Philippine Agricultural Engineering Act of 2016

• Republic Act No. 10915, also known as the "Philippine Agricultural and Biosystems Engineering Act of 2016" strengthens, modernizes and aligns the practice of agricultural engineering.
• It also ensures the practice is in accordance with internationally recognized practices.
• The State aims to strengthen and regulate agricultural and biosystems engineering.
• This is achieved through relevant education, enhanced roles, and better career prospects for engineers.
• The Act applies to examination, registration, and licensure, supervision, control, and regulation of agricultural and biosystems engineering practices.
• It also includes curriculum development, professional development, and engineer integration.

Definition of key terms

• Agricultural and Biosystems Engineering uses engineering science and designs for sustainable production, processing, and resource management.
• This includes crops, forestry, livestock, fisheries, and wildlife.
• An Agricultural and Biosystems Engineer is a licensed professional with a valid registration and identification card.
• Agricultural and Biosystems Power and Machinery encompasses farm power and machinery for production, harvesting, processing, and distribution.
• This includes tractors, tillers, seeders, harvesters, and processing equipment.
• Agricultural and Biosystems Buildings and Structures are used for production, harvesting, processing, storage, and transportation.
• Examples includes silos, sheds, farmhouses, poultry, and piggery houses.
• Agricultural and Bio-Processing maintains or improves the quality of agricultural products through activities such as cleaning, sorting, drying, and packaging.
• Agricultural and Biological Waste Utilization and Management develops systems for waste disposal and environment-friendly technologies.
• Agricultural and Bio-Information System utilizes information systems, databases, and GIS technology for agricultural purposes.
• Agricultural and Biosystems Automation and Instrumentation applies sensors and computer models for automation in agriculture and fisheries.
• Agricultural and Biosystems Resource Conservation and Management conserves and manages agricultural and biological resources.
• This includes area development, parks, ecosystem management, monitoring, and rehabilitation.
• Accredited Integrated Professional Organization is the recognized professional organization for agricultural and biosystems engineers.
• Bachelor of Science in Agricultural and Biosystems Engineering is the tertiary education program for the profession.
• Commission on Higher Education is the government agency in charge of higher education in the Philippines.
• Irrigation is the artificial application of water to assist crop growth and landscape maintenance.
• The Professional Regulation Commission is the government agency regulating professions.
• The Professional Regulatory Board of Agricultural and Biosystems Engineering supervises and regulates the profession.
• Soil and Water Conservation controls soil and water degradation to enhance farm productivity.

Scope of Practice

• Includes the preparation of engineering designs, project studies, and estimates for various agricultural systems.
• This can include irrigation, drainage, and waste utilization.
• Includes the supervision and management of construction, operation, and maintenance of agricultural systems.
• Also includes valuation, appraisal, and consultancy services.
• Includes research and development, training, and extension activities.
• Testing, evaluation, and inspection of machinery and equipment is included
• The manufacture, distribution, installation, and sale of agricultural machinery and equipment.
• Involves teaching agricultural and biosystems engineering subjects.
• Encompasses preparation and evaluation of farm development plans and land use maps.
• Training and supervision of technicians and operators.
• Government and private sector employment requiring agricultural and biosystems expertise.
• Participation in environmental impact assessments for agricultural projects.
• The Board can modify the scope of practice to reflect new developments.

Regulatory board

• The Professional Regulatory Board of Agricultural and Biosystems Engineering consists of a Chairperson and two members.
• The President of the Philippines appoints from lists recommended by the Commission on lists submitted by the Accredited Professional Organization.
• Board members must be Filipino citizens, at least 35 years old, and degree holders in Agricultural and Biosystems Engineering.
• They also need to be registered engineers with at least 10 years of active practice and cannot be faculty members or have financial interest in any learning institution.
• Members must be in good standing with the AIPO and must not have any convictions of moral turpitude.
• Board members serve a term of three years and can be reappointed for another term.
• They receive compensation and allowances comparable to other Professional Regulatory Boards.
• Board members can be removed for neglect of duty, incompetence, violation of the Act.
• They can also be removed for involvement in examination irregularities or unprofessional conduct.
• Vacancies are filled for the unexpired portion of the term.
• The Board has powers and duties such as:
• Implementing and enforcing the Act
• Supervising registration and licensure
• Administering oaths
• Issuing, suspending, and revoking licenses
• Looking into conditions affecting the profession and adopting necessary measures
• Prescribing a Code of Ethics, etc.
• The Board can hear administrative cases, issue subpoenas, and punish for contempt.
• Also prescribes CPD guidelines, ensures compliance of educational institutions, and prepares licensure exams.
• The Board can issue cease and desist orders and accredit specialty organizations.
• Policies and regulations are subject to review and approval by the Commission.
• The Commission is in charge of the Board’s records and provides support services.
• The Board submits an annual report to the President through the Commission.
• Applicants for agricultural and biosystems engineering practice must pass a licensure examination.
• Citizenship, a BSABE degree from a recognized institution, and good moral character are required qualifications.
• A fake application can result in suspension or revocation of registration.
• The examination covers topics such as:
• Power, Energy and Machinery Engineering
• Land and Water Resources Engineering
• Structures and Environment Engineering
• Bioprocess Engineering
• Project Management, Feasibility Study
• Fundamentals of Sciences
• Mathematics and Basic Engineering Principles
• Laws, Professional Standards and Ethics, etc.
• The Board may update the subjects and their content periodically to conform with technological change.
• A passing grade requires a weighted general average of 70%, with no grade lower than 55% in any subject.
• Examinees who fail a subject must retake only that subject.
• The Board submits the ratings to the Commission within 10 days after the examination, after which examinees are notified via mail.
• Examinees who fail for the third time can take another exam after one year and completion of a refresher program.
• Successful candidates must take an oath before practicing
• Certificates of Registration and Professional Identification Cards are issued to registered professionals.
• The COR remains in effect unless withdrawn, revoked, or suspended.
• The professional ID card is renewed every three years with proof of AIPO membership and CPD completion.
• Registered engineers can use "Engr." as a title and must have a license to practice.
• The Board can refuse registration to applicants convicted of moral turpitude, found guilty of immoral conduct, or declared to be of unsound mind.
• The Board can, after due notice and hearing, revoke or suspend a Certificate of Registration (COR).
• Grounds for this include violations of the Act, fraud, incompetence, refusal to join the AIPO, and addiction.
• The Board may reinstate a revoked COR after two years and proof of valid reasons to resume practice.
• A duplicate COR or ID can be reissued per rules.
• Agricultural engineers registered under R.A. 8559 are automatically registered.
• Each registrant must obtain a seal.
• Plans and specifications must be stamped with the seal.
• Certain government entities and government employees cannot accept plans not in accordance with this act
• Government agencies must procure building projects that adhere to regulations regarding licensed engineers
• Engineers can only sign documents for work they actually performed and are fully responsible.
• Engineers are the property owners of drawings, plans, and designs. Consent is needed to duplicate or make copies.
• Signed and sealed drawings are needed for various agricultural and biosystem projects.
• Violation of any of the preceding regulations can result in administrative and/or criminal action.
• Engineers must indicate their license number and professional tax receipt number on documents.
• Firms can practice agricultural and biosystems engineering if they meet certain requirements.
• The majority of partners or members must be registered and licensed agricultural and biosystems engineers.
• The profession is integrated into one national organization recognized by the Board and the Commission.
• Registered agricultural and biosystems engineers automatically become members.
• A foreign agricultural and biosystems engineer needs a temporary license, adhering to reciprocity agreements.
• Foreign engineers can secure temporary permits by meeting the guidelines of R.A. 8981.
• They need to have specific qualifications, work with a Filipino counterpart, and share professional fees and expenses.
• Government and private positions with agricultural and biosystems engineering functions require licensed engineers.
• Positions that include engineers can be found in the Department of agriculture, Agrarian Reform, Natural resources, etc.
• The Department of Education shall include teaching positions for agricultural and biosystems engineers
• Positions require people specialized in certain areas of the field and people in executive positions
• The different levels of positions require different criteria from people looking to fill those positions.
• Government agencies and other entities must hire registered agricultural and biosystems engineers, in number relative to the amount of positions that need filling
• All agricultural and biosystems engineering facilities that are government operated need to be supervised by at least one licensed and registered agricultural and biosystems enginee
• All companies involved with creation, selling of machinery and engineering processes need to hire one licensed agricultural and biosystems engineer

Additional Regulations

• All contactors need one engineer as part of their sustaining techincal employees

• Establishments need to employ different levels of registered and licensed bio systems engineers

• Financing and Banking institution must hire people who can provide financial assistance on engineering assistance

• Different firms and organizations need to provide the services relative to management.

• To prevent overload, engineer to clientele ration shall affect a sustained quality level of agricultural services always

• Board shall give guidelines and standards to needed amount of compliment

• There shall be national engineering progression and specialist programs made with Civil Service Commission etc.

• Specialism should be made with the formal education, training towards specialism, and practices with the Board.

• Specialism must be given with membership and accredited agricultural and bio system specialist organizations.

• Agrucultural and Bio system specialization shall include all the different Bio system Specialities which include :

• Power and Machinery

• Irrigation and Drainage

• Soil, water conservation

• Agricultural and Bio system

• Buildings and Structues and everything else similar

• *Existing Philippine Agricultural Engineering Standards is to be turned into PABES which is now a standard for the engineers always Board needs to work with other entities of government to turn them into new standards of the engineers. CHED is suppose to develop a way to keep agrucultural etc engineering consistend with the industry's requirements standards TESDA shall include this in their program and promulgation of competency and regulation programs.

  • Rationalization and upgrading is suppose to happen with several stakeholders to provide a good system to modenerize equipment
  • Career Advocacy programs need to formulate to get the best jobs locally and foreign jobs
  • Should integration of practical applicatiions be thought in basic education The board will provide guldines to the CPD and the programmes
  • The CPD for engineers is highly important for any engineers

• There is a need for renewal license

• All the points earned by Bio system engineer shall be applied as training.

  • Need to be aware against ethical and penal provisions shall make people aware of any laws they shouldnt break

Conclusion

• The Commission and board shall effectively implement the act.
• Enforcement and support is needed in order for anything to happen
• Penalties is needed if anyone shall break any laws or does anything wrong will face monetary, and imprisonment consequences
• The incumbent shall give the functions of the acts
• Rules need to be published in a local newspaper.
• These shall be effectiveness 60 days after publishing the paper
• Separability provides that the laws shall not effect judgements.
• The current decrees are only super seeded and the R.A. No 8559 is expressly repealed
• There shall be a 15 days following with a publication in the daily newspaper.