Question & AnswerQ&A (PRESIDENTIAL DECREE NO. 1433)
The main purpose of Presidential Decree No. 1433 is to revise and consolidate existing plant quarantine laws to improve and strengthen the Plant Quarantine Service of the Bureau of Plant Industry in the Philippines, preventing the introduction and spread of plant pests that cause economic losses to agricultural crops.
Plants are defined as living plants and parts thereof, including seeds, cuttings, rhizomes, bulbs, corns, grafts, leaves, roots, scions, and others capable of propagation.
A Plant Quarantine Officer is any person appointed and/or designated by the Director of Plant Industry to implement and enforce this Decree. The appointment or special designation must be in written form.
Yes, the importation and/or introduction of plants, plant products, soil, and packing materials of plant origin capable of harboring plant pests are restricted subject to quarantine orders, rules, and regulations promulgated by the Director of Plant Industry with the approval of the Secretary of Agriculture.
Yes. Potential animal pests include certain species of animals like insects, monkeys, rodents, bats, finches, rabbits, and snails liable to become agricultural crop pests capable of causing injury.
Plant Quarantine Officers have police powers to inspect carriers, luggage, mails, and areas where plants and plant products are landed or stored. They can confiscate, destroy, or refuse entry of prohibited items and issue or deny phytosanitary certificates. They can also administer treatment to plants/products and perform other duties assigned.
Violators who violate the Decree or forge, counterfeit, alter, deface, or destroy any related document may be fined up to Twenty Thousand Pesos (P20,000) or imprisoned from prison correctional to prison mayor, or both, at the Court's discretion.
Importers, exporters, or their representatives must submit a declaration at or before entry/embarkation of the commodities, disclosing consignor/consignee details, purpose, kind, quantity, origin, place, date of unloading or embarkation, and carrier's name.
The Board is composed of officials from the Bureau of Plant Industry, Customs, Philippine Ports Authority, Bureau of Quarantine, Bureau of Animal Industry, NEDA, Central Bank, Philippine Coconut Authority, Forestry, Importers’ and Exporters’ Confederation, and Postmaster-General. Its function is to advise the Director of Plant Industry in formulating orders, rules, and regulations for implementing the Decree.
Yes. Importations and exportations of government agencies, government-owned or controlled corporations, certified charitable institutions, foreign government embassies, and other entities declared by the President for economic development are exempt from payment of fees except for commodity treatment expenses.