QuestionsQuestions (PRESIDENTIAL DECREE NO. 652)
Presidential Decree No. 652 is entitled “Amending Republic Act No. 3099, Creating the Bureau of Fiber Inspection Service, Appropriating Funds for the Purpose and for Other Purposes.” It amends Republic Act No. 3099.
The Bureau is reconstituted and named the “Bureau of Fiber Development and Inspection Service,” under the direct supervision of the Department of Trade.
The Bureau has a Director as head and an Assistant Director. The Assistant Director is appointed by the President; the PD also provides for corresponding salaries for Bureau Directors and Assistant Directors.
Its main office is in Manila or its suburbs. It may also have regional offices within the Philippines and representative offices outside the Philippines as may be necessary.
It must maintain and enforce uniform and standard classification of abaca and other Philippine commercial fibers; determine official standards for commercial fibers for local consumption and exports; and classify grading establishments based on the number of bales pressed per annum.
It must obtain a grading permit from the Bureau after proving it possesses the necessary qualifications to grade and bale fibers for local consumption or export.
First Class: P5,000; Second Class: P4,000; Third Class: P3,000; Fourth Class: P1,000.
They must pay an annual fee of P200, payable semi-annually.
Yes. Cooperatives under Presidential Decree No. 175 and Letter of Implementation No. 23 are exempt from payment of the fees for 10 years from the date of their organization.
A minimal fee of Ten Pesos per annum, payable in advance, is imposed.
No. No fiber may be consumed locally or exported from the Philippines in any quantity without first being graded, baled, inspected, and certified. For domestic utilization, baling may be optional.
Fiber inspectors (or persons acting under their authority) have free access to grading and baling sheds and warehouses within their jurisdiction to inspect methods and ensure approved standards are maintained and renewed within a specified period.
The Bureau may levy and collect inspection fees (subject to the approval of the Secretary of Trade) of not less than P6 nor more than P50 for each bale of fiber inspected and stamped, whether approved or rejected.
Unexpended balances shall not revert to the General Fund; instead, they continue to form part of the special fund for reappropriation in the ensuing fiscal year.
The responsible individual may be punished by imprisonment of not less than six years nor more than ten years, or a fine of not less than P5,000 nor more than P15,000, or both, at the discretion of the court.
For corporations/associations/partnerships/firms, the penalty is imposed on the president, partner, manager, or principal officer. If committed by a public officer/employee, aside from imprisonment and fine, the officer is dismissed from office and perpetually disqualified from holding public office.