NINETEENTH CONGRESS OF THE 
)
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES 
)
First Regular Session 
)
SENATE 
S. No. ^0^9
^rua5J:
of iiir £'CI; Cf .!;■))
*22 AUG-8 P2 33
RliCElVED BY.
Introduced by SENATOR RAMON BONG REVILLA, JR.
AN ACT
TO ESTABLISH AN INTEGRATED SYSTEM FOR AGRICULTURE TECHNOLOGY 
GENERATION AND TRANSFER AND APPROPRIATING FUNDS THEREFOR
EXPLANATORY NOTE
Since time immemorial agriculture has been the Philippines' economic 
backbone. It is one of the country's principal source of income and employment, 
almost half of the total labor force belongs to the agricultural sector, making it a 
major industry of our nation.
However, it has been observed that small farm-holders and tenant farmers 
still rely on traditional farming methods instead of adopting new agricultural 
techniques and technologies. In spite of efforts by government agencies, institutions 
and non-government organizations, these farmers have yet to evolve and adapt to 
the times, their orthodox way of doing things now hinder them from growing like 
large new agribusiness farms in the country. The conventional ways of farming they 
are accustomed to keep them buoyant but also threaten their survival for the coming 
year. Today's economic climate isn't farmer-friendly, they are starting to feel the 
weight brought by the times.
A lot of our farmers remain economically powerless and technologically 
outdated due to the low investment in research and development (R&D) and 
inadequate generation and ineffective transfer of agricultural technologies.


The Philippines cannot afford to allow the present state of affairs to continue, 
with the increasing population, the country may not be able to produce or import the 
food to properly meet the needs of its people and the nation's rapid growth.
In order for our country to become a progressive industrialized nation, it 
should have a strong and highly productive agricultural sector. Its strength and 
productivity rely on the empowerment of the majority of farmers and the promotion 
of the development of cutting-edge agricultural technologies to enable our country 
to become highly competitive in the international market.
This Act is in response to the strongly felt need to integrate R&D, technology 
generation and transfer into a single coherent and harmonious national system 
completely dedicated to the socio-economic well-being of Filipino farmers. It alms to 
transform traditional agricultural practices to modern highly productive agricultural 
practices that will elevate their incomes and provide a totally better quality of life.
A sustained expansion of the national economy requires sustained growth in 
the agricultural sector. We must transform our farmers into a resource of renewed 
national vigor and creativity in our drive for global competitiveness.
In view of the foregoing, approval of this bill is earnestly requested.
ramot^/^wITrevilla, m.


NINETEENTH CONGRESS OF THE 
)
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES 
)
First Regular Session 
)
SENATE
s. No. 1099
.r'of tijr £'i'C; i'Lm>
'22 AUG -8 P2 33
RKCEIVEO Bv,
Introduced by SENATOR RAMON BONG REVILLA, JR.
AN ACT
TO ESTABLISH AN INTEGRATED SYSTEM FOR AGRICULTURE TECHNOLOGY 
GENERATION AND TRANSFER AND APPROPRIATING FUNDS THEREFOR
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the Philippines in 
Congress Assembled:
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Section 1. Short Title. -This act shall be known as the "Agriculture Technology
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Generation and Transfer Act"
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Sec. 2. Declaration of Policy. -
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a) The State shall protect and promote the socio-economic welfare and
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well-being of Filipino farmers, particularly those in the countryside
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towards this end, it is the purpose of this Act to establish an Integrated
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System of Agriculture Technology Generation and Transfer that will most
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efficiently and effectively provide the agricultural technology services as
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a means of empowerment of farmers and enable them to help sustain a
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self-sufficient and self-reliant food and agriculture production for its
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people and accelerate agro-industrial development of the country.
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b) The State also commits itself to the protection of the environment and
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the promotion of sustainable agriculture.
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Sec. 3. Scope. - This Act shall apply to and govern all existing agricultural
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research and extension activities of the National Government, the local government
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units, farmer's and non-government organizations and the state universities and
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colleges In the country.
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Sec. 4. Definition of Terms. -The following terms shall mean as defined herein:


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a) Agriculture. - Refers to the art, science and business of cultivating the 
soil, planting of crops, growing of fruit trees, management of forests, 
raising or catching or both of livestock poultry or fish; including the 
harvesting and post-harvest handling of such products, and other 
activities and practices performed by persons whether natural or juridical 
in conjunction with such operations.
b) Research and Development (R&D). - Pertains to all organized activities 
designed to search for new knowledge or modify existing ones, develop 
new methods and techniques of operation, tools, equipment or types of 
organisms through the application of the scientific method.
c) Technology Generation. - R&D activities that are directed principally 
towards the development of such methods, techniques, computer 
software and hardware, tools, equipment, or types of organisms that may 
be used or applied for the benefit of man The product of such activities 
may be referred to as technologies.
d) Technology Transfer. - Pertains to all organized activities designed to 
enable individuals or groups to effectively adapt a particular technology.
e) Farmer. - Any person who engages In any agricultural activity.
f) Sustainable Agriculture. - Any principle, method and/or practice that 
alms to make agriculture economically viable, ecologically sound, socially 
just, culturally appropriate, and grounded on holistic science.
Sec. 5. Purpose. - The purpose of the Integrated System of Agriculture 
Technology Generation and Transfer shall be to most effectively and efficiently 
respond to and provide for the technology needs of farmers and enable them to attain 
higher productivity and market competitiveness in the context of sustainable 
agricultural principles and practices.
Sec. 6. The Integrated System of Agriculture Technology Generation and 
Transfer (ISATGaT). - All government agencies and institutions, including local 
government units and farmers and non-government organizations that are engaged 
in R&D, training and extension activities in agriculture shall be organized and formed 
into an Integrated System of Agriculture Technology Generation and Transfer 
(ISATGaT) It shall be organized into hierarchical and interlocking councils at the


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national, regional and provincial levels The national and regional councils shall be
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concerned with both the technology generation and transfer activities while the
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provincial councils shall be concerned with technology transfer activities.
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Sec. 7. Components of the System. -
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a) Department of Agriculture
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b) Institutes and Centers for Agricultural Research Development and
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Training c) Local Government Units
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d) State Universities and Colleges
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e) Farmers* and Non-Government Organizations
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Sec. 8. The Department of Agriculture (DA) shall:
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a) Provide the office of the Chairman and the Secretarial of the National
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Integrated System for Agriculture Technology Generation and Transfer
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(NISATGaT) Council
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b) Organize and operate a Bureau of Agriculture technology Generation
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and Transfer (BATGaT) out of its existing research centers and outreach
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stations and training institutes for purposes of addressing agriculture
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technology issues or for national concern, and
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c) Coordinate the activities of the NISATGaT Council with that of the other
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units within its department and with other agencies and instrumentalities
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of the Government in order that such activities shall be consistent with
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and in pursuit of the National programs and objectives of the country.
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Sec. 9. The Autonomous National Institutes and Centers for Agricultural
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Research, Development and Training shall: -
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a) Undertake such technology generation and transfer activities as may
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be recommended by the NISATGaT Council, and
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b) Maintain and improve high level of technical manpower and
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appropriate facilities to be able to effectively undertake whatever
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technology generation and transfer activities may be deemed necessary.
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Sec. 10. The Local Government Units (LGUs) shall: -
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a) Designate a Provincial Agriculture Officer (PAO)- in each province who
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will represent the respective provinces in the Regional Integrated System
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for Agriculture Technology Generation and Transfer (RISATGaT) Council


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and coordinate all activities pertaining to agricultural technology services 
to farmers in his/her provinces; and
b) In collaboration with a duly recognized provincial college of agriculture, 
shall organize a Provincial Agriculture Technology Transfer (PATT) 
Council whose members will include the head of the agricultural 
institution, the PAO, Municipal Agricultural Officers, representatives of 
recognized local farmers' and non-government organizations.
Sec. 11. The State Universities and Coiieges (SUCs) shaii: -
a) Designate an Agriculture Technology Generation and Transfer (ATGaT) 
Coordinator who will represent the institution In the Regional Integrated 
System for Technology Generation and Transfer (RISATGaT) Council in 
the case of duly accredited regional SUCs;
b) Designate an Agriculture Technology Transfer (ATT) Coordinator for 
the institution and who will represent the institution in the Provincial 
Integrated System for Agriculture Technology Transfer (PISATT} Council 
in the case of duly accredited provincial agricultural colleges or provincial 
technical institutes of agriculture;
c) Undertake research, technology generation and/or technology transfer 
on such areas as may be recommended by the NISATGaT, RISATGaT or 
PISATT Council in the case of duly accredited national, regional or 
provincial agricultural institution(s), respectively:
d) Provide the office of the Chairman and Secretariat of the RISATGaT 
Council in the case of the regional state agricultural institution or of the 
PISATT Council In the case of the provincial agricultural institution as may 
be designated by the NISATGaT Council, and
e) Provide facilities and staff for and conduct training of agricultural 
technologies, technicians and farmers in the utilization of the various 
agricultural technologies.
Sec. 12. Farmers and Non-Government Organizations (NGOs) shaii: - 
a) Volunteer facilities or certain portions of their farms for tests and/or 
demonstration of certain agricultural technologies that are of potential 
benefit to them;


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b) Actively participate in the problem opportunity identification, planning 
and implementation of research and development of promising 
technologies; and
c) Share in the cost of research and development of technologies that are 
potentially beneficial to them.
Sec. 13. Creation of the National Integrated System for Agriculture Technology 
Generation and Transfer (NISATGaT) Council. - To carry out the programs for 
generation and transfer of agriculture technologies of the country, the National 
Integrated System for Agriculture Technology Generation and Transfer (NISATGaT) 
Council is hereby created and attached to the Department of Agriculture for 
administrative purposes only, with the following composition and functions:
a) Composition. - The following shall serve as members of the NISATGaT 
with its Chairman to be elected to serve for a period of three (3) years.
1) One outstanding scientist from each of the fields of Crop 
Science, Animal Science, Agricultural Engineering, Fisheries, 
Forestry and Veterinary Medicine who shall be nominated by heads 
of faculties, scientific or professional groups for a term of three (3) 
years, and from among themselves, a Co-chairperson shall be 
chosen;
2) The Director of the Bureau of Agriculture Research, Technology 
Generation and Transfer (BARATGaT) who shall also serve as the 
Executive Director of the Secretariat of the Council;
3) The Dean, College of Agriculture of the University Council of the 
Philippines at Los Banos;
4) The President of the Philippine Association of Agricultural 
Colleges and Universities;
5) The Executive Director of the Philippine Council for Agriculture 
and Resources Research and Development (PCARRD);
6) One representative of the National Farmers' Organizations and 
one representative of the National NGOs involved with agricultural 
technology transfer;
7) Chairperson of each of the RISATGaT Councils;


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8) The Director, Bureau of Animal Industry; and
9) The Director, Bureau of Plant Industry; and
10) The Director, Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources
b) Functions. - The NISATGaT Council shall have the following duties and 
functions:
1) Scan the environment of the Philippine agriculture and study 
new development and trends where problems and opportunities 
could arise and taken advantage of by developing new 
technologies;
2) Study new technologies in agriculture and related fields and 
determine whether these could be advantageously adapted by 
Filipino farmers,
3) Formulate policies that will encourage and promote the 
expeditious generation and transfer of technologies that are most 
beneficial to the Filipino people,
4) Prioritize national programs for research, technology generation 
and transfer that government should support;
5) Make representation with the Department of Budget and 
Management and see to the timely and efficient allocation of funds 
for agriculture research, technology generation and transfer 
programs as recommended by NISATGaT, and
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Formulate policies regarding technology, protection, 
commercialization and dissemination.
Sec. 14. Creation of the Regional Integrated System for Agriculture Technology 
Generation and Transfer Council. -To carry out the regional programs for generation 
and transfer of technologies appropriate for each of the regions, a Regional 
Agricultural Technology Generation and Transfer (RISATGaT) Council is hereby 
created in each of the geographical regions of the country and attached to a chartered 
regional state university or college as designated by the MSATGaT Council.
a) Composition. - The RISATGaT Council shall be composed of the 
following members whose Chairman shall be elected by its members for 
a term of three (3) years and assisted by a Secretariat,


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1) The Heads of the accredited agricultural university(ies) and 
college(s) of the region,
2) The Directors/ Heads of Regional Integrated Agriculture 
Research Centers and of other duly recognized agricultural 
commodity research and training centers in the region,
3) The Manager/ head of the Regional Outreach Station;
4) The Provincial Agricultural Officers of each province of the 
region,
5) The President (s) or Chairperson (s) of duly recognized farmers 
and non-government organizations Involved in the promotion of 
agriculture in the region; and
6) The Coordinator of Agriculture Technology Generation and 
Transfer of the institution to which the RPSATGaT is attached and 
who shall also serve as in charge of the Secretariat
b) Function. - The RISATGaT Council shall have the following duties and 
functions:
1) Periodically discuss problems and opportunities for developing 
agriculture in the province and plan and cause the implementation 
of research, technology generation and transfer programs that will 
most effectively address such Issues;
2) Coordinate the research, technology generation and technology 
transfer activities in the region and see that they are consistent 
with the plans and programs approved by the RISATGaT;
3) Determine the priorities for research, technology generation 
and transfer that may be Implemented in the region and 
accordingly recommend financial support by the Government or 
by any interested parties;
4) Periodically review on-going research and development projects 
and programs and see that they are squarely address their 
objectives; and


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5) Plan and facilitate the transfer of new and appropriate
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agricultural technologies to farmers and other end-users in the
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region.
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Sec. 15. Creation of Provincial Integrated System for Agriculture Technology
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Transfer Council. - To effectively transfer agriculture technologies to farmers in the
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provinces and municipalities, the Provincial Agriculture Technology Transfer (PATT)
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Council shall be established in each of the provinces and attached to the provincial
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agricultural college designated by the RISATGaT Council.
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a) Composition. - The PATT Council shall be composed of the following
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members with the Chairman to be elected from among the members and
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serve for three (3) years:
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1) The Head(s) of recognized provincial agricultural college(s) or
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institute(s):
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2) The Provincial Agricultural Officer (PAO) who shall also serve as
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Coordinator of Technology Transfer and in-charge of 
the PATT
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Council Secretariat.
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3) The Municipal Agricultural Officer of each municipality; and
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4) The chairperson(s) of duly recognized farmers and non-
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government organizations involved in agriculture in the province.
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b) Functions. - PATT Council shall have the following duties and functions:
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1) Periodically discuss problems and opportunities for developing
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agriculture in the province and plan and cause the implementation
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of appropriate technology for transfer to farmers and other local
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end-users;
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2) Coordinate technology transfer activities in the region and see
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that they are consistent with its approved plans and programs;
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3) Determine priority technology transfer activities that may be
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implemented in the province and accordingly recommend financial
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support by the local government or by any interested parties;
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4) Periodically review on-going technology transfer activities in the
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province and see that they squarely address their objectives; and


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5) Plan and facilitate the transfer of new and appropriate 
agriculture technologies to farmers and other end-users in the 
province.
Sec. 16. Budgetary Scheme. - Shall be as follows: -
a) The current appropriations or budgets for agriculture research, 
technology generation and transfer program of the state agencies, 
institutes and centers and local government units and SUCs shall be 
Increased from the present level by annual increment of 0.2% of the GVA 
of the agriculture sector for the next ten (10) years as recommended by 
the NISATGaT Council and approved by the Department of Budget and 
Management and shall be included in the Annual General Appropriations 
Act.
b) This Act hereby allocates an endowment lump sum amount of Fifty 
million pesos (Php 50,000,000.00) per annum for the next ten (10) years 
and shall be included in the General Appropriations Act starting 1995.
This fund shall be called the Agriculture Technology Generation and 
Transfer Fund to support high priority technology generation and transfer 
programs of the NISATGaT Council, the RISATGaT Councils and the PATT 
Councils. Provided, that such find shall be Invested in government bonds 
and securities and managed by the NISATGaT Council using only the 
interest earnings of the said kind.
c) The operations of the Bureau of Agriculture Research, Technology 
Generation and Transfer shall be funded initially from the DA allocation 
for the operation of both its Bureaus of Agricultural Research (BAR) and 
Agricultural Training Institute (ATI) upon the effectivity of this Act, the 
BAR and ATT shall be replaced by the BARTGaT. Subsequently, the 
appropriation of the BARTGaT shall be incremented according to the 
provisions of subsection (a) hereof.
Sec. 18. Incentives for Private Institutions. - Private Institutions and 
organizations may avail of the research, technology generation and transfer fund. 
Provided, That their programs shall be approved for funding by the NISATGaT Council. 
Furthermore, their expenditures for research and development activities shall be


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eligible for tax exemptions Provided, That the information that they derive therefrom 
shall be shared with the community of researchers through scientific publications, 
seminars, symposia and the like.
Sec. 19. Incentives and Benefits for Technologists and Technicians and Farmers 
Participating in Technology Generation and Transfer.
a) Technologists and technicians involved In research, technology 
generation and transfer shall be paid salaries, at least, equal to the 
teaching staff of the SUCs of equivalent academic training and 
qualifications. They shall also be given corresponding incentives and 
benefits for any patent on products or processes that they have 
developed
b) Farmers who participate in the planning and Implementation of 
technology generation and transfer activities or make available certain 
areas of their farm lots or farm facilities for such activities shall be entitled 
to certain incentives and benefits as may be recommended by the 
supervising Council and approved by the Commission on Audit
Sec. 20. Repealing Clause. - All existing laws, rules and regulations or parts 
thereof Inconsistent with the provisions of this Act are hereby repealed or modified 
accordingly.
Sec. 21. Separability Clause. - If any part, section or provision of this Act shall 
be held invalid or unconstitutional, no other part, section or provision hereof shall be 
affected thereby.
Sec 22. Effectivity. - This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after its 
publication in two (2) newspapers of general circulation
Approved,
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