USDA Restructuring: Enhanced Mandates Explained

THE Department of Agriculture (DA) is implementing a restructuring in response to new and expanded mandates under several laws.

These include Republic Act (RA) 12022, also known as the Anti-Agricultural Sabotage Act; RA 11321, the Sagip Saka Act; and RA 11203, or the Rice Tariffication Law as amended by RA 12078, among others.

The restructuring, formalized under Memorandum Order 41, Series of 2025, aims to reorganize, realign or change the organization, staffing, processes and operations of DA offices.

Guidelines for restructuring, which will apply to all offices, bureaus, attached agencies and corporations were outlined. The process aims to guide the preparation, submission, review and evaluation of proposals from these offices.

The DA memo states that proposals should contribute to the viability of the agricultural value chain and the department’s strategic goals of food security and increased incomes for farmers and fisherfolk. It must also align with strategic objectives and mandates of relevant legislation.

These should also support the devolution of agricultural services while ensuring DA presence at the provincial level. It should also incorporate streamlining and digitalization to enhance operational efficiency, reduce the burden on citizens and the government, and enable remote operations.

Proposals should also strengthen and create necessary functions and programs while scaling down, phasing out or abolishing functions or programs that are redundant and outdated. This includes merging or consolidating offices.

Changes to staffing must comply with relevant government regulations.

‘We must perform well’

Meanwhile, Agriculture Secretary Francisco Tiu Laurel Jr. told DA personnel that the department would have to perform to justify an increase in its budget.

Under the proposed National Expenditure Program for 2026, the DA is to get P176.7 billion, P21.1 billion or 13.56 percent higher than this year’s P155.6 billion.

This includes P30 billion for the Rice Competitiveness Enhancement Fund after RA 12078 or the amended Rice Tariffication Law prescribed that the annual allocation for the fund be tripled from P10 billion.

It also covers P43.9 billion in programs for rice, corn, high-value crops, organic and urban farming and livestock.

“We must perform well. We cannot ask for more resources if we fail to deliver,” Tiu Laurel said, pointing to a slowdown in fund obligations during the second quarter.

This means the department was not spending its budget as quickly as planned or as expected and followed a strong start to 2025, he added.