Republic of the Philippines 
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES 
Quezon City 
19TH CONGRESS 
First Regular Session 
HOUSE BILL NO. ___ 
Introduced by Representative Michael L. Romero 
    EXPLANATORY NOTE 
The Philippine Council for Agriculture, Aquatic and Natural Resources 
Research and Development (PCAARRD) is one of the sectoral councils under
the Department of Science and Technology (DOST). It was formed through the 
consolidation of the Philippine Council for Agriculture, Forestry and Natural
Resources Research and Development (PCARRD) and the Philippine Council
for Aquatic and Marine Research and Development (PCAMRD) on June 22,
2011 pursuant to Executive Order No. 366. 
 Originally established in November 1972 as the Philippine Council for
Agricultural Research (PCAR), it became the Philippine Council for Agriculture
and Resources Research (PCARR) to include mines research in 1975. Affirming 
the role of S&T in development, PCARR changed its name to Philippine Council 
for Agriculture and Resources Research and Development (PCARRD) in 1982. 
The Council was tasked to provide a unified and focused direction for the 
country’s agricultural research. It then became an apex organization that
supports and manages the national network of government and higher 
education institutions involved in crops, livestock, forestry, fisheries, soil and 
water, mineral resources, and socio-economic research and development 
(R&D). In 1987, the Council was renamed the Philippine Council for
Agriculture, Forestry and Natural Resources Research and Development but 
retained the acronym PCARRD. On January 30 of the same year created the 
Philippine Council for Aquatic and Marine Research and Development
(PCAMRD) from the Fisheries Research Division of PCARRD with functions
focused on aquatic and marine sectors. 
 With expanded coverage, functions, and responsibilities, the Council
formulates policies, plans, and programs for science and technology-based 
R&D in the different sectors under its concern. It coordinates, evaluates, and 
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monitors the national R&D efforts in the agriculture, aquatic, and natural 
resources (AANR) sector. It also allocates government and external funds for
R&D and generates resources to support its program. 
 As the apex Council of the AANR sector, PCAARRD is engaged in active 
partnerships with international, regional, and national organizations and
funding institutions for joint R&D, human resource development and training, 
technical 
assistance, 
and 
exchange 
of 
scientists, 
information, 
and
technologies. The Council is implementing its program primarily through its
Research and Development and Extension Consortia which are located all over 
the country. 
 It also supports the National Agriculture, Aquatic and Natural Resources 
Research and Development Network (NAARRDN) composed of national multi-
and single-commodity and regional R&D centers, cooperating stations, and
specialized agencies. 
    Being an ISO 9001:2015-certified agency for its quality management 
system, PCAARRD is committed to achieving a sustained dynamic leadership 
in science and technology (S&T) innovation in the AANR sector by providing a 
strategic leadership in promoting S&T as a platform for AANR products 
innovation and environment resiliency. Guided by its core values of relevance,
excellence, and cooperation, PCAARRD will remain steadfast in catalyzing the 
Philippine AANR sector toward self-sufficiency and global competitiveness. 
This House Bill seeks to provide Modernization Funding to the Philippine 
Council for Agriculture, Aquatic and Natural Resources Research and 
Development (PCAARRD), to sustain dynamic leadership in science and 
technology (S&T) innovation in the agriculture, aquatic and natural resources 
(AANR) sectors. 
Thus, the early passage of this bill is earnestly requested. 
MICHAEL L. ROMERO 


Republic of the Philippines 
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES 
Quezon City 
19TH CONGRESS 
First Regular Session 
HOUSE BILL NO. ___ 
Introduced by Representative Michael L. Romero 
AN ACT 
PROVIDING FOR MODERNIZATION FUNDINGFOR THE 
PHILIPPINE COUNCIL FOR AGRICULTURE, AQUATIC AND 
NATURAL RESOURCES RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT 
(PCAARRD), INCREASING AND REORGANIZING ITS 
ADMINISTRATION, TO PROVIDE STRATEGIC LEADERSHIP IN 
PROMOTING S&T AS A PLATFORM FOR AANR PRODUCTS 
INNOVATION AND ENVIRONMENT RESILIENCY AND FOR OTHER 
PURPOSES 
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the Philippines in 
Congress assembled: 
SECTION 
1. 
DECLARATION OF POLICY – It shall hereby be a declared 
policy of the State to: 
a) Formulate policies, plans, programs, projects, and strategies
for S&T development in the Agriculture, Aquatic, and Natural
Resources (AANR) sector;
b)
Program and allocate government and external funds
generated for R&D efforts in AANR;
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c)   Monitor research and development (R&D) projects; and 
d)   Generate external funds for its R&D activities 
The state shall continually improve the effectiveness of our Quality 
Management System towards equitable development for improved quality of life 
for all. 
The state shall formulate policies for the efficient and effective administration 
and management of all manpower, skills and competencies to ensure 
compliance. 
SECTION 
2. 
MODERNIZATION FUNDING. – The amount of Five 
Hundred Million Pesos (Php 500,000,000.00) for the operation and 
administration of the Philippine Council for Agriculture, Aquatic and Natural 
Resources Research and Development (PCAARRD) shall be chargeable against 
funds for the purpose and other sources recommended by the Department of 
Budget and Management (DBM). Thereafter, appropriations for the Philippine 
Council for Agriculture, Aquatic and Natural Resources Research and 
Development (PCAARRD) shall be included in the budget proposals under the 
Department of Science and Technology (DOST). 
 
The Department of Budget and Management (DBM) shall rationalize the existing 
organizational structure and staffing pattern of the Philippine Council for 
Agriculture, Aquatic and Natural Resources Research and Development 
(PCAARRD) in accordance with the provisions of this Act and relevant 
compensation and position classification laws, rules and regulations. 
Thereafter, the amount needed for the continued implementation of the 
modernization program, shall be included in the annual General Appropriations 
Act (GAA). 


SECTION 
3. 
PHILIPPINE 
COUNCIL 
FOR 
AGRICULTURE, 
AQUATIC AND NATURAL RESOURCES RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT 
(PCAARRD) MODERNIZATION FUND – There is hereby created the (PCAARRD) 
Modernization Fund to be used exclusively for the (PCAARRD) Modernization 
Program. 
The (PCAARRD) Modernization Fund shall be administered by the Secretary of 
the DOST in accordance with existing government budgeting, accounting and 
auditing rules and regulations. 
SECTION 
4. 
PROGRESS REPORT – The Secretary of DOST shall 
prepare an annual report on the status of the implementation of the (PCAARRD) 
Modernization Programs which shall be submitted, to the Office of the President 
and to the Chairpersons of the Committee on Science and Technology of the 
Senate and the House of Representatives. 
SECTION 
5. 
PERIOD OF IMPLEMENTATION – The modernization 
program under this Act shall be implemented for an initial period of two (2) 
years:  
Provided, that payments for multi-year contract obligations incurred 
under this Act may extend beyond this period:  
Provided, further, That the Philippine Council for Agriculture, Aquatic 
and Natural Resources Research and Development (PCAARRD) shall 
continue to develop, modernize and constantly update its operational capabilities 
to keep pace with best global practices. 
SECTION 
6. 
POWERS AND FUNCTIONS. – The Philippine Council 
for Agriculture, Aquatic and Natural Resources Research and Development 
(PCAARRD) shall continue to exercise and uphold the following powers and 
functions; but not limited to: 


 Formulate policies, plans, programs, projects, and strategies 
for S&T development in the Agriculture, Aquatic, and 
Natural Resources (AANR) sector; 
   Program and allocate government and external funds 
generated for R&D efforts in AANR; 
   Monitor research and development (R&D) projects; and 
   Generate external funds for its R&D activities 
 
SECTION 
7. 
INCREASE 
OF 
PERSONNEL. – 
The 
PTRI 
shall 
maintain the sufficient staffing pattern. Hence, it is authorized to increase its 
manpower to meet such required and may continue to increase personnel per 
percentage rate increase of committed mandates annually or as the need arises. 
SECTION 
8. 
TRANSITORY 
PROVISION – 
Existing 
industries, 
businesses and offices affected by the implementation of this Act shall be given 
six (6) months transitory period from the effectivity of the IRR or such other 
period as may be determined, to comply with the requirements of this Act. 
SECTION 
9. 
IMPLEMENTING RULES AND REGULATIONS. – The 
departments and agencies charged with carrying out the provisions of this Act 
shall, within sixty (60) days after the effectivity of this Act, formulate the 
necessary rules and regulations for its effective implementation. 
SECTION 
10. 
REPEALING CLAUSE. – All laws, decrees, executive 
orders, rules and regulations, or parts thereof inconsistent with the provisions 
of this Act are hereby repealed or modified accordingly. 
SECTION 
11. 
SEPARABILITY CLAUSE. – If, for any reason, any 
section or provision of this Act is held unconstitutional or invalid, the other 
sections or provisions hereof shall not be affected thereby. 


SECTION 
12. 
EFFECTIVITY CLAUSE. – This Act shall take effect 
after fifteen (15) days from its publication in the Official Gazette or in at least two 
(2) national newspapers of general circulation whichever comes earlier. 
Approved,