THE Agriculturists Act could limit the availability of agricultural services and discourage specialists from participating in research and development due to its licensing requirements, the Philippine Institute for Development Studies (PIDS) said.
In a policy note, PIDS said Republic Act No. 12215 could have unintended consequences for agriculture by requiring professionals to comply with licensing requirements before performing certain functions.
The note, written by PIDS Senior Research Fellow Roehlano M. Briones and PIDS Project Technical Assistant Diana J. Lopez, said the law unintentionally restricts interdisciplinary collaboration and limits access to specialized expertise in agriculture-related fields.
“Strict enforcement could reduce the availability of agricultural services while discouraging specialists from related disciplines from participating in research, extension, and other agriculture-related activities,” it added.
The law requires covered organizations to have registered agriculturists account for a majority of their officers and board members, under threat of penalties including fines of P100,000-P500,000 and imprisonment of six months to six years.
The law also prescribes a minimum salary grade (SG) for government agriculturists of SG 13, which is equivalent to P36,125 starting Jan. 1, according to Executive Order No. 64.
“Within the National Government, the law directly increases salaries for positions currently paid below SG 13. Should local government units follow suit, salary increases across the government can be significant. The maximum salary increase range from 131% to 133%,” it said.
However, it warned that the law will unintentionally reduce the availability of agricultural services, as workers, employees, and consultants whose functions and services overlap with the scope of agriculture will opt not to register due to the high cost of compliance.
“Unfortunately, in its zeal to raise service quality and compensation, the law has unnecessarily tightened professional restrictions,” it said.
The law is also expected to curb interdisciplinary collaboration, as specialists in unregulated professions may become reluctant to work with agriculturists for the fear of “encroaching upon the agricultural profession’s scope.”
“This could lead to agricultural research and development projects (carried out solely by) agriculturists, as plant breeders, botanists, entomologists, and ecologists — who have no intention to register as agriculturists — shun such projects,” it added.
The PIDS recommended the amendment to allow more flexible recognition of other fields of expertise and including a clause that explicitly permits interdisciplinary collaboration.
“The law, as currently worded, is so draconian that there is little chance of its comprehensive enforcement. Unfortunately, it will pose a threat to ordinary people engaged in agriculture and agriculture-adjacent tasks, as its selective application may penalize them for an honest day’s work,” the PIDS said.
“Congress must act swiftly to make the necessary amendments and avoid these unintended effects,” it added. — Justine Irish D. Tabile