INTRODUCTION

Agriculture is an aspect of the economic and social development that meets the needs of

the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs. Two

concepts are fundamental to the sustainable use and management of the Earth’s natural resources.

First, the basic needs of humanity for food, clothing, shelter and jobs must be met. This involves

paying attention to the largely unmet needs of the world’s poor, as a world in which poverty is

endemic will always be prone to ecological catastrophes. Second, the limits to development are

not absolute, but are imposed by present state of technology and social organizations and by their

impacts on environmental resources and on the biosphere’s ability to absorb the effect of human

activities. Both technology and social organizations can be improved to make way for a new era

of environmentally-sensitive economic growth. This process of change is under way in the field

of agricultural development, in which a transition towards sustainable agriculture is improving

food production, particularly for the poor, as well as protecting the environment.

The province of Iloilo, which is located in the mouth of the Iloilo River, is an agricultural

region where sugar and rice are produced and which has hardwood forests and the quarries.

Despite this potential for a more sustainable agriculture, in which farmers, rural communities,

environments and national economies could all benefit, there are still many obstacles and threats.

Many existing power structures are threatened by change, and it may not be possible for all to

benefit in the short-term. However, one must have a commitment to meet the needs of the

present and future generations, especially in addressing various implications.

“Meeting the needs of the present” means satisfying: economic needs including access to

adequate livelihood or productive assets; social, cultural and health needs including a shelter

which is healthy, safe, affordable and secure within a neighborhood with provision for piped

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water, drainage, transport, health care, education, child development, and protections from

environmental hazards. Achieving this implies a more equitable distribution of income between

and within nations.

BACKGROUND OF THE STUDY

In pursuant to the principle of subsidiarity, Republic Act 7160 (Local Government Code

of 1991) was enacted. The Local Government Code of 1991 enabled local government units to

provide and be held accountable in the responsible delivery of the devolved basic service. The

devolved basic services include social services, environment and natural resource management,

infrastructure, and agriculture (Brilliantes 2003).

Heywood (1997) wrote four reasons for the transfer of authority, responsibility and

accountability from central to local governments: participation because local governments are

more effective than central government in providing opportunities for citizens to participate in the

political life of their community; responsiveness because peripheral institutions are usually closer

to the people and they are more sensitive to their needs than central governments; legitimacy due

to the principle that physical distance from government affects the acceptability or rightness of its

decision; and, liberty through dispersing government power by creating a network of checks and

balances between the peripheral bodies and central government.

The agricultural sector has been identified the spine of our economy, with the country

generally regarded, even up to this day, as an agriculture-based economy. Ironically, that

backbone has remained weak. This weakness of the agricultural sector is due to serious structural

flaws that require attention and remedy from all concerned.

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STATEMENT OF THE PROBLEM

This study needs to address the question regarding the effects of the Local Government

Code of 1991 on the production and delivery of the goods and services to citizen-consumers

along the sector of agriculture in Oton, Iloilo. Specifically, the study would address the following

questions:

1. What are the provisions of the Local Government Code on agriculture?

2. How does the Local Government Code of 1991 affect the production and delivery of

goods and services to citizen-consumers along the sector of agriculture in Oton, Iloilo?

OBJECTIVES OF THE STUDY

The primary aim of the study is to assess the effects of the Local Government Code of

1991 on the production and delivery of goods and services that serve the needs of citizen-

consumers along the sector of agriculture in Oton, Iloilo. Specifically, this study aims to:

1. Describe the Local Government Code of 1991 through relevant provisions on agriculture;

and,

2. Describe the production and delivery of goods and services to citizen-consumers along

the sector of agriculture in Oton, Iloilo.

SCOPE AND LIMITATIONS

This study puts focus on the effects of the Local Government Code of 1991 on the

production and delivery of goods and services to citizen-consumers along the sector of

agriculture. Writing a study concerning the effects of the Local Government Code of 1991 on the

production and delivery of the goods and services that serve the needs of citizen-consumers along

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the sector of agriculture raises the problem of omitting events that occur after this study was

made. As such, whatever forthcoming events after the conduct of the study whereby

policies/ordinances/practices/measures undertaken and adopted are intended for the improvement

and control of the production and delivery of goods and services along the sector of agriculture

shall be disregarded.

Moreover, the researcher is just limited to data readily available in the Internet and

publications, and to the interview conducted last March 6, 2012, which do not provide sufficient

overview of the subject being studied.

STUDY METHODS

This study used the descriptive method to determine the effects of the Local Government

Code of 1991 on the production and delivery of goods and services to citizen-consumers along

the sector of agriculture. It is an organized attempt to analyze, interpret and report the current

status of the social institution, group or area. Furthermore, it aims to describe the situation as it

exists at the time of the study and determines the causes of particular phenomenon.

The primary techniques of generating data include the interview with the Municipal

Mayor conducted last March 6, 2012. The secondary techniques involved the use of the Internet

and publications readily available.

The transparency-and-accountability (T&A) mechanism table would be used for data

analysis. Specifically, the T&A mechanism table would be used on the analysis of one particular

program of the municipality.

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LOCALE OF THE STUDY

The municipality of Oton lies in the southern portion of the province, and has a distance

of 10.2 kilometers from Iloilo City. It is bounded on the east by the district of Arevalo, Iloilo

City, on the west by the municipality of Tigbauan, on the north by the municipality of San Miguel

and on the southern portion by a stretch of shoreline of the Sulu Sea (www.oton.gov).

The municipality was organized in 1570 and is considered the oldest town in Panay.

Oton resembles the Hispanized version of the phrase ogtong adlaw. There is one popular folklore

that speaks of the origin of the town’s name. This popular folklore speaks of a Spanish explorer

who asked a native about the name of the place. The native, thinking that the Spaniard was

asking for the time of the day, answered “ogtong adlaw,” which is noontime in English

(www.oton.gov).

The local government unit of Oton envisions itself as a municipality of character, where

people are friendly, God-loving, educated and empowered, living a healthy and ecologically-

balanced community with a vibrant economy where good governance is practiced by morally

upright and competent leaders. It has a mission to have a very friendly, effective and efficient

delivery of basic services with the active participation of civil society organizations for

transparent governance (www.oton.gov).

Like any other municipality in the province, Oton has a very fertile type of soil

compatible to grow palay, mongo, corn, peanuts, coconut, sineguelas, sugar apples and other fruit

trees. It has two principal river systems – Batiano River and the Iloilo River (www.oton.gov).

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RESULTS AND DISCUSSION

The Local Government Code of 1991 (RA 7160) is founded on the policy of the State

that its territorial and political subdivisions should enjoy genuine and meaningful local autonomy

to enable them to attain their fullest development as self-reliant communities and make more

effective partners in the attainment of the national goals. The local government unit being a

subdivision of the national government is endowed with powers and resources with which to

manage its territorial jurisdiction for and on behalf of the national government. Moreover, local

government units are endowed with powers and resources in order to promote the general welfare

of its inhabitants. With the passage of the code, the transfer of the basic services and facilities

from the national government to the local government was enabled. As such local government

units are given the responsibility to discharge the functions and responsibilities of devolved

national agencies and offices.

Along the sector of agriculture, the code provides the following:

1. Agricultural support services which include planting materials distribution system

and operation of farm produce collection and buying stations at the barangay level

(Section 17)

2. Extension and on-site research services and facilities related to agriculture and

fishery activities which include dispersal of livestock and poultry, fingerlings and

other materials for aquaculture; palay, corn, and vegetable seed farms; medicinal

plant gardens; fruit tree, coconut and other kinds of seedling nurseries; demonstration

farms; quality control of copra and improvement and development of local

distribution channels, preferably through cooperatives; interbarangay irrigation

system; water and soil resource utilization and conservation projects; and

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enforcement of fishery laws in municipal waters including the conservation of

mangroves at the municipal level (Section 17).

3. Infrastructure facilities intended primarily to service the needs of the residents of the

municipality and which are funded out of municipal funds including but not limited

to, municipal roads and bridges; and, communal irrigation, small water impounding

projects and other similar projects at the municipal level (Section 17).

4. Agricultural extension and on-site research services and facilities which include the

prevention and control of plant and animal pests and diseases; dairy farm, livestock

markets, animal breeding stations, and artificial insemination centers; and assistance

in the organization of farmers and fishermen’s cooperatives, and other collective

organizations, as well as transfer of appropriate technology at the provincial level

(Section 17).

In an ideal scenario, a particular local government unit manages its own growth and

change through a body of plans with varying scope and time frame. Based from the provisions

on agriculture of the Local Government Code of 1991, there exists a strong interest of the

national government to improve the status of agriculture in the country by enabling local

governments to be able to provide the means and facilities that would assist in the achievement of

a strong agricultural backbone. In this regard, the Local Government Code mandates local

governments to assist farmers in order to achieve the agricultural aspirations of the nation,

precisely because the Philippines is still highly regarded as an agricultural economy. If we

examine the provisions of the devolution code on agriculture, the government is trying to advance

a support system to farmers rather than to resort to a system where farmers are simply dependent

on the actions of the government for their yield. The code advances the idea that man is gifted

with capabilities and capacities which can serve as necessary tools in effecting change and

progress into his/her life and community, alongside the use of available resources he/she or

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community possesses. That is, the government simply supports them in their respective

endeavors through capacity enhancement mechanisms. These capacity enhancement mechanisms

include the provision of the means/sources and facilities.

The provisions on agriculture indicate also an increase in the degree of responsibility as

the level of government moves a notch higher (i.e., from barangay to municipal to provincial). In

the barangay level, there are support services which include the distribution of planting materials

and operation of a buying station for the farm products. As we move a notch higher (at the

municipal level), the responsibilities go more complex than those at the barangay level. This is

because of the availability and sufficiency of resources being enjoyed by the various levels of

government. However, the code provides that “the national government or the next higher level

of local government unit may provide or augment the basic services and facilities assigned to a

lower level of local government unit when such services or facilities are not made available or, if

made available, are inadequate to meet the requirements of its inhabitants” (RA 7160).

Moreover, under Section 17 (g) of the code, the enumerated basic services and facilities “shall be

funded from the share of local government units in the proceeds of national taxes and other local

revenues and funding support from the national government, its instrumentalities, and

government-owned or controlled corporations which are tasked by law to establish and maintain

such services or facilities. Any fund or resource available for the use of local government units

shall be first allocated for the provision of basic services or facilities enumerated” (RA 7160).

From these provisions, we see that there is co-responsibility among the levels of government,

being faithful to the principle of subsidiarity. Furthermore, it pertains that, even though the

responsibilities of providing for the basic services are devolved to local governments, the national

government still holds a part in the success of the delivery of basic services to the populace.

In the local government of Oton, the municipal government provides aid to barangays.

Specifically, in the 2011, the allocated funds for aid to barangays sum up to Php 636,400.00,

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which are geared towards general public services. Appendix D presents the Statement of Fund

Operations for budget year 2011. These funds are intended in augmenting the funds of local

governments at the barangay level. There is a need to augment the funds of local governments at

the barangay level because municipalities enjoy 34% of the internal revenue allotment (IRA)

while barangays only enjoy 24%, notwithstanding the varying scopes of taxing powers being

provided by the code under Articles II to IV of Chapter II, Book II.

Meanwhile, under Section 12 of the Local Government Code,

provinces/cities/municipalities have government centers where offices, agencies, or branches of

the national government, local government units or government owned or controlled corporations

can be located. Due to the devolution of the responsibility, personnel and facilities to the local

government unit, local governments now have offices which are geared to the accomplishment of

the goals and aspirations of the Code.

Specifically, in the municipality of Oton, there is the Office of the Municipal Agriculture

and Cooperative (MACO). The MACO is a branch of the technical component of the Local

Planning Structure, being a national government agency in the locality (Brilliantes 2003). Under

Section 107 of the Local Government Code, “local development councils may call upon any local

official concerned or any official of national agencies or offices in the local government to assist

in the formulation of their respective development plans and public investment programs.” That

is, local development councils go back to technical agencies/offices for policy formulation

purposes, specifically in trying to incorporate expertise into the policy or program lined for

formulation and implementation.

The MACO is poised at performing the following functions:

1. Formulating measures for the approval of the Sanggunian and providing technical

assistance and support to the mayor in carrying out said measures to ensure the delivery

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of basic services and provisions of adequate facilities relative to agriculture services as

stated in Section 17 of the Local Government Code (LGC);

2. Developing plans and strategies and, upon approval thereof by the mayor, implementing

the same, particularly those which have to do with agricultural programs and projects

which the mayor is empowered to implement and which the Sanggunian is empowered to

provide for under the Local Government Code;

3. Being at the frontline of delivery of basic agricultural services, particularly those needed

for survival of the inhabitants during and in the aftermath of manmade and natural

disaster; and,

4. Recommending to the Sanggunian and advising the mayor on all other matters related to

agriculture and aquaculture which will improve the livelihood and living conditions of

the inhabitants.

The Local Government Code, for sections 12 and 107, advances a system of cooperation

between the technical and political components of the planning structure. The technical

component includes national government agencies/local offices of national government agencies

(or the non-elective officials), while the political component includes the Sanggunian and the

Local Development Council (Brilliantes 2003). From the stated functions of the MACO, there

exists a system of co-responsibility and teamwork among the office itself, the Sanggunian, the

Local Development Council and the mayor. The MACO provides the measures and technical

expertise for the Sanggunian to consider, especially if the Sanggunian would legislate ordinances

that would have an effect – direct and indirect – on agriculture. Furthermore, the MACO

represents the interest of agriculturists during Local Development Council sessions.

Under Section 447, 458 and 468 of the Local Government Code, the unique role of the

Sanggunian in local planning and development is explicitly provided in its power to prescribe

reasonable limits and restraints on the use of property. Moreover, no development

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programs/projects/activities could be implemented without the authorization coming from the

Sanggunian. Furthermore, Sanggunian members are equally responsible for, and ought to be as

actively involved in planning as the executive.

This function of the Sanggunian and the executive body results to the ordinances and

executive orders which seek to buttress the measures/projects desired by the MACO tangent to

their official functions. For the period of 2010 to 2012, there is an executive order and an

ordinance related to agriculture. These include:

1. Ordinance No 2011 – 231 (Ordinance promoting organic farming and providing tax

incentives thereof). It seeks to encourage every farmer in the municipality to practice

organic farming method by using purely organic fertilizers like compost, pesticides

and other farm inputs. Furthermore, farmers implementing the organic farming

method shall be registered with the MACO, with the office inspecting the farm unit

and issues Certified Organic Product (COP) label upon ensuring that the farm unit

passes the standard of organic farming. Moreover, the municipality shall create an

organic display center and provide incentives to farmers/dealers using the organic

farming method; and,

2. Executive Order No. 3 (Re-organizing the Bantay Dagat of the Municipality of Oton,

their composition and functions). The EO is founded on the principle that

management and control over fisheries and aquatic resources shall be affected by the

government through the active and extensive participation of the people. The EO

seeks to institutionalize the major role of the local fisherfolks and other resource

users through community-based planning and implementation of policies and

programs for the development and protection of the fisheries and aquatic resources of

the municipal waters by identifying key persons in the six coastal barangays of the

municipality.

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Delegating legislative functions from the national government enabled local government

units to be more responsive to the compelling and urgent concerns/needs of the community. In

the case of the municipality of Oton, the ordinance and executive order aim to improve its

agricultural competencies by, first, encouraging new technologies in farming and, second,

safeguarding their own resources.

The agricultural programs and projects undertaken in the municipality of Oton include

productivity programs which include trainings/field exposure on organic farming system,

research and development project, vegetable communal and school gardening and distribution of

vegetable seeds and planting materials; maintenance of municipal nursery which includes the

production of assorted planting materials/seedlings; improvement of livestock/poultry production

and management, which includes animal health management through vaccination, deworming

and treatment of farm and domesticated animals, production of Darag Native chicken; support for

Farmers Information and Technology Services (FITS) Center; supervision and monitoring of

farm-based organizations; and fisheries production which includes implementation of fishery

laws through monitoring of illegal fishing, maintenance of patrol boat and

installation/maintenance and monitoring of existing artificial reefs.

The focus would now shift towards a specific program, which is the Bantay Dagat

program of the municipality as stated in Executive Order No. 3. The Bantay Dagat program is

intended for the protection of fishery and aquatic resources of the municipality, especially from

illegal fishing practices. The T&A mechanism table was used for this purpose.

Through the T&A mechanism table, we see that the Bantay Dagat program of Oton is

made available to the public by publicizing the program through the LGU’s website, participatory

through community-based planning and implementation of the program, and the defined

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limitations of functions/duties of the council in the conduct of their responsibility. Furthermore,

strengths and weaknesses of each indicator were duly identified.

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Table 1 . Transparency-and-Accountability Mechanism Table on the Bantay Dagat Program of Oton, Iloilo

INDICATORS EFFECTIVENESS

ACCESSIBILITY

STRENGTHS WEAKNESSES RECOMMENDATIONS

Transparency1 Access to information

and public recordsLeads to an informed citizenry

Made available through the municipality’s website

Allows people to review program

Accessible to the youth

Owners/operators of illegal fishing vessels have access to information which they can use at their own advantage.

Written in English, while the persons assigned to the council are fisherfolks who might not be able to comprehend the medium used

The medium used in the EO should also be written in vernacular because persons assigned to the council might not be able to comprehend the EO if it were to be still written in English

2 Disclosure of program budget

Allows external audit of budget allocated for program

Made available through the municipality’s website

People would know where their taxes go

Program budget is not mentioned in the EO

Indicate budget of the program in the EO

Accountability1 Community Viewed legal by the There are Citizens are provided Some citizens Create communication

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participation populace because it is within their purview

identified persons assigned with key responsibilities

with opportunities to offer and incorporate their own suggestions to the solution/program

have inherent bias against the program, especially among families who fish illegally

No linkage between MACO and the council

Opportunity for community participation can be limited especially if assigned person is not capable of tapping constituents

channels between MACO and the council

Bantay Dagat council should conduct community meetings to multiply opportunities for community participation

2 Rule-based procedures Key responsible individuals would know their limitations in terms of function

Functions and limitations of the council has been duly identified

No overlapping of duties/responsibilities

Duties/functions are not quantified/specific

Specify/quantify the duties/functions of the Bantay Dagat council

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SUMMARY OF FINDINGS

The Local Government Code of 1991 enabled the transfer of responsibility, personnel

and facilities for the delivery of basic services like agriculture from the national government to

the local level. The code has been specific on the duties and responsibilities of local governments

especially on agriculture. These include extension and support systems to farmers through the

distribution of the means for agricultural production like seeds, seedlings and fingerlings,

research and development projects and provision of infrastructures that assist farmers.

Moreover, the Local Government Code of 1991 states that a higher level of local

government can augment or provide the production/delivery of basic services if in case the

assigned lower level of local government cannot provide. This can come in the form of aid to

barangays, in the case of municipal governments.

Furthermore, the Local Government Code paved way for a much responsive planning

structure through the presence of national government agencies at the local level. There is the

Office of the Municipal Agriculture and Cooperative (MACO) in the municipality of Oton, which

provides technical expertise to formulation, implementation, and evaluation of policies relative to

agriculture.

Through the use of the transparency and accountability (T&A) mechanism table, the

researcher was able to assess the mechanisms of transparency and accountability of the local

government unit of Oton in the formulation and implementation of the Bantay Dagat program.

The Bantay Dagat program is made accessible to the people through the use of the LGU’s

website, participatory through enabling community-based planning and implementation, and

limitations of the council were duly identified.

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CONCLUSIONS

In conclusion, this study was able to present that the Local Government Code of 1991 has

an effect on the production and delivery of goods and services along the sector of agriculture. It

was proven in the results and discussion of the study that the Local Government Code enabled a

much more responsive action from the local government unit through policies and programs that

address the concerns of the populace.

The study was also able to describe the provisions of the Local Government Code of

1991 which are specific to agriculture. These provisions are usually geared towards support and

extension services to farmers through capacity enhancement.

RECOMMENDATIONS

Through the results and discussion of the study, the researcher suggests the following:

1. Provide a translated version of executive orders . As in the case of the EO No. 3, which

intends to inform the local fisherfolks regarding their responsibility as members of the

Bantay Dagat, the use of English as the medium can be a disadvantage. This is because

fisherfolks, though not all, may not be able to comprehend the EO. A translated version

of executive orders, or even ordinances, would depend on the target beneficiaries. If the

target beneficiaries were able to understand English, then there exists no need to provide

for the translation.

2. Indicate the allocated funds in ordinances/executive orders. To provide as potential

source for policy evaluation, the allocated funds for the implementation of

program/project stated in ordinances/executive orders should be stated. This will

enhance the transparency mechanism of the program.

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BIBLIOGRAPHY

Brilliantes, Alex. Innovations and Excellence. Understanding Local Government in the

Philippines. Manila: Center for Local and Regional Governance, National College of

Public Administration and Governance, University of the Philippines, 2003.

www.oton.gov.ph

Republic of the Philippines, Republic Act 7160.

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APPENDICES

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APPENDIX A: Ordinance Number 2011 – 0231

AN ORDINANCE PROMOTING ORGANIC FARMING

AND PROVIDING TAX INCENTIVES THEREOF.

AS PROPOSED by Hon. Jafet P. Salinas, ON MOTION of the Committees on

Agriculture and Aquatic Resources, composed of Hon. Leonida C. Alison, Hon. Serafin N. Clavel

II and Rodolfo Z. Alconga Jr. and Ways and Means, composed of Hon. Juan Miguel M. Flores,

Hon. Leonida C. Alison and Hon. Margarito T. Clavel III and duly seconded by Hon. Juan

Miguel M. Flores

BE IT ORDAINED by the Sangguniang Bayan of Oton, Iloilo, that:

Section 1. Introductory Clause. Organic Farming is embodied in Republic Act No. 10068, An

Act Providing for the Development and Promotion of Organic Agriculture in the

Philippines and for other Purposes.

Organic farming will cumulatively condition and enrich the fertility of the soil,

increase farm productivity; reduce pollution and destruction of the environment, prevent

the depletion of natural resources, further protect the health of farmers, consumers and

the general public, and save program for the promotion of community based – organic

agriculture systems.

Organic farming proves to be more profitable than the age old traditional farming

methods.  It has been found that organic farming reduces the production cost by about 25

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– 30%, as it does not involve the use of synthetic fertilizers and pesticides, which thus

makes organic farming cost effective.

Soil is the most important component in farming and organic farming preserves

soil by reducing soil erosion up to a large extent.  Organic farming also enables the

farmers to use the soil for a longer period of time to grow crops as soil fertility is

maintained for a long time.

Organic farming has a positive effect on the ecosystem, as it proves vital in

supporting the survival of wildlife in the lowlands.  It even provides safe pasture lands

for grazing animals.  This practice is not only beneficial for farmers, but it also has

proved useful for the dairy industry.  Cattle grazing on organic farmlands have been

found to be less prone to diseases and yield more milk.  These are definitely good signs

for a consumer of these dairy products from health perspective and for a dairy

organization from the profit perspective.

The original nutritional content of food is preserved due to the absence of

synthetic fertilizers and pesticides.

Organic products moreover are tastier than the products yielded from traditional

farming.  Scientific studies have proven that organic farming foods are healthier than the

inorganic ones.

Eating organic foods may in fact reduce the risk of heart attack, stroke and cancer

for individuals who abstain from consuming products produced through conventional

farming methods.  Thus, this Ordinance is created for purposes of promoting organic

farming.

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Section 2. Definition of Terms. As used in this Ordinance, the following terms are defined as

follows:

a) Organic Farming – includes all agricultural systems that promote the environmentally,

socially and economically sound production of food and fibers.  These systems take

local soil fertility as a key to successful production, by respecting the natural capacity

of plants, animals and the landscape.  The method dramatically reduces external

inputs by refraining from the use of chemo–synthetic fertilizer, pesticides and

pharmaceuticals.

b) Organic Production System – is a system designed to:

1) enhance biological diversity within the whole system;

2) increase solid biological diversity;

3) maintain long – term solid fertility;

4) recycle wastes of plant and animal origin in order to return nutrients to the

land, thus minimizing the use of nonrenewable resources;

5) rely on renewable resources on locally organized agricultural systems;

6) promote the healthy use of soil, water and air as well as minimize all forms of

pollution thereto that may result from agricultural practices;

7) develop and promote the use of biotechnology in agriculture;

8) handle agricultural products with emphasis on careful processing methods in

order to maintain the organic integrity and vital qualities of the product at all

stages; and

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9) become established on any existing farm through a period of conversion, the

appropriate length of which is determined by site–specific factors such as the

history of land and type of crops and livestock to be produced.

c) Conventional Agriculture – farming systems dependent on the input of artificial

fertilizers and / or pesticides.

d) Conversion Period – refers to the time between the start of the organic management

and the certification of crops, animal husbandry or aquaculture products as organic.

e) Labeling – any written, printed, or graphic presentation that is affixed to a product.

f) Farm Unit – an agricultural area or production managed organically, which a farmer or

a group owns or in any other way responsible for.

g) Certified Organic Product (COP) – a crop or livestock production that is certified by

the Municipal Agriculture and Cooperative Office (MACO) utilizing a system of

organic production.

Section 3. Regulation. Every farmer in the municipality of Oton is encouraged to practice

organic farming method.  It shall use purely organic fertilizers such as compost,

pesticides and other farm inputs.

Section 4. Registration. Every farmer implementing the organic farming method shall register

with the MACO.  The farmer shall indicate its farm produce and the date it started the

conversion to organic farming method.  The MACO shall make validation as to the

farming methods used.

Section 5. Accreditation. Process of Accreditation:

a) The farmer will apply at the MACO for COP.

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b) The MACO shall inspect the farm unit and will issue COP if it passes the standard of

organic farming.

c) If the items are ready for the market, the farmers or dealers will label the products as

witnessed by the MACO representative.

Section 6. Labeling of Farm Products. False or Misleading Marks and Labels.

a) It shall be unlawful for any person, firm or corporation to sell products which claim or

labeled as organic without the approval of the MACO.

b) No article shall be sold or offered for sale to any person, natural or juridical, under any

name or other making or labeling which is false or misleading.

Section 7. Creation of Organic Display Center. The Municipality shall provide space for the

farmers or producers producing organic products.  The following shall be given priority

in the display center:

a) production of vermi-compost and its pricing;

b) production of organic traditional rice such as: white, red and black rice;

c) preparation of concoction for natural farming system.

Section 8. Incentives. The farmer or dealer using the organic farming method shall avail the

incentives of:

a) discount on the vermi-compost purchased at the vermi-compost facility of the

Municipality.

b) shall be exempted from the payment of taxes and other miscellaneous fees charged by

the Municipality but not to exceed five (5) years from the start of the operation.

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Section 9. Penalty Clause.

a) Any person violating the preceding sections shall be meted a fine of P1,000 or

imprisonment of not more than ten (10) days at the discretion of the court and in

addition thereto, forfeit the benefits granted by this Ordinance.

Section 10. Repealing Clause. All municipal ordinances or parts of any municipal ordinance

inconsistent with the provisions of this Ordinance are hereby repealed or modified

accordingly.

Section 11. Separability Clause. If any provision of this Ordinance is held invalid, the other

provisions not affected thereby shall continue in operation.

Section 12. Effectivity Clause.  Based on Section 511 of the Local Government Code, this

Ordinance with penal sanctions shall take effect either on the day following its

publication, or at the end of three (3) consecutive weeks period of posting, whichever

occurs later.

Section 13. Copies. This Ordinance shall be furnished to the Office of the Mayor; MACO;

MPDO; Farmers Associations; MTO; MBO; Actg. Office and the Sangguniang

Panlalawigan of Iloilo for information, guidance and review respectively.

UNANIMOUSLY APPROVED.

25

APPENDIX B: Executive Order Number 03

RE-ORGANIZING THE BANTAY DAGAT OF THE MUNICIPALITY OF OTON,

THEIR COMPOSITION AND FUNCTIONS

 

WHEREAS, it is a declared policy of state to ensure that management and control over fisheries

and aquatic resources shall be affected by the Government through the active and extensive

participation of people;

 

WHEREAS, the subsistence fisherfolk have been seeking the enhancement of their empowerment

through meaningful participation in the management, development and protection of fisheries and

aquatic resources for sustainable productivity;

  

NOW THEREFORE, I, VICENTE B. FLORES, JR. Mayor, Municipality of Oton, by virtue of

the powers vested in me by the law do hereby order:

 

Section 1. To institutionalize the major role of the local fisherfolks and other resources users thru

community-based planning and implementation of policies and programs for the development

and protection of the fisheries and aquatic resources of the municipal waters as defined by the

Local Government Code, there is hereby re-organized BANTAY DAGAT in the Municipality of

Oton, to be composed of the following:

 Brgy. Alegre Galdwin Ganancial  Rogelio Gavilangoso   Brgy. Poblacion East Luis Cordova  Ruperto Molina

26

   Brgy. Poblacion South Franklin Minerva  Ruben Suarez  Ulyses Rodrigo  Enrico Contemplo  Jose Tesoro   Brgy. Trapiche Ernesto Mirasol  Crispin Gela  Rene Octavio  Hernanie Guevara   Brgy. Botong Domingo Caurao  Patricio Tamon  Jomar Domago   Brgy. Cabanbanan Ramon Acosta  Dante Palma  Luis Tahum  Kenneth Bustillo

 

 

Section 2. Functions – The Bantay Dagat shall have among their primary functions the following

1. To cooperate and augment government law enforcement agencies in strict enforcement of

related municipal ordinances and fishery laws.

2. Cooperate with the Fishery and Aquatic Resource Management Council (FARMC) in

raising the level of community awareness with regard to coastal protection and fisheries

management.

3. Be responsible on data gathering and monitoring of illegal fishing vessels entering the

municipal waters.

Section 3. Deputation of Bantay Dagat members – the members of the Bantay Dagat shall

undergo training and be deputized as fish wardens. The appropriate government units such as the

Municipal Agriculture Office is hereby instructed to ready the process and necessary activities for

deputation the Bantay Dagat members and officers.

27

Section 4. Technical Assistance – The Municipal Agriculture Office, General Services Office,

Municipal Treasurer’s Office, FARMC’s, and Oton PNP are instructed to extend technical

assistance to Bantay Dagat members.

This order shall take effect immediately.

Signed this 1st of March 2010 at the Municipality of Oton, Iloilo, Philippines.

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APPENDIX C: Annual Investment Program, Municipality of Oton

Program/Project/Activity Description

 

Implementing Office/

Department

Schedule of Implementation

Expected Outputs Appropriation

Amount (in '000)

Starting Date

Completion Date

Actual Amount

Balance%

Accomplished

I. Expansion and Rehabilitation of Productivity Programs

1. Conduct trainings, field days/trips on organic farming system, IPM, Palay-Check, Livestock Production & Mngt. & Fisheries Production & Other Farmer's Activities (Farmer's/Night & Sandiya Festival)

MACO January December 10 trainings/year, 1 Sandiya Festival 1 Farmer's/Family Night

100,000.00 5,400.00 94,600.00 5%

2. Research and Development Project

MACO May December 4 Demo-Farm (Varietal trials, INM, Natural Farming Tipid Abono

50,000.00 0 50,000.00 0%

3. Vegetable Communal & School Gardening

MACO January December 37 barangays/schools 150,000.00 130,000.00 20,000.00 87%

4. Distribution of Vegetable MACO January December 37 Barangays/16 60,000.00 39,647.50 20,352.50 66%

29

Seeds & Planting Materials elem. schools

II. Maintenance of Municipal Nursery

1. Production of assorted planting materials seedlings

MACO January December production and distribution of 6,000 assorted planting materials/seedlings

60,000.00 26,445.00 33,555.00 44.1%

III. Improvement of Livestock/Poultry Production and Management

1. Animal Health Mngt. Thru Vaccination, Deworming & Treatment of farm and domesticated animals

MACO January December at least 90% of the animal population vaccinated & dewormed

300,000.00 255,082.00 44,918.00 85%

2. Production of Darag Native Chicken

MACO January December purchase of stocks and IEC on Native Chicken production

50,000.00 28,100.00 21,900.00 56%

IV. Support for:

1. Farmers Information and Technology Services (FITS) Center

MACO January December 50% database farmers profiling 6 technology training 50% informative & technology services FITS Day

60,000.00 0 60,000.00 0%

V. Supervise and Monitor MACO January December 1 MAFC/1 200,000.00 102,479.00 97,521.00 51.2%

30

Farm Base Organizations:

MAFC, FARMC, FA, RIC, FYDP, OCAI and Cooperatives

FARMC/1 FA (Fed) 1 RIC/1cutflower/1 FYDP/1 COOP

VI. Fisheries Production both Marine and Aquaculture 

1. Implementation of Fishery Laws thru Monitoring of Illegal Fishing

MACO January December continuous operation of Bantay Dagat on illegal fishing

150,000.00 59,119.25 90,880.75 39.4%

2. Maintenance of Patrol Boat

MACO January December 2 units Patrol Boat maintained

60,000.00 31,263.50 28,736.50 52.1%

3. Installation/Maintenance and Monitoring of existing Artificial Reefs

MACO January April maintained artificial reefs

50,000.00 1,700.00 48,300.00 3.4%

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APPENDIX D: STATEMENT OF FUND OPERATION OF MUNICIPALITY OF OTON (2011)

Budget Year 2011

Province of ILOILO, Municipality of OTON

FUND/SPECIAL ACCOUNT: General Fund

ParticularsGeneral Public Services

Social ServicesEconomic Services

Other Services

Total

I. Beginning Cash BalanceII. ReceiptsTax RevenueOperating & Miscellaneous Income

       

   

P8,435,000.00P91,763,249.00

 Total Operating & Miscellaneous Income

         P100,198,249.00

32

III. ExpendituresA. Current Operating Expenditures1.Personal Services

Salaries & WagesPersonnel Economic Relief AllowanceRepresentation AllowanceTransportation AllowanceClothing AllowanceSubsistence & Laundry AllowanceProductivity Enhancement IncentivesHazard PayCash GiftChristmas BonusLife & Retirement Insurance PremiumPAG-IBIG ContributionsPHILHEALTH ContributionsECC ContributionsTerminal Leave PayOther Personnel Benefits (Monetization)Other Personnel Benifits (Merit Bonus)Other Personnel Benifits (Loyalty)

 P18,738,056.40P2,376,000.00P1,461,240.00P1,461,240.00P352,000.00

P0.00P990,000.00

P0.00P495,000.00

P1,561,666.60P2,248,606.64P374,800.00P225,000.00P106,305.00P97,605.00P742,578.00P176,000.00P60.000.00

  

P4,767,643.60P696,000.00P162,000.00P162,000.00P116,000.00P557,100.00P290,000.00

P1,042,000.00P145,000.00P397,302.80P572,127.00P95,364.00P56,700.00P32,573.00

P0.00P189,962.00P58,000.00P20,000.00

 

  

P4,444,944.00P600,000.00P118,800.00P118,800.00P100,000.00

P0.00P250,000.00

P0.00P125,000.00P370,412.00P533,406.00P88,820.00P53,400.00P29,070.00P10,000.00P177,101.00P50,000.00P10,000.00

 

  

P0.00P0.00P0.00P0.00P0.00P0.00P0.00P0.00P0.00P0.00P0.00P0.00P0.00P0.00P0.00P0.00P0.00P0.00

 

  

P27,950,644.00P3,672,000.00P1,742,040.00P1,742,040.00P612,000.00P557,100.00

P1,530,000.00P1,042,000.00P765,000.00

P2,329,381.40P3,354,139.64P558,984.00P335,100.00P157,948.00P107,605.00

P1,109,641.00P284,000.00P90,000.00

 

Total Personal Services 

P31,466,097.64 P9,359,772.40 P7,079,753.00 P0.00 P47,949,623.04

33

2. Maintenance &Other Operating Exp.Travel ExpensesTraining &Seminar ExpensesOffice Supplies ExpensesGeneral ServicesOffice Equipment MaintenanceMiscellaneous ExpensesMotor Vehicle MaintenanceMass WeddingComputerization of Civil Reg. FilesAuditing ServicesAccountable FormsPublic AuctionFidelity BondDay Care Worker AllowanceHonoraria for Senior CitizenHonoraria for PWD PresidentSupport Fund for Res./Ord.Drugs and Medicines ExpensesRepresentation Exp. BHWOther Non-Office Expenditure

  

P850,000.00P555,000.00P935,000.00

P2,715,000.00P305,000.00P632,963.71P800,000.00P25,000.00

P0.00P0.00

P300,000.00P100,000.00P30,000.00

P0.00P0.00P0.00

P50,000.00P0.00P0.00

P10,712,600.00

P230,000.00P100,000.00P160,000.00P329,000.00P25,000.00P10,000.00

P0.00P0.00P0.00P0.00P0.00P0.00P0.00

P819,000.00P60,000.00P36,000.00

P0.00P200,000.00P528,000.00

P1,510,000.00

P250,000.00P100,000.00P130,000.00P95,000.00P45,000.00P70,000.00

P0.00P0.00P0.00P0.00P0.00P0.00P0.00P0.00P0.00P0.00P0.00P0.00P0.00P0.00

P0.00P0.00P0.00P0.00P0.00P0.00P0.00P0.00P0.00P0.00P0.00P0.00P0.00P0.00P0.00P0.00P0.00P0.00P0.00P0.00

P1,286,000.00P755,000.00

P1,225,000.00P3,139,000.00P375,000.00P712,963.71P800,000.00P25,000.00

P0.00P0.00

P300,000.00P100,000.00P30,000.00P819,000.00P60,000.00P36,000.00P50,000.00P200,000.00P528,000.00

P12,222,600.00

Total Maintenance & Other Oper. Expenses 

P18,010,563.71 P4,007,000.00 P690,000.00 P0.00 P22,707,563.71

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3.Capital Outlays  4.Budgetary Requirements20% Development Fund5% Calamity FundAid to BarangayDebt ServicingDiscretionary Fund

P220,000.00   

P2,370,000.00P0.00

P636,400.00P0.00

P150,000.00

P30,000.00   

P7,709,649.80P5,009,012.45

P0.00P0.00P0.00

P0.00   

P9,760,000.00P0.00P0.00

P3,500,000.00P0.00

P0.00   P200,000.00

P0.00P0.00P0.00P0.00

P250,000.00   

P20,039,649.80P5,009,012.45P636,400.00

P3,500.000.00P150,000.00

Total Budgetary Requirements 

P3,156,400.00 P12,718,662.25 P13,260,000.00 P200,000.00 P29,335,062.25

TOTAL 

P52,853,061.35 P26,115,434.65 P21,029,753.00 P200,000.00 P100,198,249.00

35

36