Status of the agricultural extension system in Bicol [Philippines]

One policy reform that brought changes in the structure and operation of Philippine government was the implementation of RA 7160 known as the Local Government Code (LGC) of 1991. The Code provides more power, authority, and resources to the LGUs [local government units] for more effective and efficient delivery of basic services to the local communities. Mascarinas and Mascarinas (BU) [Bicol Univ., Philippines] analyzed the structure and conduct of LGU agricultural extension system as basis in designing policy and institutional reforms needed to strengthen the RDE [research, development and extension] system in the Bicol Reg ion. All heads of offices of LGU agricultural extension services report directly to their respective local chief executive (LCE). At the provincial level, formal communication patterns between the LCE and the OPA/OPV [Office of Provincial Agriculturist/Office of Provincial Veterinarian] were adopted due to huge size of he provincial government. At the municipal level, communication patterns between Office of the Municipal Agriculturist (OMA) and LCE were either formal or informal depending on the size of the LGU and content of communication. Level of resource allocation for agricultural extension services varies from one LGU to another depending on income class and organization size. Municipalities belonging to higher income class category had higher budgetary allocation for agriculture extension services. The bulk of the budgetary allocation for agricultural services (about 90-95%went to personal services while little amount or none at all was allocated for capital outlay. The OPA absorbed most of the devolved personnel of the DA-RFU [Department of Agriculture-Regional Field Unit]. The number of extension personnel averaged 12. A good number of personnel had attended training programs but there were indications that training opportunities were not widely distributed. Salaries and other benefits of extension personnel vary according to position and LGU classification. Provincial-based extension personnel receive higher salary and other benefits compared with municipal-based extension providers. Municipal- and city-based extension personnel have assumed more expanded role that included providing assistance in the conduct of applied researches, coordinating with other agencies in the implementation of programs/projects in the locality, and monitoring of nationally implemented programs/projects. The used a variety of extension modalities but farm and home visits were the most widely adopted followed by farmer's meeting. The least adopted extension modalities were supervised group radio listening, film showing, printed media, and study tour. A substantial number of LGU extension service providers learned to establish linkage with other agencies to support their research and extension undertakings and other activities. The prevailing mode of linkage was thru planning and implementing programs/projects. The national or provincial government thru strong partnership in implementing certain programs and projects either funds the partnership. Most LGUs had a variety of extension programs and projects but were mostly focused on the distribution of certain goods like seeds, seedlings, animal stock, farm implement, and the like. Most of these programs and projects were also attached to nationally implemented programs and projects which gave an impression that LGUs, particularly the OMA, were still dependent on the national government for project support. The situation was observed especially in low income class LGUs. Most LGUs had inadequate training activities for their clientele that is a basic function. The physical structure or office that housed the extension personnel is barely equipped with typewriters, computer, fax machine, photocopying machine, mimeographing machine, and electric fan, karaoke or sound system. Few laboratory equipment can be found such as soil test kit, refrigerator, and freezer. Very few maintain their own nurseries, demonstration farms, production farms, breeding centers, and stock farms due to high cost of establishing and maintaining said facilities. Personnel mobility is one problem facing most extension providers at all levels due to inadequate office vehicles. Extension personnel had to use their personal vehicles or take public conveyance when doing field work. Devolution has made LGUs active players in linkage development. Devolution has redefined the hierarchical structure of the agricultural extension system resulting in a new type of relationship between the provincial and municipality/city agricultural extension services.