Definition of Terms
- Practice of agricultural engineering includes consultation, design, management, research, testing, manufacturing, teaching, and government employment related to agricultural engineering.
- Agricultural engineer defined as a natural person with a certificate of registration issued by the Board and who has taken the oath of profession.
Board of Agricultural Engineering: Creation and Composition
- Board created composed of one chairman and two members appointed by the President from a list submitted by the accredited association.
- Board must be organized within six months from the law’s effectivity.
Qualifications of Board Members
- Natural-born Philippine citizen, at least 35 years old.
- Holder of a Bachelor’s Degree in Agricultural Engineering or equivalent.
- Registered and active practitioner for at least 10 years.
- No recent faculty membership or pecuniary interest in agricultural engineering schools for 3 consecutive years.
- Not connected with any review centers for the licensure exam for 3 consecutive years.
- No conviction for crimes involving moral turpitude.
Term and Removal of Board Members
- Term of three years; initial staggered terms for the first appointees.
- May be reappointed but not exceed six continuous years.
- Removal grounds include neglect, ethical violations, and convictions involving moral turpitude with due process rights guaranteed.
Powers and Duties of the Board
- Promulgate rules and regulations for the profession.
- Supervise registration, licensure, and practice.
- Administer exams and issue certificates/licenses.
- Adopt a Code of Ethics and hear administrative cases.
- Prescribe continuing professional education guidelines.
- Coordinate with CHED for education standards.
- Prepare and amend syllabi.
- Approve and regulate temporary licenses.
- All policies subject to Commission review and approval.
Administrative Supervision and Secretariat
- Board under Professional Regulation Commission’s (PRC) administrative supervision.
- PRC custodian of all Board records and support services provided.
Annual Report
- Board must submit annual report to the President via PRC detailing proceedings, accomplishments, and recommendations.
Examination and Registration
- Passing a written technical exam required.
- Applicant qualifications: Philippine citizenship and graduation from CHED-recognized agricultural engineering program.
- Fraudulent applications may lead to suspension or revocation of registration.
Scope of Examination
- Covers agricultural mechanization, soil and water conservation, and rural electrification, including agricultural processing and structures.
- Syllabi may be updated by the Board.
Rating and Reexamination
- Require 70% weighted average with no score below 55% in any subject.
- Failed subject(s) must be retaken.
- After third failure, one-year waiting period before retaking the exam.
Oath and Issuance of Certificate
- Successful examinees must take the oath before practicing.
- Certificate bears signatures of Board chairman and PRC chairman.
- Professional license issued upon payment of required fees.
- License required to practice agricultural engineering.
Use of Seal
- Registrants must obtain and use Board-approved seal to stamp all plans and specifications.
- No use of seal after license expiry without renewal.
- Government officials shall not accept unsealed or improperly prepared documents.
- Only the agricultural engineer in charge may sign and seal documents.
- Unauthorized duplication or use of sealed documents is prohibited.
- Violations of seal provisions incur administrative and criminal penalties.
License and Professional Tax Receipt Identification
- License number, validity period, and tax receipt number must be indicated on all professional documents.
Grounds for Suspension or Revocation
- Causes include fraud, incompetence, negligence, illegal practice, ethics violations.
- Right to notice, hearing, and appeal to the Commission provided.
Practice of Agricultural Engineering
- Automatic registration for practitioners at the law’s effectivity.
- Practice is personal; firms or corporations cannot be licensed to practice.
- Only licensed agricultural engineer individuals may form associations or partnerships.
Professional Integration
- Establish one national integrated and accredited association of agricultural engineers.
- Registered professionals automatically become members upon payment of dues.
- Membership in other associations is permitted.
Foreign Reciprocity
- Temporary licenses for foreign agricultural engineers only if Filipino engineers enjoy similar rights abroad.
Funding and Implementation
- Necessary funds included in the General Appropriations Act.
- Board to promulgate implementing rules including Code of Ethics.
- PRC is the enforcement agency and handles investigations and prosecutions.
Transitory Provision
- Existing Board continues functioning until the new Board is constituted.
Penalties
- Violations subject to fines (P50,000 to P200,000), imprisonment (6 months to 3 years), or both.
Separability and Repealing Clauses
- Invalidity of any provision does not affect others.
- All inconsistent laws or orders are modified or repealed.
- Republic Act No. 3927 is repealed.
Effectivity
- Law effective 15 days after publication in the Official Gazette or a major newspaper.