Philippine Laws on Agriculture, Engineering, and Environment

Philippine Agricultural Engineering Law

An act to regulate the practice of agricultural engineering in the Philippines.

RA 8293

To protect and secure the exclusive rights of scientists, inventors, artists and other gifted citizens to their intellectual property and creations.

Agriculture and Fisheries Modernization Act of 1997

An act prescribing urgent related measures to modernize the agriculture and fisheries sectors of the country.

Code of Conduct and Ethical Standards for Public Officials and Employees

An act establishing a code of conduct and ethical standards for public officials and employees.

Animal Welfare Act of 1998

To protect and promote the welfare of all animals in the Philippines.

National Building Code of the Philippines

To safeguard life, health, property, and public welfare through a framework of minimum standards and requirements for buildings.

Philippine Fisheries Code of 1998

To achieve food security as the overriding consideration in the utilization, management, development, conservation and protection of fishery resources.

Comprehensive Agrarian Reform Law of 1988

An act aimed at promoting social justice and providing for the equitable distribution of agricultural land.

Philippine Agricultural Engineering Act of 1998

The act supports agribusiness venture arrangements, which are the local equivalent of contract farming.

Philippine Clean Air Act of 1999

To promote and protect the global environment to attain sustainable development.

Toxic Substances and Hazardous and Nuclear Waste Control Act of 1990

To regulate the importation, manufacture, processing, handling, storage, transportation, sale, distribution, use and disposal of unregulated chemical substances.

PRC Modernization Act of 2000

An act modernizing the professional regulation commission.

Local Government Code of 1991

An act providing for a more responsive and accountable local government structure through decentralization.

Ecological Solid Waste Management Act of 2000

To implement a comprehensive, ecological solid waste management program aimed at protecting public health and the environment.

Consumer Act of the Philippines of 1991

It is the policy of the state to protect the interests of the consumer and promote his general welfare.

Government Procurement Reform Act

An act to establish standards of conduct for business and industry in government procurement.

Mandanas-Garcia Supreme Court ruling

IRA on the 'just shares' of LGUs, where IRA should come from 40% of all national taxes.

Intellectual Property Code of the Philippines

To promote the ideals of good governance in all its branches, departments, agencies, subdivisions, and instrumentalities, including government-owned and/or -controlled corporations, and local government units.

Philippine Clean Water Act of 2004

To promote economic growth in a manner consistent with the protection, preservation and revival of the quality of our fresh, brackish and marine waters.

Comprehensive Agrarian Reform Program Extension with Reforms

The welfare of the landless farmers and farmworkers will receive the highest consideration to promote social justice and to move the nation toward sound rural development and industrialization.

Climate Change Act of 2009

An act mainstreaming climate change into government policy formulations, establishing the framework strategy and program on climate change, creating for this purpose the climate change commission, and for other purposes.

Meat Inspection Code of the Philippines

To govern the flow of food animals, meat and meat products, to ensure food security and provide safety and quality standards for consumer products.

Biofuels Act of 2006

To reduce dependence on imported fuels with due regard to the protection of public health, the environment, and natural ecosystems consistent with the country's sustainable economic growth.

Organic Agriculture Act of 2010

To promote, propagate, develop further and implement the practice of organic agriculture in the Philippines.

Agricultural and Fisheries Mechanization (AFMech) Law

To promote modern, cost-effective, and environmentally safe agricultural and fisheries machinery to boost productivity, food security, and farmers' income.

Renewable Energy Act of 2008

Accelerate the exploration and development of renewable energy resources to achieve energy self-reliance.

Food Safety Act of 2013

To protect consumers from trade malpractices and from substandard or hazardous products.

Sugarcane Industry Development Act of 2015

To promote the competitiveness of the sugarcane industry and maximize the utilization of sugarcane resources.

Fire Code of the Philippines

To ensure public safety, promote economic development through the prevention and suppression of all kinds of destructive fires.

Free Irrigation Service Act

To ensure that vital support services are made available, particularly irrigation service, to increase production of agricultural crops.

Philippine Cooperative Code of 2008

To foster the creation and growth of cooperatives as a practical vehicle for promoting self-reliance and harnessing people power.

Farm Tourism Development Act of 2016

Seek to promote environment-friendly, efficient and sustainable farm practices.

Continuing Professional Development Act of 2016

To promote and upgrade the practice of professions in the country.

DA Memorandum Order No. 61 s2020

Parts of a standard feasibility study include Project Summary, Market Feasibility, Technical Feasibility, Financial Feasibility, Socio-economic Feasibility, Management Feasibility.

Block Farm Program

Consolidation of small farms including farms of agrarian reform beneficiaries, as one larger farm, with a minimum area of thirty (30) hectares.

Income Tax Holiday (ITH)

For the first seven (7) years of its commercial operations, the duly registered RE developer shall be exempt from income taxes levied by the national government.

Duty-free Importation of RE Machinery, Equipment and Materials

Within the first ten (10) years upon the issuance of a certification of an RE developer, the importation of machinery and equipment shall not be subject to tariff duties.

Minimum Bioethanol Blend Requirement

A minimum of ten percent (10%) blend of bioethanol by volume into all gasoline fuel distributed and sold by each and every oil company in the country.

Minimum Biodiesel Blend Requirement

A minimum of one percent (1%) biodiesel by volume shall be blended into all diesel engine fuels sold in the country.

Biodiesel Blend Increase Consideration

A minimum of two percent (2%) blend of biodiesel by volume which may be increased taking into account considerations including but not limited to domestic supply.

CPD Points

45 credit units

Philippine Agricultural and Biosystems Engineering Act of 2016

RA 10915

Financial feasibility analysis

Analysis of the financial viability of a project

Economic feasibility analysis

Analysis of the economic viability of a project

Liquidity and profitability ratios

Metrics used to assess a company's financial health

Break-even analysis

Determining when a project will become profitable

Tax Reform for Acceleration and Inclusion Law

RA 10963

Philippine Qualification Framework Act

RA 10968

Rice Tariffication Law

RA 11203

Environmental impact assessment

Evaluation of the potential environmental effects of a project

Qualification of FS preparers

Licensed AE/ABEs

International Accounting Standards

IAS

International Financial Reporting Standards

IFRS

Feasibility Preparation Cost

5% of first 50 million pesos of all project investment cost plus 2.5% in excess of 50 million pesos

Qualification of FS evaluators

Licensed AE/ABEs with valid certificate of training completion

Powers and Duties of the Board

Includes promulgating rules, supervising registration, and enforcing ethical standards

Qualification of an Applicant for Examinations

Citizen of the Philippines or a foreign citizen with reciprocity

Rating in the Board Examinations

Weighted general average of seventy percent (70%) with no grades lower than fifty-five percent (55%)

Reexamination

Applicants who fail three times must wait one year before retaking

Issuance of Certificate of Registration

COR is issued after payment and includes signatures and official seals

RA 3927

First Philippine Agricultural Engineering Law enacted June 18, 1964

RA 8559

Philippine Agricultural Engineering Act of 1998 approved February 13, 1998

RA 10915

Philippine Agricultural and Biosystems Engineering Act lapsed into law on July 21, 2016

Scope of Practice

Includes engineering designs, project management, and environmental studies

Creation and Composition of the Board

1 chairperson and 2 members appointed by the President of the Philippines

Qualifications of Members of the Board

Filipino citizen, at least 35 years old, and active practitioner for at least 10 years

Renewal

Every 3 years, subject to Board-prescribed requirements and proof of CPD completion

Vested Right

Agricultural engineers registered under Republic Act No. 8559 will automatically be registered as agricultural and biosystems engineers

Seal and Use of Seal

Each registrant must obtain a seal designed and prescribed by the Board

Seal Requirements

Seal must be stamped on plans and specifications prepared or supervised by the registrant while their license is valid

Seal Validity

Seal cannot be used if the professional license has expired or is invalid

Seal Design

PRBABE Resolution No. 4 S2018, signed August 20, 2018

Seal Diameter

Circular with a diameter of 42mm

Dodecagon Seal Design

Drawn 5mm inward from the circumference, with its top and bottom sides horizontally straight

Rectangular Band

5mm wide, placed horizontally across the center, with endpoints touching the dodecagon

Name Placement on Seal

Written in all capital letters, positioned at the upper part of the seal, centered between the circle and dodecagon, with two dots before and after the last name

Dodecagon Representation

Represents the 12 functional scope of ABE

CPD

License Renewal: CPD credit units are necessary for renewing professional licenses and accreditation for advanced practice levels

Penalties

Administrative sanctions, monetary fine: Minimum of ₱100,000, Maximum of ₱500,000

Imprisonment Penalties

Minimum: 6 months, Maximum: 5 years

Specializations in ABE

Includes Agricultural and Biosystems Power and Machinery, Irrigation and Drainage Engineering, Soil and Water Conservation Engineering, and more

COA MO No.26 S2004

Instructing all CA Assistant Commissioners, CA Directors of Operating units, Regional Cluster directors and others for the promulgation of signing and sealing of plans, designs, specifications, and other documents by a licensed AEs/ABEs

BOAE Memorandum Circular No.18 S2000

Informing all city and municipal building officials regarding the implementation of RA 8559 in the processing and approval of building permits for agricultural buildings and structures required under PD 1096

Signing and Sealing Requirements

Government officers or employees must ensure documents are signed and sealed by a registered ABE

Accountability of Engineers

Engineers must only sign or seal documents they prepared or supervised; if collaborating, they must indicate the specific parts they performed

Engineer-in-Charge Accountability

The engineer-in-charge is fully accountable for all documents issued under their seal or signature

Drawings, plans, designs, and specifications

Signed and sealed by an agricultural and biosystems engineer are their property, regardless of project execution.

Professional documents requirements for ABE

Must include professional license number, license validity duration, and professional tax receipt (PTR) number.

COR application for ABE practice

Firms, partnerships, corporations, cooperatives, associations, or foundations may apply as long as the majority of partners are registered and licensed ABE.

Required plans for agricultural projects

Includes location and vicinity plan, site development plan, floor plan, elevation (at least four), typical section and details, foundation and footings, lighting and ventilation requirements and facilities, and biogas system.

Agricultural buildings and structures

Included in the list of Table VII, I (Division j-1) PD 1096.

Goals of agricultural modernization

Increased income and profit of small farmers and fisherfolk, availability of staple foods at affordable prices, reduction of rural poverty and income inequality, and reduction of malnutrition.

Global Competitiveness and Sustainability in agriculture

Increase in volume, quality, and value of agriculture and fisheries production for domestic consumption and exports.

PAGASA's role

Shall devise a method of regularly monitoring and considering the effect of global climate changes.

Special concerns in agriculture and fisheries

Includes livestock and poultry houses, marketing facilities, training centers, research centers, and storage buildings.

BOAE Memorandum Circular No.17 S2009

Agricultural Engineering Permit Form.

BOAE Memorandum Circular No.9 S2009

Implementation of RA 8559 in the identification, validation, design, and construction of Farm-to-market roads.

BOAE Memorandum Circular No.9 S2005

Implementation of RA 9184, the procurement of agricultural and fishery infrastructure facilities, machineries, equipment, and consulting services in relation to RA 8559.

Executive Order No. 220 S2003

Directing the Adoption of the Code of Good Governance for the Professionals in the Philippines.

Ethical Awareness

The ability to discern between right and wrong.