Section 32Sec./Art. 32

Temporary/Special Permits for Foreign Agricultural and Biosystems Engineers. - The practice of foreign agricultural and biosystems engineers in the Philippines shall be limited to natural persons only and shall be governed by the provisions of Republic Act No. 8981, otherwise known as the "PRC Modernization Act of 2000": Provided, That any foreign national who has gained entry in the Philippines to perform professional services as an agricultural and biosystems engineer or render such services or prepare or produce such documents which are within the scope of practice of agricultural and biosystems engineering as set forth in this Act such as, but not limited to, being a consultant in foreign-funded or assisted project of the government or employed or engaged by Filipino or foreign contractors or private firms, whether or not the nomenclature of his/her profession is specifically called in his/her country of nationality as agricultural and biosystems engineer, but who does not meet or wish to comply with the requirements for admission to take the licensure examinations shall, before assuming the duties, functions and responsibilities as agricultural and biosystems engineer or consultant, secure temporary/special permit from the Board, subject to the approval of the Commission to practice his/her profession in connection with the project to which he/she was commissioned; Provided, further, That the following conditions are satisfied;

(a) That he/she is a citizen or subject of a country which specifically permits Filipino professionals to practice their profession within the territorial limits on the same basis as the subjects or citizens of such foreign country or State;

(b) That he/she is legally qualified to practice agricultural and biosystems engineering in his/her own country, and that his/her expertise is necessary and advantageous to the Philippines, particularly in the aspects of technology transfer and specialization; and

(c) That he/she shall be required to work with a Filipino counterpart, a natural person who is a registered and licensed agricultural and biosystems engineer, and professional services fees and expenses of documentation pertaining to the project shall be proportionately shared by both foreign and Filipino agricultural and biosystems engineers, including liabilities and taxes due to the Philippine government, if any, relative to his/her participation therein, or professional services rendered to the project in accordance with established rules and regulations.