=PRCSENTATIVES

HOUSE 9F

RECEIVED
Republic of the Philippinbs yr. 11 AUG 2016
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES } 7

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Quezon City
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SEVENTEENTH CONGRES
REGISTRATION UNIT
BILLS AND INDE X SERVICE
House Bill No. 2864

First Regular Session |

Introduced by Hon. Delphine Gan Lee and Hon. Orestes T. Salon

EXPLANATORY NOTE

The Bureau of Agricultural Research (BAR) is one of the staff bureaus of the
Department of Agriculture (DA) which was established to lead and coordinate the national
agriculture and fisheries research and development (R&D) in the country. BAR is committed
to consolidate, strengthen, and develop the agriculture and fisheries R&D system for the
purpose of improving its effectiveness and efficiency by ensuring customer satisfaction and
continuous improvement through work excellence, teamwork and networking, accountability
and innovation.

This bill seeks to strengthen the BAR by granting it additional funding and setting
additional standards and functions in its present set of responsibilities. The urgent passage of
this bill is thus earnestly requested.

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Sern

HON ASELPHJNE GAN LEE HON. ORESTES T. SALON
Representative, AGRI Party-List Representative AGRI Party-List Representativ


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Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Quezon City

SEVENTEENTH CONGRESS
First Regular Session

2864

House Bill No.

Introduced by Hon. Delphine Gan Lee and Hon. Orestes T. Salon

AN ACT TO INTEGRATE, COORDINATE, AND INTENSIFY SCIENTIFIC AND
TECHNOLOGICAL RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT IN AGRICULTURE

Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the Philippines in
Congress assembled:

SECTION 1. Short Title. - This shall be known as the “Agriculture Research and
Development Act of 2016.”

SECTION 2. Declaration of Policies. — The State recognizes that the agriculture
sector provides food and vital raw materials for the rest of the economy;

‘The State also recognizes that rising productivity and efficiency in the agricultural
sector are critical in maintaining the affordability of food and purchasing power, especially
among the poor;

It is hereby declared the policy of the State to promote, propagate, develop further and
implement a scientific and technological research and development program for the

agricultural sector.

SECTION 3. Bureau of Agricultural Research. — In the implementation of the
foregoing policy, the Government shall, through the existing Bureau of Agricultural
Research:

(1) Stimulate and guide scientific, engineering and technological efforts towards

filling the basic and immediate agricultural needs ofthe _ people;


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(2) Survey the scientific, engineering and technological resources of the country and
formulate a comprehensive program for the development and maximum utilization of such
resources in the solution of the country's problems in agriculture;

(3) Strengthen the educational system of the country so that the same will provide a
steady source of competent scientific and technological manpower for the agricultural sector;

(4) Furnish incentives to private and individual initiative in scientific work in
agriculture;

(5) Promote and encourage the dissemination of the results of scientific and
technological research in agriculture and the general application thereof;

(6) Encourage and facilitate the active participation of domestic and foreign sectors in
furnishing financial, technical and other forms of assistance for scientific and technological
activities that promote the agriculture sector;

(7) Promote coordination and cooperation in research in order to secure concentration
of effort, minimize duplication and thereby achieve maximum progress in the agriculture
sector;

(8) Initiate and bring about the establishment of standards, quality control measures
and documentation facilities; and

(9) Encourage studies in the agriculture-intensive courses.

SECTION 4. Travel and Study Grants. — The Board shall extend travel and study
grants for agricultural purposes; to send delegates and/or observers to agricultural scientific
and technological conferences or conventions; and to promote and assist agricultural

scientific and technological conferences and conventions in the Philippines.

‘TION 5. Funding. — The amount of FIFTY MILLION PESOS (P50,000,000.00)
is hereby appropriated for the initial year of this Act. Every year thereafter, a minimum
amount of THIRTY MILLION PESOS (P30,000,000.00) shall be included in the budget of

the Department for the implementation and continued expansion of this program.

SECTION 6. Implementing Rules and Regulations. ~ The Secretary shall adopt rules
and regulation to implement the provisions of this Act within ninety (90) days from the date
of effectivity of this Act.


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SECTION 7. Separability Clause. - If any provision of this Act or the application of
such provision to any person or circumstance is declared invalid, the remainder of the Act or
the application of such provision to other persons or circumstances shall not be affected by

such declaration.

SECTION 8. Repealing Clause. — Any law, presidential decree or issuance, executive
order, letter of instruction, administrative order, rule or regulation contrary to or inconsistent

with this Act is hereby repealed, modified, or amended accordingly.

SECTION 9. Effectivity Clause. — This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after its

publication in at least two (2) newspapers of general circulation.

Adopted,