Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF THE REPRESENTATIVE
Constitution Hills, Quezon City
NINETEENTH CONGRESS
Second Regular Session
HoUSE BILLNo.    9r`T25
Introduced by Representative: HON. KRISTINE ALEXIE B. TUTOR
Third District, Bohol
AN ACT REGULATING THE PRACTICE 0F 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) for 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  agricultural  sector
accounting for a 24.5% share. The agricultural industry was also recognized as one of the five (5)
sectors with the highest annual increase in the number of employed persons in August 2023 , along
with forestry.I  While these figures represent the other major categories of agricultural or farm
workers, there 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 (RA) No.  8435 or the "Agriculture 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-regulated professions, the agriculture profession does not have its own enabling law or
charter  as  it  remains  to  be  governed  by  a  mere  administrative  issuance2.  Moreso,  many
developments have changed the milieu of professional regulation, especially with the inception of
i PSA Press Release: Employment Rate in August 2023 was Estimated at 95.6 Percent (06 October 2023, 9:00 am)
2 PRC Resolution No. 2000-663 : Creation of the Board of Agriculture under the Professional Regulation Commission
and for other Purposes (15 May 2000)


the Continuing Professional Development, Philippine Qualifications 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.  Thus,  its  immediate  approval  is  hereby
sought.
HON. KRISTI E ALEXIE 8. TUTOR


Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF THE REPRESENTATIVE
Constitution Hills, Quezon City
NINETEENTH CONGRESS
Second Regular Session
HOUSEBILLNo.    9'?25
Introduced by Representative: HON. KRISTINE ALExm 8. TUTOR
Third District, Bohol
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
Be it enacted by the Senate and House Of Representatives Of the Philippines assembled:
ARTICLE I
TITLE, DECLARATION 0F POLICY, OBJECTIVES,
AND DEFINITION OF TERMS
Section 1. Sfeorf I..#t7-This Act shall be known as the "Philippine Agriculturists Act of 2023."
Ssection   2.  Dec/¢rrfu#   of Po/z.cv  -  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.
Section 3. Ob/.ecrfties -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;
(d) The  development of the professional competence of Registered Agriculturists through
Continuing Professional Development (CPD); and
(e)  The integration of the Agriculture profession.
Section 4. De#Jldio# of reiiri!s-For purposes of this Act, the following terms shall be defined as:
(a)I) Accredited  Integrated  Prof essional  Organization  (AIPO)  resers to tli!e profess;roneh
onganization that is accredited by the Board and the Commission which is specifically
mandated under this Act to integrate all Registered Agriculturists into one national
onganization and where membership therein is automatic and mandatory;
(b) 4grz.c#/¢a#.e refers to the art, science, ethics, management, and entrapreneurship in the
production, processing, di stribution, 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 Regi stration without Examination as Agriculturists,.
(d) Boczrd refers to the Professional Regulatory Board of Agriculture;
(e)  Com"issfo# refers to the Professional Regulation Commission;
(I)  Prczc#.ce o/ffee ,4grz.c"J¢`#7.e Pro/dsSfo# refers to all activities, acts, services or pursuits
performed by Registered Agriculturists as herein prescribed or specified; and
(g) Regivfered ,4grz.cff/lf!#'j:sf refers to a person who has been issued with a Certificate of
Registration   (COR)   and  Professional   Identification   Card  O'IC)  to  practice  the
Agriculture profession.
ARTICLE 11
PROFESSIONAL REGULATORY BOARD 0F AGRICULTURE
Section 5. Creation and Composition of the Professional  Ref[ulatorv  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
chaiaperson  and  five  (5)  members.  Each  member  shall  represent  one  of the  six  (6)  fields  of
specialization listed in Section 14, Article Ill hereof. The chairperson and members of the Board
shall be appointed by the President of the Philippines from the two (2) recommendees for each
positionsubmittedbytheCommissionfromalistofthree(3)nomineesforeachpositionsubmitted


by the Accredited 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
TThe new Board shall be constituted within six (6) months from the effectivity of this Act.
Section 6. Qualifications and _Diso|±g_I_iflcations 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, prefhably with an MA/MS and/or PhD in any
agriculture  discipline obtained from a school,  college or university recognized by the
goverrment. 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 Plc, and with at least ten (10) years
of relevant experience in Agriculture;
(I)  not be a member of the faculty, whether full-time or pat-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 tnistee of the AIPO for Registered Agriculturists.
Section 7. Power'is ai!d Funcfro#s of ffre Board-The Board shall have the following powers and
froctions:
(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
A8ricuiturists;
Determine and evaluate the qualifications of the applicants for issuance of the


(c)  COR, PIC and Special Temporary Permit (STP);
(d) Issue, suspend, revoke or reinstate the COR and Plc or SIT for cause;
(e) Prepare   and   modify   the   questions   for   examination   and   prescribe   the   Titles   of
Specifications (TOS) of the subjects for examination and their relative weights;
®  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  colleges  offering  the  course  or  program   of
Agriculture in order to ensure that standards and essential requirements for a qualified
dean and faculty are properly complied with;
(i)  Investigate violations of this Act, its Implementing Rules and Regulations (IRR), and the
Code of Ethics and Code of Technical Standards for Registered Agriculturists;
0)  Issue fndpeerzcz c!cJ /esrzJ}ca#cJzfm and srdpoena cJaces fec#" to secure the attendance of
respondents  or  witnesses  or the production  of documents  relative  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 Agriculturists; and
(I)  Perforin 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 promulgated 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,
shall be subject to review only if on appeal.
Section 8 -reriric 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,
tthat members of the first Board to be appointed after the approval of this Act shall hold office for
the following terms:  the two (2) members, one of whom shall be designated as Chairperson, shall
serve for five (5) years; two (2) members shall 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 full tom of five (5) years.
A successor to a Member whose term has expired shall be appointed for the full term of five (5)
years from the date of expiration of the term for which the predecessor was appointed.


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.
Section 9.  Compensation  and  Auowance  of the  Chair  and  Members  of the  Board  - True
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.
Section 10.  Suspension and Removal of the Chair 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,   al)use   of  power,   oppression,
incompetence,  unprofessional,  unethical,  immoral   or  dishonoral]le  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.
Section 11. Sixpervision of the Board. Custodian of its Records` Secretariat and S_Ifppor_i_ S_eryic_e_s_
- 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.
TThe  Commission  shall  designate  the  Secretary  of the  Board  and  other  support  services  to
implement the provisions of this Act.
Section  12. 4#Hli¢/ RcporL The  Board shall, within thirty  (30) days  after the close  of each
calendar  year,  submit  an  armual  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 Ill
LICENSURE EXAMINATION AND REGISTRATION
Section  13. LI.ce#slire E:]rflm#.#arfloJ!- 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.
Section  14. Scope of E]rmllin¢rfo#-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
(b)  himal Science
(c)   Soil science
(d)  Crop protection
(e)   Agricultural Economics / Agribusiness / Agri-entrepreneurship; and
(I)   Agricultural Extension and communication
To conform with the technological and agricultural modemization, the Board may re-cluster, re-
arrange, modify, add to or exclude from any of the foregoing subjects, as the need arises.
Section  ls.  a_ualifications  of Apt)licants  fior Examination  - ln  order to be  a[dmitted to the
Agriculturists Licensure Examination, an applicant, at the time of filing of application, must be:
(a) a citizen of the Philippines or a foreigri country which has a policy on reciprocity for the
practice of the Agriculture profession;
® 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 govemmentsowned and +ontrolled 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.
Section 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 pereent (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.


The  Board  shall  prescribe  specific  guidelines  for the  implementation  of the refresher  course
requirement.
Section  17. jRc/case of jfee jResri/*s of ±.urfoII -The results of the examination shall be
released within fourteen ( 14) working days from the last day of the examination, unless otherwise
extended for a valid reason.
Section 18. Registrorf\o# wfrfoo#f E*Hmi.jlarfo# -Upon approval of the application and payment
of the prescribed fees, an applicant 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 agriculture 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. 843 5 or the
"Agriculture 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
employed in the private sector.
Qualified applicants  shall 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.
Section  19. gg££ - All 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
Agricultue profession.
Sectikom Tf J. Issuance of the Certifiicate of Registration and Prof;essional ldet.tification Card - A
COR shall be issued to a successful 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 entitled to practice the
Agriculture profession, with all the benefits and privileges appurtenant thereto.  The COR shall
remain in full force and effect until revoked or suspended in accordance with this Act.
A Plc bearing the registration number, and dates of issuance and expiry, duly signed by


the chairperson of the Commission shall likewise be issued to every registrant upon payment of
the  required  fees.  Subject  to  compliance  with  the  prescribed  requirements,  the  Plc  shall  be
renewed for such period as may be detennined by the Board and the Commission.
Section 21. Refusof fo Regisler - The Board shall not register and issue a COR to a registrant who
has been convicted by final judgment by a court of competentjurisdiction of any criminal offense
involving moral turpitude or found guilty of immoral or dishonoral]le conduct after investigation
by the Board or has been declared to be of unsound mind. The reason for the refusal shall be set
forth in writing.
Section  2;2.   Revocation   or   Sus|)ension   of  the   Certificate   of  Registration,   Prof;essional
Identification Card or Cancellation of Si]ecial Temporary   Permit~ The Boa[rd rFT2ry , erfter due
notice and hearing to the party concerned, revoke the COR and Plc of a Registered Agricu]turist
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.
See;fion 2;3. Reinstatement. Reissuance or Replace_in_e_nt of Certificate of ReE!istrq[tion and/or
Profe§sfo#Of JdeHft.filcofo# 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 Plc of any registrant, the circumstances leading to the loss shall
be duly proven.
The duplicate of a lost or revoked COR and/or PIG shall be issued in accordance with the existing
rules subject to the payment of the necessary and mandated dues.
Section 24. Jssw¢#ce ofspecin/ rizmzrorionJ Ptrmrjf (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.
Section 25. Forej.p# Reez.procrfu7 - No foreign Professional Agriculturist shall be admitted to the
examination or be given a COR or Plc 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 0F AGRICULTURE PROFESSION
Section  26.  Scope  of Pro'cdee  of .4rfend!ifreLThe  Agriculture  profession  involves  services
consisting of crop and livestock production, processing and distribution, in both urdan and rural
aaeas.
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 of Agriculture as defined in Section
4@),  Article  I  of this Act.  A person  is  also  deemed to be in the  practice of the Agriculturee
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.
TThe  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.
Section 27. I+ofcssfo#dr rjfJe £4ppcHdrge - Only a Registered Agriculturist as herein defined may
append to his/her names the title  "Regiisferied 4grfcct/fotrzlsf fl.4grJ ".
Section  28.  Prohibition  Against  the  Unauthorize_d__Practice  of Agriculture  Prof;ession  - No
person shall practice the  Agriculture profession in the Philippines or offer himselfyherself 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
tthat  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.
Section 29. 4cf IVof 4ffec".#g Ofrfeer Thofessfoila/§. - This Act shall not be construed to affect or
prevent the practice of any other legally recognized profession.
Section  30.  A.o„for.fro"  4gou.#s/  Comormrfe  I+wcfroc  ~  A  sole  proprietor,  consulting  firm,
association,  or  onganization  may  engage  in  the  practice  of the  agriculture  profession  in  the
Philippines. Provided, that it complies with the following      uirements:
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 Agrioulturists; and
c.  That the practice of the consulting firm, association, or onganization shall be carried
out by Registered Agriculturists.


Sectiion 31. Em|ilovment of Awiculturists in the Govertunent-Nndiorlal government eLgenc]ies
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.
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.
Section  32.  Sa!aE[.     The  mininum  base  pay  of  registered  Agriculturists  woricing  in  the
government, including the SUCs, shall not be lower than Salary Grade 13.
Section  93.  Emiilovi'nent/Enf|agemerit  of  Awiculturists  in  the  Private  Sector  -  PirNa;he
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 facHities 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 (I.IEls) teaching agricultural courses shall
be Registered Agriculturists.
Section 34. J##egra#.o# a  /  c ,4rfendflire I+ofessfo# - All Registered Agriculturists shall have
one ( 1 ) national onganization, 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.
Section 35. Code of Ethics and Code of Technical Standards_I erA±grifculture Prof;ession - The
Board shall prescribe and promulgate the Code of Ethics and Code of Technical Standards for
Registered Agriculturists. in consultation with the AIPO


Seedron   36.   Continuing   Proliessional   Developrment   (CPI})   Program   -   A;II   RJegis,hared
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.
Section 37. Use ofscdr - 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, records,
papers  and/or  instruments  prepared  by/or  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 histher license.
The Board shall issue the pertinent guidelines on the use of seal.
Section   S8.   Vested   Rights..   Automatic   Registration   of  Af[riculturists   -   A;+i  FLegj+stered
Agriculturists who are registered at the time this Act takes effect shall automatically be registered
hereunder.
ARTICLE V
PENAL AND FINAL PROVISIONS
Section 39. Pc#nd frovisz.o# - 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 ¢IIP100,000.00) or more than
Five Hundred Thousand Pesos (PHP500, 000.00), or inprisonment 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 onganjzations responsible for any such violation shall be held
equally liable under this Act and such other laws as the circulnstances may warrant.
Section 40. £4ppropninfro#s -The chairperson of the Commission shall immediately include in the
Commission's programs the implementation of this Act, the funding of which shall be included in
the annual General Appropriations Act and thereafter.
Ssection 41. rra#sj.tory Z}oi+isfo#s -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.
Section 42. Jilrmlefflen#.#g Rndzs ¢#d Rerndflrfuous- The Board, subject to the approval by the
Commission, and in consultation with the AIPO, shall issue and promulgate the IRR


within one hundred twenty (120) days from eifectivity 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.
Section 43. Senararbfzrfu7 CTouse -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.
Section 44. RczJedfrog CJaiise - All laws, decrees, executive orders, memorandum orders, and
other administrative issuances or parts thereof wllich are inconsistent with the provisions of this
Act, are hereby modified, superseded or repealed accordingly.
Section 45. E/Tec#.tiz.rty-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.