Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Quezon City

EIGHTEENTH CONGRESS
First Regular Session

House Bill No. 781,

Introduced by HON. ROZZANO RUFINO B, BIAZON

EXPLANATORY NOTE

'
Agricultural institutions have a big role to play in development efforts of the
government for countryside agro-industrialization, Experience in developed countries has
shown that colleges and universities involved in agriculture were instrumental in improving
the productivity of the farming and rural communities. Through teaching, research and
extension, these institutions provided the relevant high-level manpower, technology and

services necessary to improve farm yields and incomes of agricultural workers.

This bill aims to establish a National Agriculture Education System (NAES), which is
an approach to stratify institutional goals, upgrade standards and increase the school’s
effectiveness in instruction, research and extension within the nation, region or province.
Through the NAES, the State commits to the exposure of all aspects of agriculture to
teachers, students and the community to create and maintain an understanding and
appreciation of agriculture and related industries, It is a great opportunity to promote
agriculture awareness and an understanding of the importance of agriculture to all members
of society.

Soil is one of our most precious resources. Therefore, we have to work on changing
farm policy to emphasize its proper use. We must get farmers into classrooms. We must
strive to move students out of the classroom and onto farms which model sustainable
systems. Together, we can work toward the goa! of sustainable agricultural systems.

‘The bill attempts to improve the quality, efficiency and effectiveness of agriculture
education programs while preserving the concern for equity or democratized access to higher
education ia the rural areas. It is also a response to the call for greater productivity, higher
rural incomes and better quality of life for the Fil3pino people.

In view of the foregoing, early passage c/ this bill is earnestly sought.

ROZZ: alle befor

epresentative
Lone District, Muntinlupa City


Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIV
Quezon City

EIGHTEENTH CONGRESS
First Regular Session

House Bill No. 761

Introduced by HON. ROZZANO RUFINO B. BIAZON

AN ACT
RATIONALIZING AGRICULTURE EDUCATION IN THE PHILIPPINES BY
ESTABLISHING A NATIONAL SYSTEM OF AGRICULTURE EDUCATION
INSTITUTIONS, PROVIDING FOR MECHANISMS OF IMPLEMENTATION, AND
FOR OTHER PURPOSES

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

CHAPTER I. TITLE AND POLICIES

TION 1. Title. ~

his Act shail be known as the “Agriculture Education Act

Sec.

Declaration of Policies.

a) ‘The State shall protect and promote the right of all citizens, regardless of sex, and
creed to quality education at all levels and shall take appropriate steps to make
such education accessible to all

b) The State shall establish, maintain, and support a complete and integrated system
of agriculture education relevant to the needs of the economy, community and

c) The State shall provide non-formal education and training to farmers. farm
workers and out-of-school youths in the rural areas.

d) Agriculture education shall be coordinated with agricultural policies of the State
and shall be oriented particularly towards improvement of the productivity and
incomes of small farmers and increased self-sulficiency of rural communities.


CHAPTER HI. COVERAGE

Sec. 3, Scope. ~ This Act shall apply to and govern both formal and non-formal
continuing agriculture education programs being offered in all public and private educational
institutions in the country.

Sec. 4. Definition of Terms, ~ The following terms shall mean as defined herein:

a) Agriculture — means cultivation of the soil, planting of crops, growing of fruit
trees, management of forests, raising or catching of livestock or both, poultry or
including the harvesting and post-harvest handling of such products and
activities and practices performed by a farmer/fisherman/forester in
conjunction with such operations done by persons whether natur

or juridical

b) Agriculture and Environmental Education ~ pertains to organized and
institutionalised instructions relating to professional, technical and vocational
skills development, research for technology development, and extension of
technologies in the various ficlds/disciplines in agriculture and allied sciences
such as crop science, animal science, agricultural engineering, fisheries, forestry
and veterinary medicine, Environmental concerns are integrated in each
discipline.

CHAPTER If. THE NATIONAL AGRICULTURE EDUCATION SYSTEM (NA

Sec. 5. Purpose. ~ Qualified existing public and private institutions, colleges and
universities shall be developed into a network of an integrated system of agriculture
education to respond effectively to agriculture and rural development needs of the country

Sec. 6. The National Agriculture Education System (NAES) ~ ‘The network of
qualified public and private education institutions shall be formed and established into a
National Agriculture Education System (NAES), in order for agriculture education to have a
unified, coordinated and improved system of implementation of academic program thrusts
geared toward achieving agriculture and rural development of the community and country
However, in case there is no institution offering agriculture education in the service aren
which corresponds to the provision of Section 7 of this Act, the same shall be created oy
established according to implementing rules and regulations of this Act

Sco. 7. Components of the System. ~ From among the qualified agriculture education
institutions, regardless of the institution’s system of governance as authorized by Jaw. the
network shall be composed of five (5) sub-systems, namely: agriculture, agricultural
engineering, fisheries, forestry and veterinary medicine. — However. administrative
organization and structures of the designated institutions shall be governed by their respective
charters unless otherwise provided in this Act

a) The Agriculture Education Sub-system shall be composed of one (1) designated
National College of Agriculture, one (1) designated Regional College ot
Agriculture in each region, and at least one (1) designated/converted/ereated
Technical Institute of Agriculture per province as the case may be



shall

shall:

b) The Agricultural Engineering Education Sub-system shall be composed of one (1)
designated national College of Agricultural Engineering and a designated
Regional College of Agricultural Engineering per region to be located within the
network of the agriculture education sub-system.

he Fisheries Education Subsystem shall be composed of one (1) designated
Regional College of Fisheries to be located strategically in three (3) selected
regions and a designated/converted/created Regional Institute of Fisheries
Technology per region

d) The Forestry Education Sub-system shall be composed of one (1) designated
National Colicge of Forestry and a designated Regional College of Forestry per
region to be located within the agriculture education sub-system, if possible

e) The Veterinary Education Sub-system shall be composed of one (1) designated
National College of Veterinary Medicine and four (4) designated regional College
of Veterinary Medicine to be located strategically in four (4) selected regions
within the agriculture education sub-system,

CHAPTER IV. ROLES AND FUNCTIONS OF INS
‘EACH LEVEL OF THE NETWORK

See, 8. Roles and Functions of National Colleges, ~ The National Colleges (NCs)

a) Concentrate on the post-graduate programs and curricular models in the tertiary
level;

b) Be responsible for the conduct of basic and applied researches and other scientific
innovations;

c) Assist the Regional Colleges and institutions in their development efforts towards
excellence, effectiveness and relevance in instruction, research and extension or
technology transfer:

d) Link up with national and international ag
scientific advances: and

ies to keep abreast of local needs and

e). Share its expertise and facilities with the Government and the private sector as fir
as policy recommendations, program planning and evaluation, and staff training
are concerned,

c. 9. Roles and Functions of Regional Colleges. ~ The Regional Colleges (RCs)

a) Concentrate on Bachelor of Science degrees with reasonable involvement in the
post-graduate and model technology courses:


b) Focus on adaptive researches needed in the region with reasonable involvement in
basic and applied researches and verification project

©) Assist technical institutes in strengthening thei
relevance, effectivenes
technology transfer; and

institutional capabilities awards
and excellence in instruction, action research and

d) Link up with, and assist government regional offices in planning and evaluating
their programs and in training their staff for agriculture activities,

Sec. 10. Roles and Functions of Regional Institutes of Fisheries Technology. ~ Vhe
Regional Institutes of Fisheries Technology (RIFT) shall:

a) Concentrate on the Diploma in Fisheries ‘Technology designed for the training of
fisheries technicians on technical skills required of the fisheries industry

b) Conduct verification tests of new techniques developed by research institutions
and transfer positive results to field technicians, fishermen and fish farmers

¢) Assist the Fisherman's Training Center of the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic
Resources (BFAR) in planning, implementing and evaluating their programs and
training:

d) Assist high schools with fishery practical arts subjects in the development of theit
instructional materials.

Sec. 11. Roles and Functions of Provincial Technical Institutes. The Provincial
Technical Institutes (PIs) shall

a) Concentrate their curricular programs on technical and technology courses
designed for farming and extension work with reasonable involvement in selected
degree and non-degree, post-secondary advanced technology-related courses in
agriculture;

b) Conduct pilot/action researches and verification trials to demonstrate advances in
agricultural technology and transfer the same to technicians and farmers through
fields days, short courses and training programs:

©) Serve as a learning and technology resource for development agencies in the
province in planning and evaluating programs and in training technicians, small
farmers, agricultural producers and entrepreneurs: and

4) Extend improved appropriate agricultural technologies to secondary and
vocational high schools:

See. 12. Other Roles and Functions of the Institutions. — in addition to their regular

roles and functions, all the member institutions mentioned above shall also serve as the

agricultural training centers in their respective areas and offer continuing and adult education

courses for related line agency staff/farmersifisher folk and community leaders to hasten

technology transfer, improve attitudes towards farming, and inculeate the importance of
4



agriculture in nation building in support to the Magna Carta for Small Farmers. It shall also
be the function of the institutions to provide assistance to students in conducting their
income-generating projects as well as placement of their graduates

CHAPTER V. IMPLEMENT

ING AND COORDINATIN

'G MECHANISMS,

See, 13. Agricultural Education Development Council (AEDEC). ~ The existing
chnical Panel for Agricultural Education (TPAE) is hereby transformed into. the
Agricultural Education Development Council (AEDEC) as the governing advisory policy
body which is autonomous and attached to the Department of Edueation (DepEd) with the
following composition and functions:

a) Composition. ~ The AEDEC shall be composed of the following members w be
appointed by the Secretary of Education, Culture and Sports as its Ex-Officio
Chairman:

1) One (1) outstanding scientist, educator or practitioner from each of the
fields of Crop Science, Animal Science, Agricultural Engineering.
Fisheries, Forestry, Veterinary Medicine and Agriculture Teacher

:dueation, who shall be nominated by heads of faculties, seientifie or

professional groups for a term of three (3) years. and from among them a

Vice-Chairman shall be chosen:

2) One (1) representative each from the Department of Agriculture
Department of Environment and Natural Resources. Department of
Agrarian Reform, Department of Science and Technology. Department of
Budget and Management and the National Economie and Development
Authority (NEDA):

3) One (1) representative from the Commission on Higher Education:

4) One (1) representative from the Profe:

sional Regulation Commission:

5) One (I) representative from the Philippine Federation of Professional
Associations;

6) One (1) representative from the
Agriculture in the Philippine

ederation or Association of Colleges of
and

7) One (1) representative trom the Fund for Assistance to Private Education,
b) Functions. ~ The AEDEC shall have the following duties and funetions

1) To study and review the overall philosophy and goals of agriculture and
environment education in relation to the regional. national and
international developments in agriculture and industry and formulate
alternative directions and plans:



2) To assess and identify the agriculture and environmental education,
training and employment needs of the country in consultation with the
NEDA and other concerned agencies;

3) To undertake policy, educational and evaluation research and recommend
measures to improve agriculture and environmental education

4) To formulate and recommend guidelines and minimum educational
standards with respect to curricula, faculty, equipment and facilities,
library resources, student services, quality of output and other related
criteria which shall be applicable to all NAES member-institutions

5) ‘To develop and implement coordinative and collaborative mechanisms of
monitoring and evaluation of activities of NAE!

6) To
NAES;

iblish and operate a Management Information System (MIS) for the

7) To provide technical assistance to educational institutions in the planning.
development and implementation of agriculture and environmental
education programs in cooperation with appropriate agencies;

8) To receive or recommend grants or both for the funding of educational
research and development following the existing accounting and auditing
manual for research operations:

9) ‘To appoint AEDEC staff and employees upon the recommendation and
endorsement of the Executive Director;

10)'To formulate implementing rules and regulations of this Act and
recommend the same to the Commission on Higher Education within six
(6) months after the effectivity of this Act; and

11) To perform such other functions as may be deemed necessary

Sec. 14. Secretariat. ~ The AEDEC shall be assisted by techi
staff with appointment on permanent status to be headed by an Executive Director, The
Secretariat's office shall be at the University where the National College of Agriculture is
located. The services of a pool of experts/consultants/tesource persons on full-time or part
time status shall be provided on special detail or secondment subject to the guidelines
approved by AEDEC.

ical and administrative

See. 15. Budgetary Scheme. ~ The budgetary scheme shall be as follows:

4) ‘The current appropriations or budgets of the public educational institutions in the
NAES designated as the national colleges and regional colleges shall continue ancl
shall be modified or adjusted in succeeding years in order to meet the standards of
the rationalized programs of the institutions as approved by the Department of
Budget and Management and shall be included in the Annual General
Appropriations Act.



b) The PTIs/RIFTs in the NAES which are designated or newly created under this
Act shall likewise be provided budgetary support based on their programs and
new staffing pattern as approved by the Department of Budget and Management
and shall be included in the Annual General Appropriations Act. Additional
institutes that may be established in the province shall solely be supported by
provincial government funds.

©) This Act shall hereby allocate an endowment lump sum amount of Five Million
Pesos (P5,000,000,00) per annum for the next ten (10) years and shall be included
in the General Appropriations Act starting calendar year 2008. This fund shall be
called as the Agriculture Education Program Development Fund to support the
development, improvement and implementation of priority agriculture education
and farmers’ entrepreneurial training programs of NAES member institutions:
Provided, further, That such fund shall be invested in government bonds and
securities and managed by AEDEC using only the interest earnings of the said
fund.

d) ‘The operations of the AEDEC shall be funded initially from the CHED budget
allocation for the ‘Technical Panel for Agricultural Education (TPAE). Upon the
effectivity of this Act. TPAE shall be replaced by the AEDEC and all equipment,
qualified personnel and projects of the ‘TPAE shall be transferred to AEDEC
Subsequently, the initial amount of at least Three million pesos (P3,000,000, 00)
shall be allocated for the AEDEC in the Annual General Appropriations Act

ee. 16. Fiduciary, Endowment and Revolving Funds, ~ The Fiduciary and Revolving
Funds centralized under P.D. 711 are hereby authorized and reallocated to the institutions in
NAES to encourage them to demonstrate the technologies that they develop in theie
laboratories, experimental farms and income-generating projects, furthermore endowment
funds shall be authorized to be accumulated in the institutions, out of any funds generated
from unallocated savings, earnings or from any other external sources to be used as
incentives for professorial chairs, teachers/employees incentives award systems, faculty
fellowship programs and the like. Such funds shall be disbursed in accordance with law and
guidelines set by AEDEC and the Commission on Audit

CHAPTER VI INC

NTIVES, PRIVILEGES AND BENEFITS

See. 17. Incentives for Private Institutions, ~ Private colleges or universities that may
be designated to perform any role in the system shall basically be supported out of their
private funds raised and solicited for its operations. They shall be supported through the Fund
for Assistance to Private Education (FAPE), national grants, educational development
subsidies, and other forms of incentives such as deregulation of tuition and other fees and tax
exemptions especially on importation of books and equipment.

Sec, 18, Incentives for Agriculture Education Graduates. ~ The following incentives
are hereby provided to graduates to facilitate and maximize their contributions to agriculture
and national government:

a) Agriculture Education Entrepreneurial Loan. ~ Graduates desiring to establish
agribusiness enterprises shall be provided with a loan not exceeding One hundred



thousand pesos (P100,000.00) upon submission of an authenticated diploma. a
good feasibility study and is secured by a chattel mortgage of assets acquired from
the loan. Mechanisms to operationalize said loan shall be provided by the Bangko
Sentral ng Pilipinas through the Land Bank of the Philippines and other interested.
commercial or cooperative banks with the assistance of the AEDEC

b) ‘Tax Incentives. - Graduates venturing into priority agribusiness processing and
manufacturing industries may avail of tax incentives under the Board of
Investments priority plan as provided by law and the Kalakalan 20 under R.A, No.
1648.

CHAPTER VIL.

PECIAL PROVISIONS

Sec. 19. Compliance of Non-chartered CHED-managed Colleges, ~ By virtue of this
‘Act, the non-chartered CHED managed colleges that may be designated to perform the role
of a regional college in the NAES shall follow the structure of a state college as provided for
in the guidelines of the Department of Budget and Management starting at level four

20. Provincial Technical Institutes. ~ This Act shall hereby authorize the
Chairman of CHED upon endorsement of the AEDEC through the recommendations of the
provincial goverment or the regional development councils as the case may be in the
designations and/or change of status of potential institutions into Technical Institutes of
Agriculture in each province and Institutes of Fisheries Technology in each region within the
NAES: Provided, however, That such designations including the institutions identified within
the NAES be published in the Government's official gazette: Provided, further. That such
institutes shall be headed by a Director and shall be allowed to adopt the existing titles and
academic ranks accorded to a college faculty: Provided, furthermore, That such institutes
which are attached to mother units shall have a Director by designation whereas those
independent institutes shail have a Director with a plantilla position

See, 21, Repealing Clause. ~ All existing laws, rules, and regulations or parts thereof
inconsistent with the provisions of this Act are hereby repealed, superseded. or modified
accordingly

See, 22. Separability Clause, ~ If any part, section or provision of this Act shall be
held invalid or unconstitutional, no other part, section or provision hereof shall be affected
thereby

Sec. 23. Effectivity. — This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after its publication
in two (2) newspapers of general circulation

Approved.