The Senate has passed on third and final reading Senate Bill No. (SBN) 2906, or the Philippine Agriculturists Act. The measure aims to elevate the agriculture profession by creating a regulatory body for agriculturists.
Sponsored by SenatorJuan Miguel Zubiri and principally authored by Senator Ramon Bong Revilla Jr., SBN 2906 was unanimously approved by all 23 senators present.
“This is one of our happy bills, and as testament to that, all weekend we have been receiving messages of gratitude from our stakeholders on social media–thanking us for spearheading this measure and ensuring that our agriculturists are given the professional recognition and renumeration that they deserve,” said Zubiri.
Revilla thanked Zubiri and his colleagues for supporting the measure.
“Our vote of yes is a vote for the whole agriculture sector on which many of the rights of our countrymen depend,” the Caviteño lawmaker said.
“Registered agriculturists are the backbone of the sector and they are responsible in propelling our joint aspirations for a better future for our farmers, their community and the country as whole. Through this measure, it is our hope that it will fill the void between scientific research and development and traditional farming practices,” he added.
The bill establishes the Professional Regulatory Board of Agriculture under the Professional Regulation Commission (PRC) to oversee licensure, registration, and the practice of registered agriculturists.
The board will consist of a chairperson and five members representing key fields: crop science, animal science, soil science, crop protection, agricultural economics, and agricultural communication.
The measure also proposes licensure exemptions for graduates with a bachelor’s degree in Agriculture from recognized schools, postgraduate degree holders, and those with at least five years of relevant experience.
Only registered agriculturists will be allowed to use the title “Registered Agriculturist (R.Agr)” and will receive a minimum base salary equivalent to Salary Grade 13 in government positions or state universities and colleges, it furthered.IMT
