In a unanimous decision on January 22, 2025, the Philippine House of Representatives passed House Bill 11186 on its third and final reading, aiming to establish a regulatory framework for the agriculture profession. The bill, which received support from 183 lawmakers, proposes the creation of a Professional Regulatory Board for Agriculture under the Professional Regulation Commission (PRC). This board will be responsible for managing licensure exams, registration, and continuing professional development programs for agriculturists.
The proposed board 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/business/entrepreneurship, and agricultural extension and communication. Representative Gabriel Bordado Jr. from Camarines Sur, who sponsored the bill, highlighted the absence of a specific enabling law for the agriculture profession, unlike other professions regulated by the PRC.
The legislation aims to set standards for the examination, registration, and licensure of agriculture practitioners, as well as to oversee the profession’s supervision, control, and regulation. It also stipulates that only registered agriculturists can use the title ‘Registered Agriculturist (R.Agr).’ Furthermore, the bill mandates the formation of a single national organization for all registered agriculturists, recognized by the board and the PRC as the accredited integrated professional organization (AIPO). Membership in this organization is automatic upon registration with the board and the PRC, with members entitled to benefits and privileges upon payment of required fees and dues.
The board will also be tasked with developing and enforcing a Code of Ethics and a Code of Technical Standards for registered agriculturists, in collaboration with the AIPO.