SIXTEENTH CONGRESS OF THE 
) 
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES 
) 
Second Regnlar Session 
) 
'14 
AUG 13 P12 :01 
SENATE 
S. No. _....!:2~3!..><5'__!.7 
\\f' 
----------------------------------------------------
Introduced by Senator Antonio "SODDy" F. Trillanes IV 
ANACf 
STRENGmENING, MODERNIZING AND INTERNATIONALLY ALlGNING THE 
PRACTICE OF AGRICULTURAL ENGINEERING IN THE COUNTRY INTO 
AGRICULTURAL AND BIOSYSTEMS ENGINEERING, REPEALING FOR mE 
PURPOSE REPUBLlC ACT NO. 8559 OTHERWISE KNOWN AS THE "PHILIPPINE 
AGRICULTURAL ENGINEERING ACf OF 1998" 
EXPLANATORY NOTE 
Agricultural Engineers play Ii very important role in natiooal development. In cognizance of1his, 
the Philippine Congress enacted in 1998, Republic Act No. 8559 otherwise known as the . 
"Philippine Agricultural Engineering Act of 1998 ", Fifteen years following its passage, the 
Philippine Agricultuml Engineering Profession is faced with many technological developments 
and global issues and concerns that the government need to respond to and align with, for 
Filipino professionals to bec[)me more competitive. 
Worldwide, the Agricultuml Engineering Profession have tmnsformed into Agricultural and 
Biosystems Engineering, a profession which ensures the necessities in life: safe and plentiful 
food to eat, pure water to drink, clean fuel and energy sources, and 
safe and healthy 
environment to live. 
In prepamtion for the upcoming ASEAN Economic Community in 2015, the Philippines, 
through the Board of Agricultural Engineering, Philippine Society of AgricuItura1 Engineers and 
the National Agricultural and Fishery Council, hosted the 
1" ASEAN Conference on 
Agricultuml and Bioystems Engineering (ACABE) last September 24-27, 2013 in Manila Hotel, 
Manila. During the said conference, the delegates adopted the "ASEAN Agricllihtral and 
Biruystems Engineering Framework for Cooperation and Complementary Action in sllpport to 
ASEAN Food Secllrity alld Climate Change Adaptatioll and MitigatiOll" which the Philippines is 
committed to support and implement. This cooperation framework seeks to harmonize and align 
globally, the practice of agricultuml engineering in ASEAN into AgricuItura1 and Biosystems 
Engineering. 
The strengthening of the practice of agricultuml engineering in the country into agricultural and 
biosystems engineering is Olle of the major'legislative agenda under the Philippine Agricultural 
Engineering Profession Road Map 2013-2020 adopted by the Board of Agricultural Engineering 
and the Professional Regulation Commission last year. This is to further empower the Filipino 
Agricultural Engineers in helping achieve Food Security and Sufficiency, protection of the 
environment and in Climate Change Mitigation and Adaptation Program and for global practice. 
In view of the foregoing, approval ofthis measure is earnestly sought. 
~T'--\\ 
AN~~ 
"SONNY" F. TR1LLANES IV 
Senator 
1 


.» 
SIXTEENTH CONGRESS OF THE 
) 
REPUBLIC OF THE PHn..IPPINES ) 
Second Regular Session 
) 
SENATE 
S. No. 
2357 
Introduced by Senator Antonio "Sonny" F. 'friUanes IV 
AN ACT 
I 
'\\ 
~,. 
,,:~;'I i~);j!;f \,! H;{' ~>rt',·"br~ 
'14 
AUG 13 
P12 :01 
STRENGTHENING. MODERNIZING AND INTERNATIONALLY ALIGNING THE 
PRACTICE OF AGRICULTURAL ENGINEERING IN THE COUNTRY INTO 
AGRICULTURAL AND BIOSYSTEMS ENGINEERING, REPEALING FOR THE 
PURPOSE REPUBLIC ACf NO. 8559 OTHERWISE KNOWN AS THE "PHILIPPINE 
AGRICULTURAL ENGINEERING ACf OF 1998" 
Be it enacted by the Senate and the House of Representatives of the Philippines in Congress 
Assembled: 
ARTICLE) 
GENERAL PROVISIONS 
1 
SECTION 1. TdJe. - This Act shall be known as the "PlUlippine Agricultum/ mul 
2 
Biosystems Engineering Ad of 2014". 
3 
SEC. 2. Statement of policy. - It is hereby declared the policy of the State to promote, 
4 
strengthen and regulate the practice of agricultural and biosystems engineering profession in the 
5 
Philippines by instituting measures that will result in relevant agricultural and biosystems 
6 
engineering education and better career prospects for agricultural and biosystems engineers. 
7 
8 
Likewise, the State hereby guarantees the application and delivery of agricultural and 
9 
biosystems engineering services to accelerate, agricultural and fishery modernization, food and 
·10 
water security and safety, bio-energy, natural resources conservation, enviromnental protection 
11 
and human health and safety through adequate and well trained agricultural and biosystems 
12 
engineers throughout the country. 
13 
14 
SEC. 3. Coverage of this Act - This Act shall cover the fullowing aspects of the practice 
15 
of the profession: 
if; 
17 
a. 
Examination, registration and licensure of agricultural and biosystems engineers; 
1 


1 
b. 
Supervision, control and regulation of the practice of agricultural and biosystems 
2 
engineering; 
3 
4 
c: 
Development, upgrading and updating of the curriculum of the agricultural and 
5 
biosystems engineeriing profession; and 
6 
7 
d. 
Development and improvement of the profussional competence and practice of 
8 
agricultural and bioilystems engineers through, among others, continuing professional 
9 
education and development. 
10 
11 
SEC. 4. Definition ofTenns. - As used in this Act, the fullowing teons shall mean: 
12 
(a) 
Agricultural and 
Bia-systems Engineering refers to the application of engineering 
13 
science and designs to the processes and systems involved in the sustainable production 
14 
and post-production of safe food, feed, fiber, timber and bio-energy and management of 
15 
environment and natural resources; 
16 
17 
(b) 
Agricultural and Biosystems Engineer reOO to a person who is registered and licensed 
18 
to practice agricultural and biosystems engineering in the country and who holds a valid 
19 
certificate of registration and profussional identification card from 
the Board of 
20 
Agricultural and Biosystems Engineering and the Professional Regulation Commission; 
21 
22 
(c) 
23 
24 
25 
(d) 
Professional Regulation Commission reOO to the government agency described under 
Republic Act No. 891!l, hereinafter referred to as the ·Commission"; 
Profussional Regulatory Board of Agricultural and Biosystems Engineering reOO to the 
26 
administrative 
body created by law to supervise and regulate the practice of the 
27 
agricultural and biosystems engineering and the ultimate authority in the practice of the 
28 
agricultura1 and biosystems engineering profussion in the Philippines and shall 
29 
hereinafter be referred to as the ''Board''; 
30 
31 
(e) 
32 
Accredited Professional Organization 
refurs to the 
profussional organization of 
agricultural and biosystems engineers duly accredited by the Profussional Regulatory 
33 
Board of Agricultural and Biosystems Engineering and the Profussional Regulation 
34 
Commission, hereinafter referred to as "APQ"; 
35 
2 


1 
(t) 
2 
Commission on Higher Education refers to the government agency created to lead, 
promote, and regulate higher/tertiary edUcation in the Philippines created under Republic 
3 
Act No. 7722, hereinafter referred to as "CHED"; and 
4 
5 
(g) 
Bachelor of Science in Agricultural and Biosystems Engineering refers to the tertiary or 
6 
higher education program which provides graduates with a Baccalaureate Agricultural 
7 
and Biosystems Engineering Degree and shall hereinafter be referred to as BSABE. 
8 
This program is eltfectively promulgated under enabling Policies, Standards, and 
9 
Guidelines (pSG) issued by the Commission on Higher Education. 
10 
11 
SEC. 5. Scope of Pmctice of Agriculturol and Bio-system.f Engineering- The practice 
12 
of Agricultural and Biosystems Engineering within the meaning and intent of this Act shall 
13 
embrace, but not be limited to, the fullowing: 
14 
15 
(a) 
Preparation of engineering designs, plans, spec;ifications, project studies, feasibility 
16 
studies and estimates for agricultural, fishery, aquaculture and biosystems machinery, 
17 
farm-ta-market roads, buildings and structures, electrification and energy systems, 
18 
processing titcilitieil and equipment, waste utilization and management system and 
19 
facilities, and irrigation, drainage and soil and water conservation systems and titcilities, 
20 
and agrometeorologkal systems; 
21 
22 
(b) 
23 
Supervision or management on the construction, operation and maintenance of 
agricultural, fishery, aquaculture and biosystems machinery, furln-ta-market roads, 
24 
buildings and structures, electrification and energy systems, processing titcilities and 
25 
equipment, waste utilization and management system and titcilities, and irrigation, 
26 
drainage and soil and water conservation systems and titcilities, and agrometeorological 
27 
systems; 
28 
29 
(c) 
30 
31 
32 
(d) 
Valuation, appraisal, 
investigation, inspection and technical audit on agricultural, 
fishery and biosystems machineries and equipment, structures and titcilities; 
ProgramIProject Dev.elopment and Management, Planning and Consultancy Services on 
33 
agricultural and biosystems engineering undertakings; 
34 
(e) 
Conduct of research .and development, training and extension work on agricultural and 
35 
biosystems engineering; 
.36 
3 


1 
(t) 
Testing, evaluation lind inspection of agricultural, fishery, aquaculture and biosystems 
2 
machinery 
and other related agricultural and biosystems engineering fucilities and 
3 
equipment; 
4 
5 
(g) 
Manufacture, distribution, installation and sale of agricultural, fishery and biosystems 
6 
machinery and Otheir related agricultural and biosystems engineering facilities and 
7 
equipment; 
8 
9 
(h) 
T caching of agricultlllral and biosystems engineering subjects in institutions ofleaming in 
10 
the Philippines; 
11 
12 
(i) 
13 
14 
15 
(j) 
Preparation and evaluation of farm development plans, farm suitability maps and land 
use maps/reports agriculture, livestock, fishery, aquacu1ature production and processing; 
Training and supervision of agri-fishery machinery technicians and operators of agri-
16 
fishery machinery service centers; and agricultural and biosystems engineering 
17 
technicians and operators 
in agricultural, fishery and 
biosystems 
plants, 
18 
establishments, facilifties and projects; 
19 
20 
(k) 
Employment with th~~ government and private firms and establishments, Provided, That 
21 
such item or position requires the knowledge and expertise of an Agricultura1 and 
22 
Biosystems Engineer, or its duties and responsibilities covers the scope of practice of an 
23 
agricultural and biosystems engineering; and 
24 
25 
(I) 
Participation in the preparation of environmental studies fur agricultural, fisheries, agro-
26 
industrial and biosystems projects and its monitoring under the environmental impact 
27 
assessment (EIA) system. 
28 
29 
The Board, subject to approval of the Commission, may add to, or exclude from, this 
30 
section any activity or act ot' professional practice, or revise it as the need arises to conform to 
31 
the changes and new developments brought about by the latest trends in Agricultural and 
32 
Biosystems Engineering; and perform other acts or conduct other activities that may be 
33 
determined by the Board, SIllbject to approval by the Commission, in light of the trend of the 
34 
practice of the profession. 
4 


1 
2 
3 
4 
· . 
ARTICLED 
PRO]ll'ESSIONAL REGULATORY BOARD OF 
AGRICUl_TURAL AND BIOSYSTEMS ENGlNEERING 
5 
SEC 6. Cremion and Composition of tire Boanl. - There is hereby created a Professional 
6 
Regulatory Board of Agricultural and Biosystems Engineering to be composed of a Chairman 
7 
and two (2) Members under the administrative control and supervision of the Commission. 
8 
They shall be appointed by the President of the Philippines from a list of three (3) 
9 
recommendees for each position which were ranked by the Commission from a list of five (5) 
10 
nominees for each positiol1l submitted by the duly Aa:cedited Proressional Organization of 
11 
Agricultural and Biosystem8> Engineers in the Philippines. The Board shall be organized within 
12 
six (6) months after the effec,tivity of this Act. 
13 
14 
SEC 7. Qualifications of Members oftheBoanl. - A member of the Board shall, at the 
15 
time of their appointment, possess the following qualifications: 
16 
17 
(a) 
A Filipino citizen and resident of the Philippines; 
18 
19 
(b) At least thirty-five (35) years of age; 
20 
(c) A holder of Bachelor's Degree in 
Agricultural and Biosystems Engineering or its 
21 
equivalent, conferred by a school, academy, college or university in the Philippines or 
22 
abroad that is accredited by the Commission on Higher Education (CHED); 
23 
24 
(d) A registered Agriculturnl and Biosystems Engineer with a valid professional license and an 
25 
active practitioner for not less than ten (10) years prior to his appointment; 
26 
27 
(e) Not, for a period of three (3) consecutive years prior to the appointment, be a member of the 
28 
faculty of, directly or indirectly, any school, academy, institute, college or university where 
29 
a regular course in Agricultural Engineering or Agricultural and Bioystems Engineering is 
30 
being taught, nor have any pecuniary interest in or administrative supervision over any such 
31 
institutions of learning; 
32 
33 
(t) Not, for a period of three (3) consecutive years prior to the appointment, be connected with 
34 
a review center or any group or association where review classes or lectures in preparation 
35 
for the licensure examinlltion are offered or conducted at the time of appointment; and 
36 
37 
(g~ Has never been convicted of any offense involving moral turpitude. 
5 


, " 
1 
SEC. 8. Tenn of Office. The Chainnan and two Members of the Board shan hold office 
2 
for a term of three (3) years from the date of their appointment and tmtil their successors shall 
3 
have been appointed and qualified. The first Board tmder this Act shall hold these terms of 
4 
office: the Chairman for three (3) years; the first Member for two (2) years; and the second 
5 
member for one (1) year; Provided, that any appointee to a vacancy with an unexpired term shall 
6 
only serve such period, 
7 
The Chairman or a Member of the Board may be reappointed to their positions for 
8 
another term of three (3) yt:ars immediately after the expiry of their terms; Provided, .further. 
9 
That the holding of such position shall not be for more tbantwo (2) terms nor more than six (6) 
10 
years, whichever is longer, The Chairman and two Members of the Board shall take their oath 
11 
of office prior to entering upon the performance of duty. 
12 
SEC. 9. Compensation (JIfd Allowances of the .&1tmI. - The Chairman and Members of 
13 
the Board shall receive compensation and allowances comparable to the compensation and 
14 
allowances being received by the Chairmen and members of existing Professional Regulatory 
15 
Boards under the Commission as provided for in the General AppIOpIiations Act. 
16 
SEC. 10. VtreIlIICJ' ~rnd Removal of Board M~. 
- Any vacancy occurring in the 
17 
Board within the term of a member sha1l be filled for the unexpired portion of the term only. The 
18 
President may remove the Chairman or any member of the Board on the following grounds: 
19 
20 
(a) 
Neglect of duty; 
21 
22 
(b) 
Violation or tolerance of the violation of this Act or the Code of Ethics fur agricultural 
23 
and biosystems engineering; and 
24 
25 
(c) 
Final judgment of crimes involving moral turpitude. 
26 
27 
The Chairman or M«:mber concerned shall be given due notice and hearing where his 
28 
right to he heard and to defend himself, assisted by counsel, shall be respected in the proper 
29 
administrative investigation. 
30 
31 
SEC. 11. Pmvers avul Duties of the Board. - The Board shall exercise the following 
32 
specific powers, functions and duties: 
33 
(a) 
Promulgate and adopt the rules and regulations necessary fur carrying out the provisions 
34 
of this Act; 
35 
6 


1 
(b) 
Supervise the registration, licensure and practice of Agricultural and Biosystems 
2 
Engineers in the Philippines; 
3 
4 
(c) 
Administer oaths to successful examinees entering the practice of Agricultural and 
5 
Biosystems Engineeling; 
6 
7 
(d) 
Issue the certificate of registration to successful examinees; 
8 
9 
(e) 
Issue, suspend or revoke the license for the practice of the Agricultural and Biosystems 
10 
Engineering profession; 
11 
12 
(t) 
Adopt an official seal of the board; 
13 
14 
(g) 
Look into the conditions aflecting the practice of the Agricultural and Biosystems 
15 
Engineering profession through the conduct of ocular inspections and monitoring of 
16 
agricultural and biosystems engineering offices, plants or establishments both public 
17 
and private, and in the case of schools, in coordination with the Commission on Higher 
18 
Education (CHED); 
and, whenever necessary, adopt such measures, inclnding 
19 
pronmlgation of agril:ultural and biosystems engineering standards, rules and regulations 
20 
and best practices as: may be deemed proper for the enhancement and maintenance of 
21 
high professional and. ethical standards of the profession. 
22 
23 
(h) 
Prescribe and/or adopt, and enforce a Code of Ethical and Professional Standards for the 
24 
practice of agricultural and biosystems engineering profession. 
25 
26 
(i) 
Hear and try administrative cases involving violations of this Act, its implementing rules 
27 
and regulations, the code of ethics for agricultural and biosystems engineers and for this 
28 
purpose, to issue subpoena and subpoena duces tecum to secure the appearance of 
29 
witnesses and the production of documents in connection therewith; 
30 
31 
0) 
Prescribe guidelines iin the Continuing Professional EducationlDevelopment Program in 
32 
coordination with the Accredited Association for Professional Agricultural and 
33 
Biosystems Engineers; 
34 
35 
(k) 
36 
Ensure, in coordination with the Commission on Higher Education (CHED), that all 
educational institutions offering agricultural and biosystems engineering program 
37 
comply with the policies, standards and requirements of the course prescribed by CHED 
. 38 
in the areas of curricu.lum, faculty, library and facilities; 
7 


, : 
1 
Q) 
Prepare, adopt, issue or amend the syllabi of the subjects for examinations in consultation 
2 
with the academe; determine and prepare questions fur the licensure examination which shall 
3 
strictly be within the scope of the syllabi of the subjects for examinations; and administer, 
4 
correct and release the result of the licensure examinations; 
5 
6 
(m) 
Approve, issue, limit or revoke temporary license to practice agricultural and biosystems 
7 
engineering; 
8 
9 
(n) 
10 
11 
Issue a cease and desist order to any person, associations, partnership or corporation 
engaged in violation of any provision of this Act, any agricultural and biosystems 
engineering standards or rules duly promulgated by the Board as part of the rules 
12 
governing the practice of agricultural and biosystems engineering in the Philippines; 
13 
(0) 
14 
Punish for contempt of the board, both direct and indirect, in accordance with the 
pertinent provision of and penalties prescribed by the rules of court; 
15 
16 
(P) 
Perform regulatory, administrative, and quasi-legislative functions as, mandated under 
17 
R.A No. 8981 otherwise known as the Profussional Regulation Commission 
18 
Modernization Act, lind such other functions as may be necessary in order to implement 
19 
the provisions of this Act; and 
20 
21 
(q) 
Discharge such other duties and functions as may be deemed necessary for the 
, 22 
enhancement of the agriCUltural and biosystems engineering profession and the 
23 
upgrading, development and growth of agricultural and biosystems engineering education 
24 
in the Philippines. 
25 
26 
All policies, resolutions, rules and regulations of the board shall be subject to the 
27 
review and approval of the Commission. 
28 
29 
SEC. 12. S,'pervision of the Board; Custotlion of its Records, Secretariat and Support 
30 
Services. - The Board shall be under the administrative supervision of the Commission. All 
31 
records of the Board, including applications for examination, examination papers and results, 
32 
minutes of deliberation, administrative cases and other investigations involving agricultural and 
33 
biQsystems engineers shall bel kept by the Commission. 
34 
35 
The Commission shall designate the Secretary of the Board and shall provide the 
36 
secretariat and other support :services to implement the provisions of this Act. 
8 


" 
1 
SEC. 13. Annual Report. - The Board shall, at the close of each calendar year, submit an . 
2 
annual report to the President, through the Commission, giving a detailed account of its 
3 
proceedings and accomplishments during the year and making recommendations for the 
4 
adoption of measures that will upgrade and improve the conditions affecting the practice of 
5 
Agricultural and Biosystems Engineering in the Philippines. 
6 
7 
8 
9 
ARTiCLEllI 
EXAMlINA TlON. REGISTRATION AND LICENSE 
10 
SEC. 14. Examinafion Required. - All applicants for registration for the practice of 
11 
agricultural and biosystems engineering shall be requited to undergo and pass the licensure 
12 
examination as provided for in this Act. 
13 
SEC. 15. Qualification of an Applicant for Exsminations. - Every applicant for the 
14 
examination for agricu1tura1 and biosystems engineers must be: 
15 
16 
(a) 
17 
A citizen of the Philippines or a foreign citizen whose oountry or State has a policy on 
reciprocity in the practice of the profession; 
18 
19 
(b) 
A graduate of Bachelor of Science in Agricultural and Biosystems Engineering or its 
20 
equivalent in any school, academy, institute, college or university duly recognized by the 
21 
ClfEJ);and 
22 
23 
(c) 
Not been convicted of any criminal offense involving moral turpitude. 
24 
SEC. 16. Fraudulent Application. - The Board may suspend or revoke any certificate of 
25 
registration obtained through misrepresentation made in the application for examination. 
26 
SEC. 17. Scope of Examination, - The licensure examination for agricultural and 
27 
biosystems engineers shall cover the required competencies for the entry level of the practice of 
28 
Agricultural and Biosystems Engineering and shall include the following subjects: 
29 
(a) Agricultural and Biosystems Power, Energy and Machinery Engineering which include 
30 
agricultural power and energy; and machine design and, analysis, machinery 
31 
management and mechanization of agricultural and bioproduction systems; 
32 
33 
(b) Land and water resources engineering which include agrometeorology, irrigation and 
34 
drainage engineering, soil and water conservation, and aquaculture engineering; 
9 


1 
2 
3 
4 
5 
6 
7 
8 
9 
10 
11 
12 
13 
14 
(c) Agricultural and Biosystems Structures and Environment Engineering which include: 
agricultural structures engineering, furest products engineering, design and management 
of agricultural and biosystem structures, and bio-enviromnental design; 
(d) Agricultural and Bioprocess Engineering which include reffigeration and cold storage, 
agri-industrial and biosystems application of electrical energy and electronics, 
agricultural products process engineering, and food and bio-based products process 
engineering; 
(e) Fundamentals of Agriicultural, Fishery, Ecological and Enviromnental Sciences; 
(f) Mathematics and Basic Engineering Principles; and 
(g) Laws, Professional Standards and Ethics. 
15 
The said subjects anti their syllabi may be amended by the Board so as to conform to 
16 
technological changes brougl!tt about by continuing trends in the profession. 
17 
SEC. 18. Roting in the Boord Examination.f. - To be qualified as having passed the 
18 
Board examination for agricultural and biosystems engineers, a candidate must obtain a general 
19 
weighted average of seventy percent (70%), with no grades lower than fifty-five percent (55%) 
20 
in any given subject. However, an examinee who obtains a general weighted average rating of 
21 
seventy percent (700A.) or higher but obtains a rating below fifty-five percent (55%) in any given 
22 
subject must take the examination in the subject or subjects where he obtained a grade below 
23 
fifty-five percent (55%). 
24 
25 
SEC. 19. Report of Ratings. - The Board shall submit to the Commission the ratings 
26 
obtained by each candidate within tWjlllty (20) days after the examination, unless extended fur 
27 
just cause. Upon the release of the results of the examination, the Board shall send by mail the 
28 
ra~ng received by each examinee at his given address using the mailing envelope submitted 
29 
during the examination. 
30 
SEC.20. Jle..exomiIuItin. - An applicant who fuils to pass the examination for the third 
31 
time shall be allowed to take another examination only atkr the lapse of one (I) year. 
'32 
SEC. 21. Omh. - All successful candidates in the examination shall be required to take 
\ 33 
their oath before the Board Of any government official authorized to administer oaths, priOf to 
34 
entering upon the practice of the agricultural and biosystems engineering profession. 
10 


, , 
1 
2 
3 
4 
5 
6 
7 
8 
9 
10 
11 
12 
13 
14 
15 
16 
17 
18 
19 
20 
21 
22 
23 
24 
25 
,26 
27 
28 
29 
30 
31 
32 
33 
34 
3S 
36 
37 
38 
SEC. 22. Issuance of Certifo:ate of Registration and ProfessWnai Iilentifo:ation Card. 
(a) A Certificate of Registration shall be issued to those who are registered after payment of fees 
prescribed by the Commission. It shall bear the signatures of the Chairperson of the Commission 
and of the Chairperson and Members of the Board, stamped with the official seal of the 
COmmission and of the Board, certifying that the person named therein is entitled to the practice 
of the profession, with all the privileges appurtenant thereto. Until withdrawn, revoked or 
suspended in accordance wiith this Act, the Certificate of Registration shall remain in full force 
and effect. 
(b) A Professional Identification Card bearing the registration number and its validity 
and expiry dates duly signed by the Chairperson of the Commission shall likewise be issued to 
every registrant who has pald the prescribed fees, and has submitted a certificate of membership 
in good standing from the APO and proof of completion of the CPR requirements. The said card 
shall be renewed every thJree (3) years upon mandatory proof of completion of continuing 
professional education. 
Once registered, the Agricultural and Biosystems Engineer may use Engr. as the official 
appendage title. No person llhall practice agricultural and biosystems engineering in the country 
unless such person has secured a license to practice agricultural and biosystems engineering in 
the manner herein provided. 
SEC. 23. Refusal to Register. - The Board shall not register any successful applicant for 
registration with or without Ilicensure examination who has been: 
(a) convicted of an offense il~volving moral turpitude by a court of competent jurisdictio~ 
(b) found guilty ofimmorall[)r dishonorable conduct by the Board; 
(c) adjudged guilty for violarlon of the General Instructions to Examinees by the Board; and 
(d) declared of unsound mind by a court of competent jurisdiction. 
In refusing such re&>1stration. the Board shall give the applicant a written statement 
setting forth the reasons thooefur and shall file a copy thereonn its records. 
SEC. 24. Revocation or Suspension of the Certifo:tIIe tif RegiWration and Cllnallation 
of Temponu;ylSpeciaI Permit - The Board shall have the power, upon notice and hearing, to 
revoke or suspend the Certificate of Registration of a registooed and licensed agricultural and 
biosystems engineer or to c:mceJ a Temporary/Special Permit granted to a fureign agricultural 
11 


1 
and biosystents engineer, for the same grounds enumerated in Section 23 of this Act, except 
2 
paragraph (c) hereo( and any of the fullowing grounds: 
3 
4 
(a) 
Violation of any provision of this Act, Implementing Rules and Regulations, Code of 
5 
Ethics, Code of Technical Standards for the practice of agricultural and biosystems 
6 
engineering, and of policies and regulatory measures of the Board andlor the 
7 
Commission, and Code of Good Governance; 
8 
9 
(b) 
10 
11 
12 
(c) 
13 
14 
15 
(d) 
16 
17 
(e) 
18 
19 
20 
(t) 
21 
22 
23 
(g) 
Perpetration or use of fraud in obtaining hislher Certificate of Registration, Professional 
Identification Card, Temporary/Special Permit; 
Gross incompetence, negligence or ignorance in the conduct of the profession resulting 
to death, injury of persons andlor damage to property; 
Unjustified refusal t(1 join or to remain a member in good standing of the APO; 
Unjnstified or UDeKJlllained neglect or fuilure to pay the anmlal registration fees for five 
(5) consecutive yean;; 
Unjustified or unexplained non-renewal of the Professional Identification Card after the 
lapse oHive (5) years; 
Aiding or abetting ilie illegal practice of a nonregistered and unlicensed agricultura1 and 
24 
biosystems engineer by. among others, allowing him/her to use hislher Certificate of 
25 
Registration andlor Professional Identification Card or hisIher Temporary/Special 
26 
Permit; 
21 
28 
(h) 
Illegally practicing the profession during hislher suspension from the practice thereof; 
29 
and 
30 
(i) 
31 
Addiction to a drug or alcohol impairing his/her ability to practice his/her profession or 
declared with unsoullid mind by a court of competent jurisdiction; 
32 
The Board shall periodically evaluate the aforementioned grountds and revise or add new 
33 
ones as the need arises subj<ect to approval by the Commission in order to meet the trends and 
34 
developments in the profession. 
12 


, . 
'. 
1 
SEC. 25. Reissuan,re of RevolU!d Certificate of Registration, Replacement of Lost or 
2 
Danwged Certificate of RI.'gistration, Professional ltlmlijication Ctml or TempororylSp«itd 
3 
Permit. - The Board mllY, upon petition, reinstate or reissue a revoked Certificate of 
4 
Registration after two (2) years from the effectivity of the revocation, which is the date of 
5 
surrender of the said certificate and/or the Professional Identification Card to the Board and/or 
6 
the Commission. The Board may not require the holder thereof to take another licensure 
7 
examination. The petitioner shall prove to the Board that helshe has valid reasons to resume the 
8 
practice of hislher profession. For the grant of his/her petition, the Board shall issue a Board 
9 
Resolution subject to approval by the Commission. 
10 
11 
A duplicate copy of a lost Certificate of Registration, Profussional Identification Card or 
12 
Temporary/Special Permit may be reissued in accordance with the rules thereon and upon 
13 
payment of the prescribed fuetherefor. 
14 
15 
ARTICLE IV 
16 
PRACTICE OF AGmCULTURAL AND BIOSYSTEMS ENGINEERING 
17 
18 
SEC. 26. Vested lrlights: Automatic Registra1ion of Practicing AgricuJturol muJ 
19 
Biosy.flem.~ Engineers. - AliI agricultural engineers who are registered under Republic Act No. 
20 
8559 at the time this Act takes effect shall automatically be registered as Agricultural and 
21 
Biosystems Engineers. 
22 
23 
SEC. 27. Seal and lUse of Seal. - (a) Each registrant shall, upon registration, obtain the 
24 
seal of such design as the Board may adopt. Plans and specifications prepared by, or under the 
25 
direct supervision of a registered agricultural and biosystems engineer, shall be stamped with 
26 
said seal during the validity of the profussional license. No person shall stamp or seal any 
27 
document with the seal of a registrant after his professional license has expired or lost its validity 
28 
unless he has been reinstated to the practice and/or unless his license has been renewed. 
29 
(b) 
30 
No officer or employee of the govermnent, chartered cities, provinces and municipalities 
now or hereafter charged with the enforcement oflaws, ordinances or regulations relating 
31 
to the implementation, construction, repair, operation and maintenance, testing and 
32 
evaluation of agricultural, livestock, fishery, aquaculture and biosystems buildings, 
33 
structures, machineries and equipment, processes and systems shall accept or endorse 
34 
any plans or specific:ations which have not been prepared and submitted in full accord 
35 
with the provisions of this Act, nor shall any payment be approved by any such Officer 
36 
for any worle, the plans and specifications of which have not been so prepared, signed 
37 
and sealed by a duly registered agricultural and biosystems engineer. This provision shall 
13 


" . 
1 
be enforced by the Department of Public Works and Highways and Local Building 
2 
Officials in the issuance of building permits and certificate of occupancy reIative to the 
3 
implementation of the National Building Code, 
and by all concerned national 
4 
government entities and local government units in the procurement and in the discharge 
5 
of their regulatory lmd auditing functions pertaining to agricultural, livestock, fishery, 
6 
aquaculture and biosystems structures, machineries and facilities. 
7 
(c) 
No agricultural and biosystems engineer shall sign his name. affix his seal or use any 
8 
other method of signature of plans, specifications or other documents made by or under 
9 
another agricultural and biosystems engineer's supervision unless the same is made in 
10 
such manner as to dearly indicate the part of such work actually performed by him, and 
11 
no person, except the agricultural and biosystems engineer In-Charge shall sign for any 
12 
branch of the work or any function of agricultural and biosystems engineering practice 
13 
not actually performed by him. The agricultural and biosystems engineer In-Charge shall 
14 
be fully responsible fur all plans, specifications and other documents issued under his 
15 
seal or anthorized signature. 
16 
The Board shall fonnulate, adopt and promulgate all necessary rules and regulations fur 
17 
the effective implementation of the provisions relating to the design of the seal, the 
18 
signing and sealing of drawings, reports and other documents by agricultural and 
19 
biosystems engineers. 
20 
(d) 
Drawings and specifications duly signed, stamped or sealed as instruments of service are 
21 
the property and documents of the agricultural and biosystems engineer, whether the 
22 
projects for which they were made is executed or not No person, without the written 
23 
consent of the agricultural and biosystems engineer or author of said documents, shall 
24 
duplicate or make copies of said documents fur use in the repetition of and for other 
25 
projects or buildings, whether executed partly or in whole. 
26 
(e) 
All drawings, specifications and other documents and reports to be used for the design, 
27 
construction, test and evaluation, research and extension of agricultural, livestock, 
28 
fishery, aquaculture and bio-systems structures, machineries, equipments, processes and 
29 
systems shall be signed and sealed by a licensed agricultural and biosystems engineer. 
30 
Violation of any of the foregoing shall be grounds fur administrative and/or criminal 
31 
action. 
14 


1 
SEC. 28. Indicatio1l1 of License and Professional Tax Receipt. - The agricultural and 
2 
biosystems engineer shall bo required to indicate his Profussional License Number, the duration 
3 
of its validity, including the pr:ofussional tax receipt number on the documents he signs, uses or 
4 
issues in connection with th€l practice of his profession. 
5 
6 
SEC 29. Firms, Partnerships, Corporations. Cooperatives, AssociatWns and 
7 
Fountlotions engaged in Agricultural anti Biosystems EngitreOing Practice. -
A fllln, 
8 
partnership, corporation, association or foundation may engage in the practice of agricultural and 
9 
biosystems engineering in the Philippines; Provided, That it complies with the following 
10 
requirements: 
11 
(a) 
The firm, partnership, corporation, cooperatives or association applies for and is issued a 
12 
certificate of registration by the Board and the Commission to engage in the practice of 
13 
agricultural and biosystems engineering in the Philippines: Provided, That the majority 
14 
of the partners of th~l partnership are registered and licensed agricultural and biosystems 
15 
engineers: Provided, further, That the majority of the members of the board of directors 
16 
or members of corporations are registered and licensed agricultural and biosystems 
17 
engineers; and 
18 
(b) 
The practice of the firm, partnership, corporation or association in agricultural and 
19 
biosystems engineering shall be carried out by duly registered and licensed agricultural 
20 
and biosystems engirneers. 
21 
SEC. 30. Integratioll of Agricultural and Biosystems Engineers. - The agricultural and 
22 
biosystems engineering profession shall be integrated into one (I) national organization 
23 
registered with Securities and Exchange Commission which shall be recognized by the Board 
24 
and by the Commission as the one and only integrated and accredited association of agricultural 
25 
and biosystems engineers. An agricultural and biosystem engineer duly registered with the 
26 
Board shall automatically become a member of the integrated and accredited association of 
27 
agricultural and biosystems engineers, and shall receive the benefits and privileges appurtenant 
28 
thereto upon payment of the required fees and dues. Membership in the integrated and accredited 
29 
association shall not be a bar to membership in other associations of agricultural and biosystems 
30 
engineers. 
31 
32 
SEC. 31. Foreign Reciprocity. - No fureign agricultural and biosystems engineer shall 
33 
be issued I! temporary license to practice the agricuJtural and biosystems engineering profession 
34 
or' consultancy thereof or be entitled to any of the rights and privileges under this act unless the 
35 
country of which he is a subject or citizen specifically permits Filipino agricultural and 
15 


1 
biosystems engineers to prftlctice within its territorial limits on the same basis as the subjects or 
2 
citizens of such foreign state: or country. 
3 
4 
SEC. 32. Spechilll'empomry Permits for Foreitpl Agricultuml mul Bioystems 
5 
Engineers. - The practice of foreign agricultural and biosystems engineers in the Philippines 
6 
shall be limited to natural persons only and shall be governed by the provisions of Republic Act 
7 
No. 8981, otherwise known as the "Professiotllll Regulation Commission (PRC) Modernization 
8 
Act of 2000": Provided, That any foreign national who has gained entry in the Philippines to 
9 
perform professional services as an agricultural and biosystems engineer or render such services 
10 
or prepare or produce such documents are within the scope of practice of agricultural and 
11 
biosystems engineers as set forth in this Act, such as, but not limited to, being a consultant in 
12 
foreign-funded or assisted pmjects of the government or employed or engaged by Filipino or 
13 
foreign contractors or privalte finns, whether or not the nomenclature of hislher profession is 
14 
specifically called in his/her country of nationality as agricultural and biosystems engineer, but 
15 
who does not meet or wish to comply with the requirements fur admission to take the licensure 
16 
examinations shalt, before assuming the duties, functions and responsibilities as agricultural 
17 
andbiosystems engineer Olr consultant, secure a temporary/special permit from the Board, 
18 
subject to the approval of the Commission and the Department of Labor and Employment 
19 
(DOLE), to practice his/her profession in connection with the project to which helshe was 
20 
commissioned: Provided, further, That the following conditions are satisfied: 
21 
22 
23 
24 
25 
26 
27 
28 
29 
30 
31 
32 
33 
34 
35 
(a) 
(b) 
(c) 
(d) 
That helshe is a citizen or subject of a country which specifically permits Filipino 
professionals to praCitice their profession within the territorial limits on the same basis as 
the subjects or citizerlS of such foreign country or state; 
That helshe is legally qualified to practice agricuItural and biosystems engineering in 
his/her own country, and that his/her expertise is necessary and advantageous to the 
Philippines, particularly in the aspects oftechnologytransf'er and specialization; 
That he/she shall be required to work with a Filipino counterpart, a natural person who is 
a registered and licelllsed agricultural and biosystems engineer, and professional services 
fees and experlSes oj[ documentation pertaining to the project shalt he proportionately 
shared by both foreign and Filipino agricultural and biosystems engineers, including 
liabilities and taxes due to the Philippine government, if any, 'relative to bis/her 
participation therein, or professional services rendered to the project in accordance with 
established rules and regulations; and 
That helshe shall obtain an employment permit from the DOLE: Provided. that the 
employment permit may be issued to a non-resident alien or to the appticant-employer 
16 


1 
after the determination of the Commission and the Board of the non-availability of a 
2 
person in the Philippines who is competent, able and willing at the time of application to 
3 
perform the services for which the foreign expert is being invited. 
4 
SEC. 33. 
Po.vitiotlS in Government and Prirute Firms and Establishments with 
5 
Agricultural and Biosystems Engineering/unctions. - only licensed and registered agricultural 
6 
and biosystems engineers shall be appointed or designated to 
agricultural engineer or 
7 
agricultural 
and biosystems engineer positions, 
head or assistant head of agricultural or 
8 
agricultural and biosystems or agricultural and fisheries engineering or aquaculture engineering 
9 
group, unit, division, bureau, department and branch in all National Government Departments 
10 
or Agencies, government owned and controlled corporations, local government units and state 
11 
colleges and universities, 
and all other positions in the government and concerned private 
12 
firms and establishments whose main functions and responsibilities constitute the practice of 
13 
agricultural and biosystems engineering pursuant to this Act. Appointments made thereafter in 
14 
violation hereof shall be considered null and void. The Civil Service Commission (CSC) and the 
15 
BOllrd of Agricultural Engineering shall promulgate qualification standards for these positions 
16 
including those positions whose duties and functions constitnte the practice of agricultural and 
17 
biosystems engineering in ~~U government instrumentalities. TIle Board in consultation with the 
18 
Civil Service Commission altld the Department of Labor and Employment shall promulgate rules 
19 
and regulations to implement this provision. 
20 
21 
SEC. 34. Personnel Required- All offices, firms and establishments, either government 
22 
or private, and farmers organizations and cooperatives engaged in the production, processing, 
23 
handling and marketing of agriculture, livestock, fishery. aquaculture and biosystems products 
24 
and likewise implementing projects on irrigation, farm mechanization, postharvest fucilities and 
25 
agricultural and biosystems infrastructures shall employ the required number and/or engage the 
26 
services of agricultural and biosystems engineers based on the standards and guidelines to be 
27 
promulgated by the Board; Provided, That there shall be no understaffing and/or overloading of 
28 
agricultural and biosystems engineers. The ratio of agricultural and biosystems engineers to 
29 
clientele shall be such as to reasonably effect a sustained quality of agricultural and biosystems 
30 
engineering services at all times without overworking the agricultural and biosystems engineers. 
31 
SEC. 35 • National Career Progression Program. - There shall be an institutionalized 
32 
national agricultural and biosystems engineering career progression program to be furnmlated 
33 
by the Board in consultation with the Accredited Professional Organization (APO), Civil Service 
34 
Commission and concerned government agencies: Provided, That any agricuItural and 
35 
biosystems engineer before being allowed to work in specialty areas to ped\)[m beyond 
36 
generalist function or have specific specialties, must finish the formal education and training 
37 
towards specialization, posSess recognized practice competencies and must be certified by the 
17 


, , 
1 
Board and must be a memb~~ of a relevant and accredited agricultural and biosystems specialty 
2 
organization: Provided, jurther, That agricultural and biosystems engineering specialty 
3 
organizations shall be recognized and certified by the Board. 
4 
5 
6 
ARTICLE V 
7 
AGRICULTURAL AND BIOSYSTEMS ENGINEERING EDUCATION AND 
8 
CONTINUING PROFESSIONAL EDUCATION/DEVELOPMENT 
9 
10 
SEC 36. Curriculum Development lI1Id Updathrc- The Board and the Commission on 
11 
Higher Education shall develop and continuously update the Agricultural and Biosystems 
12 
Engineering Curriculum in accordance with required competencies on the practice of the 
13 
profession prescribed under this Act, and in order to align with international standards of 
14 
agricultural and biosystems engineering education and practice, and to become responsive to the 
15 
industry requirements. 
16 
17 
SEC. 37. RoJionaliZJlliou lI1Id Upgrading Program- The Commission on Higher 
18 
Education, in collaboration with the Board, Department of Agriculture, Technical Education 
19 
and Skills Development Authority and the Department of Education and in consultation with 
20 
the industry and stakeholders, shall formulate and implement a Rationalization and Upgrading 
21 
Program on Agricultural and Biosystems Engineering Education in the country with the end in 
22 
view of upgrading and modernizing school facilities aod equipment, faculty development and 
23 
training, provision of scholarships, 
developing ladderized program on agricultural and 
24 
biosystems engineering and other developmental undertakings to produce globally competitive 
25 
agricultural and biosystems f:ngineering graduates and professionals. 
26 
27 
In line with this, all (:oncerned Higher Education Institutions (HEIs) shall formulate and 
28 
implement their Agricultural and Biosystems Engineering Education Competitiveness Road Map 
29 
as part of the Philippine Agricultural and Biosystems Engineering Profession Road Map/Master 
30 
Plan and shall serve as one of the basis in the provision of grants from the government for the 
31 
upgrading the program. 
32 
33 
SEC. 38. Career G<uidance lI1Id Atb'OCacy- The Board and the Commission, in 
34 
collaboration with the Department of Labor and Employment, Philippine Overseas Employment 
35 
Administration, Commission on Higher Education, Department of Education, and the 
36 
Department of Agriculture, Accredited Professional Organization and other concerned 
37 
government agencies and private organizations, shall furmulate and implement a Career 
38 
Guidance and Advocacy Program on Agricultural and Biosystems Engineering. The Program 
18 


. 
. . 
1 
2 
3 
4 
5 
6 
7 
8 
9 
10 
11 
12 
13 
14 
15 
16 
17 
18 
19 
20 
21 
22 
23 
24 
25 
26 
27 
28 
29 
30 
31 
32 
33 
34 
35 
36 
. . 
shall include the conduct of research studies on the supply and demand and qualifications of the 
agricultural and biosystems engineering protbssion both local and abroad and employment 
promotion/assistance for Filipino agricultural and biosystems engineers. 
SEC. 39. Continuing Professionol EdlIcatioIIJ1JeveIopllfDrt- The Board and the 
Commission, in consultation with the academe, APO, concerned government agencies and 
stakeholders, shall prescribe, guidelines in the implementation of the Continuing Profussional 
Education/Development (CPE/CPO) programs for Agricultural and Biosystems Engineers 
The CPO credit units earned by an agricultural and biosystems engineer shall be applied 
for its equivalency in the traiining requirement for the promotion of positions in the government 
agencies and private firms and the teaching positions in academic institutions, and in the 
accreditation for ASEAN Chartered Professional Engineer, APEC Engineer and other 
international accreditations. 
ARTICLE VI 
ENFORCEMENT OF THIS ACT AND PENAL PROVISIONS 
SEC. 40. E"'orcem~nt. - The Commission shall be the enforcement agency of the 
Board. As such, the Commis.sion shall implement the concerned provisions of this Act, enfurce 
its implementing rules and regulations as adopted by the Board, conduct investigations on 
complaints, including violations of the Code. of Ethics and Professional Standards of the 
profession, and prosecute when so warranted. 
Furthermore, all duly constituted Jaw enforcement agencies and offices of national, 
provincia~ city or municipal government or of any political subdivision thereof; shall upon the 
call or request of the Board or the Commission, render assistance in enforcing the provisions of 
this Act and to prosecute any person violating the provisions of the same. Any person may bring 
before the Commission, Board, of the aforementioned officers of the law, cases of illegal 
practice or violations of this act committed by any person or party. 
The Board shall assist the Commission in filing the appropriate charges though the 
concerned prosecution office in accordance with law and rules of court. 
SEC. 41. Penalties. - In addition to the administrative sanctions imposed under this Act, 
any person who violates any of the provisions of this Act, or committed any of the fullowing 
acts shal~ upon conviction, Ille penalized by a fine of not less than one hundred thonsand pesos 
(P1OO,OOO) nor more than five hundred thousand pesos (p500,OOO), or imprisonment of not less 
than six (6) months nor more than five (5) years, or both fine and imprisonment at the discretion 
of the court : 
19 


1 
a. 
Engaging in the practice of agricultural and biosystems engineering in the Philippines 
2 
without being registered or without confunning with the provisions of this Act; 
3 
b. 
Presenting or attempting to use as hislher own the certificate of registration and! or 
4 
professional identification card of another registered agricultural and biosystems 
5 
engineer, or a holder of a temporary/special permit; 
6 
7 
c. 
Giving any false or forged evidence of any kind to the board, or impersonating any 
8 
registered agricnltural and biosystems engineer or a holder of a 
temporary/special 
9 
permit; 
10 
d. 
11 
Using a revoked or suspended certificate of registration; or an expired or un-renewed 
professional identification card or temporary/special permit; 
12 
13 
e. 
Using in connection with hislher name or otherwise assuming, using or advertising any 
14 
title or description rending to convey the impression that helshe is an agricultural and 
15 
biosystems engineer without holding a valid certificate or registration and professional 
16 
identification card or a valid temporary/special permit; and 
17 
18 
f. 
Implementing or causing the implementation of any plans and designs not prepared and 
19 
signed by a registered agricultural and biosystems engineer in those cases where this Act 
20 
requires that these be prepared and signed by a such a registered agricnJtural and 
21 
biosystems engineer. 
22 
23 
In case the offender is a corporation, partuership, association, foundation or juridical 
24 
person, the penalty of imprisonment shall be imposed on the agricuhural and biosystems 
25 
engineer-in-charge jointly and in solidarity with the responsible professionals as well as the 
26 
controlling officer or officenl thereof responsible for permitting or causing the violation. 
27 
28 
29 
30 
ARTICLEVn 
TRi\NSITORY AND FINAL PROVISIONS 
31 
SEC. 42. Tran.'fiJory Provision. - The incnmbent Chairperson and Members of the Board 
32 
sbaJI, in an interim capacity. continue tu carry out their functions under the provisions of this Act 
33 
without need for new appoilntments as Chaitperson and Members thereof until the first Board, 
34 
created under this Act, shall 'have been constituted or organized pursuant thereto. 
35 
36 
SEC. 43. Implementing Rules ami RegulatiolfS.. - Subject to the approval of the 
37 
Commission, the Board shall adopt and promulgate such rules and regulations to carry out the 
20 


1 
provisions of this Act, whic,h shall be effective thirty (30) days fullowing its publication in the 
2 
Official Gazette or in any major daily newspaper of geneml circulation. 
3 
SEC. 44. Separability C1nuse. - If, for any reason or reasons, any part or provision of 
4 
this Act shall be declared or held to be unconstitutional O£ invalid, other provision or provisions 
5 
hereof which are not affected thereby shan continue to be fun furce and effect. 
6 
7 
SEC. 45. Repealit'g Dause. -
All laws, decrees, executive orders and other 
8 
administrative issuances and parts thereof which are inconsistent with the provisions of this Act 
9 
are hereby modified or superseded. Republic Act No. 8559 is hereby repealed. 
10 
11 
SEC. 
46. Effectivity. - This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days following its 
12 
publication in the Official Gazette or in any major daily newspaper of general circulation in the . 
13 
Philippines, whichever COmllS first. 
Approved, 
21