Question & AnswerQ&A (Republic Act No. 9281)
Republic Act No. 9281 is an act to strengthen agriculture and fisheries modernization in the Philippines by extending the effectivity of tax incentives and mandated funding support, amending certain sections of Republic Act No. 8435.
The tariff and duty exemptions for agriculture and fisheries inputs, equipment, and machinery are extended up to the year 2015.
The Department of Agriculture, in consultation with the Department of Finance and the Board of Investment, certify enterprises engaged in agriculture and fisheries for tariff and duty exemptions.
Included are fertilizer, insecticide, pesticide, tractors, trailers, trucks, farm implements, harvesters, threshers, hybrid seeds, genetic materials, sprayers, packaging machinery, bulk-handling facilities like conveyors and mini loaders, weighing scales, harvesting equipment, spare parts of agricultural and fishing equipment, refrigeration equipment, and renewable energy systems like solar panels.
The imported items must be for the exclusive use of the importing enterprise.
DBM is mandated to include annually, up to the year 2015, in the President's program of expenditures for submission to Congress, and release an amount not less than 17 billion pesos for the implementation of the Agriculture and Fisheries Modernization Act.
No, the funds shall not be subjected to any mandatory reserves imposed by the executive department.
Additional funds may come from 20% of proceeds from securitization of government assets (including special economic zones), 50% of the net earnings of the Public Estates Authority, loans, grants, donations from local or foreign sources, 40% of the TESDA Skills Development Fund, net proceeds from privatization of certain Department of Agriculture assets, proceeds from Minimum Access Volume as per RA 8178, portions of countervailing and anti-dumping duties collected, and 50% of the Support Facilities and Services Fund under RA 6657.
It took effect fifteen (15) days from the date of its publication in the Official Gazette or at least two newspapers of general circulation, whichever came earlier.
The Department of Agriculture shall formulate, develop, and implement programs and services aimed at improving the quality of life for farmers, fisherfolks, their families, and others dependent on agriculture for their livelihood.