Agricultural and Fisheries Mechanization Law

• The “Agricultural and Fishery Mechanization Law” (AFMech Law) 2013 RA 10601 aims to modernize Philippine agriculture.

Historical Context

• The 9th Congress (1993) Senate Committee on Agriculture and Food approved S.B. Nos. 1103 and 2001, initiated by Sen. Santanina Rasul, to modernize Philippine agriculture through agricultural mechanization.
• H.B. Nos. 993, a counterpart bill, was presented in the House of Representatives during the 9th Congress by Rep. Socorro O. Acosta from Bukidnon's 1st District (1994).
• Reviews of the law's implementation were conducted during the 13th Congress (2004-2007) by COCAFM, led by Sen. Magsaysay, recommending its quick passage.
• The Committees on Agriculture and Food of both the House and Senate approved it during the 14th Congress (2007-2010).
• The President approved it on June 5, 2013, and it became law on June 28, 2013 after approval by the House and Senate (H. No. 6548 & S. No. 3338) during the 15th Congress (2010-2013), with Rep. Mark Lleandro Mendoza and Sen. Kiko Pangilinan as primary authors.

Goal 1: Enhance Access to Machinery

• Provide access to affordable agri-fishery machinery for farmers and fisherfolk.
• Establish agri-fisheries machinery service centers in SAFDZs and ARCs (Sec. 8).
• Provide services including custom plowing and harrowing.
• Offer repair and troubleshooting, training, plus after-sales service and warranty.
• Support contiguous farming and infrastructure for machinery economies of scale (Sec. 34, 36).
• Promote local manufacturing and assembling to reduce costs (Sec. 15, 16).

Goal 2: Protect Stakeholders

• Protect agri-fishery machinery buyers, owners, manufacturers, and distributors.
• Suppliers must provide after-sales service and warranty (Sec. 17).
• AMTEC conducts mandatory testing and evaluation (Sec. 18).
• Standard development and enforcement (Sec. 21)
• Guidelines and procedures to register agri-fishery machinery owners as set by the DA Secretary (Sec. 19)
• Enabling policy of Sec. 18, R.A. No. 7609 requires farm machinery registration with the municipal government to monitor it.

Goal 3: Strengthen Support

• Strengthen support services and institutions for agri-fisheries mechanization.
• National and Local Agri-Fisheries Mechanization Programs are formulated and implemented (Sec. 5, 6, 33).
• The Unified Agri-Fisheries Mechanization RDE Agenda is formulated and implemented (Sec. 7).
• Establish an Agri-Fisheries Mechanization RDE Network (Sec. 8).
• Promote Renewable Energy RDE (Sec. 35).
• Research grants made available by BAR, DOST, and CHED (Sec. 11).
• Training and Scholarship Programs are promoted (Sec. 12).
• The Agri-Fisheries Mechanization and Engineering Resource Network is strengthened (Sec. 10).

Institutional Reinforcement

• Strengthen NAFC agri-fishery mechanization committees at all levels (Sec. 23).
• PhilMech’s mandate for agri-fishery mechanization and post-harvest RDE is strengthened (Sec. 25).
• BAPFS was renamed to BAFS, expanding mandate to include the development of standards of agri-fishery machinery and engineering (Sec. 26).
• UPLB's AMDP and AMTEC are institutionalized (Sec. 8, 27).
• Strengthening DA Agricultural Engineering Groups with Creation of Bureau of Agricultural & Fisheries Engineering.
• Services of DA bureaus attached to organizations are strengthened, while DA Regional Agricultural Engineering Divisions are institutionalized (Sec. 24).
• DA-RAED operation units are established to handle devolution problems by one agricultural engineer on hand (Sec. 29).
• Agricultural and Biosystems Engineering Divisions to be established in Agriculture Offices of Provincial and City LGUs at the local level (Sec. 29).
• DILG MCs Nos. 2008-167 & 2012-128 are strengthened and agricultural engineers machinery technicians and operators to be required (Sec. 13).

AFMech Law Characteristics

• AFMech Law enables Section 49 of R.A. No. 8435 (AFMA).
• Similar to China’s Agricultural Mechanization Promotion Law.
• Complements R.A. No. 8559 (Philippine Agricultural Engineering Law
• Acts as a safety net as part of ASEAN Economic Community 2015

Employment

• Offers opportunities for increase farm production and income and employment in agro-processing and machinery manufacturing, repair and maintenance.

Government Procurement (RA 9184)

• Known as the Government Procurement Reform Law
• The IRR (Implementing Rules and Regulations) in RA 9184 were created to modernize and govern procurement, promoting transparency, accountability, equity, efficiency, and economy specifically for infrastructure projects, goods, and consulting services.
• The scope consists of any branch, agency, department, bureau, office or instrumentality.
• Items not covered are foreign grants projects, property acquisition covered in RA 8974 and public-private projects covered by RA 6957.

Key Principles in RA9184

• Transparency: Wide dissemination of bidding opportunities and participation of pertinent non-government organizations.
• Competitiveness: All parties are equal and qualified to participate.
• Streamlined Procurement: Is designed for advances in tech to ensure effectiveness.
• System of Accountability: When needed warranted process public and private parties are investigated/held liable.
• Public Monitoring: Process and implementation are in sync with IRR and RA 9184.

Definition of Terms

• Approved Budget for the Contract (ABC): budget approved by the Head of the Procuring Entity from a legal funding source.
• Bids and Awards Committee (BAC): Responsible agency.
• Bid: A signed offer or proposal.
• Bidder: Eligible entities to be awarded. Bidding documents: Issued for basis.
• Competitive Bidding: Open to participation.
• Consulting Services: requiring expertise.
• Goods: Includes items and general supports.
• Infrastructure Projects: civil projects to maintain aspects of projects.
• PhilGEPS: Philippine Government Electronic Procurement System
• Procurement: Acquisition for infrastructure projects.
• Procuring Entity- GOCC, GFI, SUC & LGU.
• COA is Commission on Audit.

Procurement Planning & Budgeting

• Encompasses meticulous planning within the entity's approved budget.
• Responsibility: preparation of PPMP and end users program projects.

Alternative Methods of Procurement

Limited Source Bidding (Selective Bidding) where suppliers have known experience.

• Direct Contracting is when the supplier is requested to submit price quotation.
• Repeat Order, 25% of products.
• Shopping simply requests submission unforesen supplies.
• Negotiated Procurement where negotiated directly a contract

Philippine Agricultural Engineering Standards

• PAES standards improve tractor and agriculture machinery safety.
• Standard identification include machine, safety notes,assembly, maintenance, and handling
• PAES standards are followed to sample the respect product from agrilcutural machinery and specify operations from general to specific areas like tilage.
• Volume 1 covers methods to ensure safety like general and operator safety.
• Volume 2 covers post harvest.