Question & AnswerQ&A (Republic Act No. 10601)
The official title is the Agricultural and Fisheries Mechanization (AFMech) Law.
The State shall promote development and adoption of modern, cost-effective, environmentally-safe agricultural and fisheries machinery, provide a conducive environment for local assembling and manufacturing, ensure quality and safety of machinery, strengthen support services, unify and coordinate mechanization programs, and deliver integrated support to stakeholders.
It refers to machinery and equipment used in production, harvesting, processing, storage, manufacture, preserving, transporting, and distribution of agricultural and fisheries products, including tractors, power tillers, irrigation equipment, fishing boats of three gross tons or less, and postharvest machines.
Any boat, ship or watercraft of three gross tons or less equipped for taking fishery species or assisting one or more vessels in fishing-related activities such as preservation, supply, storage, refrigeration, transportation, and processing.
It applies to research, development, extension, promotion, distribution, supply, assembling, manufacturing, regulation, use, operation, maintenance, and project implementation of agricultural and fisheries machinery and equipment.
DA, through the Undersecretary, leads formulation and review of mechanization programs, sets guidelines for registration, quality and performance standards, credit programs, oversees implementation, and coordinates with other agencies and LGUs.
AMTEC tests and evaluates agricultural and fisheries machinery to ensure compliance with quality and performance standards before machines are assembled, manufactured, and commercially sold. It maintains certification registries and coordinates with related bodies.
All owners must register their machinery with the agriculture offices of municipal and city government units, which maintain registries; regional and national offices also maintain databases accessible online.
Prohibited acts include selling, mortgaging or leasing unregistered machinery; selling new machinery without warranty or after-sales service; claiming ownership of unregistered machinery; and operating an unaccredited testing center.
Violators face fines from ₱1,000 to ₱10,000, imprisonment from 2 months to 1 year, or both, plus any applicable penalties under the Consumer Act of the Philippines. Purchase of substandard machinery for government use may involve anti-graft laws.
They are eligible for loans under the Agricultural Competitiveness Enhancement Fund (ACEF) and may receive incentives if registered and engaged in preferred investment areas.
All agricultural and fisheries machinery pools, service centers, sales outlets, and manufacturing establishments must have licensed agricultural engineers and certified technicians and operators as per guidelines from the Professional Regulation Commission and DOLE.
BAFE coordinates and monitors agri-fisheries engineering and infrastructure projects, enforces standards, registers manufacturers and operators, issues permits, and implements accreditation guidelines.
The Department of Agriculture through the Bureau of Agriculture and Fisheries Product Standards, Department of Trade and Industry, Department of Science and Technology, Board of Agricultural Engineering, AMTEC, and accredited associations all participate in standards development and enforcement.
Sanctions under Section 32 take effect four years after the Act's enactment, allowing regulatory provisions to be established before enforcement.