In a significant move to elevate the status of agriculture in the Philippines, the House of Representatives has passed a bill on its second reading. The legislation, known as House Bill 11186, aims to establish a regulatory framework for the agricultural profession, which has been highlighted by the recent armyworm damage to corn crops in southern Negros. The bill was approved during a plenary session on January 15, 2025, through a voice vote, signaling strong support for the initiative. Rep. Gabriel Bordado Jr. from Camarines Sur, who sponsored the bill, emphasized the necessity of a dedicated law to manage the examination, registration, and licensure of agriculture practitioners. Currently, the profession is governed only by an administrative issuance, PRC Resolution No. 2000-663, which lacks the authority of a full legislative charter. The proposed Professional Regulatory Board for Agriculture, to be established under the Professional Regulation Commission (PRC), will consist of a chairperson and five members, each specializing in different agricultural fields such as crop science, animal science, soil science, crop protection, agricultural economics, and agricultural extension and communication. The bill also stipulates that only registered agriculturists will be allowed to use the title ‘Registered Agriculturist (R.Agr).’ Furthermore, all registered agriculturists will be required to join a single national organization recognized by the board and the PRC as the accredited integrated professional organization (AIPO). Membership in the AIPO will automatically confer certain benefits and privileges upon payment of the required fees and dues. The board will also be responsible for developing and enforcing a Code of Ethics and a Code of Technical Standards for registered agriculturists, in collaboration with the AIPO.
Philippine House Advances Bill to Professionalize Agriculture
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