PART 1 : AGRICULTURAL AND BIOSYSTEMS ENGINEERING (ABE) LAWS AND RELATED LAWS

Summary

The Philippine Agricultural and Biosystems Engineering Act of 2016, or ABI Law, modernizes agricultural engineering practices to ensure food security and safety while raising farmers' incomes. It mandates the registration of agricultural engineers, sets standards for professional practice, and promotes the development of a competent workforce through continuing education and specialized training. The law also establishes a regulatory board for the profession and imposes penalties for violations.

Takeaways

• 📜 The Philippine Agricultural and Biosystems Engineering Act of 2016 (ABI Law) was established to modernize and strengthen agricultural and biosystems engineering in the country.
• 🌾 The law aims to ensure food security, safety, and to raise incomes among farmers and fisherfolks, with agricultural and biosystems engineers playing a crucial role.
• 🔄 The scope of practice for registered and licensed agricultural and biosystems engineers includes planning, designing, supervising, and maintaining various agricultural projects and systems.
• 🏗️ The law mandates that all construction, operation, and maintenance of agricultural facilities must be overseen by a licensed agricultural and biosystems engineer.
• 📝 The ABI Law requires that all relevant documents for agricultural projects be signed and sealed by a licensed engineer, ensuring compliance with standards.
• 🔍 The Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) and local building officials are tasked with implementing the law in the issuance of building permits.
• 📈 There is a significant demand for agricultural and biosystems engineers, with government and private entities required to employ a sufficient number of these professionals.
• 🎓 The law supports the development of a national career progression and specialization program for agricultural and biosystems engineers, as well as continuing professional development.
• 🏫 The Philippine Agricultural and Biosystems Engineering Standards (PABES) will be updated to align with the new law and international standards.
• 📚 A new curriculum for agricultural and biosystems engineering will be developed by the Commission on Higher Education (CHED) to meet industry needs and global competitiveness.
• 🛡️ The ABI Law establishes a Professional Regulatory Board for Agricultural and Biosystems Engineering, responsible for licensure examinations and regulation of the profession.

Q & A

What is the purpose of Senate Bill 2434 in the Philippines?

The purpose of Senate Bill 2434, also known as the Philippine Agricultural and Biosystems Engineering Act of 2014, is to modernize and strengthen the practice of agricultural and biosystems engineering in the country to ensure long-term competitiveness, food security, and safety while raising incomes among farmers and fisherfolk.

When did the Philippine Agricultural and Biosystems Engineering Act become effective as a law?

The Philippine Agricultural and Biosystems Engineering Act, also known as Republic Act No. 10915, became effective as a law on August 16, 2016.

How many agricultural engineers were automatically registered as agricultural and biosystems engineers after the law's implementation?

After the law's implementation, 8,732 agricultural engineers licensed by the Professional Regulation Commission (PRC) since 1964 were automatically registered as agricultural and biosystems engineers.

What is the scope of practice for registered and licensed agricultural and biosystems engineers?

The scope of practice for registered and licensed agricultural and biosystems engineers includes planning, designing, supervising construction, operation and maintenance, testing and evaluation, inspection, monitoring, technical audit, research, training, extension, teaching, consultancy, sale, and manufacture of various agricultural and biosystems engineering facilities and projects.

What are some examples of projects that agricultural and biosystems engineers can work on?

Examples of projects that agricultural and biosystems engineers can work on include irrigation and drainage systems, soil and water conservation and management, agro-meteorological systems, agricultural and biosystems power and machinery, buildings and structures, post-harvest and processing waste utilization and management, and information systems.

What is the requirement for all plants, designs, specifications, and other documents used for the implementation of agricultural and biosystems engineering projects?

All plants, designs, specifications, and other documents used for the implementation, construction, testing, and evaluation of agricultural and biosystems engineering projects must be signed and sealed by a licensed agricultural and biosystems engineer.

Which government entities are responsible for implementing the requirement of signed and sealed documents by licensed engineers?

The Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) and local building officials are responsible for implementing this requirement in the issuance of building permits, and all concerned national government entities and local government units are responsible for procurement and regulatory and auditing functions.

What is the demand for agricultural and biosystems engineers in the Philippines after the implementation of the ABI Law?

There is a significant demand for agricultural and biosystems engineers in the Philippines, as all concerned government and private entities are mandated to employ the required number of these engineers in their projects and operations.

What are the requirements for appointing or designating positions in government and private firms related to agricultural and biosystems engineering?

Only registered and licensed agricultural and biosystems engineers with a valid PRC license can be appointed or designated to all positions in government and private firms and establishments with agricultural and biosystems engineering functions and responsibilities.

What does the ABI Law mandate regarding the professional development of agricultural and biosystems engineers?

The ABI Law mandates that agricultural and biosystems engineers pursue higher standards of professional practice through the formulation and implementation of a national career progression and specialization program. They are also required to undergo continuing professional development as a requirement for the renewal of their PRC license and accreditation for a higher level of professional practice.

What changes are mandated by the ABI Law for the Philippine Agricultural Engineering Standards (PAES) and the agricultural and biosystems engineering curriculum?

The ABI Law mandates the transformation of the existing Philippine Agricultural Engineering Standards into Philippine Agricultural and Biosystems Engineering Standards. Additionally, a new agricultural and biosystems engineering curriculum must be developed and adapted by CHED to align with the law and international standards and to respond to the industry's needs.

What is the role of the Professional Regulatory Board of Agricultural and Biosystems Engineering?

The Professional Regulatory Board of Agricultural and Biosystems Engineering, composed of a chairman and two members appointed by the President of the Philippines, is responsible for conducting licensure examinations and regulating the practice of agricultural and biosystems engineering, including investigations and prosecutions of illegal practice and violations.