Local Government Code of 1991

(iii) Assist the governor or mayor, as the case may be, in the establishment and extension services of demonstration farms or aqua-culture and marine products; (iv) Enforce rules and regulations relating to agriculture and aqua-culture; (v) Coordinate with government agencies and non-governmental organizations which promote agricultural productivity through appropriate technology compatible with environmental integrity; (4) Be in the frontline of delivery of basic agricultural services, particularly those needed for the survival of the inhabitants during and in the aftermath of man-made and natural disasters; (5) Recommend to the sanggunian and advise the governor or mayor, as the case may be, on all other matters related to agriculture and aqua-culture which will improve the livelihood and living conditions of the inhabitants; and (c) Exercise such other powers and perform such other duties and functions as may be prescribed by law or ordinance; Article Thirteen. - The Social Welfare and Development Officer SECTION 483. Qualifications, Powers and Duties. - (a) No person shall be appointed social welfare and development officer unless he is a citizen of the Philippines, a resident of the local government unit concerned, of good moral character, a duly licensed social worker or a holder of a college degree preferably in sociology or any other related course from a recognized college or university, and a first grade civil service eligible or its equivalent. He must have acquired experience in the practice of social work for at least five (5) years in the case of the provincial or city social welfare and development officer, and three (3) years in the case of the municipal social welfare and development officer. The appointment of a social welfare and development officer is mandatory for provincial and city governments, and optional for municipal government. (b) The social welfare and development officer shall take charge of the office on social welfare and development services and shall: (1) Formulate measures for the approval of the sanggunian and provide technical assistance and support to the governor or mayor, as the case may be, in carrying out measures to ensure the delivery of basic services and provision of adequate facilities relative to social welfare and development services as provided for under Section 17 of this Code; (2) Develop plans and strategies and upon approval thereof by the governor or mayor, as the case may be, implement the same particularly those which have to do with social welfare programs and projects which the governor or mayor is empowered to implement and which the sanggunian is empowered to provide for under this Code; (3) In addition to the foregoing duties, the social welfare and development officer shall: (i) Identify the basic needs of the needy, the disadvantaged and the impoverished and develop and implement appropriate measures to alleviate their problems and improve their living conditions; (ii) Provide relief and appropriate crisis intervention for victims of abuse and exploitation and recommend appropriate measures to deter further abuse and exploitation; (iii) Assist the governor or mayor, as the case may be, in implementing the barangay level program for the total development and protection of children up to six (6) years of age; (iv) Facilitate the implementation of welfare programs for the disabled, elderly, and victims of drug addiction, the rehabilitation of prisoners and parolees, the prevention of juvenile delinquency and such other activities which would eliminate or minimize the ill-effects of poverty; (v) Initiate and support youth welfare programs that will enhance the role of the youth in nation-building; (vi) Coordinate with government agencies and non-governmental organizations which have for their purpose the promotion and the protection of all needy, disadvantaged, underprivileged or impoverished groups or individuals, particularly those identified to be vulnerable and high-risk to exploitation, abuse and neglect; (4) Be in the frontline of service delivery, particularly those which have to do with immediate relief during and assistance in the aftermath of man-made and natural disaster and natural calamities; (5) Recommend to the sanggunian and advise the governor or mayor, as the case may be, on all other matters related to social welfare and development services which will improve the livelihood and living conditions of the inhabitants; and (c) Exercise such other powers and perform such other duties and functions as may be prescribed by law or ordinance. Article Fourteen. - The Environment and Natural Resources Officer SECTION 484. Qualifications, Powers and Duties. - (a) No person shall be appointed environment and natural resources officer unless he is a citizen of the Philippines, a resident of the local government unit concerned, of good moral character, a holder of a college degree preferably in environment, forestry, agriculture or any related course from a recognized college or university, and a first grade civil service eligible or its equivalent. He must have acquired experience in environmental and natural resources management, conservation, and utilization, for at least five (5) years in the case of the provincial or city environment and natural resources officer, and three (3) years in the case of the municipal environment and natural resources officer. The appointment of the environment and natural resources officer is optional for provincial, city, and municipal governments. (b) The environment and natural resources management officer shall take charge of the office on environment and natural resources and shall: (1) Formulate measures for the consideration of the sanggunian and provide technical assistance and support to the governor or mayor, as the case may be, in carrying out measures to ensure the delivery of basic services and provision of adequate facilities relative to environment and natural resources services as provided for under Section 17 of this Code; (2) Develop plans and strategies and upon approval thereof, by the governor or mayor, as the case may be, implement the same, particularly those which have to do with environment and natural resources programs and projects which the governor or mayor is empowered to implement and which the sanggunian is empowered to provide for under this Code; (3) In addition to the foregoing duties and functions, the environment and natural resources officer shall: (i) Establish, maintain, protect and preserve communal forests, watersheds, tree parks, mangroves, greenbelts, commercial forests and similar forest projects  like industrial tree farms and agro-forestry projects; (ii) Provide extension services to beneficiaries of forest development projects and technical, financial and infrastructure assistance; (iii) Manage and maintain seed banks and produce seedlings for forests and tree parks; (iv) Provide extension services to beneficiaries of forest development projects and render assistance for natural resources-related conservation and utilization activities consistent with ecological balance;