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 Bureau of Agricultural Research (BAR) was created by virtue of Executive 
Order 116 signed in 1987 under the Freedom Constitution. Under this EO, the 
government addressed the lack of coordination and integration of agriculture 
research and development among the existing bureaus, councils, and agencies 
by creating BAR under the Research, Training, and Extension Group. 
BAR’s specific mandate to coordinate agricultural research was affirmed by EO 
292, otherwise known as the Administrative Code of 1987. BAR’s specific 
mandate is to:“(1) ensure that all agricultural research is coordinated and 
undertaken for maximum utility to agriculture (Section 22).” 
In 1997, Republic Act 8435, a landmark law also known as the Agriculture 
and Fisheries Modernization Act (AFMA), was enacted. This law affirmed the 
leading role of BAR in agriculture and fisheries research and development 
(R&D). 
Executive Orders 127 (1999) and 338 (2000) further expanded the mandate of 
BAR to orchestrate, consolidate, and strengthen the National Research and 
Development System for Agriculture and Fisheries (NaRDSAF). 
“The Bureau coordinates and funds agricultural and fishery research and 
development activities, develops partnerships and linkages with local and 
international research organizations, sources funds from local and foreign donor 
institutions, strengthens institutional capabilities of the agriculture and fisheries 
sectors, manages knowledge, facilitates technology utilization, and advocates 
policies toward improved governance and progressive agricultural and fishery 
sector value chain. 
October 28, 2022
4:30 pm
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This House Bill seeks to provide Modernization Funding to the Bureau of 
Agricultural Research (BAR), to lead the Research for Development (R&D)
coordinating agency towards a technology-empowered agriculture and fisheries 
sector contributory to inclusive growth. 
. 
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 BUREAU 
OF AGRICULTURAL RESEARCH (BAR), INCREASING AND 
REORGANIZING ITS ADMINISTRATION, TO CONSOLIDATE AND 
STRENGTHEN THE NATIONAL RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT 
SYSTEM FOR AGRICULTURE AND FISHERIES 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 that the Department of Agriculture - Bureau of Agricultural 
Research (DA-BAR) was created by virtue of Executive Order 116, series of 1987. 
Executive Order 292, otherwise known as the Administrative Code of 1987, 
mandates DA-BAR to "ensure that all agricultural research is coordinated and 
undertaken for maximum utility to agriculture (Section 22)." 
The state shall continually improve the effectiveness of our Quality Management 
System towards equitable development for improved quality of life for all. 
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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 Bureau of Agricultural Research (BAR) shall be 
chargeable against funds for the purpose and other sources recommended by 
the Department of Budget and Management (DBM). Thereafter, appropriations 
for the shall be included in the budget proposals under the Department 
Agriculture (DA). 
 
The Department of Budget and Management (DBM) shall rationalize the existing 
organizational structure and staffing pattern of the 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. 
BUREAU OF AGRICULTURAL RESEARCH (BAR) 
MODERNIZATION FUND – There is hereby created the (BAR) Modernization 
Fund to be used exclusively for the (BAR) Modernization Program. 
The (BAR) Modernization Fund shall be administered by the Secretary of the DA 
in accordance with existing government budgeting, accounting and auditing 
rules and regulations. 
SECTION 
4. 
PROGRESS REPORT – The Secretary of DA shall 
prepare an annual report on the status of the implementation of the (BAR) 
Modernization Programs which shall be submitted, to the Office of the President 


and to the Chairpersons of the Committee of Agriculture and Food 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 Bureau of Agricultural Research (BAR) shall 
continue to develop, modernize and constantly update its operational capabilities 
to keep pace with best global practices. 
SECTION 
6. 
POWERS 
AND 
FUNCTIONS. – 
The 
Bureau 
of 
Agricultural Research (BAR) shall continue to exercise and uphold the following 
powers and functions; but not limited to: 
As the DA central coordinating agency for research and development, it 
undertakes the following strategic and priority R&D thrusts, programs, and 
functions, to wit: 
a) Promote the integration of research and development 
functions and enhance the participation of farmers, 
fisherfolk, the industry, and the private sector in the 
development of the national research, development 
and agenda; 
b) Prepare and oversee the implementation of a 
comprehensive program of R&D to enhance, support, 
consolidate, and make full use of the capabilities of the 
interlinked National Research and Development 
System for Agriculture and Fisheries, including the 
review and rationalization of the roles, functions, and 


organization of the various agriculture and fisheries 
national research, development and extension 
institutions; 
c) Set policies in agriculture and fishery national 
research and development in order to ensure 
sustainable food security, alleviate poverty, promote 
people empowerment, agricultural productivity and 
development and promote internationally competitive 
agribusiness and fishery sector; 
d) Formulate policies for the operationalization and 
continued strengthening of the institutional capacities, 
efficiency, effectiveness and integration of the national 
research and development system, including the 
setting up of M&E system for the effectiveness and 
efficiency of its various components; 
e) Create committees, TWGs and Commodity Teams to 
facilitate the accomplishments of its objectives; 
f) Take the lead in drafting national research and 
development plans and programs for the NaRDSAF; 
and 
g) Set policies on the relations and exchange between 
Philippine and international institutions on agriculture 
and fisheries national research and development, and 
approve the allocation of funds from national as well 
as foreign sources for national research and 
development. 
 
SECTION 
7. 
INCREASE 
OF 
PERSONNEL. – 
The 
Bureau 
of 
Agricultural Research (BAR) 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,