Agri-Fisheries Mechanization Development Law

Agricultural and fisheries machinery: Includes tractors, harvesters, irrigation systems, postharvest equipment, fishing boats under three gross tons, etc.
Agricultural and fisheries mechanization: Development and use of appropriate energy-powered machinery for production and postproduction tailored to location and agronomic conditions.
Agro-industrial processing: Activities to maintain or change the quality or form of agricultural, fisheries, and forestry products such as milling, freezing, packaging.
Fishing boat: Watercraft of three gross tons or less used for fishery operations including auxiliary activities.

Covers all activities related to research, development, promotion, supply, assembly, manufacture, regulation, use, operation, maintenance, and project implementation of agri-fishery machinery.

Coordinated by the DA Undersecretary designated by the Secretary.
Responsibilities include formulating and reviewing five-year programs, guidelines for registration and standards, accreditation, credit programs, coordination with government and LGUs.

Unified National Research and Development and Extension (RDE) agenda led by DA and PHilMech.
Focus on development, testing, commercialization, renewable energy use, technical standards, training, and commercialization strategies.
Establishment of Agricultural and Fisheries Mechanization RDE Network composed of government, LGUs, NGOs, academia, industry, farmers, and fisherfolk.
Encourage private sector operation of machinery and equipment service centers for repair, custom services, training, and after-sales service.
Development of a mechanization and engineering resource network for data and online registration linked to other databases.
Research grants available through BAR, DOST, and CHED.
Training and scholarship programs involving DA, SUCs, DOLE, TESDA, and private sector.
Manpower requirements mandating licensed engineers and certified technicians/operators for mechanization facilities.
Skills certification for machinery technicians/operators coordinated by TESDA with relevant agencies.

Promotion of local production of engines and machinery by DA and private sector, including joint ventures.
Eligibility for loans and incentives under ACEF for local manufacturers and assemblers.
Mandatory after-sales service and warranty provision by assemblers, manufacturers, importers, suppliers, distributors, and dealers.

Testing and evaluation required for machinery before assembly, manufacture, and sale by AMTEC.
Regular testing and field tests to ensure quality; BAFE maintains certification registries.
Mandatory registration of machinery ownership with LGU agriculture offices; creation of registries and national database by BAFE.
Registration of manufacturers, fabricators, assemblers, and importers within six months; certification of products within three years.
Development and enforcement of standards by BAFPS (now BAFS), in coordination with DTI, DOST, BoAE, and AMTEC, consistent with ISO standards.
Accreditation and classification of assemblers, manufacturers, importers, suppliers, distributors, and dealers based on organizational strength and track record.
Deputization of LGUs to monitor certification, registration, and accreditation compliance.
Enforcement of standards also through DPWH and local building officials.

Agricultural and Fisheries Mechanization Committee (AFMeC) under NAFC serves as advisory and feedback body.
Creation and strengthening of Bureau of Agricultural and Fisheries Engineering (BAFE) in DA to coordinate planning, monitor projects, develop standards, issue permits, and implement accreditation.
PHilMech leads RDE and mechanization programs.
BAFS develops machinery standards and regulations.
AMTEC institutionalized as premier testing center and assists other testing centers.

LGUs mandated to research, extend, promote, manage, and regulate agricultural and fisheries machinery and equipment.
Strengthening agricultural engineering divisions and sections to provide planning, coordination, registration, supervision, enforcement, training, and commercialization of technologies.
LGUs classified by income must maintain agricultural engineers; DA assists lower-income LGUs with manpower.

Illegal acts include selling unregistered machinery, selling machinery without warranty/after-sales service, false ownership claims, and operating unaccredited testing centers.
Penalties: fines from P1,000 to P10,000, imprisonment from 2 months to 1 year, or both; consumer protection and graft laws also apply.
Sanctions include forfeiture, closure of business entities or testing centers not complying with certification and registration rules.
Offending businesses given one month to comply or face legal action.

LGUs shall formulate and implement local mechanization plans aligned with local development plans.
Contiguous farming projects encouraged for efficient mechanization through land clustering and cooperative arrangements.
Promotion of renewable energy use for machinery operation and maintenance.
Priority government investment for infrastructure supporting mechanization in key production areas.
DA tasked to promulgate implementing rules within six months of enactment.
Funding provided through DA programs, ACEF, BAR, CHED, TESDA, LGU local development funds, and others.
Oversight committee established: Congressional Oversight Committee on Agricultural and Fisheries Modernization (COCAFM).
Separability clause ensures unaffected provisions remain valid if part of the Act is invalidated.
Repeals inconsistent laws and provisions.
Effectivity: Act takes effect 15 days after publication in Official Gazette or newspapers of general circulation.