Section 5Sec./Art. 5

Duties, Powers and Functions.- The Council shall have the following duties, powers and functions:

a. to formulate policies that will stimulate plant breeding activities for the development of the genetic resources of the country in accordance with the provisions of this Act;

b. to encourage persons, associations, cooperatives and corporations engaged in genetic resources conservation, varietal development, production and processing, quality control, storage, marketing, and distribution of seeds to adopt systems and practices which improve the quality of seeds for distribution to farmers;

c. to promote the establishment of infrastructures and other support services in priority areas geared toward the development of the seed industry;

d. to formulate a comprehensive medium and long-term national seed industry development program in order to achieve self-sufficiency in the supply of high quality seeds;

e. to grant awards, subsidies and other forms of assistance to seed or plant breeders who develop or are developing outstanding varieties or cultivars;

f. to formulate policies that will stimulate plant breeding activities; and

g. to promulgate rules and regulations to implement the provisions of this Act.