Inspection, Grading and Baling of Fibers Act

The Director of Agriculture is tasked with creating official commercial grading standards for abaca, maguey, and sisal.
These standards are to be developed with assistance from various government bureaus and relevant agencies.
Official standards are to be published in a Bureau of Agriculture General Order at least six months before the Act takes effect.
Standards to be distributed to relevant stakeholders, including foreign markets and local authorities.
Procedures for preservation and renewal of standards are mandated.
Authorized grading establishments may prepare or renew official standards, subject to Director’s approval.
Standards for partially cleaned fibers and other Musa species fibers may be established on market demand.

Offices for grading fibers are to be set up in export ports and other requested locations before the Act’s effectivity.
Grading activities require a permit signed by the Director of Agriculture.
Grading establishments are classified into six classes based on annual quantity handled, with corresponding fees ranging from 25 to 1,000 pesos.
First-year classifications for new establishments are based on end-of-year output.
All graded fibers must correspond strictly to official grading standards and display official designations.

Exporting grading establishments may register and use private marks or brands linked to official standards.
Registration is done through the Director of Agriculture at no charge.
The Director may cancel brands if misuse or confusion occurs, subject to appeal to the Secretary of Public Instruction.

Fibers for export must be baled to approximate dimensions (1m x 0.5m x 0.55m) and weigh about 125 kilos net.
Exceptions to bale size may be made to protect fiber quality.
Hanks within bales must be uniform in quality and securely tied.
Bales must be free from extraneous materials such as strings, waste, tow, or damaged fibers, and must be dry.
Grading establishments cannot charge more than eight pesos per metric ton for grading and baling.

A "fiber inspection subdivision" is to be created under the Bureau of Agriculture's fiber division, led by the chief fiber inspector.
Fiber inspectors are stationed at export ports and other key grading stations.
Inspectors have duties including periodic inspection, fee collection, and issuance of certificates of inspection.
Inspectors also engage in educating fiber producers on preparation methods and market standards.
Inspectors must have at least four years of fiber classification experience or agricultural knowledge.
Offices for fiber inspection will be maintained with necessary supplies and personnel.
Procedures for notifying inspectors of shipments and inspection protocols are prescribed.
Inspectors have the right to access grading and storage facilities for inspection.
Certificates of inspection accompany shipments and transfers, with provisions for secondary certificates upon change of ownership.
Inspected fiber shipped domestically need not be re-inspected unless quality is compromised during transit.
Inspection fees are set at ten centavos per bale, refundable for fibers used in local manufacture upon proof.

Prohibition against altering or counterfeiting marks, tags, or quality of graded and inspected fiber bales.
Violations result in fines up to two hundred fifty pesos.
The Director of Agriculture may revoke grading permits upon conviction of violations.

All actions of the Director of Agriculture under the Act require prior approval by the Secretary of Public Instruction.
The law’s effectivity date is January 1, 1915.