Sixteenth Congress of the Republic 
Of the Philippines 
First Regular Session 
) 
) 
) 
SENATE 
S. B. No. 954 
Introduced by Senator Ramon Bong Revilla, Jr. 
EXPLANATORY NOTE 
'13 
,JUL 18 P5 :57 
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Agriculture has byen the traditional backbone of the Philippine economy. It is a principal 
source of income and employment, employing almost half of the total labor force. It is 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 the new agriculture technologies that have otherwise made the large new 
agribusiness fanus 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small and marginalized farmers have remained technologically outdated and economically 
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 arid productivity, ho~ever, lie on' 
the empowerment of the majority of its farmers and the promotion ofthe 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. 
~NGREV1UA,JR. 


Sixteenth Congress ofthe Republic 
Of the Philippines 
First Regular Session 
) 
) 
) 
SENATE 
S. B. No. 954 
Introduced by Senator Ramon Bong Revilla, Jr. 
AN ACT 
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'13 
JUL 18 P5 :57 
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TO ESTABLISH AN INTEGRATED SYSTEM FOR AGRICULTURE 
TECHNOLOGY GENERATION AND TRANSFER AND APPROPRIATING 
FUNDS THEREFOR 
Be it enacted by the Senate and House a/Representatives a/the Philippines in Congress 
assembled: 
CHAPTER 1. TITLE AND POLICIES 
SECTION 1. Title- This Act shall be known as the "Agriculture Technology Generation 
and Transfer Act." 
SECTION 2. Declaration of Policy. -
a) The State shall protect and promote the socio-economic welfare and well-being of 
Filipino fanners, 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 empowennent of fanners and enable them to help sustain a self-
sufficient and self-reliant food and agriculture production for its people and accelerate 
agro-industrial development ofthe country. 
b) The State also commits itself to the protection of the environment and the promotion of 
sustainable agriculture. 
SECTION 3. Scope. This Act shall apply to and govern all existing agricultural research 
and extension activities of the National Government, the local government units, fanner's and 
non-government organizations and the state universities and colleges in the country. 
SECTION 4. Definition of Terms - The following tenns 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. 
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b) Research and Development (R&D)- pertains to all or.ganized 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. 
c) Technology Generation- R&D activities that are directed principally towards the 
development of such methods, techniques, computer software 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 teclmology. 
e) Farmer-any person who engages in any agricultural activity. 
t) Sustainable Aj,1ficulture- any principle, method and/or practice that aim to make 
agriculture economically viable, ecologically sound, socially just, culturally appropriate, 
and grounded on holistic science. 
CHAPTER II. THE INTEGRATED SYSTEM FOR AGRICULTURE 
TECHNOLOGY GENERATION AND TRANSFER 
SECTION 5. Purpose - The purpose of the Integrated System of Agriculture 
Technology Generation and Transfer is to most effectively and efficiently respond to and provide 
for the teclmology needs of farmers and enable them to attain higher productivity and market 
competitiveness in the context of sustainable agricultural principles and practices. 
SECTION 6. The Integrated System" of Agriculture' Technology Generation and" 
Transfer (ISATGaT) - All government agencies and institutions, including local government 
units and 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 concerned with teclmology transfer activities. 
SECTION 7. Components ofthe System.-
a) Department of Agriculture 
b) Institutes and Centers for Agricultural Research Development and Training 
c) Local Government Units 
d) State Universities and Colleges 
e) Farmers' and Non-Government Organizations 
CHAPTER m. ROLES AND FUNCTIONS OF COMPONENT UNITS IN EACH 
LEVEL OF THE SYSTEM 
SECTION 8. 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 
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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 
c) Coordinate the activities of the NISATGaT Council with that of the other units within its 
department and with other agencies and instrwnentalities of the Government in order that 
such activities shall be consistent with and in pursuit of the National programs and-
objectives of the country. 
SECTION 9. 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 of technical manpower and appropriate facilities to be 
able to effectively undertake whatever technology generation and transfer activities may 
be deemed necessary. 
SECTION 10. 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 ofthe agricultural institution, the PAO, Municipal Agricultural Officers, 
representatives of recognized local farmers' and non-government organizations. 
SECTION 11. 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; 
b) 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; 
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c) 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 
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e) Provide facilities and staff for and conduct trammg of agricultural teclmologies, 
technicians and farmers in the utilization of the various agricultural teclmologies. 
SECTION 12. Farmers and Non-Government Organizations (NGOs) shall:-
a) Volunteer facilities or certain portions of their farms for tests and/or demonstration of 
certain agricultural teclmologies 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 
c) Share in the cost of research and development of teclmologies that are potentially 
beneficial to them. 
SECTION 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 teclmologies of the country, the National Integrated System 
for Agriculture Technology Generation and Transfer (NlSATGaT) 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 with its 
Chairman to be elected to serve for a period ofthree (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, Teclmology 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 
Bafios; 
4) The President of the Philippine Association of Agricultural Colleges and Universities; 
5) The Executive Director ofthe 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 teclmology transfer; 
7) Chairperson of each of the RISATGaT Councils; 
8) The Director, Bureau of Animal Industry; and 
9) The Director, Bureau of Plant Industry; and 
10) The Director, Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources 
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b) Functious- 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 advantage of by 
developing 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, teclmology generation and transfer that 
government should support; 
5) Make representation with the Department of Budget and Management and see to the 
timely and sufficient allocation of finds for agriculture research, technology generation 
and transfer programs as recommended by NISATGaT, and 
6) Formulate 
policies 
regarding 
technology, 
protection, 
commercialization 
and 
dissemination. 
SECTION 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 MSATGaT Council. 
1\) Composition. -The RlSATGaT 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, 
1) The Heads of the accredited agricultural university(ies) and college(s) of the 
region, 
2) The Directors/ Heads of Regional Integrated Agriculture Research Centers 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 RPSATGaT is attached and who shall also serve as in 
charge of the Secretariat 
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b) Functions - The RISATGaT 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 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; 
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 are squarely add.ress their objectives; and 
5. Plan and facilitate the transfer of new and appropriate agricultural technologies to 
farmers and other end-users in the region. 
SECTION 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: 
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. 
b) Functions- The P ATT 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 d I technology transfer activities in the region 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; 
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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. 
SECTION 16. Budgetary Scheme shall be as follows:-
a) The current appropriations or budgets for agriculture research, technology generation and 
transfer program of the state agencies, institutes and centers and local goverrunent units 
and SUCs shall be increased from the present level by annual increment of 0.2% of the 
GV A of the agriculture sector for the next ten (l0) 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 1995. 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 find shall be invested in government bonds and securities 
and managed by the NISATGaT Council using only the interest earnings of the said kind. 
c) 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 AT! shall be replaced by the BARTGaT. 
Subsequently, the appropriation of the BARTGaT shall be incremented according to the 
provisions of subsection (a) hereof. 
SECTION 17. Grants, Fiduciary and Revolving Funds:- The Fiduciary and Revolving 
Funds centralized under PD. 711' are hereby' authorized and reallocated to the' goverrunenf 
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 finds shall be authorized to be accumulated in the institutions out of the funds 
generated from earnings 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 kinds 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, PRIVILEGES AND BENEFITS 
SECTION 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, That the information that they derive therefrom are shared with the community of 
researches through scientific publications, seminars, symposia and the like. 
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'. 
SECTION 19. Incentives and Benefits for Technologists and Technicians and 
Farmers Participating in Technology Generation and Transfer 
a) Teclmologist and technicians involved in research, teclmology generation and transfer 
shall be paid salaries, at least, 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 
b) Farmers who participate in the planning and implementation of teclmology 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. 
SECTION 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 
SECTION 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 
SECTION 22. Effectivity- This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after its 
publication in two (2) newspapers of general circulation 
Approved, 
8