Castro, Lee Henry D.

ASSIGNMENT #1
BSABE-2B AGBE 0821

Different Agricultural and Biosystems Engineering Related Laws

Republic Act No. 10915 or the ABE law of 2016

The Republic Act No. 10915 is an act strengthening, modernizing and aligning
the practice of Agricultural Engineering in the country into the internationally recognized
practice of Agricultural and Biosystems Engineering. In other words, this law, which is
officially held on July 27, 2015, was intended to revolutionize the practice, academe,
responsibilities and overall general profession of conventional Agricultural Engineering
into a newer and strengthened field of Agricultural and Biosystems Engineering.

In addition, the R.A. 10915 also aims to align the practice of Agricultural and
Biosystems Engineering in the country to the globally accepted ways. This can be done
through diversifying the reach of practice of ABE professionals. Also, the practice of
ABE shall be properly regulated in all fields of agriculture, machinery etc. under this law.

Furthermore, the field of academe concerning ABE such as programs and

curriculums for Bachelor’s degree in ABE shall meet new regulations in terms of
enhanced courses, field of study and licensure examinations. These efforts are all in
accordance to meet the globally accepted standards of Agricultural and Biosystems
Engineering.

Republic Act No. 8435 or the Agricultural and Fisheries Modernization Act of 1997
(AFMA)

Republic Act 8435 or the Agriculture and Fisheries Modernization Act of 1997
simply known as AFMA, was enacted on December 22, 1997.  It is a policy instrument
defining measures to modernize Philippine agriculture for the country to compete in the
global market.

The underlying principle behind this policy is to improve the living conditions of
farmers and fisherfolk and increase their productivity amidst the growing needs of the
markets (local and abroad).  Most of the people depending on agriculture have small
landholdings or are landless, making a living out of agriculture alone very difficult. Their
attention had been narrowly focused on primary production. However, even with high
farm productivity, incomes can remain low without the complementary supporting
economic activities beyond the farm. Modernizing agriculture is the way by which they
can realize better income.  

In general, AFMA aims to transform the agriculture and fisheries sectors to

technology-based, advanced and competitive industry; ensure that the small farmers and
fisherfolk have equal access to assets, resources and services; guarantee food security;
encourage farmer and fisherfolk groups to bond together for more bargaining
power; strengthen people’s organizations, cooperatives and non-government
organizations by enhancing their participation in decision-making; pursue an aggressive
market-driven approach to make the products more competitive in the market; stimulate
further processing of agricultural products and make it more marketable; and implement
policies that will invite more investors to establish business in the country.
 Republic Act No. 10601 or Agricultural and Fisheries Mechanization (AFMech)
Law

The Republic Act No. 10601 was an act promoting agricultural and fisheries
mechanization development in the Philippines. The Department of Agriculture (DA) was
mandated by the Agricultural and Fisheries Modernization Act (AFMA) of 1997 to give
priority to the development and promotion of appropriate agricultural machinery and
other agricultural mechanization technologies, to enhance agricultural mechanization in
the countryside. To fully realize this, the Republic Act No. 10601 or the Agricultural and
Fisheries Mechanization (AFMech) was signed into law by President Benigno Simeon C.
Aquino III on June 05, 2013.

The Republic Act No. 10601 aims to develop proper techniques and
technologies to further strengthen the Agricultural and Fisheries industries of the country.
It covers research, development, and extension (RDE), promotion, distribution, supply,
assembling, manufacturing, regulation, use, operation, maintenance, and project
implementation of Agricultural and Fisheries machinery and equipment.

The difference between AFMA and AFMech is that the Republic Act no. 8435 or the
AFMA law requires the adoption of agricultural and fisheries mechanization for
enhanced efficiency and sustainability in the processing and production of agriculture and
fishery products, the Republic Act no. 10601 on the other hand, makes it a priority of the
state to develop these mechanization, provide facilities that would manufacture these
technologies, provide support to strengthen the agricultural and fisheries mechanization
in the country and deliver progress in the industry.

Republic Act No. 9184 or the Government Procurement Reform Act

R.A. No. 9184 was approved on January 10, 2003 and took effect fifteen (15)
days after its publication in the Official Gazette or in two (2) newspapers of general
circulation. It applies to the Procurement of Infrastructure Projects, Goods and
Consulting Services, regardless of source of funds, whether local or foreign, by all
branches and instrumentalities of government, its departments, offices and agencies,
including government-owned and/or-controlled corporations and local government units,
subject to the provisions of Commonwealth Act No. 138.

This act is composed of 25 articles and 78 sections. Article I consists of general

provisions of the law including its Short Title, Declaration of Policy, Governing
Principles on Government Procurement, Scope and Application, Definition of Terms, and
Standardization of Procurement Process and Forms. Article II of the same law provides
guidelines for the Procurement Planning, while Article III pertains to the Procurement by
Electronic Means wherein a single portal that is considered as the primary source of
information on all government procurement called the Government Electronic
Procurement System (G-EPS) is provided. The G-EPS includes feature that provides for
an audit trail for on-line transactions and allow the Commission on Audit to verify the
security and integrity of the systems at any time. Article IV of the law concerns the
Competitive Bidding. Article V of the law is about the Bids and Awards Committee
(BAC) and consists of provisions on the BAC and its Composition, Functions of the
BAC, Observers, BAC Secretariat, BAC Secretariat, and Professionalization of BAC,
BAC Secretariat and Technical Working Group Members.
 The Republic 9184 is an act that was enacted to regulate, standardized, and
modernize the procurement activities of the government. The said procurement activities
include the acquisition of goods, services and contracting for infrastructure projects.

This is an essential law in the Philippines because it maintains transparency in

government purchases and the movement of government funds. Also, it provides value to
taxpayer’s money and for the masses.