FEB 18, 2016

NR # 4114

House approves proposed Philippine Agricultural and Biosystems

Engineering Act on 2nd reading
The House of Representatives has approved on second reading a bill seeking to strengthen,
modernize and align the practice of Agricultural Engineering in the country into the globally
recognized practice of Agricultural and Biosystems Engineering.
The approved measure, House Bill 6421, or the proposed Philippine Agricultural and
Biosystems Engineering Act, substituted HB 4175 authored by Reps. Rufus B. Rodriguez (2 nd
District, Cagayan de Oro City) and his younger brother Maximo B. Rodriguez, Jr. (Party-list,
ABAMIN).
The elder Rodriguez, chairman of the House ad hoc committee on the Bangsa Moro Basic
Law, said 15 years after Congress enacted Republic Act 8559, otherwise known as the
Philippine Agricultural and Biosystems Engineering Act of 1998, the Philippine Agricultural
Engineering Profession faces many technological developments, global issues and concerns that
need to respond and align for it to become more competitive.
For one, Rodriguez said the Agricultural Engineering profession has transformed into
Agricultural and Biosystems Engineering, a profession which ensures the necessities in life
namely: safe and plentiful food to eat; pure water to drink; clean fuel and energy sources; and
safe and healthy environment to live.
Secondly, Rodriguez said during the 1st ASEAN Conference on Agricultural and
Biosystems Engineering (ACABE) held on September 23 to 24, 2014 and hosted by the
Philippines through the Philippine Society of Agricultural Engineers and the National
Agricultural and Fishery Council (NAFC), delegates adopted the ASEAN Agricultural and
Biosystems Engineering Framework for Cooperation and Complementary Action in support to
ASEAN Food Security and Climate Change Adaptation and Mitigation which the country is
committed to support and implement.
This cooperation framework seeks to harmonize and align globally the practice of
Agricultural Engineering in ASEAN into Agricultural and Biosystems Engineering, said
Rodriguez.
Thirdly, Rodriguez said strengthening the practice of Agricultural Engineering in the
country into Agricultural Biosystems Engineering is one the major legislative agendas under the
Philippine Agricultural Engineering Profession Road Map 2013-2020 adopted by the Board of
Agricultural Engineering and the Professional Regulations Commission (PRC) in 2013.
This is to further empower the Filipino Agricultural Engineers in helping achieve food
security and sufficiency, protection of the environment and in Climate Change Mitigation and
Adaptation, and for global practice, said Rodriguez.

House Bill 6421 provides the State guarantees the application and delivery of agricultural
and biosystems engineering services to: accelerate agricultural and fishery modernization; and
ensure food and water security, bioenergy development, natural resources conservation,
environmental protection and human health and safety by fostering the training and development
of an adequate and well trained agricultural and biosystems engineers in the country.
The measure refers to Agricultural and Biosystems Engineering as the application of
engineering science and designs to the processes and systems involved in the sustainable
production, post production and processing of safe food, feed, fiber, timber, and other agricultural
and biological materials, and the efficient utilization, conservation, and management of natural
and renewable resources in order to enhance human health in harmony with the environment.
Agricultural and biosystems consist of crops, forestry and other plants, poultry, livestock,
fisheries and aquaculture resources, and other animals, wildlife, and other living things.
The practice of Agricultural and Bio-systems Engineering shall cover, among others,
preparation of engineering designs, plans, specifications, project studies, feasibility studies, and
estimates of irrigation and drainage, soil and water conservation and management systems and
facilities, agrometeorological systems, agricultural and biosystems power and machinery,
agricultural and biosystems buildings and structures, renewable/bio-energy systems and farm,
electrification, agricultural and bio-processing and post harvest facilities and system, agricultural
and biological waste utilization and management, agricultural and bio-information system,
agricultural and biosystems resource conservation and management, and agricultural and bioautomation and instrumentation system.
It also covers valuation, appraisal, investigation, inspection, monitoring, and technical
audit on agricultural and biosystems machineries and equipment, structures and facilities, and
agricultural and biosystems engineering projects.
Moreover, it shall cover: conduct of research and development, training and extension on
agricultural and biosystems engineering; employment with the government and private
establishments provided such item or position requires the knowledge and expertise of an
Agricultural and Biosystems Engineer, or the duties and responsibilities cover the scope of the
practice of Agricultural and Biosystems Engineering; and participation preparing environmental
studies for agricultural, fisheries, agro-industrial, and biosystems projects, and its monitoring
under the environmental impact assessment (EIA) system.
The bill also provides for the creation of a Professional Regulatory Board of Agricultural
and Biosystems Engineering, which shall be under the control and supervision of the PRC.
The Board shall be composed of a Chairman and two members to be appointed by the
President of the Philippines. It shall promulgate and adopt the rules and regulations necessary for
carrying out the provisions of the Act, and shall supervise the registration, licensure and practice
of Agricultural and Biosystems Engineers in the country. (30) rbb