NINETEENTH CONGRESS OF THE 
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES
Second Regular Session
)
)
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SENATE
Senate Bill No. 2535
of li)r fe ‘ I
24 FEB-7 A10 :46
RECEIVED BV;
Introduced by Senator Juan Miguel F. Zubiri
AN ACT REGULATING THE PRACTICE OF THE AGRICULTURE 
PROFESSION IN THE PHILIPPINES, CREATING FOR THE PURPOSE A 
PROFESSIONAL REGULATORY BOARD FOR AGRICULTURISTS, AND 
APPROPRIATING FUNDS THEREFOR
EXPLANATORY NOTE
Based on the Labor Force Survey released by the Philippine Statistics 
Authority (PSA) on August 2023, the services sector remained on top in terms of 
the number of employed persons, capping a share of 57.3% in the total number 
of employed persons, and with the agricuitural sector accounting for a 24.5% 
share. The agriculturai industry was also recognized as one of the five (5) sectors 
with the highest annual increase in the number of empioyed persons in August 
2023, along with forestry.1 While these figures represent the other major 
categories of agricuitural or farm workers, they constitute another integral and 
essential part of this workforce - the registered and licensed agriculturists.
It was in 1997 when the move to professionalize the practice of 
agriculture began with the passage of Republic Act (F^) No. 8435 or the 
"Agricuiture and Fisheries Modernization Act of 1997". This provided the impetus 
for the creation of the Board of Agriculture under the Professional Regulation 
Commission (PRC) and the licensing of agriculturists in the country. However, 
unlike other PRC-reguiated professions, the agricuiture profession does not have 
its own enabiing iaw or charter as it remains to be governed by a mere 
administrative issuance.2 Moreso, many deveiopments have changed the miiieu 
of professionai reguiation, especiaily with the inception of the Continuing 
Professionai Development, Philippine Quaiifications Framework, among others, 
necessitating the review and updating of its governing regulatory framework.
In this regard, the proposed measure endeavors to establish a more 
relevant and responsive legal regulatory framework for the agriculture 
profession.
1 PSA Press Release: Employment Rate in August 2023 was Estimated at 95.6 Percent (06 
October 2023)
2 PRC Resolution No. 2000-663: Creation of the Board of Agriculture under the Professional 
Regulation Commission and for other Purposes (15 May 2000)


In view of the forgoing, the passage of this bill is earnestly sought.
MIGUEL F. ZUBIRI


NINETEENTH CONGRESS OF THE 
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES
Second Regular Session
o( ih: g*’ * rr
24 FEB-7 AlO ’47
SENATE
Senate Bill No. 2535
Rt'CtllEJ BV,
Introduced by Senator Juan Miguel F. Zubiri
AN ACT REGULATING THE PRACTICE OF THE AGRICULTURE 
PROFESSION IN THE PHILIPPINES, CREATING FOR THE PURPOSE A 
PROFESSIONAL REGULATORY BOARD FOR AGRICULTURISTS, AND 
APPROPRIATING FUNDS THEREFOR
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Be it enacted by the Senate and the House of the Representatives of the 
Philippines in Congress assembled:
ARTICLE I
TITLE, DECLARATION OF POLICY, OBJECTIVES,
AND DEFINITION OF TERMS
Section 1. Short Title. - This Act shall be known as the "Philippine 
Agriculturists Act of 2024."
Sec. 2. Declaration of Policy. - The State recognizes the importance of 
Registered Agriculturists in nation-building and development. Hence, it shall 
develop and nurture competent, ethical, globally competitive, and well-rounded 
Registered Agriculturists who shall observe the highest standards of excellence, 
and whose professionalism shall be fostered through the administration of 
transparent, credible and relevant licensure examinations, a system of 
registration, and through continuing professional development programs and 
activities.
Sec. 3. Objectives. - The Act provides for and shall govern:
(a) The examination, registration, and licensure of agriculture practitioners;
(b) The supervision, control, and regulation of the practice of the Agriculture 
profession in the Philippines;
(c) The development and upgrading of the Bachelor of Science (BS) Agriculture 
curriculum;


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(d) The development of the professional competence of Registered Agriculturists 
through Continuing Professional Development (CPD); and
(e) The integration of the agriculture profession.
Sec. 4. Definition of Terms. - For purposes of this Act, the following terms
shall be defined as:
(a) Accredited Integrated Professional Organization (AIPO) refers to the 
professional organization that is accredited by the Board and the Commission 
which is specifically mandated under this Act to integrate all Registered 
Agriculturists into one national organization and where membership therein is 
automatic and mandatory;
(b) Agriculture refers to the art, science, ethics, management, and 
entrepreneurship in the production, processing, distribution, and marketing of 
crop and livestock commodities, along with soil management and 
mechanisms to mitigate the effects of climate change on the said 
commodities;
(c) Agriculture-related degrees refer to the courses recognized by the Board as 
allied to BS Agriculture for purposes of qualifying graduates thereof for the 
Agriculturists Licensure Examination and Registration without Examination as 
Agriculturists;
(d) Board refers to the Professional Regulatory Board of Agriculture;
(e) Commission refers to the Professional Regulation Commission;
(f) Practice of the Agriculture Profession refers to all activities, acts, services or 
pursuits performed by Registered Agriculturists as herein prescribed or 
specified; and
(g) Registered Agriculturist refers to a person who has been issued with a 
Certificate of Registration (COR) and Professional Identification Card (PIC) to 
practice the Agriculture profession.
ARTICLE II
PROFESSIONAL REGULATORY BOARD OF AGRICULTURE
Sec. 5. Creation and Composition of the Professional Regulatory Board 
of Agriculture. - There is hereby created a Professional Regulatory Board of 
Agriculture, hereinafter referred to as the Board, under the administrative 
supervision and control of the Professional Regulation Commission, hereinafter 
referred to as the Commission. The Board shall be composed of a chairperson 
and five (5) members. Each member shall represent one of the six (6) fields of 
specialization listed in Section 14, Article III hereof. The chairperson and 
members of the Board shall be appointed by the President of the Philippines from 
the two (2) recommendees for each position submitted by the Commission from 
a list of three (3) nominees for each position submitted by the Accredited


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Integrated Professional Organization (AIPO) for Registered Agriculturists. In the 
event that there is no AIPO or in case of failure or refusal of the AIPO to submit 
Board nominees, the Commission may determine other sources of nominees, 
including other professional organizations and the academe
The new Board shall be constituted within six (6) months from the effectivity of 
this Act.
Sec. 6. Qualifications and Disquaiifications of the Chairperson and 
Members of the Board. - At the time of their nomination, the chairperson and 
members of the Board must:
(a) be a natural-born Filipino citizen and resident of the Philippines;
(b) be of good moral character and must not have been convicted of any crime 
involving moral turpitude;
(c) be a member in good standing of the AIPO for Registered Agriculturists;
(d) be a holder of a degree in BS Agriculture, preferably with an MA/MS and/or 
PhD in any agriculture discipline obtained from a school, college or university 
recognized by the government. Provided, that each member of the Board 
shall have served in any of the six (6) recognized fields of specialization in 
Agriculture;
(e) be a Registered Agriculturist, with a valid COR and PIC, and with at least ten 
(10) years of relevant experience in Agriculture;
(f) not be a member of the faculty, whether full-time or part-time, of any school, 
college or university where a regular and/or review course in Agriculture is 
taught, nor shall have any pecuniary interest, direct or indirect, in such 
institution; and
(g) not be an incumbent officer or trustee of the AIPO for Registered 
Agriculturists.
Sec. 7. Powers and Functions of the Board. - The Board shall have the 
following powers and functions:
(a) Promulgate, administer and enforce rules and regulations, including the Code 
of Ethics and Code of Technical Standards for Registered Agriculturists, to 
carry out the provisions of this Act;
(b) Supervise and regulate the licensure, registration, and practice of Registered 
Agriculturists;
(c) Determine and evaluate the qualifications of the applicants for issuance of the 
COR, PIC and Special Temporary Permit (STP);
(d) Issue, suspend, revoke or reinstate the COR and PIC or STP for cause;


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(e) Prepare and modify the questions for examination and prescribe the Tables of 
Specifications (TOS) of the subjects for examination and their relative 
weights;
(f) Administer the Oath of Professional;
(g) Look into the conditions affecting the practice of Agriculture, adopt measures 
for the enhancement of the profession and the maintenance of high 
professional, technical and ethical standards, and conduct inspection of 
establishments where Registered Agriculturists practice their profession;
(h) Inspect, in coordination with the Commission on Higher Education (CHED), 
the prescribed facilities of universities or coileges offering the course or 
program of Agriculture in order to ensure that standards and essential 
requirements for a qualified dean and facuity are properly complied with;
(i) Investigate vioiations of this Act, its Implementing Rules and Regulations 
(IRR), and the Code of Ethics and Code of Technicai Standards for Registered 
Agricuiturists;
(j) Issue subpoena ad testificandum and subpoena duces tecum to secure the 
attendance of respondents or witnesses or the production of documents 
reiative to the investigation conducted by the Board and the Commission;
(k) Prepare guidelines for the Continuing Professional Development (CPD), in 
coordination with the AIPO for Registered Agricuiturists; and
(i) Perform other powers, functions and duties as may be necessary to 
effectively implement this Act.
The policies, resolutions, rules and regulations, orders and decisions issued or 
promuigated by the Board shall be subject to the review and approval of the 
Commission. However, the Board's decisions, resolutions or orders which are not 
interlocutory rendered in an administrative case, shail be subject to review oniy if 
on appeal.
Sec. 8. Term of Office. - The members of the Board shall hold office for a term 
of five (5) years after appointment or until their successors shall have been 
appointed and duly qualified. Provided, that members of the first Board to be 
appointed after the approval of this Act shall hold office for the foliowing terms: 
the two (2) members, one of whom shail be designated as Chairperson, shail 
serve for five (5) years; two (2) members shali serve for three (3) years; and the 
other two (2) members shall serve for one (1) year.
Each member of the Board may only be reappointed for one fuil term of five (5) 
years.
A successor to a Member whose term has expired shali be appointed for the full 
term of five (5) years from the date of expiration of the term for which the 
predecessor was appointed.


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Any vacancy in the Board shall be filled for the unexpired portion of the term 
only. Each member shall take an oath of office prior to the assumption of duties.
Sec. 9. Compensation and Allowance of the Chairperson and Members 
of the Board. - The chairperson and members of the Board shall receive 
compensation and allowances comparable to the compensation and allowances 
received by the chairpersons and members of the other Professional Regulatory 
Boards under the Commission as provided in the annual General Appropriations 
Act.
Sec. 10. Suspension and Removal of the Chairperson and Members of 
the Board. - The chairperson or member of the Board may be suspended or 
removed by the President of the Philippines, upon recommendation of the 
Commission, for neglect of duty, abuse of power, oppression, incompetence, 
unprofessional, unethical, immoral or dishonorable conduct, commission or 
toleration of irregularities in the conduct of examination or tampering of the 
grades therein, or for conviction by final judgment of any criminal offense 
involving moral turpitude, after having been given the opportunity to defend 
oneself in a proper administrative investigation.
Sec. 11. Supervision of the Board, Custodian of its Records, Secretariat 
and Support Services. - The Board shall be under the administrative 
supervision and control of the Commission. All records of the Board, including 
applications for examination, papers and results, minutes of deliberations, 
administrative and other investigative cases involving Registered Agriculturists, 
shall be kept by the Commission.
The Commission shall designate the Secretary of the Board and other support 
services to implement the provisions of this Act.
Sec. 12. Annual Report. - The Board shall, within thirty (30) days after the 
close of each calendar year, submit an annual report to the Commission, giving a 
detailed account of its proceedings and accomplishments during the year and 
recommending measures to be adopted, with the end in view of upgrading and 
improving the conditions and practice of the Agriculture profession in the 
Philippines.
ARTICLE III
LICENSURE EXAMINATION AND REGISTRATION
Sec. 13. Licensure Examination. - Unless otherwise provided, every applicant 
seeking to be registered as an Agriculturist shall undergo a written examination 
as provided for in this Act. Examination for the practice of the agriculture 
profession in the Philippines shall be given by the Board at least once every year 
in such places and dates as the Commission may designate.
Sec. 14. Scope of Examination. - A written examination shall be given to the 
applicants for registration as Registered Agriculturists, the scope of which shall 
include but not be limited to the six (6) foundation subjects as follows:
(a) Crop Science


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(b) Animal Science
(c) Soil Science
(d) Crop Protection
(e) Agricultural Economics / Agribusiness / Agri-entrepreneurship; and
(f) Agricultural Extension and Communication
To conform with the technological and agricultural modernization, the Board may 
re- cluster, re-arrange, modify, add to or exclude from any of the foregoing 
subjects, as the need arises.
Sec. 15. Qualifications of Appiicants for Examination. - In order to be 
admitted to the Agriculturists Licensure Examination, an applicant, at the time of 
filing of application, must be:
(a) a citizen of the Philippines or a foreign country which has a policy on 
reciprocity for the practice of the Agriculture profession;
(b) a holder of a Bachelor's Degree in Agriculture or any related course from a 
school, college or university recognized by the Government. Provided, that 
the applicant has finished a minimum of thirty-six (36) units of agricultural 
subjects, which shall include the six (6) foundation subjects under Section 14 
hereof. The Agriculture-related courses herein referred to shall be jointly 
determined by the Board and the CHED; and
(c) of good moral character and has not been convicted of any crime involving 
moral turpitude.
An incumbent holder of any agriculture position in the national, regional or local 
government offices or agencies including government-owned and -controlled 
corporations and who has been engaged in agricultural functions acceptable to 
the Board may qualify to take the Agriculturists Licensure Examination. Provided, 
that they are holders of professional civil service eligibility and must have 
finished a minimum of thirty-six (36) units of agricultural subjects, which shall 
include the six (6) foundation subjects.
Sec. 16. Ratings in the Examination. - In order for an examinee to pass the 
examination, the examinee must obtain an average of at least seventy-five 
percent (75%) in all subjects, with no rating below fifty percent (50%) in any 
subject. However, if an examinee obtains a general weighted average rating of 
seventy-five percent (75%) or higher but obtained a rating below fifty percent 
(50%) in any of the subjects, the examinee shall be allowed to take the 
examination in the subject or subjects where he/she obtained a grade below fifty 
percent (50%) only once in the immediately succeeding licensure examination.
An examinee who fails to pass the examination thrice shall be required to 
undergo a refresher course equivalent to thirty-six (36) units before the 
examinee shall be allowed to re-take the examination.


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The Board shall prescribe specific guidelines for the impiementation of the 
refresher course requirement.
Sec. 17. Release of the Results of Examination. - The resuits of the 
examination shail be released within fourteen (14) working days from the iast 
day of the examination, uniess otherwise extended for a valid reason.
Sec. 18. Registration without Examination. - Upon approvai of the 
appiication and payment of the prescribed fees, an appiicant may be registered 
as an Agriculturist without examination if he/she can prove, to the satisfaction of 
the Board, that he/she:
a) is a graduate of a Bachelor's Degree in Agriculture, or any of the other 
related baccalaureate programs from a school, college, or university 
established or recognized by the government; and
b) has served the agricuiture industry in any technical capacity from the 
government or private sector for not less than five (5) years prior to the 
effectivity of RA No. 8435 or the "Agricuiture and Fisheries Modernization Act 
of 1997" in December 1997 as certified in the service record(s) of the 
applicant if a government employee, and/or as certified under oath issued by 
an authorized official/officer of the firm, company or corporation if empioyed 
in the private sector.
Qualified applicants shail be given three (3) years after the effectivity of the IRR 
to file their applications for registration without examination. No application 
beyond such period shall be accepted and entertained.
Sec. 19. Oath. - Ail persons qualified for registration, with or without 
examination, shall be required to take an oath of profession before any Member 
of the Board or any government official authorized by the Commission to 
administer oaths prior to entering into the practice of the Agriculture profession.
Sec. 20. Issuance of the Certificate of Registration and Professional 
Identification Card. - A COR shali be issued to a successfui registrant, with or 
without examination, subject to the payment of fees prescribed by the 
Commission. The COR shall bear the signature of the chairperson of the 
Commission and the chairperson and members of the Board, stamped with the 
official seals of the Commission and the Board, indicating that the person named 
therein is entitied to practice the Agriculture profession, with all the benefits and 
privileges appurtenant thereto. The COR shall remain in fuli force and effect until 
revoked or suspended in accordance with this Act.
A PIC bearing the registration number, and dates of issuance and expiry, 
duly signed by the chairperson of the Commission shail likewise be issued to 
every registrant upon payment of the required fees. Subject to compiiance with 
the prescribed requirements, the PIC shail be renewed for such period as may be 
determined by the Board and the Commission.
Sec. 21. Refusal to Register. - The Board shall not register and issue a COR 
to a registrant who has been convicted by final judgment by a court of 
competent jurisdiction of any criminai offense involving moral turpitude or found 
guiity of immoral or dishonorable conduct after investigation by the Board or has


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been declared to be of unsound mind. The reason for the refusal shall be set 
forth in writing.
Sec. 22. Revocation or Suspension of the Certificate of Registration, 
Professional Identification Card or Cancellation of Special Temporary 
Permit. - The Board may, after due notice and hearing to the party concerned, 
revoke the COR and PIC of a Registered Agriculturist or suspend him/her from 
the practice of the profession or cancel his/her STP for any of the causes or 
grounds under Section 21 hereof or for unprofessional or unethical conduct, 
malpractice, or violation of any of the provisions of this Act, its IRR, Code of 
Ethics and Code of Technical Standards for Registered Agriculturists.
Sec. 23. Reinstatement, Reissuance or Replacement of Certificate of 
Registration and/or Professional Identification Card. - The Board may 
reinstate or reissue a revoked COR after two (2) years from the date of 
revocation, upon petition and for reasons deemed proper and sufficient and, in 
so doing, may exempt the applicant from taking another licensure examination.
In case of loss of the COR and/or PIC of any registrant, the circumstances 
leading to the loss shall be duly proven.
The duplicate of a lost or revoked COR and/or PIC shall be issued in accordance 
with the existing rules subject to the payment of the necessary and mandated 
dues.
Sec. 24. Issuance of Special Temporary Permit (STP). - Upon application 
and payment of the required fees and subject to the approval of the 
Commission, the Board may issue an STP to a foreign Registered Agriculturist 
whose services are urgently needed due to the absence or inadequacy of local 
Registered Agriculturists for the purpose of promoting or enhancing the practice 
of the Agriculture profession in the Philippines.
The Board shall issue the conditions for the grant of the STP, which shall include 
but not be limited to the designation of local understudy for every foreign 
Agriculturist to be employed or engaged in the Philippines.
Sec. 25. Foreign Reciprocity. - No foreign Professional Agriculturist shall be 
admitted to the examination or be given a COR or PIC and be entitled to any of 
the privileges under this Act unless the country of which the foreign Professional 
Agriculturist is a citizen of specifically allows Filipino Registered Agriculturists to 
practice within its territorial limits on the same basis as the citizens of such 
foreign country.
ARTICLE IV
PRACTICE OF AGRICULTURE PROFESSION
Sec. 26. Scope of Practice of Agriculture. - The Agriculture profession 
involves services consisting of crop and livestock production, processing and 
distribution, in both urban and rural areas.
A person shall be considered in the practice of Agriculture if the nature and 
character of the work or employment requires professional knowledge in the field
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of Agriculture as defined in Section 4(b), Article I of this Act. A person is also 
deemed to be in the practice of the Agriculture profession if that person teaches 
any Agriculture professional subject in a university, college or school or engages 
in research in any Agriculture-related research or extension.
The foregoing list notwithstanding, other activities, which now or hereinafter may 
require the application of knowledge, skills, training and expertise in Agriculture 
shall be deemed to be within the scope of the practice of Agriculture and, as 
such, shall be governed by the provisions of this Act.
Sec. 27. Professional Title Appendage. - Only a Registered Agriculturist as 
herein defined may append to his/her names the title "Registered Agriculturist 
(R.Agr)".
Sec. 28. Prohibition Against the Unauthorized Practice of Agriculture 
Profession. - No person shall practice the Agriculture profession in the 
Philippines or offer himself/herself as a Registered Agriculturist, or use the title, 
word, letter, figure, or any sign tending to convey the impression that one is a 
Registered Agriculturist, or advertise or indicate in any manner whatsoever that 
one is qualified to practice the profession unless that person has complied with 
all the requirements for registration, with or without examination, and is a holder 
of a valid COR and PIC or a valid STP duly issued by the Board and the 
Commission.
Sec. 29. Act Not Affecting Other Professionals. - This Act shall not be 
construed to affect or prevent the practice of any other legally recognized 
profession.
Sec. 30. Prohibition Against Corporate Practice. - A sole proprietor, 
consulting firm, association, or organization may engage in the practice of the 
agriculture profession in the Philippines. Provided, that it complies with the 
following requirements:
a) That the firm, association, or organization is duly registered with the 
Department of Trade and Industry, Securities and Exchange Commission, or 
other appropriate agencies;
b) That majority of the officers and board members of the firm, association or 
organization are Registered Agriculturists; and
c) That the practice of the consulting firm, association, or organization shall be 
carried out by Registered Agriculturists.
Sec. 31. Employment of Agriculturists in the Government. - National 
government agencies concerned in agriculture activities shall ensure that all 
existing technical plantilla positions are occupied by Registered Agriculturists.
All existing technical plantilla positions of Provincial, City, and Municipal 
Agriculturists Offices shall be occupied by Registered Agriculturists, including all 
agriculture technical positions therein. For this purpose, a position is deemed to 
be technical when the same primarily requires the professional knowledge and 
skills of a Registered Agriculturist as may be determined by the Board.


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All faculty members of State Universities and Colleges (SUCs) teaching 
agricultural courses shall be Registered Agriculturists.
The Board shall assist in the development of Position Classification Standards for 
relevant government plantilla positions, in collaboration with Civil Service 
Commission and other appropriate national and local government agencies.
Sec. 32. Salary. - The minimum base pay of registered Agriculturists working in 
the government, including the SUCs, shall not be lower than Salary Grade 13.
Sec. 33. Employment/Engagement of Agriculturists in the Private 
Sector. - Private agricultural corporations shall employ or engage the services of 
Registered Agriculturists.
All corporate farms, golf courses, agri-tourism, agri-related 
corporations/businesses and other similar institutions or facilities involved in 
agriculture must employ or engage such number of Registered Agriculturists in 
accordance with the guidelines to be issued by the Board and the Commission.
All faculty members of Higher Educational Institutions (HEIs) teaching 
agricultural courses shall be Registered Agriculturists.
Sec. 34. Integration of the Agriculture Profession. - All Registered 
Agriculturists shall have one (1) national organization, which shall be recognized 
by the Board and the Commission as the only AIPO for Registered Agriculturists. 
A Registered Agriculturist duly registered with the Board and the Commission 
shall automatically become a member of the AIPO and shall receive all the 
benefits and privileges appurtenant thereto, upon payment of the prescribed fees 
and dues. Membership in the AIPO shall not bar membership In other 
organizations of Registered Agriculturists.
Upon the approval of this Act, the Commission shall adopt rules to give effect to 
the integration of the agriculture profession under such conditions as it shall see 
fit in order to raise the standards of the profession.
Sec. 35. Code of Ethics and Code of Technical Standards for Agriculture 
Profession. - The Board shall prescribe and promulgate the Code of Ethics and 
Code of Technical Standards for Registered Agriculturists, in consultation with 
the AIPO.
Sec. 36. Continuing Professional Development (CPD) Program. - All
Registered Agriculturists shall abide by the requirements, rules and regulations 
on continuing professional development to be promulgated by the Board and the 
Commission, in coordination with the AIPO of Registered Agriculturists and the 
academe. For this purpose, a CPD Council shall be created to implement the CPD 
program.
Sec. 37. Use of Seal. - Every Registered Agriculturist shall obtain a seal of 
such design as the Board shall adopt and approve, which shall be affixed to or 
impressed upon all documents, record, papers, and/or instruments prepared 
by^r under the direct supervision of, or issued by the Registered Agriculturist. 
The seal shall be used by the Registered Agriculturist only during the period of 
the validity of his/her license.
The Board shall issue the pertinent guidelines on the use of seal.
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Sec. 38. Vested Rights: Automatic Registration of Agriculturists. - All
Registered Agriculturists who are registered at the time this Act takes effect shall 
automatically be registered hereunder.
ARTICLE V
PENAL AND FINAL PROVISIONS
Sec. 39. Penal Provision. - Any violation of this Act, its IRR, Code of Ethics 
and Code of Technical Standards or other regulatory policies of the Board and 
the Commission shall be meted the penalty of a fine of not less than One 
Hundred Thousand Pesos (PHP100,000.00) or more than Five Hundred Thousand 
Pesos (PHP500, 000.00), or imprisonment of not less than six (6) months or not 
more than six (6) years, or both, at the discretion of the court.
Officers of government agencies and private establishments, including sole 
proprietorship, consulting firms, associations, and organizations responsible for 
any such violation shall be held equally liable under this Act and such other laws 
as the circumstances may warrant.
Sec. 40. Appropriations. - The chairperson of the Commission shall 
immediately include in the Commission's programs the impiementation of this 
Act, the funding of which shall be included in the annual General Appropriations 
Act and thereafter.
Sec. 41. Transitory Provision. - The existing Board of Agriculture shall 
continue to function in the interim until such time that the new Board shall have 
been constituted pursuant to this Act.
Sec. 42. Implementing Rules and Regulations. - The Board, subject to the 
approval of the Commission, and in consultation with the AIPO, shall issue and 
promulgate the IRR within one hundred twenty (120) days from effectivity of this 
Act. The IRR shall take effect after fifteen (15) days following its publication in 
the Official Gazette or in any major newspaper of general circulation in the 
Philippines.
Sec. 43. Separability Clause. - If any clause, sentence, paragraph or part of 
this Act shall be declared unconstitutional or invalid, such judgment shall not 
affect, invalidate or impair any other part of this Act.
Sec. 44. Repealing Clause. - All laws, decrees, executive orders, 
memorandum orders, and other administrative issuances or parts thereof which 
are inconsistent with the provisions of this Act, are hereby modified, superseded 
or repealed accordingly.
Sec. 45. Effectivity. - This Act shall take effect after fifteen (15) days following 
its publication in the Official Gazette or in any major newspaper of general 
circulation in the Philippines.
Approved,
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