Question & AnswerQ&A (PRESIDENTIAL DECREE NO. 1107)
The purpose is to establish the Philippine Root Crops Research and Training Center in Visayas State College of Agriculture, Baybay, Leyte, and Mountain State College, Trinidad, Benguet, to coordinate research, training, and development of root crops nationwide.
Sweet potato, cassava, gabi, and other root crops are primarily targeted for research.
Functions include developing high yielding and pest resistant varieties, improving production and harvesting techniques, pest and disease control research, studying processing and utilization, providing training, disseminating improved varieties and information, and entering into agreements for research purposes.
An amount of P6.5 million per annum for fiscal years 1977 and 1978 was appropriated, with not more than P2 million to be used for initial operating expenses.
The College is authorized to acquire private agricultural properties by negotiated sale or expropriation for the purposes of the Root Crops Center.
In negotiated sales, rice lands are compensated at P10,000 per hectare, other agricultural lands at P7,000 per hectare, and compensation for buildings based on market value fixed by the Provincial Assessor.
Tenant tillers can receive free homelots of 300 square meters in barrio sites or family-sized farmlots in government resettlement areas, while landless occupants can purchase homelots at one peso per square meter or be resettled in government farmlots.
Yes, landowners are exempt from capital gains tax, tenant-tillers from tax on compensation, the colleges are exempt from registration fees and court fees related to acquisition and expropriation proceedings.
Each Center is headed by a Director appointed by the Board of Trustees of VISCA upon the recommendation of the College President, who directly oversees the Center's programs and activities.
The Advisory Board reviews the Centers' plans and programs annually to ensure they align with national priorities, consisting of officials from Agriculture, VISCA, PCARR, private sector representatives, and the Center Director.
No, they are exempted from government travel restrictions for purposes such as advanced studies, observation trips, and attending scientific symposia.
All savings and income constitute a revolving fund that is not reverted to the general fund but used to further the Center’s objectives.
They are exempted from taxes except import and other duties on equipment purchased abroad when such equipment is not available locally on favorable terms.
Expenditures are subject to special auditing and accounting rules suitable for research activities as provided in Memorandum No. 505 of the Commission on Audit dated March 6, 1976.