RA 6713 (1989) • Statement of Assets
An act establishing a code of conduct and ethical • Liabilities
standards for public officials and employees, to
uphold the time-honored principle of public office • Net Worth
being a public trust, granting incentives and rewards • Disclosure of Business Interest and Financial
for exemplary service, enumerating prohibited acts Connections
and transactions and providing penalties for violations
thereof and for other purposes • Identify their relatives in the Government
It also known as the "CODE OF CONDUCT AND Section 9. DISVESTMENT
ETHICAL STANDARDS FOR PUBLIC OFFICIALS AND This requires public officials and employees to divest
EMPLOYEES," is a landmark legislation in the themselves of any financial or business interests that
Philippines that aims to promote ethical behavior and may conflict with their duties or lead to potential
accountability in public service. conflicts of interest. This must be done within 60 days
KEY ETHICAL STANDARDS from assuming office or acquiring such interests.
Commitment to Public Interest- Public Officials and Section 11. PENALTIES
employees should prioritize the needs and well-being Any public official or employee, regardless of whether
of the public over their own personal interest. employment that commits any violation of this Act
Professionalism- They should perform their duties shall be punished with:
with excellence competence and dedication • A fine not exceeding the equivalent of six months
Justness and Sincerity- They should act with fairness salary
and impartiality, respecting the rights of others. • Suspension not exceeding year
Political Neutrality- they should provide service to • Removal depending on the offense
everyone without unfair discrimination and regardless
of party affiliation or preference. Violation on Sections 7, 8 and 9 shall be punishable
by:
Responsiveness to the Public- they should provide
prompt, efficient service to the public. • Imprisonment for a period not exceeding 5 years
Nationalism and Patriotism- they should be loyal to • A fine of 5 thousand pesos
the republic and promote the interests of the Filipino
• Or both
people
• Disqualification from holding public office.
Commitment to Democracy- They should uphold the
constitution and democratic values. IMPACT OF RA 6713
Simple Living- they should lead modest lives, INCREASED AWARENESS- RA 6713 has raised
avoiding extravagant displays of wealth awareness about ethical considerations in public
service, leading to discussions, training programs,
Section 7. PROHIBITED ACTS AND TRANSACTIONS
and a greater focus on ethical conduct.
Financial and material interest.
ACCOUNTABILITY - The law provides a legal
Outside employment and other activities related framework for addressing ethical violations, creating a
thereto deterrent effect and encouraging compliance.
Disclosure and misuse of Confidential Information EARNING PUBLIC TRUST -By emphasizing ethical
conduct, RA 6713 has helped to rebuild public trust in
Solicitation or acceptance of gifts the government, although challenges remain.
Section 8. STATEMENTS AND DISCLOSURE PROMOTED PROFESSIONALISM- The law's
All public officials and employees must file the emphasis on integrity and accountability has
following: contributed to a culture of professionalism within the
public service, although implementation varies across K. Preparation of Environmental Impact Assessments
agencies.
L. Operators
Relevance of RA 6713 to Engineering
AIPO- Accredited Integrated Professional.
Engineering Projects and Public Trust- Engineers are Organization
often entrusted with public projects that have a
significant impact on society. Ethical conduct is CPD- Continuing Professional Development
crucial for maintaining public trust in engineering 7 ARTICLES
projects and ensuring their safety and effectiveness.
47 SECTIONS
Avoiding Conflicts of Interest- RA 6713's provisions
on divestment and avoiding conflicts of interest are Philippine Agricultural and Biosystems Engineering
particularly relevant for engineers who may be Standards (PABES) - shall serve as Code of Technical
involved in projects that involve private companies or Standards of all registered and licensed agricultural
have potential for personal gain. and biosystems engineers in the practice of their
profession.
Promoting Public Safety- Engineers have a
responsibility to ensure the safety of their designs and Rating in Board Examinations Passing Criteria:
projects. RA 6713's emphasis on public safety aligns Weighted general average of 70%.
with this responsibility. No grades lower than 55% in any subject
RA 10915 Penalties
Development of the law Any person who violates any of the provisions of this
• Philippine Agricultural Engineering Act of 1977 Act, or any of the following acts shall, upon conviction,
(Republic Act No. 3927) be penalized by a fine of not less than one hundred
• Philippine Agricultural Engineering Act of 1998 thousand pesos (₱100,000.00) but not more than
(Republic Act No. 8559) five hundred thousand pesos (₱500,000.00), or
• Agricultural and Biosystems Engineering Act imprisonment of not less than six (6) months but
of 2016 (Republic Act No. 10915) not more than five (5) years, or both fine and
imprisonment
AGRICULTURAL AND BIOSYSTEMS ENGINEERING
ACT OF 2016(REPUBLIC ACT NO.10915) RA 8435
An act strengthening, modernizing, and aligning the Agriculture and Fisheries Modernization Act of
practice of Agricultural Engineering in the country into 1997
the internationally recognized practice of Agricultural An act prescribing urgent related measures to
and Biosystems Engineering, and for other purposes. modernize the agriculture and fisheries sectors of the
Section 5: Scope of Practice country in order to enhance their profitability, and
prepare said sectors for the challenges of the
A. Preparation of Feasibility Studies, design, plans globalization through an adequate, focused and
rational delivery of necessary support services,
B. Management on the Construction, Maintenance
appropriating funds therefor and for other purposes
C. Valuation, Appraisal, inspection D. Project
Principles:
Development
a)Poverty Alleviation and Social Equity
E. Conduct of Research and Development, Extension
b)Food Security
F. Evaluation, Testing, and Inspection G. Manufacture,
Distribution, Installation c)Rational Use of Resources d)Global
Competitiveness
H. Education and Training
e)Sustainable Development
I. Evaluation on Farm Development
f)People Empowerment g)Protection from Unfair
J. Employment on government and private firms
Competition
Statement of Objectives Technical Education and Skills Development
Authority (TESDA) shall organize local committees
a) To modernize the agriculture and fisheries sectors that will advise on the scope, nature and duration of
b) To enhance profits and incomes in the agriculture training
and fisheries sectors
Department of Environment and National
c) To ensure the accessibility, availability and stable Resources (DENR) shall organize the training of
supply of food to all at all times workers in coastal resources management and
sustainable fishing techniques
d) To encourage horizontal and vertical integration,
consolidation and expansion of agriculture and Technology and Livelihood Resource Center (TLRC)
fisheries activities, group functions and other services shall undertake field training in entrepreneurship and
management of workers
e) To promote people empowerment
Congressional Oversight Committee on
f) To pursue a market-driven approach Agricultural and Fisheries- To ensure all projects,
g) To induce the agriculture and fisheries sectors h) To programs and activities under AFMA are implemented
adopt policies that will promote industry dispersal REPUBLIC ACT NO. 10601
and rural industrialization
An act promoting agricultural and fisheries
i) To provide social and economic adjustment mechanization development in the country
measures that increase productivity and improve
market efficiency This Act shall be known as the "Agricultural and
Fisheries Mechanization (AFMech) Law"
j) To improve the quality of life of all sectors.
Agricultural Machinery Testing and Evaluation
AGRICULTURE AND FISHERIES MODERNIZATION Center (AMTEC)- Agricultural and fisheries machinery
It is the process of transforming the agriculture and and equipment to be sold in the market shall pass
fisheries sectors into one that is dynamic, through testing and evaluation by them in accordance
technologically advanced and competitive yet with the national policies and guidelines to be
centered on human development guided by the sound promulgated by the Secretary.
practices of sustainability and the principles of social Sec. 4 Scope and Application- The provision of this
justice. Act shall apply to the research, development and
200% of value of imported material- is the fines or extension, promotion, distribution, supply,
the penalty that will be given if other rather than the assembling, manufacturing, regulation, use,
importing enterprises uses the agriculture and fishery operation, maintenance and project implementation
imports? of agricultural and fisheries machinery and
equipment.
10 billion allocated for Irrigation, post-harvest
facilities and other infrastructure. Fishing Vessel- Refers to any boat, ship or other
watercraft of three (3) gross tons or less, equipped to
Former Senate President Edgardo J. Angara- Author be used for taking of fishery species or aiding or
of AFMECH LAW assisting one (1) or more vessels in the performance
of any activity relating to fishing including, but not
Agriculture and Fisheries Modernization Plan- It is
limited to, preservation, supply, storage, refrigeration,
a medium- and long-term plan that focuses on five transportation and/or processing.
major concerns in agriculture and fishery.
Implementing Institutions of AFMech
National Information Network shall provide
information and marketing services related to 1. The Agricultural and Fisheries Mechanization
agriculture an fisheries Committee (AFMeC)
2. Bureau of Agricultural and Fisheries Engineering
Board of Investments (BOI) is mandated to grant
(BAFE)
highest priority on fiscal incentives to business and
industries with linkages to agriculture.
3.Philippine Center for Postharvest Development and Section 13: Environmental Compliance Certificate
Mechanization (PHILMech) (ECC)
4.Bureau of Agriculture and Fisheries Product EIS submissions are required for evaluation by DENR,
Standards (BAFPS) and no project can proceed without an ECC.
5.Agricultural Machinery Testing and Evaluation Section 14: Monitoring, Control, and Surveillance of
Centers (AMTEC) Philippine Waters
RA 8550 A monitoring system will be established to ensure the
sustainable use of fisheries resources in collaboration
Importance of Fisheries in the Philippines with LGUs and FARMCs.
More than 500 coral and 2,000 species of fish live in Section 15: Auxiliary Invoices
the waters of the Philippine islands. 10% of the world’s
Marine Protected Areas – more than 500 – are in the Fish products require an auxiliary invoice issued by
Philippines. However, less than 200 have been LGUs before transportation or export, with associated
assessed as ‘effectively managed’ fees for administrative costs.
Philippine Fisheries Code (RA 8550) Section 16: Jurisdiction of Municipal/City
Governments
An act providing for the development, management,
and conservation of the fisheries and aquatic Municipal/city governments manage and conserve
resources, integrating all laws pertinent thereto, and fishery resources within their waters. They may enact
for other purposes ordinances in consultation with FARMCs and manage
resources in collaboration with neighboring LGUs.
Consists of 9 chapters and 133 sections
Section 17: Grant of Fishing Privileges
Approved on February 25, 1998
Registered fisherfolk organizations and cooperatives
Section 5: Use of Philippine Waters are prioritized in the granting of fishery rights, with
Only Filipinos can exploit fisheries and aquatic special agencies like the Laguna Lake Development
resources in Philippine waters, with research allowed Authority continuing to manage areas under their
under strict regulations. jurisdiction.
Section 18: Users of Municipal Waters
Section 7: Access to Fishery Resources
Municipal waters are for use by local fisherfolk and
Licenses and permits are issued based on Maximum cooperatives. However, LGUs may allow small and
Sustainable Yield (MSY), prioritizing local resource medium commercial fishing vessels to operate in
users near municipal waters. certain areas if conditions are met.
Section 9: Establishment of Closed Season The municipal or city government, however, may,
Closed seasons can be declared for conservation, through its local chief executive and acting under an
requiring consultation with LGUs, FARMCs, and appropriate ordinance, authorize or permit small and
relevant agencies. medium commercial fishing vessels to operate within
the ten-point one (10.1) to fifteen (15) kilometer area
Section 11: Protection of Rare, Threatened, and from the shoreline in municipal waters as defined
Endangered Species herein, provided, that all the following are met:
The Department can establish closed seasons and (a) no commercial fishing in municipal waters with a
conservation measures for endangered species, depth of less than seven (7) fathoms as certified by the
banning their capture. appropriate agency;
Section 12: Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) (b) fishing activities utilizing methods and gears that
are determined to be consistent with national policies
Projects affecting the environment must prepare a
set by the Department;
detailed EIS as part of planning, per Presidential
Decree No. 1586. (c) prior consultation, through public hearing, with the
M/CFARMC has been conducted; and
(d) the applicant vessel as well as the shipowner, Section 32: Fishing by Philippine Commercial
employer, captain, and crew have been certified by Fishing Fleet in International Waters
the appropriate agency as not having violated this
Code, environmental laws, and related laws. Philippine fishing vessels can operate in international
waters with proper permits and clearances, and their
Section 19: Registry of Municipal Fisherfolk catch is exempt from import duties if landed in
LGUs maintain a registry of municipal fisherfolk to designated Philippine ports.
prioritize and monitor fishing activities. This list is
Section 34: Incentives for Municipal and Small-Scale
updated annually and posted for public validation.
Commercial Fisherfolk
Section 20: Fisherfolk Organizations/Cooperatives
Incentives include at least 10% of government
Registered fisherfolk organizations may be granted financing for post-harvest and marketing projects, as
access to demarcated fishery areas for fishing, well as capability-building programs for fisherfolk.
mariculture, or fish farming.
Section 35: Incentives for Commercial Fishers to Fish
• HAYUMA Further into the EEZ
• Baruyan Fisherkols Association,
Additional incentives such as tax exemptions and
• 𝗕𝗔𝗡𝗔𝗠𝗜𝗘 𝗙𝗶𝘀𝗵𝗲𝗿𝗳𝗼𝗹𝗸 𝗔𝘀𝘀𝗼𝗰𝗶𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻 credit facilities are granted to encourage fishing in the
Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) and beyond.
• 𝗦𝗔𝗠𝗔 𝗦𝗔 𝗠𝗡𝗣
Section 36: Complement of Fishing Vessels
Section 21: Priority of Resident Municipal Fisherfolk
Fishing vessels must be manned according to
Resident municipal fisherfolk and their organizations
Philippine Merchant Marine rules.
have priority to exploit municipal waters and
demarcated fishery areas. Section 45. Disposition of Public Lands for Fishery
Purposes.
Section 26: Commercial Fishing Vessel License and
Other Licenses Public lands such as tidal swamps, mangroves,
marshes, foreshore lands, and ponds suitable for
No one can operate a commercial fishing vessel or
fishery operations shall not be alienated. However,
engage in related activities without a license from the
Fishpond Lease Agreements (FLAs) may be issued to
Department. Large vessels must operate in waters
public lands for fishpond development, primarily to
seven or more fathoms deep, certified by NAMRIA.
qualified fisherfolk cooperatives and associations.
Section 27: Persons Eligible for Commercial Fishing Current FLA lessees are given priority for a 25-year
Vessel License extension. After this period, these lands will be open
to Filipino citizens, with preference for qualified
Commercial fishing licenses are only issued to Filipino
fisherfolk cooperatives/associations and small to
citizens or entities with at least 60% Filipino
medium enterprises. Portions of these lands may be
ownership. Licenses cannot be sold, transferred, or
declared as fish sanctuaries for conservation. Fish
assigned.
pens, cages, and traps will no longer be allowed in
Section 28: Commercial Fishing Vessel lakes two years after the law’s effectivity.
Registration
Section 46. Lease of Fishponds.
Fishing vessel registration, documentation, and
Fishponds leased to individuals, cooperatives, and
manning must follow existing laws and regulations.
organizations are subject to the following conditions:
Section 29: Registration and Licensing of Fishing
a. Individuals can lease a maximum of 50 hectares;
Gears
cooperatives, a maximum of 250 hectares.
Commercial fishing gear must be registered and
licensed before any fishing operations can begin.
b. The lease is valid for 25 years, renewable for another
25 years, with the lessee's heirs having preemptive
rights.
c. Lease rates will be determined by the Department,
and collected fees will fund aquaculture research.
d. Fishponds must be developed within three years,
producing on a commercial scale, or the land reverts
to the public domain.
e. Subleasing is prohibited.
f. Transfers or assignments of FLA rights require prior
written approval from the Department.
g. Lessees must conduct reforestation and provide
facilities to minimize pollution.
Section 51. License to Operate Fish Pens, Cages,
Traps, and Other Structures for Fish Culture.
Fish pens, cages, and traps can only be constructed
within zones designated by LGUs in consultation with
FARMCs. Not more than 10% of suitable water areas
will be allocated for aquaculture, and the Department
will regulate stocking density and feed requirements.
