) Bureau of Agricultural Economics. The following government-owned

and controlled corporations are attached to the Department:

(a) National Grains Authority, (b) Philippine Tobacco

Administration, (c) Philippine Virginia Tobacco Administration, (d)

Philippine Coconut Authority,(e) Coconut Investment Company, and (f)

Philippine Cotton Corporation. The Fertilizer Industry Authority,

National Food and Agricultural Council and the National Meat Inspection

Commission are placed under the administrative supervision of the

Department. The Philippine Council for Agricultural Research shall be

attached to the National Science Development Board.

Section 3

SEC. 3.

The organization and functions of the Planning Service, the Financial

and Management Service, and the Administrative Services shall be in

accordance with Articles III, IV, V, Chapter I, Part II of the

Integrated Reorganization Plan.

Section 4

SEC. 4. The Computer Service shall be responsible for

providing the Department and the Bureaus under it, including the

corporations and other agencies attached to it with economical,

efficient, and effective services relating to electronic data

processing.

Section 5

SEC. 5. The Agrarian Reform Unit shall be responsible

for providing advice and assistance to the Office of the Secretary in

coordinating the work of the Department on extension service and soil

surveys and classification with that of the Department of Agrarian

Reform.

Section 6

SEC. 6. The organizations and functions of the Bureau of

Animal Industry, Bureau of Agricultural Extension, and Bureau of

Agricultural Economics shall be provided in Paragraphs 7 and 8, Article

II and in Article IV, VIII, and IX, respectively, of Chapter I, Part

VIII of the Integrated Reorganization Plan and in Letter of

Implementation No. 9, dated November 1, 1972.

Section 7

SEC. 7. There is created a Bureau of Plant Industry

which shall be responsible for conducting research on agricultural

crops; production of improved seeds and plant materials; protection of

agricultural crops from pests and diseases; development and improvement

of farm equipment, structures, and practices, and such other functions

as may be provided by law. The Bureau of Plant Industry shall have, in

addition to a Planning and Management Staff and an Administrative

Division, the following divisions: (a) Laboratory Services Division, (b)

Research Division, (c) Production Division, (d) Farm Development

Division which is renamed Agricultural Engineering Division, and (e)

Crop Protection Division. The functions of these divisions shall be as

provided in Paragraph 2, Article III, Chapter I, Part VIII of the

Integrated Reorganization Plan and in Letter of Implementation No. 9,

except that the Laboratory Services Division and the Research Division

shall not have the functions on production of soil inoculants and soil

research, respectively.

Section 8

SEC. 8. There is created a Bureau of Soils which shall

be responsible for the assessment, development and conservation of

existing and potential soil resources of the Philippines; conducting

research on different aspects of soil utilization, management, and

conservation; and such other functions as may be provided by law. The

Bureau of Soils shall have, in addition to a Planning and Management

Staff and an Administrative Division, the following divisions:

Laboratory Services Division which shall provide technical

supervision in the effective operation and maintenance of the Bureau's

soil laboratories, including the maintenance of precision laboratory

equipment; prescribe standards in the physical and/or chemical analysis

of soils for researches and farmlands as the bases for formulation of

fertilizer and lime recommendation and for soil characterization;

prepare the program for the production and distribution of soil

inoculants; coordinate with the Soil Research Division in the study of

new and effective methods of analysis and with Soil Fertility Division

in updating soil correlation values and fertilizer requirements of

crops; and perform such other functions as may be provided by law.

Soil Conservation Division which shall formulate policies,

standards and measures for soil and water conservation and utilization;

develop a program of field demonstrations on soil and water land-use

program for agriculture areas on the control of soil erosion, floods,

and siltation; exercise technical supervision over all soil and water

conservation stations of the Bureaus; and perform such other functions

as may be provided by law.

Soil Fertility Division which shall develop plans and

procedures for field studies and surveys on soil fertility; prescribe

procedures and techniques on the use of fertilizers, soil amendments and

fertility maintenance practices compile and analyze results of field

fertilizer and fertility maintenance practices; compile and analyze

results of field fertilizer and fertility maintenance studies for

purpose of preparing and issuing periodic soil fertility status and

fertilizer recommendations for major economic crops; and perform such

other functions as may be provided by law.

Soil Research Division which shall design a program of

researches on soil chemistry, soil physics, soil biology and mineral

nutrition as they relate to agricultural and non-agricultural

application; provide standards and establish criteria for research on

soil utilization, conservation and soil, water, and plant relationship;

exercise technical supervision in the operation of the Bureau's research

stations; maintain liason with other research institutions in both

government and private sectors, including foreign institutions; provide

technical assistance to other agencies in conducting training programs

on soil research and other related subjects; and perform such other

functions as may be provided by law.

Soil Surveys Division which shall prepare the plans and

programs on basic soil surveys at all levels of generalization

throughout the Philippines to provide sufficient soil resources data

needed by the government and the private sector; interpret basic soil

survey data to provide information on land classification, land

capability and land-use; provide standards and guidelines in the conduct

of soil surveys and other related activities; consolidate, review, and

summarize reports on soil surveys for dissemination; prepare and

maintain thematic maps, charts, tables, photo mosaics, diagrams and

other related materials; and perform such other functions as may be

provided by law.

Section 9

SEC. 9. The Department of Natural Resources shall be

composed of the Department Proper which shall include the Office of the

Secretary, the Planning Service, the Financial and Management Service,

and the Administrative Service. In addition, there are created in the

Department Proper a Legal Service, Computer Service Unit and an Agrarian

Reform Unit. The bureaus under the supervision and control of the

Department are: (a) Bureau of Forest Development, (b) Bureau of Lands,

(c) Bureau of Fisheries, which is renamed Bureau of Fisheries and

Aquatic Resources, and (d) Bureau of Mines. The following agencies are

attached to the Department: (a) Presidential Committee on Wood

Industries Development, (b) National Committee for Mineral Exploration

and Survey Operations, (c) Fishery Industry Development Council, (d)

Surigao Mineral Reservation Board, (e) Presidential Action Committee on

Land Problems.

The National Committee for Mineral Exploration and Survey

Operations is reconstituted as follows: Secretary of Natural Resources,

as Chairman, Director of Mines, as Vice-Chairman, and representative of

the Office of the Executive Secretary, Budget Commission, Philippine Air

Force, Philippine Navy, Bureau of Coast and Geodetic Survey, Bureau of

Fisheries and Aquatic Resources, Bureau of Mines, Bureau of Forest

Development, Bureau of Lands, Bureau of Plant Industry, and Bureau of

Soils, as members.

Section 10

SEC. 10. The organizations and functions of the Planning

Service, the Financial and Management Service, and the Administrative

Service shall be in accordance with Articles III, IV, and V, Chapter I,

Part II of the Integrated Reorganization Plan, except that the

Administrative Service shall not have a Legal Division;

Section 11

SEC. 11. The Legal Service shall have following

functions: Prepare decisions and orders on cases involving the

disposition, utilization, exploitation, and development of public lands,

forests, mines, aquatic resources and other natural resources brought

on appeal from action taken by the bureaus under the Department, review

patents, licenses, concessions, permits, deeds of conveyance, sales and

other transfer of rights, affecting public lands, mines, forest, aquatic

resources and other natural resources initiated and/ or processed by

the bureaus under the Department; appear as counsel for the Secretary,

Undersecretary, bureau directors, and other subordinate employees under

the Department, review patents, licenses, concessions, permit, deeds of

conveyance, sales and other transfer of rights, affecting public lands,

mines, forest, aquatic resources and other natural resources initiated

and/or processed by the bureaus under the Department; appear as counsel

for the Secretary, Undersecretary, bureau directors, and other

subordinate employees under the Department in court cases Where such

officials or employees are parties thereto in their Official capacities

and upon authorization of the Solicitor General; conduct administrative

investigation, including the review of administrative charges against

employees of the Department; and perform such other functions as may be

provided by law.

Section 12

SEC. 12. The Agrarian Reform Unit of the Department

shall be responsible for providing the Office of the Secretary with

advice and assistance in coordinating the work of the Department, on

land surveys, release of lands of the public domain for resettlement

purposes, and other related activities with that of the Department of

Agrarian Reform.

Section 13

SEC. 13. The organizations and functions of the Bureau

of Lands, Bureau of Forest Development, Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic

Resources, and Bureau of Mines shall be as provided in Paragraphs 7 and

8, Article II and in Articles V, VI, VII, and X, respectively, of

Chapter I, Part VIII of the Integrated Reorganization Plan and in Letter

of Implementation No. 9, Paragraph 4, Article X, Chapter I, Part VIII

of the Integrated Reorganization Plan is amended by creating the

Petroleum Division which shall be responsible for the administration and

development of the petroleum resources of the country. The Mineral

Resources Administration of mineral lands.

Section 14

SEC. 14. The Regional Offices of the Bureau of Soils,

the Bureau of Plant Industry, the Bureau of Animal Industry, the Bureau

of Agricultural Extension and those of the Bureau of Forest Development,

the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources, and the Bureau of Lands

shall established in accordance with Article 1, Chapter III, Part II of

the Integrated Reorganization Plan, as amended, and with Letter of

Implementation No. 9. The Bureau of Mines shall establish its regional

offices in accordance with its requirements, subject to the approval of

the President upon the recommendation of the Secretary of Natural

Resources.

Section 15

SEC. 15. Section 1 of Presidential Decree No. 107,

dated January 24, 1973, is hereby amended by removing the Secretary of

Agriculture and Natural Resources from membership in the National

Economic and Development Authority and providing for the membership in

that body of the Secretary of Agriculture and the Secretary of Natural

Resources.

The Secretary of Agriculture shall be ex-officio

Chairman of the Council of the National Grains Authority;

Fertilizer Industry Authority, National Food and Agriculture Council,

National Artificial Rain Stimulating Committee;

Vice-Chairman of the Philippine Council for Agricultural

Research and the Board of Directors of the Greater Manila Terminal Food

Market; and

Member of the Metric System Board, Board of Directors

of the Philippine International Trading Corporation, Board of Trustees

of the Tarlac College of Technology, National Economic and Development

Authority, Board of Directors of the National Irrigation Administration,

National Manpower and Youth Council, Price Control, Executive Committee

of the National Security Council and the Agrarian Reform Coordinating

Council.

The Secretary of Natural Resources shall be ex-officio

Chairman of the Petroleum Board, Presidential Committee on

Wood Industries Development, Presidential Action Committee on Land

Problems, National Committee for Mineral Exploration and Survey

Operation, Fishery Industry Development Council and Surigao Mineral

Reservation Board.

Co-Chairman of the National Minorities Assistance Council,

and

Member of the Metric System Board, Board of Directors of the

Philippine International Trading Corporation, Committee to Study the

Financing Scheme for Nationwide River Control and Reforestation

Projects, National Economic and Development Authority, Executive

Committee of the National Security Council, Agrarian Reform Coordinating

Council, Philippine Council for Agricultural Research, Board of

Directors of the National Irrigation Administration and Water Resource

Council.

Section 16

SEC. 16. All provisions of Chapter I, Part VIII of the

Integrated Reorganization Plan and of the Letter of Implementation No. 9

which are not amended or not inconsistent with the foregoing provisions

shall remain in full force and effect and shall be corresponding

applied in accordance with the intents and purposes of this Decree.

Section 17

SEC. 17. The functions of the Department of Agriculture

and National Resources pertaining to agricultural development and those

relating to the administration of natural resources shall be

respectively transferred to the Department of Agriculture and the

Department of Natural Resources. Such transfer shall include the

corresponding balance of appropriations, records, equipment, property

and such personnel as may be necessary. Addition funds, if necessary,

shall be appropriated from the funds in the National Treasury not

otherwise appropriated for personal services in the two Departments. The

appropriations for the Agricultural Guarantee and Loan Fund and for the

procurement and distribution of fertilizers and certified seeds shall

be transferred to the Department of Agriculture. The transfer of the

bureaus to the two Departments shall include their respective balance of

appropriations, records, equipment, property and personnel. The duly

appointed Secretaries of each of the departments created hereby, shall

promulgate the necessary administrative orders that will provide the

implementing details of the provisions of this Section, and shall be

responsible for carrying into immediate effect the intents and purposes

of this Decree.

Section 18

SEC. 18. This Decree shall take effect upon its

approval.

Done in the City of Manila, this 17th day of May, in the year

of Our Lord, nineteen hundred and seventy-four.

(Sgd.)

FERDINAND E. MARCOS

President of the Philippines

By the President:

(Sgd.)

ALEJANDRO MELCHOR

Executive Secretary