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Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Quezon City

18TH CONGRESS
First Regular Session

1014

HOUSE BILL NO.

Introduced by Representative Michaei 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 a. a regular bureau of the
DA which shall be under the supervision of the DA Undersecretary and shal!
have the following functions and responsibilities:

(a) Coordinate, oversee and monitor the national planning and
implementation of agri-fisheries engineering, farm-to-market road and
other agri-fisheries 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 divisio.'s of the DA regional field units;

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

() 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 Assistant Bureau Director,
all appointed by the President.

The BAFE shall have the following divisions:
(1) Engineering Plans, Designs and Specifications;
(2) Programs and Projects Manz gement;
(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 fishery
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 agri-fishery mechanization and infrastructure projects
shall review and modify their organizational structure and staffing pattern 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-varly pa; of this bill is earnestly requested.

‘L L. ROMERO Ph.D.


Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Quezon City

18TH CONGRESS
First Regular Session

HOUSE BILL No, 1814

Introduced by Representative 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 SACTIONS, AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES

Be it enacted by the Senate and F'ouse of Representative of the Philippines
in congress assembled:

SECTION 1. DECLARATION OF POLICY

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

ARTICLE VII
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-Graft 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, ead 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;

(4) Support the establishment of quality, safety 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

() 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
Agri-fishery Mechanization Program for the DA;

(b) Provide leadership in the formulation cf 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;

(4) Ensure the formulation of accreditation guidelines for test’ny
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 othe: 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 shall 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.