IRR for Philippine Agricultural, Biosystems Engineering Act signed

MANILA, Philippines — The Philippines could see more Filipino agricultural and biosystem engineers (ABEs) following the signing of the implementing rules and regulations (IRR) of Republic Act 10915 or the Philippine Agricultural and Biosystems Engineering Act of 2016.

The IRR was formally signed by the Professional Regulations Board of Agricultural and Biosystems Engineering (PRBABE) and the Professional Regulation Commission (PRC) last week.

The implementation of the IRRs of ABE Law and Fishery Profession Law will greatly help in increasing the food production thrust of President Marcos’ administration, Department of Agriculture-Bureau of Agricultural and Fisheries Engineering (DA-BAFE) director Ariodear Rico said.

President Marcos, who has taken the portfolio of agriculture secretary, cited the existential and moral imperative to make the Philippines self-sufficient in food amid a looming food crisis.

The DA has been urging higher participation from Filipino agricultural and biosystems engineers (ABEs) to support the growth of the country’s agriculture sector.

This, as the agency looks to advance the transformation of the agriculture and fisheries sector into a competitive, science-based and technology-backed industry.

The law aims to strengthen, modernize and align the practice of agricultural engineering in the country into the Internationally recognized practice of agricultural and biosystems engineering. It has been subjected to several exhaustive consultation meetings with different Professional Regulation Boards (PRBs) which focused on overlaps and encroachment in the practice of profession.