President Marcos has signed the Philippine Agriculturists Act that regulates the agriculture profession in the country.
President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. (Photo courtesy of Malacañang)
Marcos signed Republic Act No. 12215 which orders the creation of the Professional Regulatory Board of Agriculture.
The Act provides for the examination, registration, and licensure of agriculture practitioners; supervision, control, and regulation of the practice of the agriculture profession in the Philippines; development and upgrading of the Bachelor of Science (BS) in Agriculture curriculum; development of the professional competence of registered agriculturists through Continuing Professional Development (CPD); and the integration of the agriculture profession.
The law stated that the State recognizes the importance of registered agriculturists in nation-building and development.
"Hence, it shall develop and nurture competent, ethical, globally competitive, and well-rounded registered agriculturists who shall observe the highest standards of excellence and whose professionalism shall be fostered through the administration of transparent, credible, and relevant licensure examinations, a system of registration, and continuing professional development programs and activities."
Under the law, the Professional Regulatory Board of Agriculture is created under the administrative supervision and control of the Professional Regulation Commission (PRC).
It shall be composed of a chairperson and five members.
The President shall appoint the chairperson and members of the Board from two candidates recommended by the PRC from a list of three nominees for each position submitted by the Accredited Integrated Professional Organization (AIPO) for registered agriculturists.
The new Board shall be constituted within six months from the effectivity of the law.
Under the law, every applicant seeking to be registered as an agriculturist shall undergo a written professional licensure examination as provided in the Act.
The Board shall conduct examinations for the practice of the agriculture profession in the Philippines at least once a year.
Marcos signed the law on May 29.