QuestionsQuestions (Republic Act No. 3927)
Republic Act No. 3927 is entitled the “Philippine Agricultural Engineering Law.” It regulates the practice of agricultural engineering in the Philippines, including definitions, licensure, examinations, board administration, and penalties for illegal practice.
It is the application of known engineering principles (mechanical, civil, and electrical) to agricultural conditions and requirements. Its practice embraces: (1) farm power and machinery; (2) farm buildings and structures; (3) farm electrification and farm processing; (4) soil and water conservation (including irrigation, drainage, land clearing, flood control, soil erosion control, and related problems); and (5) education and research.
An “Agricultural Engineer” is a graduate of an agricultural engineering course from a government-recognized school/institution. A “Registered Professional Agricultural Engineer” is one duly registered with the Board of Examiners for Agricultural Engineers under RA 3927.
Within 30 days from approval, a Board composed of a Chairman and two members is created. Members are appointed by the President with the consent of the Commission on Appointments, hold office for three years, and qualify by oath.
The President may remove a Board member for neglect of duty, incompetence, malpractice, unprofessional/unethical/immoral or dishonorable conduct, but only after the member is given opportunity to defend himself in a proper administrative investigation.
The Board administers oaths; issues/suspends/revokes certificates of registration; issues certificates of recognition for advanced studies/research/specialized training (subject to Presidential approval); prescribes curriculum (subject to Board of National Education policies); investigates violations; and may issue subpoenas and subpoenas duces tecum to secure witnesses/documents.
With advice of the Commissioner of Civil Service and subject to approval of the President, the Board may adopt rules and regulations necessary to carry out the Act. Penal provisions may be included, punishable by fine up to PHP 500, imprisonment up to 6 months, or both.
They must be Philippine citizens and residents; at least 30 years old and of good moral character; a graduate of agricultural engineering or agriculture with major in agricultural engineering from a recognized institution; and registered agricultural engineers duly authorized to practice (except for first appointees). They must have practiced agricultural engineering at least five years, and must not be faculty members of an institution where the course is taught nor have a pecuniary interest there.
Former faculty members of schools where agricultural engineering is taught cannot become Board members unless they stopped teaching for at least two consecutive years prior to appointment.
Each receives PHP 25 for each person examined, or registered without examination. Government employees appointed as Board members receive this compensation in addition to their regular salary.
The Commissioner of Civil Service is the Executive Officer and conducts the examinations under applicable civil service rules. All records—examination papers, minutes, and administrative proceedings—are kept by the Bureau of Civil Service.
Examinations are held in Manila beginning the second Monday of February and August each year for four consecutive days; if those days fall on official holidays, the examination is held on the next day.
Farm mechanization/power/machinery/equipment (20%); Soil and water conservation/farm irrigation and drainage (20%); Rural electrification/farm processing/farm structures (20%); Mathematics (10%); Agronomy and animal husbandry (10%); Farm economics and farm management (10%); Agricultural marketing and farm statistics (10%).
Certificates may be issued without examination to applicants of good reputation and moral character who file within one year from approval of the Act and meet age/degree/practice or specialized qualification requirements stated in Section 16 (e.g., age 30 with BS Agricultural Engineering and at least 6 years practice; age 30 with special advanced study abroad; or age 30 with membership certificate from recognized foreign engineering societies, with reciprocity-like conditions).
Agricultural engineers must obtain a Board-authorized seal. Plans and specifications prepared by or under the first supervision of a registered engineer must be stamped with the seal during the certificate’s effectivity. It is unlawful to seal/stamp documents after the certificate expires or is revoked unless the certificate is renewed or reissued.
They include conviction of a moral turpitude offense; immoral/dishonorable conduct; insanity; fraud/deceit in obtaining registration; gross negligence/ignorance/incompetence; addition to alcohol or habit-forming drugs causing incompetence; false or extravagant unethical advertisement; defamatory statements about another registrant; aiding/acting as a dummy for unqualified/unregistered persons; and violation of the Act or its rules/regulations.
Penal offenses include practicing or representing oneself as an agricultural engineer without a valid certificate (unless exempt); using another person’s certificate; giving false/forged evidence to obtain a certificate; using a revoked/suspended certificate; and assuming/using/advertising a title implying one is a registered agricultural engineer without proper registration. Penalties are fine of not less than PHP 500 nor more than PHP 3,000 or imprisonment of not less than 1 month nor more than 2 years, or both.