NINETEENTH CONGRESS OF THE 
)
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES 
)
First Regular Session 
)
SENATE 
S. No. 1544
o( tlic •: "tnq>
•22 NOV 23 P6:22
RECEiVtD BY:
Introduced by SENATOR RAMON BONG REVILLA, JR.
AN ACT
REGULATING THE PRACTICE OF THE AGRICULTURE PROFESSION IN THE 
PHILIPPINES, CREATING FOR THE PURPOSE A PROFESSIONAL 
REGULATORY BOARD FOR AGRICULTURISTS, AND APPROPRIATING FUNDS 
THEREFOR
EXPLANATORY NOTE
The backbone of the Philippine economy remains to be the agriculture industry. 
More than ever before, the country faces the challenge of achieving food security 
under the looming threat of a global food crisis caused by, among others, spiraling 
fuel and energy costs and the degradation of the world's natural resources.
The landmark "Agriculture and Fisheries Modernization Act of1997"{k?MF) or 
Republic Act (RA) No. 8435 provides for the policies and plans for the continuing 
modernization and development of the agriculture and fishery sector amid the ever- 
changing demands of globalization and food security. The success of AFMA depends 
on the people who comprise the agriculture and fishery development industry.
Pursuant to the policy and objectives of AFMA, more specifically Section 75 of 
the Rules and Regulations implementing RA 8435, the Professional Regulation 
Commission (PRC), in its Resolution No. 2000-663, created a Board of Agriculture 
under its administrative supervision and control to oversee the licensing and regulation 
of the practice of agriculture. The Commission has mandated the licensure of 
agriculture graduates to give importance to the professionalization of the agriculture 
profession.


However, since the implementation of the iicensure examination for agriculture 
graduates, there have been numerous issues and concerns on the real importance of 
having a license to practice agriculture. Tbere is no law creating a Board of 
Agricuiture, much more of regulating the practice of the agricuiture profession.
This bili seeks to put at par the agriculture profession with other professions 
such as accounting, engineering, food technoiogy, and forestry, to name a few, by 
regulating the practice of the agricuiture profession, thereby ensuring the continuing 
professionai deveiopment of agriculture workers.
In view of the foregoing, the immediate passage of this bili is earnestly sought.
RAMON BONG REVILLA, JR.


NINETEENTH CONGRESS OF THE 
)
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES 
)
First Regular Session 
)
SENATE 
S. No. 1^44
of ti)f &CC'
*22 NOV 23 P6 22
RECEIVED BV:
Introduced by SENATOR RAMON BONG REVILLA, JR.
AN ACT
REGULATING THE PRACTICE OF THE AGRICULTURE PROFESSION IN THE 
PHILIPPINES, CREATING FOR THE PURPOSE A PROFESSIONAL 
REGULATORY BOARD FOR AGRICULTURISTS, AND APPROPRIATING FUNDS 
THEREFOR
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representative of the Philippines in Congress 
assembled:
1 
ARTICLE I
2 
DECLARATION OF POLICY, OBJECTIVES, AND DEFINITION OF TERMS
3
4 
Section 1. Short Title. - This Act shall be known as the "Professional
5 
Agriculturists Act of 2019'.
6 
Sec. 2. Declaration of Policy. - The State recognizes the importance of Licensed
7 
Agriculturists in nation-building and development. Hence, it shall develop and nurture
8 
competent, ethical, globally competitive and well-rounded Licensed Agriculturists who
9 
shall observe the highest standards of excellence, and whose professionalism shall be
10 
fostered through the administration of transparent, credible and relevant licensure
11 
examinations, a system of registration and self-regulation, and through continuing
12 
professional development programs and activities.
13 
Sec. 3. Objectives. - This Act provides for and shall govern:
14 
(a) The examination, registration and licensure of Licensed Agriculturists;
15 
(b)The supervision, control, and regulation of the practice of the Agriculture
16 
profession in the Philippines;


1 
(c) The development and upgrading of the Agriculture curriculum;
2 
(d)The development of the professional competence of Licensed Agriculturists
3 
through Continuing Professional Development (CPD); and
4 
(e) The integration of the Agriculture profession.
5 
Sec. 4. Definition of Terms. - For purposes of this Act, the following terms
6 
shall be defined as:
7 
(a) Accredited Integrated Professional Organization (AIPO) refers to the one
8 
and only national organization of Licensed Agriculturists that is accredited
9 
by the Professional Regulation Commission (PRC) and Professional
10 
Regulatory Board for Agriculturists;
11 
(b) Agriculture refers to the art, science, ethics, management and
12 
entrepreneurship in the production, processing, distribution of agricultural
13 
products, services, and the mitigation of climate change in agriculture;
14 
(c) Board refers to the Professional Regulatory Board for Agriculture;
15 
(d) Commission refers to the Professional Regulation Commission;
16 
(e) Practice of the Agriculture Profession refers to all activities, acts, services or
17 
pursuits performed by Licensed Agriculturists as herein prescribed or
18 
specified; and
19 
(f) Licensed Agriculturist refers to a person who has been issued with a
20 
Certificate of Registration (COR) and Professional Identification Card (PIC)
21 
to practice the Agriculture profession.
22
23 
ARTICLE II
24 
PROFESSIONAL REGULATORY BOARD OF AGRICULTURE
25 
Sec. 5. Creation and Composition of the Professional Regulatory Board of
26 
Agriculture. - There is hereby created a Professional Regulatory Board of Agriculture,
27 
hereinafter referred to as the "Board", under the administrative supervision and
28 
control of the Professional Regulation Commission, hereinafter referred to as the
29 
"Commission". The Board shall be composed of a chairperson and five (5) members.
30 
Each member shall represent one of the six (6) fields of specialization listed in Section
31 
15, Article III hereof. The chairperson and members of the Board shall be appointed
32 
by the President of the Philippines from the two (2) recommendees for each position.


1 
submitted by the Commission from a list of three (3) nominees for each position
2 
submitted by the Accredited Integrated Professional Organization (AIPO) for Licensed
3 
Agriculturists. Other professional agricultural organizations duly registered with the
4 
Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) may submit nominees, through the AIPO.
5 
The new Board shall be constituted within six (6) months from the effectivity
6 
of this Act.
7 
Sec. 6. Qualifications of the Chairperson and Members of the Board. - The
8 
chairperson and members of the Board must, at the time of their appointment:
9 
(a) Be a Filipino citizen and resident of the Philippines;
10 
(b) Be of good moral character, and must not have been convicted of any crime
11 
involving moral turpitude;
12 
(c) Be a member in good standing of the AIPO for Licensed Agriculturists;
13 
(d) Be a holder of a degree in Bachelor of Science in Agriculture 
or any other
14 
agriculture-related course, preferably with an MA/MS and/or PhD in any
15 
agriculture discipline obtained from a school, college or university recognized
16 
by the government: Provided, That each member of the board shall serve in
17 
the recognized expertise in one of the six (6) fields of specialization;
18 
(e) Be a Licensed Agriculturist, with a valid Certificate of Registration (COR) and
19 
Professional Identification Card (PIC), and with at least ten (10) years of
20 
relevant experience in Agriculture prior to appointment;
21 
(f) Must not be a member of the faculty, whether full-time or part-time, of any
22 
schooi, coliege or university where a regular and/or review course in Agriculture
23 
is taught, nor shall have any pecuniary interest, direct or indirect, in such
24 
institution; and
25 
(g)Must not be an incumbent officer or trustee of the AIPO for Licensed
26 
Agriculturists.
27 
Sec. 7. Scope of Practice of Agriculture. - The Agriculture profession involves
28 
services consisting of crop and animal production, processing and distribution, in both
29 
urban and rural areas.
30 
A person shall be considered in the practice of Agriculture if the nature and
31 
character of employment in the public or private enterprise requires professional
32 
knowledge in the field of Agriculture. Such person is also deemed to be in the practice


1 
of the Agriculture profession if the latter teaches any Agriculture subject in a
2 
university, coilege or school or engages in research in any Agriculture-related research
3 
or extension.
4 
The foregoing list notwithstanding, other activities which now or hereinafter
5 
may require the application of knowledge, skills, training and expertise in Agriculture,
6 
shall be deemed to be within the scope of the practice of Agriculture, and as such,
7 
shall be governed by the provisions of this Act.
8 
Sec. 8. Powers and Functions of the Board. The Board shall have the following
9 
powers and functions:
10 
(a) Promulgate, administer and enforce rules and regulations, including the
11 
Code of Ethics and Code of Technical Standards for Licensed Agriculturists
12 
to carry out the provisions of this Act;
13 
(b) Supervise and regulate the licensure, registration and practice of Licensed
14 
Agriculturists;
15 
(c) Determine and evaluate the qualifications of the applicants for issuance of
16 
the COR, PIC and Special Temporary Permit (STP);
17 
(d) Prepare and modify the questions for examination and prescribe the syllabi
18 
and Tables of Specifications (TOS) of the subjects for examination and their
19 
relative weights;
20 
(e) Administer the Oath of Profession;
21 
(f) Issue, suspend, revoke or reinstate the COR and PIC or STP for cause;
22 
(g)Look into the conditions affecting the practice of Agricuiture, adopt
23 
measures for the enhancement of the profession and the maintenance of
24 
high professional, technical and ethical standards, and conduct inspection
25 
of places where Licensed Agriculturists practice their profession;
26 
(h) Inspect, in coordination with the Commission on Higher Education (CHED),
27 
the prescribed facilities of universities or colleges offering the course or
28 
program of Agriculture in order to ensure that standards and essential
29 
requirements for a qualified dean and faculty are properly complied with;
30 
(i) Investigate violations of this Act, its Implementing Rules and Regulations
31 
(IRR) and the Code of Ethics and Code of Technicai Standards for Licensed
32 
Agriculturists;


1 
0) Issue subpoena ad testificandum and subpoena duces tecum to secure the
2 
attendance of respondents or witnesses or the production of documents
3 
relative to the investigation conducted by the Board and the Commission;
4 
(k) Prepare guidelines for the Continuing Professional Development (CPD), in
5 
coordination with the AIPO for Licensed Agriculturists; and
6 
(I) Perform other powers, functions and duties as may be necessary to
7 
effectively implement this Act.
8 
The policies, resolutions, rules and regulations, orders and decisions issued or
9 
promulgated by the Board shall be subject to review and approval of the Commission.
10 
However, the Board's decisions, resolutions or orders, which are not interlocutory,
11 
rendered in an administrative case, shall be subject to review only if on appeal.
12 
Sec. 9. Term of Office. - The members of the Board shall hold office for a term
13 
of three (3) years after appointment or until their successors shall have been
14 
appointed and duly qualified: Provided, That members of the first Board to be
15 
appointed after the approval of this Act shall hold office for the following terms: the
16 
two (2) members, one of whom shall be designated as Chairperson in the
17 
appointment, shall serve for three (3) years, two (2) members shall serve for two (2)
18 
years, and the other two (2) members shall serve for one (1) year.
19 
Each member of the Board may only be reappointed for one full term of three
20 
(3) years.
21 
Any vacancy in the Board shall be filled for the unexpired portion of the term
22 
only. Each member shall take an oath of office prior to the assumption of duties.
23 
Sec. 10. Compensation and Allowance of the Chair and Members of the Board.
24 
- The chairperson and members of the Board shall receive compensation and
25 
allowances comparable to the compensation and allowances received by the
26 
chairpersons and members of the other Professional Regulatory Boards under the
27 
Commission, as provided in the annual General Appropriation Act.
28 
Sec. 11. Suspension and Removal of the Chairperson and Members of the
29 
Board. - The chairperson or members of the Board may be suspended or removed by
30 
the President of the Philippines, upon recommendation of the Commission, for neglect
31 
of duty, abuse of power, oppression, incompetence, unprofessional, unethical,
32 
immoral or dishonorable conduct, commission or toleration of irregularities in the


1 
conduct of examination or tampering of the grades therein, or for conviction by final
2 
judgment of any criminal offense involving moral turpitude, after having been given
3 
the opportunity to defend oneself in a proper administrative investigation.
4 
Sec. 12. Supervision of the Board, Custodian of its Records, Secretariat and
5 
Support Services. - The Board shall be under the administrative supervision and
6 
control of the Commission. All records of the Board, including applications for
7 
examination, papers and results, minutes of deliberations, administrative and other
8 
investigative cases involving Licensed Agriculturists, shall be kept by the Commission.
9 
The Commission shall designate the Secretary of the Board and other support
10 
services to implement the provisions of this Act.
11 
Sec. 13. Annual Report. - The Board shall, within thirty (30) days from the
12 
close of each calendar year, submit an annual report to the Commission, giving a
13 
detailed account of its proceedings and accomplishments during the year and
14 
recommending measures to be adopted, with the end in view of upgrading and
15 
improving the conditions and practice of the Agriculture profession in the Philippines.
16
17 
ARTICLE III
18 
LICENSURE EXAMINATION AND REGISTRATION
19 
Sec. 14. Licensure Examination. - Unless otherwise provided, every applicant
20 
seeking to be registered and licensed as a Licensed Agriculturists shall undergo a
21 
written examination as provided for in this Act. Examination for the practice of the
22 
Agriculture profession in the Philippines shall be given by the Board at least once every
23 
year in such places and dates as the Commission may designate.
24 
Sec. 15. Scope of Examination. - A written examination shall be given to the
25 
applicants for registration as Licensed Agriculturists, the scope of which shall include,
26 
but not be limited to, the following:
27 
(a) Crop Science
28 
(b) Animal Science
29 
(c) Soil Science
30 
(d) Crop Protection
31 
(e) Agricultural Economics, Agribusiness and Farm Management; and
32 
(f) Agricultural Extension and Communication


1 
To conform with technological and agricultural modernization, the Board may
2 
re-cluster, rearrange, modify, add to or exclude from any of the foregoing subjects,
3 
as the need arises.
4 
Sec. 16. Qualifications of Applicants for Examination. - In order to be admitted
5 
to the Agriculturists Licensure Examination, an applicant must, at the time of filing of
6 
application, establish to the satisfaction of the Board the following:
7 
(a) A citizen of the Philippines or a foreign country which has a policy on
8 
reciprocity for the practice of the Agriculture profession;
9 
(b) A holder of a Bachelor's Degree in Agriculture or any related course from a
10 
school, college or university recognized by the Government;
11 
(c) Non-holder of a Bachelor's degree in Agriculture but has post-graduate
12 
degree in Agriculture from a school, college, or university recognized by the
13 
Government: Provided, That the applicant has finished a minimum of thirty-
14 
six (36) units of agricultural subjects;
15 
(d) An incumbent holder of agriculture position in the nationai, regional or local
16 
government office (LGU) or agency, including government-owned and -
17 
controlled corporation and has been engaged in agricultural functions
18 
acceptable to the Board: Provided, That the applicant is a holder of
19 
professional civil service eligibility: Provided, further. That the applicant has
20 
finished a minimum of thirty-six (36) units of agricultural subjects;
21 
(e) Of good moral character and has not been convicted of any crime invoiving
22 
morai turpitude.
23 
Sec. 17. Ratings in the Examination. - In order to pass the examination, an
24 
examinee must have obtained an average of at least seventy-five percent (75%) in all
25 
subjects, with no rating below sixty percent (60%) in any subject. However, if an
26 
examinee obtains a general weighted average rating of seventy-five percent (75%) or
27 
higher but obtained a rating beiow sixty percent (60%) in any of the subjects, the
28 
examinee shall be allowed to take the examination in the subject or subjects where a
29 
grade below sixty percent (60%) was obtained only once.
30 
An examinee who fails to pass the examination thrice shall be required to
31 
undergo a one (1) year refresher course equivalent to thirty six (36) units, and a
32 
review class before the examinee shall be allowed to retake the examination.


1 
Sec. 18. Release of the Results of Examination. - The results of the
2 
examination shall be released within ten (10) days from the last day of the
3 
examination, unless otherwise extended for a valid reason.
4 
Sec. 19. Registration without Examination. - Upon approval of application and
5 
payment of required fees, certificate of registration and professional license shall be
6 
issued to the applicant for registration without examination who can prove to the
7 
satisfaction of the Board that:
8 
(a) The applicant graduated from a school, college, or university recognized
9 
by the Government with the degree of Bachelor of Science in Agriculture
10 
or Agricultural Technology or their related degrees.
11 
(b) Non-holder of a Bachelor's degree in Agriculture but has post-graduate
12 
degree in Agriculture from a school, college, or university recognized by
13 
the Government: Provided, That the applicant has finished a minimum of
14 
thirty-six (36) units of agricultural subjects.
15 
(c) This provision shall be effective for a period of three (3) years upon
16 
approval of the Act.
17 
Sec. 20. Issuance of the Certificate of Registration and Professional
18 
Identification Card. - A Certificate of Registration (COR) shall be issued to a successful
19 
registrant, with or without examination, subject to the payment of fees prescribed by
20 
the Commission. The COR shall bear the signature of the chairperson of the
21 
Commission and the chairperson and members of the Board, stamped with the official
22 
seals of the Commission and the Board, indicating that the person named therein is
23 
entitled to practice the Agriculture profession, with all the benefits and privileges
24 
appurtenant thereto. The COR shall remain in full force and effect until revoked or
25 
suspended in accordance with this Act.
26 
A Professional Identification Card (PIC) bearing the registration number and
27 
dates of issuance and expiry, duly signed by the chairperson of the Commission shall
28 
likewise be issued to every registrant upon payment of the required fees. The PIC
29 
shall be renewed every three (3) years, upon compliance with the Continuing
30 
Professional Development (CPD), Certificate of Good Standing (COGS) from the AIPO
31 
and other requirements of the Board and the Commission: Provided, That incumbent
32 
professionals intending to renew their licenses shall adhere to Section 16 (c) and (d)


1 
and Section 19 of this Act.
2 
Sec. 21. Refusal of the Register. - The Board shall not register and issue a
3 
COR to a registrant who has been convicted by a court of competent jurisdiction of
4 
any criminal offense involving moral turpitude, or found guilty of immoral or
5 
dishonorable conduct after investigation by the Board, or has been declared to be of
6 
unsound mind. The reason for the refusal shall be set forth in writing.
7 
Sec. 22, 
Revocation or Suspension of the Certificate of Registration,
8 
Professional Identification Card or Cancellation of Special Temporary Permit - The
9 
Board may, after giving proper notice of hearing to the party concerned, revoke the
10 
COR and PIC of a Licensed Agriculturist or suspend from the practice of profession or
11 
cancel the Special Temporary Permit (STP) for any of the causes or grounds under
12 
Section 20 hereof, or for unprofessional or unethical conduct, malpractice, or violation
13 
of any of the provisions of this Act, its IRR, Code of Ethics and Code of Technical
14 
Standards for Licensed Agriculturists.
15 
Sec. 23. 
Reinstatement, Reissuance or Replacement of Certificate of
16 
Registration, Professional Identification Card and Special Temporary Permit - The
17 
Board may, after two (2) years from the date of revocation of COR, reinstate any
18 
revoked COR and reissue a new PIC.
19 
A new COR and PIC or STP may be issued to replace lost, destroyed or mutilated
20 
ones, subject to such rules as may be promulgated by the Board and the Commission.
21 
Sec. 24. Roster of Professional Agriculturists. - The Board, in coordination with
22 
the AIPO, shall prepare, update and maintain a Roster of Licensed Agriculturists, which
23 
shall contain their residence and office addresses, dates of registration and other data
24 
which the Board may deem pertinent.
25 
Sec. 25. Issuance of Special Temporary Permit - Upon application and
26 
payment of the required fees, and subject to the approval of the Commission, the
27 
Board may issue an STP to a foreign Licensed Agriculturist, whose services are
28 
urgently needed due to the absence or inadequacy of local Licensed Agriculturists for
29 
the purpose of promoting or enhancing the practice of the Agriculture profession in
30 
the Philippines.
31 
The Board shall issue the conditions for the grant of the STP, which shall
32 
include, but not be limited to, the designation of local understudy for every foreign


1 
Professional Agriculturist to be employed or engaged in the Philippines.
2 
Sec. 26. Foreign Reciprocity. - No foreign Professional Agriculturist shali be
3 
admitted to the examination or be given a COR or PIC, and be entitied to any of the
4 
privileges under this Act, unless the country of which said foreign Professionai
5 
Agriculturist is a citizen specifically allows Filipino Licensed Agriculturists to practice
6 
within its territorial limits on the same basis as the citizens of such foreign country.
7
8 
ARTICLE IV
9 
PRACTICE OF AGRICULTURE PROFESSION
10 
Sec. 27. Oath. - All persons qualified for registration, with or without
11 
examination, shall be required to take an oath of profession before any Member of
12 
the Board or any government official authorized by the Commission to administer
13 
oaths, prior to entering into the practice of the Agriculture profession.
14 
Sec. 28. Act Constituting the Practice of Agriculture Profession. - Any single
15 
act or transaction embraced within the provision of Section 7 hereof shall constitute
16 
an act of engaging in the practice of the Agriculture profession.
17 
Sec. 29. Professional Title Appendage. -Only Licensed Agriculturists as herein
18 
defined may append after their names the title "LAgr."
19 
Sec. 30. Prohibition Against the Unauthorized Practice of Agriculture
20 
Profession. - No person shall practice the Agriculture profession in the Phiiippines or
21 
offer oneself as a Licensed Agriculturist, or use the title, word, letter, figure, or any
22 
sign tending to convey the impression that one is a Licensed Agriculturist, or advertise
23 
or indicate in any manner whatsoever that one is qualified to practice the profession
24 
unless all the requirements for registration have been complied with, with or without
25 
examination, and is a holder of a valid COR and PIC or a vaiid STP duly issued by the
26 
Board and the Commission.
27 
Sec. 31. Prohibition Against Corporate Practice. -The practice of the agriculture
28 
profession is a professional service admission to which shall be determined upon the
29 
bases of the individual's personal qualifications.
30 
No firm, company, partnership, association or corporation may be registered or
31 
licensed to practice the agriculture profession; Provided, however, That persons
32 
registered and licensed as agriculturists may, among themselves, form a firm.
10


1 
partnership or association using the term "Agriculturists" and obtain registration with
2 
the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) or with the appropriate agency of the
3 
Government, as the case may be. Nobody shall be allowed to be a member, partner
4 
or associate in such a firm, partnership or association, unless a duly registered and
5 
licensed agriculturist.
6 
Sec. 32. Employment of Agriculturists in the Government - National and
7 
regional government agencies concerned in agriculture activities shall ensure that all
8 
existing plantilla positions are occupied by Licensed Agriculturists.
9 
All existing plantilla positions of Provincial, City, and Municipal Agriculturists
10 
Offices shall be headed by Licensed Agriculturists only, including all agriculture
11 
technical positions therein. For this purpose, a position is deemed to be technical
12 
when the same primarily requires the professional knowledge and skills of a Licensed
13 
Agriculturist, as may be determined by the Board.
14 
All agriculture technical personnel hired on contractual, job order, or project-
15 
based basis shall be licensed agriculturists.
16 
The Board shall assist in the development of Position Classification Standards
17 
for relevant government plantilla positions, in collaboration with Civil Service
18 
Commission and other appropriate national and local government agencies.
19 
Sec. 33. Employment of Agriculturists in the Private Sector. - Private
20 
agricultural corporations and enterprises shall allocate at least one (1) Licensed
21 
Agriculturist.
22 
All corporate farms, golf courses, agri-tourists, agri-related
23 
corporations/businesses and other similar institutions or facilities involved in
24 
agriculture must employ such a number of Licensed Agriculturists in accordance with
25 
the guidelines to be issued by the Board and the Commission.
26 
Sec. 34. Accredited Integrated Professional Organization (AIPO). - All Licensed
27 
Agriculturists shall have one (1) national organization, which shall be recognized by
28 
the Board and the Commission as the one and only AIPO for Licensed Agriculturists.
29 
A Licensed Agriculturist duly registered with the Board and the Commission
30 
shall automatically become a member of the AIPO and shall receive all the benefits
31 
and privileges appurtenant thereto, upon payment of the prescribed fees and dues.
32 
Membership in the AIPO shall not bar membership in other associations of
11


1 
Licensed Agriculturists.
2 
Sec. 35. Code of Ethics for Agriculture Profession. - The Board shall prescribe
3 
and promulgate the Code of Ethics and Code of Technical Standards for Licensed
4 
Agriculturists, in consultation with the AIPO.
5 
Sec. 36. Vested Rights: Automatic Registration of Agriculturists. - All Licensed
6 
Agriculturists who are registered and licensed at the time this Act takes effect shall
7 
automatically be registered hereunder.
8
9 
ARTICLE V
10 
PENAL AND FINAL PROVISIONS
11 
Sec. 37. Pena! Provision. - Any violation of this Act, its IRR, Code of Ethics and
12 
Code of Technical Standards or other regulatory policies of the Board and the
13 
Commission, shall be meted the penalty of a fine of not less than Fifty Thousand Pesos
14 
(P50,000.00) but not more than Five Hundred Thousand Pesos (P500,000.00), or
15 
imprisonment of not less than six (6) months but not more than six (6) years, or both,
16 
at the discretion of the court.
17 
Sec. 38. Appropriations. - The Chairperson of the Commission shall
18 
immediately include in the Commission’s programs the implementation of this Act, the
19 
funding of which shall be included in the annual General Appropriations Act and
20 
thereafter.
21 
Sec. 39. Transitory Provisions. - The existing Board of Agriculture shall continue
22 
to function in the interim until such time that the new Board shall have been
23 
constituted pursuant to this Act.
24 
Sec. 40. Impiementing Rules and Regulations (IRR). - The Board, subject to
25 
the approval by the Commission, and in coordination with the AIPO, shall issue and
26 
promulgate the IRR within one hundred twenty (120) days from effectivity of this Act.
27 
Sec. 41. Separability Clause. - If any clause, sentence, paragraph or part of
28 
this Act shall be declared unconstitutional or invalid, such judgment shall not affect,
29 
invalidate or impair any other part of this Act.
30 
Sec. 42. Repealing Clause. - All laws, decrees, executive orders, memorandum
31 
orders, and other administrative issuances or parts thereof which are inconsistent with
32 
the provisions of this Act, are hereby modified, superseded or repealed accordingly.
12


1 
Sec. 43. Effectivity. -This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days following its
2 
complete publication in the Official Gazette or in two (2) newspapers of general
3 
circulation in the Philippines.
Approved,
13