Section 24Sec./Art. 24

Strengthening the DA Agricultural and Fishery Engineering Groups. Pursuant to Section 46 of Republic Act No. 8435, otherwise known as the "Agriculture and Fisheries Modernization Act of 1997″, a Bureau of Agricultural and Fisheries Engineering (BAFE) is hereby created as a regular bureau of the DA which shall be under the supervision of the DA Undersecretary and shall have the following functions and responsibilities:

(a) Coordinate, oversee and monitor the national planning and implementation of agri-fisheries engineering, farm-to-market road and other agri-fisheries infrastructure projects;

(b) Assist in the national planning, coordination and implementation of the national agri-fisheries mechanization programs;

(e) Prepare, evaluate, validate and recommend engineering plans, designs and technical specifications on agri-fisheries mechanization and infrastructure projects;

(d) Oversee and provide technical assistance to the operations of the agricultural engineering divisions of the DA regional field units;

(e) Coordinate and integrate all agricultural and fisheries engineering activities of the DA bureaus, attached agencies and corporations;

(f) Coordinate and monitor the enforcement of standards and other regulatory policies on agricultural and fishery engineering;

(g) Implement accreditation and registration scheme for agriculture and fishery machinery, tools and equipment, in coordination with technology generators:

(h) Issue permits to operate to agriculture and fishery tools and equipment manufacturers, fabricators, assemblers and importers; and

(i) Promulgate and implement accreditation guidelines for testing centers.

The BAFE shall be headed by a Bureau Director and Assistant Bureau Director, all appointed by the President.

The BAFE shall have the following divisions: (1) Engineering Plans, Designs and Specifications; (2) Programs and Projects Management; (3) Standards Regulation and Enforcement; and (4) Administration and Finance.

Modifications shall be made in the organizational structure and staffing pattern of the regional field units of the DA for the creation of Agricultural Engineering Division to strengthen the provision of agricultural engineering services necessary to carry out the field implementation of the agricultural and fishery engineering, mechanization and infrastructure programs and projects of the DA.

All concerned bureaus and attached agencies of the DA implementing agri-fishery mechanization and infrastructure projects shall review and modify their organizational structure and staffing pattern with the end-view of strengthening the provision of agricultural engineering services as part of the overall network of the BAFE.