Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Quezon City

SEVENTEENTH CONGRESS,
First Regular Session

HOUSE BILL not 475

Introduced by REP. Michael L. Romero

EXPLANATORY NOTE

In Pursuant to Section 46 of Republic Act No, 8435, otherwise known as the
“Agriculture and Fisheries Modernization Act of 1997", a Bureau of Agricultural
and Fisheries Engineering (BAFE) is hereby created as a regular bureau of the DA
which shall be under the supervision of the DA Undersecretary and shall have
the following functions and responsibilities

(a) Coordinate, oversee and monitor the national planning and
implemeniation of agri-fisheries engineering, farm-to-market road and
other agriisheries infrastructure projects;

(b) Assist in the national planning, coordination and implementation of
the national agri-fisheries mechanization programs:

(c) Prepare, evaluate, validate and recommend engineering plans,
designs and technical specifications on agri-fisheries mechanization and
infrastructure projects;

(d) Oversee and provide technical assistance to the operations of the
agricultural engineering divisions of the DA regional field units;

(e) Coordinate and integrate all agricultural and fisheries engineering
activities of the DA bureaus, attached agencies and corporations;

(f) Coordinate and monitor the enforcement of standards and other
regulatory policies on agricultural and fishery engineering;


(g) Implement accreditation and registration scheme for agriculture and
fishery machinery, tools and equipment, in coordination with technology
generators:

(h) Issue permits to operate to agriculture and fishery tools and equipment
manufacturers, fabricators, assemblers and importers; and

(i) Promulgate and implement accreditation guidelines for testing centers.

The BAFE shall be headed by a Bureau Director and Assisian! Bureau Director, al
appointed by the President

The BAFE shall have the following divisions:

(1) Engineering Plans, Designs and Specifications;
(2) Programs and Projects Management:
(3) Standards Regulation and Enforcement; and

(4) Administration and Finance

Modifications shall be made in the organizational structure and staffing pattern
of the regional field units of the DA for the creation of Agricultural Engineering
Division to strengthen the provision of agricultural engineering services necessary
to carry out the field implementation of the agricultural and fishefy engineering,
mechanization and infrastructure programs and projects of the DA\

This House Bill is mandating all concerned bureaus and attached agencies of
the DA implementing agrti-lishery mechanization and infrastructure projects shall
review and modify their organizational structure and staffing pattem with the
end-view of strengthening the provision of agricultural engineering services as
part of the overall network of the Bureau of Agricultural and Fisheries Engineering
(BAFE).

Thus, the early passage of this bill is eamestly requested,

MjCH.

. ROMERO Ph.D.


Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Quezon City

SEVENTEENTH CONGRESS
First Regular Session

4475

HOUSE BILL NO.

Introduced by REP. Michael L. Romero

AN ACT
AMENDING SECTION 31 OF RA NO.10601 OTHERWISE KNOWN
AS THE “AGRICULTURAL AND FISHERIES MECHANIZATION
(AFMech) LAW, INCREASING ITS PENALTIES, AND FOR OTHER
PURPOSES.

Be if enacted by the Senate and House of Representative of the
Philippines in congress assembled:

SECTION 1. Declaration of Policy

Section 31 of Article Vill, of Republic Act No. 10601 is hereby amended to read:

ARTICLE VIII

PROHIBITED ACTS, PENALTIES AND SANCTIONS


SECTION 31. Penalties.- Any person who shall violate any
provision of this Act shall, upon conviction, be subject to a fine of
not less than Ten thousand pesos (P10,000.00) but not more than
Twenty Five thousand pesos (P25,000.00) or imprisonment of not less
than Four (4) months but not more than One (1) year, or both, upon
the discretion of the court and/or other applicable penalties
imposed under Republic Act No. 7394, otherwise known as the
“Consumer Act of the Philippines”. The purchase of noncertified or
substandard agricultural and fishery machinery for the government
shall be dealt with under Republic Act No. 3019, as amended,
otherwise known as the “Anti-Graff and Corrupt Practices Act.”

SECTION 2. AMENDMENTS - Any amendments to the administrative
sanctions and their penalties shall be proposed by and ratified by and the same
shall take effect upon approval by the National Agri-fishery Mechanization

Program of the Department of Agriculture.

The National Agri-fishery Mechanization Program shall be formulated by the

Department of Agriculture (DA) with the following objectives

(a) Promote and support through the provision of research grants,
credit, transparent and predictable regulation, the local
development and manufacture of agricultural and fisheries

machinery by the private sector;

(b) Unify, lead and support the efforts of various institutions in the
research, design and development of agricultural and fisheries
machinery;


(c) Establish quality, safety and performance standards for

agricultural and fisheries machinery;

(d) Support the establishment of quality, safely and performance
testing centers for the certification of agricultural and fisheries

machinery in strategic localities in the country:

(e) Establish guidelines for the registration of ownership of

agricultural and fisheries machinery; and

(f) Promote the adoption of certified agricultural and fisheries

machinery for improving agriculture and fishery productivity.

SECTION 3. PROGRAM IMPLEMENTATION. — The overall implementation of
the National Agri-fishery Mechanization Program shall be coordinated by the DA

through the Undersecretary duly designated by the Secretary who shall:

(a) Conduct the formulation and review of the five-year National

Agrifishery Mechanization Program for the DA:

(b) Provide leadership in the formulation of guidelines for the

registration of ownership of agricultural and fisheries machinery;

(c) Ensure the formulation of quality, safety and performance

standards for agricultural and fisheries machinery;

(d) Ensure the formulation of accreditation guidelines for testing

centers for agricultural and fisheries machinery;

(e) Formulate and enforce guidelines for the credit program to
include, but not limited to, access, disbursement and repayment;


(f) Oversee the implementation of the National Agri-fishery

Mechanization Program by the various units of the Department; and

(g) Coordinate with other government agencies and local
government units (LGUs) in the implementation of measures

provided for in this Act.

SECTION 4, SEPARABILITY CLAUSE - If any provision or section of this Act or
the application thereof to any person or circumstances is held invalid, the other
provisions or sections of this Act shall remain valid, and the application of such
remaining provisions or sections to the other persons or circumstances, shall not
be affected thereby.

SECTION 5. REPEALING CLAUSE - All provisions of Republic Act No.10000
and any other provisions inconsistent with the provision of this Act are hereby

amended accordingly
SECTION 6. EFFECTIVITY CLAUSE - This Act shalll take effect fifteen (15) days

from the date of its publication in the Official Gazette or in at least two (2)

newspapers of general circulation

Approved.