Coverage of the Act
- Governs examination, registration, and licensure of agricultural and biosystems engineers.
- Supervises and regulates the practice of the profession.
- Coordinates with CHED and SUCs for curriculum development.
- Promotes professional competence and specialization through CPD.
- Integrates all practitioners under a single accredited professional organization (AIPO).
Definitions
- Agricultural and Biosystems Engineering involves engineering applied to sustainable production and management of agricultural and biological resources.
- Agricultural and Biosystems Engineer: Registered and licensed professionals with valid credentials.
- Covers farm machinery, buildings, bio-processing, waste management, information systems, automation, resource conservation, etc.
- Defines key terms such as irrigation, professional regulation board, Commission on Higher Education, and others relevant to the profession.
Scope of Practice
- Preparation, supervision, valuation, and inspection of engineering projects related to agricultural and biosystems systems.
- Program development, management, consultancy, research, training, testing, and manufacture of related products and services.
- Teaching agricultural and biosystems engineering subjects.
- Participation in environmental studies relevant to agricultural projects.
- The Board may update scope to align with professional advancements.
Professional Regulatory Board
- Composed of a chairperson and two members appointed by the President based on recommendations.
- Members must be Filipino, at least 35 years old, registered engineers with 10 years practice, not connected to teaching or review centers recently, and without moral turpitude convictions.
- Terms last three years with limits on reappointment.
- Board receives compensation comparable to other professional boards.
- Vacancies filled for unexpired terms; members may be removed for cause after due process.
- Powers include rulemaking, supervision of practice, licensing, examination administration, ethical enforcement, and accreditation of specialty organizations.
- Maintains records and submits annual reports to the President via the Commission.
Examination and Licensure
- Applicants must pass licensure exams verifying knowledge and competencies.
- Qualifications include Filipino citizenship (or reciprocity for foreigners), relevant educational degree, and good moral character.
- Board may suspend/revoke certificates obtained fraudulently.
- Examination covers power and machinery, land and water resources, structures, bio-processing, project management, fundamental sciences, mathematics, laws and ethics.
- Passing requires 70% weighted average and no subject below 55% (subject to retake policy).
- Results notified within 10 days; reexamination policies apply after multiple failures.
- Successful candidates must take oath prior to practice.
- Issuance of certificates and professional IDs conditioned on CPD and AIPO membership.
- Registration refusal or revocation for moral/legal grounds or violations of professional standards.
- Revoked certificates may be reinstated after two years upon petition.
Practice Regulations
- Automatic registration of agricultural engineers under previous law.
- Registered engineers must have a professionally adopted seal for documents; misuse is penalized.
- Plans and documents must be prepared, signed, and sealed by registered engineers.
- Firms must have majority licensed partners and conduct practice through licensed engineers.
- Integration of the profession under one national organization; automatic membership upon registration.
- Temporary permits for foreigners allowed under reciprocity and requiring collaboration with Filipino counterparts.
- Only registered engineers may hold relevant government and private sector positions related to the profession.
- Adequate staffing of government agencies, LGUs, and private firms with agricultural and biosystems engineers mandated.
Career Development and Standards
- National career progression program and specialization fields formulated by the Board.
- Recognized specialties include power and machinery, irrigation, soil and water conservation, structures, bio-processing, renewable energy, waste management, aquaculture, automation, information systems, among others.
- Existing technical standards (PAES) transformed into Philippine Agricultural and Biosystems Engineering Standards (PABES) serving as code of technical standards.
Education and Professional Development
- CHED, in coordination with the Board and industry, develops and updates the curriculum aligning with international standards.
- TESDA develops competency standards for technicians and operators.
- Rationalization and upgrading programs for educational facilities, faculty development, and scholarships.
- Career guidance and advocacy programs established to promote employment, entrepreneurship, and integration of the profession in education.
- Mandatory Continuing Professional Development (CPD) for license renewal and career advancement including international accreditation pathways.
Enforcement and Penalties
- The Board and Commission enforce this Act, investigate complaints, and prosecute violations.
- Law enforcement agencies assist in enforcement.
- Penalties for illegal practice, misuse of certificates, fraudulent representations, unauthorized use of titles, and executing plans without licensed engineers.
- Fines from P100,000 to P500,000 and imprisonment from 6 months to 5 years may be imposed.
- Liability extends to professional-in-charge and controlling officers in corporations or partnerships.
Transitory and Final Provisions
- Incumbent Board members continue temporarily until new appointments.
- Board promulgates implementing rules subject to Commission approval.
- If any provision is invalidated, other parts remain effective.
- All inconsistent laws and issuances are repealed; Republic Act No. 8559 expressly repealed.
- Act takes effect 15 days after publication in Official Gazette or major newspaper, whichever is earlier.