Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Quezon Ci

SIXTEENTH CONGRESS,
First regular Mon

House Bill Ng; 514

Introduced by Hon. Rodolfo G. Biazon

EXPLANATORY NOTE

Agriculture has been the traditional backbone of the Philippine economy. It is a
principal source of income and employment, employing almost half of the total labor force.
Itis thus considered a major industry in the Philippines.

However, it has been observed that small farm holders and tenant farmers have
depended on the traditional subsistence level of farming systems. In spite of the extension
efforts made by government agencies and institutions and non-government organizations,
these farmers have not been able to adopt new agriculture technologies that have otherwise
made the large new agribusiness farms in the country highly productive and profitable.

Low investment in research and development (R&D), inadequate generation and
ineffective transfer of agricultural technologies are the primary reasons why the majority of
small and marginalized farmers have remained technologically outdated and economical
powerless. -

The Philippines cannot afford to allow the present state of affairs to continue.
Otherwise, with increasing population, the country may not be able to produce or import the
food to meet the needs of its people.

In order for the Philippines to become a progressive industrialized nation, it should
have a strong and highly productive agricultural sector. Its strength and productivity,
however, lie on the empowerment of the majority of its farmers and the promotion of the
development of cutting-edge agricultural technologies to enable our country to become
highly competitive in the international market.

This bill is in response to the strongly felt need to integrate R&D and technology ~
generation and transfer into a single coherent and harmonious national system dedicated to
the socio-economic well-being of the Filipino farmers and development of the nation. It aims
to transform traditional peasant agriculture to modern highly productive agriculture through



generation and transfer of more productive and useful technologies of farming and rural
living.

A sustained expansion of the national economy requires sustained growth in the
agricultural sector. We must transform our farmers into a resource of renewed national vigor

and creativity in our drive for global competitiveness.

In view of the foregoing, approval of this bill is earnestly requested.

RODOLFO 6. BIAZON

Representative
Lone District, Muntinlupa City


Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Quezon City
SIXTEENTH CONGRESS
First Regular $8on

House Bill N

514

Introduced by Hon. Rodolfo G. Biazon

AN ACT
TO ESTABLISH AN INTEGRATED SYSTEM FOR AGRICULTURE
TECHNOLOGY GENERATION AND TRANSFER AND APPROPRIATING FUNDS
THEREFOR

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

CHAPTER L. TITLE AND POLICIES

SECTION 1. Title- This Act shall be known as the “Agriculture Technology
Generation and Transfer Act of 2013.”

Sec. 2. Declaration of Policies. ~

a) The State shall protect and promote the socio-economic welfare and well-being
of Filipino farmers, particularly those in the countryside. Towards this end, it is the purpose
of this Act to establish an Integrated System of Agriculture Technology Generation and
Transfer that will most efficiently and effectively provide the agricultural technology services
as a means of empowerment of farmers and enable them to help sustain a self-sufficient and
self-reliant food and agriculture production for its people and accelerate agro-industrial
development of the country

b) The State also commits itself to the protection of the environment and the
promotion of sustainable agriculture

Sec. 3. Scope. This Act shall apply to, and govern all existing agricultural research
and extension activities of the National Government, the local government units, farmer's and
non-government organizations and the state universities and colleges in the country.


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

a) Agriculture — refers to the art, science and business of cultivating the soil, planting
of crops, growing of fruit trees. management of forests, raising or catching or both
of livestock poultry or fish; including the harvesting and post-harvest handling of
such products, and other activities and practices performed by persons whether
natural or juridical in conjunction with such operations;

b) Research and Development (R&D) ~ pertains to all organized activities designed
to search for new knowledge or modify existing ones, develop new methods and
techniques of operation, tools, equipment or types of organisms through the
application of the scientific method;

©) Technology Generation — R&D activities that are directed principally towards the
development of such methods, techniques, computer softwares and hardware,
tools, equipment, or types of organisms that may be used or applied for the benefit
of man. The product of such activities may be referred to as technologies;

d) Technology Transfer — pertains to all organized activities designed to enable
individuals or groups to effectively adapt a particular technology;

¢) Farmer — any person who engages in any agricultural activity: and

f) Sustainable Agriculture — any principle, method or practice that aims to make
agriculture economically viable, ecologically sound, socially just, and culturally
appropriate.

CHAPTER II. THE INTEGRATED SYSTEM FOR AGRICULTURE TECHNOLOGY
GENERATION AND TRANSFER

Sec. 5. The Integrated System of Agriculture Technology Generation and Transfer
(ISATGaT) — All government agencies and institutions, including local government units,
farmers and non-government organizations that are engaged in R&D, training and extension
activities in agriculture shall be organized and formed into an Integrated System of
Agriculture Technology Generation and Transfer (ISATGaT). It shall be organized into
hierarchical and interlocking councils at the national, regional and provincial levels. The
national and regional councils shall be concerned with both the technology generation and
transfer activities while the provincial councils shall be concemed with technology transfer
activities.

See. 6. Purpose. ~ The purpose of the ISATGaT is to most effectively and efficiently
respond to and provide for the technology needs of farmers and enable them to attain higher
productivity and market competitiveness in the context of sustainable agriculture principles
and practices.

Sec. 7. Components of the System. —

a) Department of Agriculture;

b) Institutes and Centers for Agricultural Research Development and Training:
2


¢) Local Government Units;
4) State Universities and Colleges; and

e) Farmers’ and Non-Government Organizations

CHAPTER III. ROLES AND FUNCTIONS OF COMPONENT UNITS IN EACH
LEVEL OF THE SYSTEM.

Sec. 8. Roles and Functions of the Department of Agriculture. - The Department of
Agriculture (DA) shall:

a) Provide the office of the Chairman and the Secretarial of the National Integrated
System for Agriculture Technology Generation and Transfer (NISATGaT)
Council:

b) Organize and operate a Bureau of Agriculture Technology Generation and
Transfer (BATGaT) out of its existing research centers and outreach stations and
training institutes for purposes of addressing agriculture technology issues or for
national concern; and

©) Coordinate the activities of the NISATGaT Council with that of the other units
within its department and with other agencies and instrumentalities of the
Government in order that such activities shall be consistent with and in pursuit of
the National programs and objectives of the country.

Sec. 9. Roles and Functions of the Autonomous National Institutes and Centers for
Agricultural Research, Development and Training. - The Autonomous National Institutes
and Centers for Agricultural Research, Development and Training shall:

a) Undertake such technology generation and transfer activities as may be
recommended by the NISATGaT Council; and

b) Maintain and improve high level technical manpower and appropriate facilities to
be able to effectively undertake whatever technology generation and transfer
activities may be deemed necessary.

Sec. 10. Roles and Functions of the Local Government Units. — The Local
Government Units (LGUs) shall:

a) Designate a Provincial Agriculture Officer (PAO)- in each province who will
represent the respective provinces in the Regional Integrated System for
Agriculture Technology Generation and Transfer (RISATGaT) Council and
coordinate all activities pertaining to agricultural technology services to farmers in
his/her provinces; and

b) In collaboration with a duly recognized provincial college of agriculture, shall
organize a Provincial Agriculture Technology Transfer (PATT) Council whose
members will include the head of the agricultural institution, the PAO, Municipal

3)


Agricultural Officers, representatives of recognized local farmers’ and non-
government organizations.

Sec. 11. Roles and Functions of the State Universities and Colleges. ~ The State
Universities and Colleges (SUCs) shall:

a)

Designate an Agriculture Technology Generation and Transfer (ATGaT)
Coordinator who will represent the institution in the Regional Integrated System
for Technology Generation and Transfer (RISATGaT) Council in the case of duly
accredited regional SUCs;

1)

Designate an Agriculture Technology Transfer (ATT) Coordinator for the
institution and who will represent the institution in the Provincial Integrated
System for Agriculture Technology Transfer (PISATT) Council in the case of
duly accredited provincial agricultural colleges or provincial technical institutes of
agriculture;

°)

Undertake research, technology generation and/or technology transfer on such
areas as may be recommended by the NISATGaT, RISATGaT or PISATT
Council in the case of duly accredited national, regional or provincial agricultural
institution(s), respectively:

d) Provide the office of the Chairman and Secretariat of the RISATGaT Council in
the case of the regional state agricultural institution or of the PISATT Council in
the case of the provincial agricultural institution as may be designated by the
NISATGaT Council; and

©) Provide facilities and staff for and conduct training of agricultural technologies,
technicians and farmers in the utilization of the various agricultural technologies.

Sec. 12. Roles and Functions of Farmers and Non-Government Organizations. ~
Farmers and Non-Government Organizations (NGOs) shall:

a) Volunteer facilities or certain portions of their farms for tests and/or
demonstration of certain agricultural technologies that are of potential benefit to
them;

b) Actively participate in the problem/ opportunity identification, planning and
implementation of research and development of promising technologies; and

©) Share in the cost of research and development of technologies that are potentially
beneficial to them.

Sec. 13. Creation of the National Integrated System for Agriculture Technology
Generation and Transfer (NISATGaT) Council. - To carry out the programs for generation
and transfer of agriculture technologies of the country, the National Integrated System for
Agriculture Technology Generation and Transfer (NISATGaT) Council is hereby created and
attached to the Department of Agriculture for administrative purposes only, with the
following composition and functions:


a) Composition. The following shall serve as members of the NISATGaT Council
with its Chairman to be elected from among its members and serve for a period of three (3)
years:

1) One outstanding scientist from each of the fields of Crop Science, Animal
Science, Agricultural Engineering, Fisheries, Forestry and Veterinary
Medicine who shall be nominated by heads of faculties, scientific or
professional groups for a term of three (3) years, and from among themselves,
a Co-chairperson shall be chosen;

2) The Director of the Bureau of Agriculture Research, Technology Generation
and Transfer (BARTGaT) who shall also serve as the Executive Director of
the Secretariat of the Council;

3) The Dean, College of Agriculture of the University Council of the Philippines
at Los Bajos;

4) The President of the Philippine Association of Agricultural Colleges and
Universities;

5) The Executive Director of the Philippine Council for Agriculture and
Resources Research and Development (PCARRD);

6) One representative of the National Farmers’ Organizations and one
representative of the National NGOs involved with agricultural technology
transfer;

7) Chairperson of each of the RISATGaT Councils;

8) The Director, Bureau of Animal Industry;

9) The Director, Bureau of Plant Industry; and

10) The Director, Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources.

b) Funetions- The NISATGaT Council shall have the following duties and functions:

1) Scan the environment of the Philippine agriculture and study new
development and trends where problems and opportunities could arise and

taken advantaged of in the development of new technologies;

2) Study new technologies in agriculture and related fields and determine
whether these could be advantageously adapted by Filipino farmers;

3) Formulate policies that will encourage and promote the expeditious generation
and transfer of technologies that are most beneficial to the Filipino people;

4) Prioritize national programs for research, technology generation and transfer
that government should support;

5


5) Make representation with the Department of Budget and Management and see
to the timely and sufficient allocation of funds for agriculture research,
technology generation and transfer programs as recommended by NISATGaT;
and

6) Formulate policies regarding technology, protection, commercialization and
dissemination

See. 14. Creation of the Regional Integrated System for Agriculture Technology
Generation and Transfer Councils. ~ To carry out the regional programs for generation and
transfer of technologies appropriate for each of the regions, a Regional Agricultural
‘Technology Generation and Transfer (RISATGaT) Council is hereby created in each of the
geographical regions of the country and attached to a chartered regional state university or
college as designated by the NISATGaT Council.

a)

Composition. - The RISATGaT Council shall be composed of the following

members whose Chairman shall be elected by its members for a term of three (3) years and
assisted by a Secretariat:

b)
functions:

1) The Heads of the accredited agricultural university or universities and college
or colleges in the region;

2) The Directors/ Heads of Regional Integrated Agriculture Research Center and
of other duly recognized agricultural commodity research and training centers
in the region;

3) The Manager/ head of the Regional Outreach Station;

4) The Provincial Agricultural Officers of each province of the region;

5) The President (s) or Chairperson (s) of duly recognized farmers and non-
government organizations involved in the promotion of agriculture in the
region; and

6) The Coordinator of Agriculture Technology Generation and Transfer of the

institution to which the RISATGaT is attached and who shall also serve as in
charge of the Secretariat.

Functions. — The RISATGaT Council shall have the following duties and

1) Periodically discuss problems and opportunities for developing agriculture in
the region and plan and cause the implementation of research, technology
generation and transfer programs that will most effectively address such
issues;

2

Coordinate the research, technology generation and technology transfer
activities in the region and see that they are consistent with the plans and
programs approved by the RISATGaT;

6


Sec.

3) Determine the priorities for research, technology generation and transfer that
may be implemented in the region and accordingly recommend financial
support by the Government or by any interested parties;

4) Periodically review on-going research and development projects and programs
and see that they squarely address their objectives: and

5) Plan and facilitate the transfer of new and appropriate agricultural
technologies to farmers and other end-users in the region.

15. Creation of Provincial Integrated System for Agriculture Technology

Transfer Council. — To effectively transfer agriculture technologies to farmers in the

provinces

and municipalities, the Provincial Agriculture Technology Transfer (PATT)

Council shall be established in each of the provinces and attached to the provincial
agricultural college designated by the RISATGaT Council.

a)

Composition- The PATT Council shall be composed of the following members

with the Chairman to be elected from among the members and serve for three (3) years:

b)

1) The Head(s) of recognized provincial agricultural college(s) or institute(s);

2) The Provincial Agricultural Officer (PAO) who shall also serve as Coordinator
of Technology Transfer and in-charge of the PATT Council Secretariat;

3) The Municipal Agricultural Officer of each municipality; and

4) The chairperson(s) of duly recognized farmers and non-government
organizations involved in agriculture in the province.

Functions- The PATT Council shall have the following duties and functions:

1) Periodically discuss problems and opportunities for developing agriculture in
the province and plan and cause the implementation of appropriate technology
for transfer to farmers and other local end-users;

2) Coordinate all technology transfer activities in the province and see that they
are consistent with its approved plans and programs;

3) Determine priority technology transfer activities that may be implemented in
the province and accordingly recommend financial support by the local
government or by any interested parties;

4) Periodically review on-going technology transfer activities in the province and
see that they squarely address their objectives; and

5) Plan and facilitate the transfer of new and appropriate agriculture technologies
to farmers and other end-users in the province.


Sec. 16. Funding Scheme. —

a) The current appropriations or budgets for agriculture research, technology
generation and transfer program of the state agencies, institutes and centers and local
government units and SUCs shall be increased from the present level by annual increment of
0.2% of the Gross Value Added (GVA) of the agriculture sector for the next ten (10) years as
recommended by the NISATGaT Council and approved by the Department of Budget and
Management and shall be included in the Annual General Appropriations Act.

b) This Act hereby allocates an endowment lump sum amount of Fifty million pesos
(P50,000,000.00) per annum for the next ten (10) years and shall be included in the General
Appropriations Act starting 2008. This fund shall be called the Agriculture Technology
Generation and Transfer Fund to support high priority technology generation and transfer
programs of the NISATGaT Council the RISATGaT Councils and the PATT Councils:
Provided, That such fund shall be invested in government bonds and securities and managed
by the NISATGaT Council using only the interest earnings of the said fund.

©) The operations of the Bureau of Agriculture Research, Technology Generation
and Transfer shall be funded initially from the DA allocation for the operation of both its
Bureaus of Agricultural Research (BAR) and Agricultural Training Institute (ATI). Upon the
effectivity of this Act, the BAR and ATI shall be replaced by the BARTGaT. Subsequently,
the appropriation of the BARTGaT shall be incremented according to the provisions of
subsection (a) hereof.

Sec. 17. Grants, Fiduciary and Revolving Funds. — The Fiduciary and Revolving
Funds centralized under P.D. 711 are hereby authorized and reallocated to the government
agencies, institutions, centers and SUCs participating in the ISATGaT to encourage them to
demonstrate the economic benefits of the technologies that have been developed; furthermore
endowment funds shall be authorized to be accumulated in the institutions out of the funds
generated from carnings and from grants and other external sources to be used as incentives
for research fellowships, incentives and awards for excellence in technology generation and
transfer and the like. Such funds shall be disbursed in accordance with the law and the
guidelines set by the NISATGaT Council and the Commission n on Audit.

CHAPTER IV. INCENTIVES, PRVILEGES AND BENEFITS

Se 18. Incentives for Private Institutions, — Private institutions and organizations
may avail of the research, technology generation and transfer fund: Provided, That their
programs are approved for funding by the NISATGaT Council. Furthermore, their
expenditures for research and development activities shall be eligible for tax exemptions:
Provided, further, That the information that they derive therefrom are shared with the
community of researches through scientific publications, seminars, symposia and the like.

Sec. 19. Incentives and Benefits for Technologists and Technicians and Farmers
Participating in Technology Generation and Transfer. —

a) Technologist and technicians involved in research, technology generation and
transfer shall be paid salaries at least or equal to the teaching staff of the SUCs of equivalent
academic training and qualifications. They shall also be given corresponding incentives and
benefits for any patent on products or processes that they have developed.

8


b) Farmers who participate in the planning and implementation of technology
generation and transfer activities or make available certain areas of their farm lots or farm
facilities for such activities shall be entitled to certain incentives and benefits as may be
recommended by the supervising Council and approved by the Commission on Audit.

Sec. 20. Repealing Clause. — All existing laws, rules and regulations or parts thereof
inconsistent with the provisions of this Act are hereby repealed or modified accordingly.

Sec. 21. 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. 22. Effectivity. — This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after its publication
in two (2) newspapers of general circulation.

Approved,