MANILA, Philippines?Agriculture Secretary Proceso Alcala wants to take back supervision over agricultural officers, which has been devolved to the local government units.

Alcala believes he could better implement the projects of the Aquino administration if he could directly manage the agricultural officers and extension workers who are based in the localities all over the country.

Supervision over these personnel rests with local government units, as mandated by the Local Government Code of 1991.

?Without the corps of agricultural extension workers and technicians, the Department of Agriculture (DA) is like a general without soldiers in the field,? Alcala said in a statement.

?We need to have them back so we could effectively implement the many agricultural and fishery projects that we plan to pursue under the administration of President Benigno S. Aquino III,? he added.

He made the statements in response to questions why the department?s services have not reached the small farmers and fishermen.

Alcala said the DA would back bills seeking to re-nationalize agriculture by putting back agriculture officers under the department?s direct supervision.

He added that during a recent meeting of the League of Provinces of the Philippines, governors also expressed support for the proposal.