Question & AnswerQ&A (PRESIDENTIAL DECREE NO. 48)
The main purpose of Presidential Decree No. 48 is to establish the Philippine Council for Agricultural Research (PCAR) to oversee, unify, and integrate the planning, administration, and implementation of the Government's agricultural research program.
The major functions include defining goals and scope of research, developing a national agricultural research program, establishing research priorities, implementing fund-generating strategies, programming the allocation of government revenues for research, assessing progress, establishing centers of excellence, facilitating communication among research workers, maintaining research information repositories, developing manpower, providing research incentives, and calling on government agencies for assistance.
PCAR is administratively attached to the Department of Agricultural and Natural Resources.
The Council is composed of the Chairman of the National Science Development Board as Chairman, the Secretary of Agriculture and Natural Resources as Vice-Chairman, the Budget Commissioner, a representative from the National Economic Development Authority, the President of the Association of Colleges of Agriculture, the Chancellor of the University of the Philippines at Los Baños, and one outstanding leader in agricultural business appointed by the President upon recommendation of the PCAR Governing Council.
The Secretariat, headed by a Director-General assisted by two Deputy Director-Generals and technical research directors, implements the policies and guidelines formulated by the Council. Its personnel are assigned or detailed from various government departments, bureaus, and state universities.
PCAR utilizes selected field stations, personnel, facilities, and funds transferred from the Department of Agriculture and Natural Resources, as well as research personnel and resources from universities, colleges, and commodity institutes on a contract basis.
PCAR has the authority to implement a fund-generating strategy, program the allocation of government revenue earmarked for agricultural research, pay honoraria, make research grants, and draw funds from various government agencies and institutions for its operations.
No funds earmarked for agricultural research shall be released unless such research activities are integrated as part of the national agricultural research program formulated by PCAR, except for a small reserve for emergency research contingencies.
PCAR has the power to call on any department, bureau, office, agency, state university or college, commodity institute, and other government instrumentalities for assistance in the form of personnel, facilities, and other resources needed to discharge its functions.
PCAR is directed to develop rules and regulations governing technical personnel, accounting and auditing procedures for research funds, and program budgeting. Once approved by the Council, these rules and regulations carry the force of law.