Role of Agricultural Machinery Testing and Evaluation Center (AMTEC)
- Under the Implementing Rules and Regulations (IRR) of AFMA, AMTEC may be designated by the DA to issue standards for agricultural and fisheries machinery.
- AMTEC entered a Memorandum of Agreement with the University of the Philippines Los Baños to establish agricultural engineering standards.
- The standards formulated by AMTEC are to be recognized as official Philippine Standards for Agricultural and Fisheries Machinery.
Development and Approval Process of Standards
- Administrative Order No. 11, series of 2001, charges AMTEC and the Philippine Society of Agricultural Engineers (PSAE), together with concerned DA agencies, to develop these standards.
- Draft standards must undergo public hearings conducted by the National Agriculture and Fisheries Council (NAFC), specifically by its Agriculture and Fishery Mechanization Committee (AFMEC).
- Final approval of these standards rests with the Secretary of Agriculture.
Adoption and Compliance Requirements
- DA Administrative Order No. 10 (2002) adopted PAES Volume I containing 35 standards; compliance was mandated for all DA offices including regional units and attached agencies.
- DA Administrative Order No. 6 (2003) adopted PAES Volume II containing 25 additional standards, also mandated for compliance across all DA entities.
- This Administrative Order adopts 22 additional standards as PAES Volume III, Series of 2002, which have undergone extensive technical review and public hearing.
- All DA offices, including regional and attached units, are required to adopt and comply with these standards.
Implementation and Oversight
- The National Agriculture and Fisheries Mechanization Program Committee (CAFMech) under the Bureau of Post Harvest Research and Extension (BPRE) is tasked with promulgating implementing guidelines.
- CAFMech must submit these guidelines to the Office of the Secretary of Agriculture.
- All inquiries concerning the new standards are directed to CAFMech for resolution.
Effectivity and Legal Formalities
- The Administrative Order takes effect 15 days after filing with the UP Law Center.
- This ensures compliance with legal formalities and public accessibility to the adopted standards.
Summary of Key Legal Concepts
- Delegation of regulatory authority under RA 7394 and AFMA.
- Public participation and transparency through hearings conducted by NAFC.
- Phased adoption of agricultural engineering standards through administrative orders.
- Integration of standards enforcement across all DA offices and attached agencies.
- Centralized oversight, dissemination, and enforcement managed by CAFMech.
- Formal issuance and effectivity pursuant to existing executive orders and administrative procedures.