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FOURTEENTH CONGRESS OF THE REPUBLIC 
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OF THE PHILIPPINES 
1 
First Regular Session 
) 
S.B. sENATfF7 
No. 
9 
Introduced by Senator Ramon Bong Revilla, Jr. 
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. 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 farms in the country highly productive and 
profitable. 
Low investment in research and development @&D), inadequate generation and 
ineffective trapsfer 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of small and marginalized farmers have remained technologically outdated and 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 a o r d  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. 


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FOURTEENTH CONGRESS OF THE REPUBLIC 
OF THE PIIILPPINES 
) 
7 JUL -3 P1 :!7 
) 
First Regular Session 
1 
SENATE 
S.B.No. 779 
Introduced by Senator Ramon Bong Revilla, Jr. 
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 1. TITLE AND POLICIES 
SECTION 1. Title- This Act shall be known as the "Agriculture Technology Generation 
and Transfer Act." 
SEC. 2. Declaration of Policy. - 
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 efftciently 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 
§EC. 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 IaowIedge or modify existing ones, develop new methods and techniques 
of operation, tools, equipment or types of organisms through the application of the 
scientific method 
e) Technology Generation- R&D activities that are directed principally towards the 
development of such methods, techniques, computer soRwares 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 
e) Farmer-any person who engages in any agricultural activity 
f )  Sustainable Agriculture- 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 III. THE INTEGRATED SYSTEM FOR AGRICULTURE 
TECHNOLOGY GENERATION AND TRANSFER 
SEC. 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 technology needs of farmers and enable them to attain higher productivity and market 
competitiveness in the context of sustainable agricultural principles and practices 
SEC. 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 technology transfer activities 
SEC. 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 IV. ROLES AND FUNCTIONS OF COMPONENT UNITS IN EACH 
LEVEL OF TEE SYSTEM 
SEC. 8. The Department of Agriculture. @A) shall: 
a) Provide the ofice 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 
c) 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 ofthe country 
SEC. 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. 
SEC. 10 The Local Government Units (LGUs) shall:- 
a) Designate a Provincial Agriculture Officer (PA0)- 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 te&ology services to farmers in hisher 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 Agricultural 
Officers, representatives of recognized local farmers’ and non-government organizations 
SEC. 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; 
c) Undertake research, technology generation andlor 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@.), 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 
e) Provide facilities and staff for and conduct training of agricultural technologies, 
technicians and farmers in the utilization of the various agricultural technologies 
SEC. 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 technologies that are of potential benefit to them; 
b) Actively participate in the probled opportunity identification, planning and 
implementation of research and development of promising technologies; and 
c) 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 with its 
Chairman to be elected to 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 fto&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 
Bafios; 
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 ofthe RISATGaT Councils; 
8) The Director, Bureau of Animal Industry; and 
9) The Director, Bureau of Plant Industry; and 


10) The Director, Bureau ofFisheries and Aquatic Resources 
b) Functions- The NISATGaT Council shall have the following duties and fbnctions 
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, technology 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 
SEC. 14 Creation of the Regional Integrated System for Agriculture Technology 
Generation and Transfer Councils- To cany 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 
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, 
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 
b) Functions - The RISATGaT Council shall have the following duties and hnctions 
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 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. 
SEC. 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@): 
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 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 d l  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; 
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. Budgetary Scheme shall be ad follows:- 
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 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 FiRy 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 NlSATGaT 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 fiom the DA allocation for the operation of both its 
Bureaus of Agricultural Research @An> and Agricultural Training Institute (ATI) Upon 
the effectivity of this Act, the BAR and AT1 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 Rinds:- 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; krthermore 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 knds shall be 
disbursed in accordance with the Iaw and the guidelines set by the NISATGaT Council 
and the Commission n on Audit. 
CHAPTER VI. INCENTIVES, PRVILEGES AND BENEFITS 
SEC. 18. Incentives for Private hstitutions- 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 
SEC. 19. Inceqtives 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, 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 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,