SIXTEENTH CONGRESS OF THE REPUBLIC) 
OF THE PHILIPPINES 
) 
First Regular Session 
) 
SENATE 
Senate Bill No. 145 
.~rt'mtf' 
.9th;r (If ft(f<~~'f'nrbr~ 
'13 
JUL 15 P5 :51 
INTRODUCED BY SEN. JINGGOY EJERCITO ESTRADA 
EXPLANATORY NOTE 
Agriculture is considered a major industry in the Philippines. 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 to 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 (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outdated and economically powerless. 
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 sought. 
Senator 


SIXTEENTH CONGRESS OF THE REPUBLIC) 
OF THE PHILIPPINES 
) 
I 
First Regular Session 
) 
SENATE 
Senate Bill No. 7 -1 5 
'13 
JUL 15 P5 :51 
INTRODUCED BY SEN. JINGGOY EJERCITO ESTRADA 
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 I 
TITLE AND POLICIES 
SECTION 1. Title- This Act shall be known as the "Agriculture 
Technology Generation and Transfer Act of 2013". 
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 efficiently 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. 
SEC. 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, 
1 


raising or catching or both of livestock poultry or fish; including the 
harvesting and postharvest 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 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 
softwares 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 
aims to make agriculture economically viable, ecologically sound, 
socially just, and culturally appropriate. 
CHAPTER II. 
THE INTEGRATED SYSTEM FOR AGRICULTURE 
TECHNOLOGY GENERATION AND TRANSFER 
SEC. 5. The Integrated System of Agriculture Technology Generation 
and Transfer (iSATGaT) - All government agencies and institutions, including 
local government units, 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. 6. Purpose. - The purpose of the ISATGaT 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 agriculture principles and practices. 
SEC. 7. Components of the System.-
a) Department of Agriculture 
b) Institutes and Centers for Agricultural Research Development and Training 
c) Local Government Units 
d) State Universities and Colleges 
2 


e) Farmers' and Non-Government Organizations 
CHAPTER III 
ROLES AND FUNCTIONS OF COMPONENT UNITS IN EACH 
LEVEL OF THE SYSTEM 
SEC. 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: 
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 of the 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 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 (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 (PAT) 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: 
3 


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 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, 
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 problem/ 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 (N/SATGaT) 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 
Council with its Chairman to be elected from among its members and 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 
from among themselves, a Cochairperson shall be chosen; 
4 


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 Banos; 
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 of the RISATGaT Councils; 
8) 
The Director, Bureau of Animal Industry; 
9) 
The Director, Bureau of Plant Industry; and, 
10) The Director, Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources. 
b) Functions- 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 advantaged of in the development of 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 funds 
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 carry out the regional 
programs for generation and transfer of technologies appropriate for each of the 
5 


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 NISATGaT Council. 
a) Composition. - The RISATGaT Council shall be composed of the 
following members whose Chairman shall be elected by its m'embers for a term 
of three (3) years and assisted by a Secretariat; 
1) 
The Heads of the accredited agricultural university(ies) and college(s) 
in the region; 
2) 
The Directors! Heads of Regional Integrated Agriculture Research 
Center 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 RISATGaT is attached and who shall 
also serve as in charge of the Secretariat. 
b) Functions.- The RISATGaT Council shall have the following duties and 
functions: 
1) 
Periodically discuss problems and opportunities for developing 
agriculture in the region 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 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 
6 


Transfer (PAT) 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-govemment 
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 all technology transfer activities in the province 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 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 government units and SUCs shall be increased from the 
present level by annual increment of 0.2% of the Gross Value Added (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 lumpsum amount of Fifty 
million pesos (P50,000,OOO.OO) per annum for the next ten (10) years and shall 
be included in the General Appropriations Act starting 2011. 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 
7 


the RISATGaT Councils and the PATT Councils: Provided, That such fund shall 
be invested in government bonds and securities and managed by the NISATGaT 
I 
Council using only the interest earnings of the said fund. 
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 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 Funds - The Fiduciary and 
Revolving Funds centralized under P.O. 711 are hereby authorized anti 
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; furthermore endowment 
funds 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 funds shall be disbursed in 
accordance with the law and the guidelines set by the NISATGaT Council and 
the Commission on Audit. 
CHAPTER IV 
INCENTIVES, PRVILEGES AND BENEFITS 
SEC. 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. 
SEC. 19. Incentives 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 or 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. 
8 


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, 
9