Proclamation No. 753




MALACAÑAN PALACE MANILA BY THE PRESIDENT OF THE PHILIPPINES [ PROCLAMATION NO. 753, November 22, 2024 ] DECLARING THE MONTH OF OCTOBER OF EVERY YEAR AS “NATIONAL AGRICULTURE AND FISHERIES EXTENSION SERVICES MONTH” WHEREAS, Section 17, Article II of the Constitution provides that the State shall give priority to education, science and technology, arts, culture, and sports to foster patriotism and nationalism, accelerate social progress, and promote total human liberation and development; WHEREAS, Section 86 of Republic Act No. 8435 or the “Agriculture and Fisheries Modernization Act of 1997” declares it a policy of the State to: (I) promote science and technology as essential for national development and progress; (ii) give priority to the utilization of research results through formal and non-formal education, extension, and training services; and (iii) support the development of a National Extension Services System that will help accelerate the transformation of Philippine agriculture and fisheries (AF) from a resource-based industry to a technology-based industry; WHEREAS, AF Extension Services refer to the provision of training, information, and support services by the government and non-government organizations to the agriculture and fisheries sectors to improve the technical, business, and social capabilities of farmers and fisherfolk; WHEREAS, the delivery of AF Extension Services is acknowledged as an important pillar of “Masaganang Agrikultura at Maunlad na Ekonomiya, Tungo sa Bagong Pilipinas,” the overarching theme of the Department of Agriculture (DA) in its initiatives to provide knowledge to farmers and fisherfolk in the country for a dynamic, technologically advanced, and competitive agriculture and fisheries; WHEREAS, the observance of National Agriculture and Fisheries Extension Services Month seeks to accelerate the development and delivery of a unified and efficient AF Extension Services, promote nationwide awareness on the role of AF Extension Services in the development of AF sector, ensure the support of stakeholders in advancing the quality and standards of AF Extension Service in the country, and honor the contribution of agricultural extension workers as frontline actors in technology transfer and facilitators in providing farmers and fisherfolk access to Extension Services; and WHEREAS, Section 17, Article VII of the Constitution vests in the President the power of control over all the executive departments, bureaus and offices and the mandate to ensure the faithful execution of laws; NOW, THEREFORE, I, FERDINAND R. MARCOS, JR., President of the Philippines, by virtue of the powers vested in me by the Constitution and existing laws, do hereby declare the month of October of every year as “National Agriculture and Fisheries Extension Services Month.” For this purpose, the DA, through the Agricultural Training Institute (ATI), shall lead, coordinate, and supervise the observance of the National Agriculture and Fisheries Extension Services Month, and identify the programs, activities and projects for the yearly celebration thereof.ℒαwρhi৷ All other agencies and instrumentalities of the National Government, including government-owned or -controlled corporations and state universities and colleges, are hereby enjoined, and all local government units, non-government organizations, professional associations, and the private sector, are hereby encouraged to actively participate and render the necessary support and assistance to DA and ATI for the effective implementation of this Proclamation. IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand and caused the seal of the Republic of the President to be affixed. DONE, in the City of Manila, this 29th day of November, in the year of Our Lord, Two Thousand and Twenty-Four. (Sgd.) FERDINAND R. MARCOS, JR. By the President: (Sgd.) LUCAS P. BERSAMIN Executive Secretary The Lawphil Project - Arellano Law Foundation