Question & AnswerQ&A (ADMINISTRATIVE ORDER NO. 01, S. 2018)
The title is the "Rules and Regulations Implementing the Department of Agriculture Administrative Order No. 11, series of 2007."
The objectives are to hasten and improve delivery of extension services to DA's clientele, provide wider participation of private sector, recognize efforts/capabilities of private service providers, and provide training/extension activities supporting agriculture and fisheries modernization.
Accreditation is a certification issued by the DA-ATI recognizing a private ESP as compliant to approved standards to undertake training and other extension services on behalf of DA-ATI.
Rural-Based Organizations, Cooperatives, Non-Government Organizations, People's Organizations, and Multinational Companies offering regular agriculture and fishery extension programs are covered.
An ESP is ineligible if it conducts consultancy services alongside extension services for DA, is affiliated with a consultancy for DA, has officers related within third degree to ATI management or ESP Accreditation Council members, or employs government officials from DA or agencies under it.
The council is composed of the ATI Director (Executive Officer), representatives from Agriculture and Fisheries Extension Network, State Universities and Colleges, Local Government Units, and the private sector, each with specific qualifications.
Applicants must be duly organized partnerships/corporations registered with SEC, cooperatives registered with CDA, non-profit organizations registered with SEC, multinational corporations allowed by law (with Filipino professionals performing services), or joint ventures among Filipino and foreign entities compliant with laws.
An ESP must be able to administer training and complementary services, especially in community organizing, participatory approaches, regenerative agriculture, agribusiness, and must have conducted at least five trainings in the last three years with proper documentation.
Training rooms and dormitories must accommodate at least 50 participants, have proper lighting and ventilation, separate restrooms with water supply, basic classroom facilities (chairs, tables, boards, sound system), techno-demo areas, information resource centers, and transportation/communication facilities.
Grounds include failure to comply with accreditation conditions, refusal of audit, failure to install corrective measures, breach of contract with ATI, use of facilities for illegal activities, and failure to submit reports on time.
The certificate is valid for three (3) years from the date of issue, unless sooner cancelled by the Council.
The process includes filing an application with required legal, technical and financial documents, documentary evaluation within 10 working days, possible ocular inspection/validation, approval or disapproval within 10 days after inspection, and finally the issuance of the Certificate of Accreditation.
Yes, suspension is appealable in writing to the Director of ATI within fifteen (15) working days from receipt of notice. Cancellation or revocation of accreditation, however, is not appealable.
Incentives include availment of extension funds, technical assistance from DA agencies, access to financial assistance through lending institutions, participation in ATI capability building programs, discounted ATI multi-media products, and inclusion in scholarship/fellowship mailing lists.
They must inform ATI of all significant changes such as ownership, address, personnel, or by-laws, as such changes may require additional audits.