Bangsamoro Autonomy Act No. 59

P.B. No. 39

Republic of the Philippines Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao BANGSAMORO TRANSITION AUTHORITY PARLIAMENT

Bangsamoro Government Center, Cotabato City

THIRD REGULAR SESSION

BANGSAMORO AUTONOMY ACT NO.59

Begun and held in Cotabato City, on Thursday, the 15th day of September 2022.

AN ACT ESTABLISHINGTHE BANGSAMORO AGRICULTURE AND FISHERIES

TRAINING INSTITUTE,APPROPRIATING FUNDS THEREFOR,AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES

Be it enacted by the Bangsamoro Transition Authority Parliament in session assembled:

Training Institute Act. " SECTION 1. Short Title. -- This Act shall be known as the "Bangsamoro Agriculture and Fisheries

SEC.2. Declaration of Policy. - It shall be the policy of the Bangsamoro to promote agriculture and fisheries as a means to alleviate poverty and ensure food sufficiency in the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region. To this end, the Bangsamoro Government shall give priority to the promotion of science and technology training and innovation for all Bangsamoro farmers and fisherfolks. It shall develop an extensive information campaign to actively promote and disseminate available modern agriculture and fisheries techniques, innovations, and knowledge. Policies and programs concerned with agriculture and fisheries shall be realized to achieve in the most efficient and effective way the goal of capacity for enhanced production, competitiveness, and strengthened agriculture and fisheries extension institutions as well as empowered extension stakeholders for the Bangsamoro Region.

SEC.3. Definition of Terms. --For purposes of this Act, the following shall be defined

(a) "Agricultural and fisheries extension services"refers to the provision of training, information

and support services by the government and non-government organizations (NGOs) to the agriculture and fisheries sectors to improve the technical, business, and social capabilities of Bangsamoro farmers and fisherfolk. It shall include post-harvest training, market analysis, and capability building for cooperatives.

bAgriculturerefers to all systems or networks of interrelated activities which include raising of livestock, poultry, or fish, including the harvesting of such farm products, and other farm

activities and practices.

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(c) "BAFTI Training Officer" refers to the focal person who shall liaison the point of contact

strategically established within each of the island and mainland provinces, and Special Geographical Areas (SGAs) of BARMM, to coordinate the receipt of communications and support essential operations of BAFTI in far-flung areas. He or she shall be responsible for conducting training needs assessment, designing and delivering effective training programs, and evaluating their effectiveness.

d) Fisheries refers to all systems or networks of interrelated activities which include the

production, growing, harvesting, processing, marketing, developing, conserving, and managing of all aquatic resources and fisheries areas.

(e) "Halal food" refers to any food sourced from agricultural produce, seafood, and aquaculture

harvest, including meat, which is prepared, processed, stored, maintained, and served in strict compliance with the laws and customs of Shari 'ah.

(f)"Halal Industry" refers to the industry in the economy of the BARMM that is comprised of

Halal food, Halal cosmetics, Halal pharmaceuticals, Muslim-friendly tourism, Halal logistics and supply chain, Islamic financing, Halal standards of trainings and seminars, modest fashion. Halal media and recreation, and other markets targeting to fulfill the needs of the Bangsamoro consumers and end-users, in strict compliance with the laws and customs of Shari 'ah, including but not limited to, those laws and customs of as expressed by the Bangsamoro Darul Ifta'.

SEC. 4. Powers and Functions of the Bangsamoro Agriculture and Fisheries Training Institute. -- There is hereby created a Bangsamoro Agriculture and Fisheries Training Institute (BAFTI) which shall have the following powers and functions:

(a) Lead in the implementation of highly technical training and short courses related to agriculture and fisheries;

(b) Lead in the formulation and implementation of the regional Agriculture and Fisheries Extension

(AFE) agenda and budget;

(c) Prepare an integrated plan for publicly-funded training programs in agriculture and fisheries;

(d) Formulate and issue, in coordination with the Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Agrarian

programs, as well as accreditation of agricultural and fisheries extension services; Reform (MAFAR), guidelines in planning, implementing, monitoring, and evaluating AFE

(e) Assist, in coordination with State Universities and Colleges (SUCs), NGOs, entrepreneurs,

private agencies, offices and institution, the local government unit (LGU) extension system by improving their effectiveness and efficiency through capability-building and complementary extension services such as technical assistance, training of LGU personnel, improvement of physical facilities, research-based extension program, and information support services;

(f) Establish mechanisms for the transfer of technologies and innovations developed through its

research and development activities to the end-users, primarily farmers and fisherfolks;

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(g) Provide comprehensive support to all the extension workers of LGUs, non-government NGOs.

information and managerial skills to farmers, fisherfolk, and entrepreneurs on the field public and private organizations, and farmers and fisherfolks organizations equipping them with adequate knowledge and skills to enable them to train and provide technological

benchmarking, production, harvesting, storage and handling, processing, marketing and financing aspects of agricultural and fisheries enterprise;

(h) Establish an accreditation system for private entities qualified to provide extension services;

(i) Improve and develop vertical and horizontal coordination by establishing links between small

farmers and other market stakeholders;

(i Identify learning sites for agriculture where successful farmers can share their technologies in

their own farms and become partners in the implementation of training and extension interventions; and

(k) Encourage and promote innovation and diversification in agriculture and fisheries

SEC. 5. Progressive Establishment of BAFTI and its Satellite Offices. -- There shall be established a BAFTI in the administrative capital of the Bangsamoro Government to be headed by an Executive Director, who must be at least a holder of a master's degree in Agriculture or Fisheries with five (5) years of supervisory/management experience and must possess a Career Service Professional Eligibility/Republic Act No.1080 (Board/Bar) or its equivalent.

of the operations and programs of BAFTI, which shall determine the subsequent establishments of BAFTI After two (2) years from the establishment of the first BAFTI, there shall be an overall assessment

in the island and mainland provinces, including a site in the SGA.

The BAFTI and its Satellite Offices shall be attached to the MAFAR. The Executive Director of BAFTI shall directly report to the Office of the Minister.

SEC.6.BAFTI Training Officers. - Training Officers shall be stationed in the island and mainland provinces, including the SGA of BARMM to enable collaboration and efficient communication and better serve the intended beneficiaries.

SEC. 7. Partnership with the Cooperative and Social Enterprise Authority. -- Farmers' and fisherfolks' cooperatives shall be the cornerstone for training development and dissemination. As such, the Cooperative and Social Enterprise Authority shall be a key partner in the dissemination of information relating to training and extension services, as well as the assessment of the needs of farmers and fisherfolk

SEC.8. Research, Innovation and Science and Technology.- The BAFTI shall give priority to

machineries. Training modules shall be created and updated regularly in partnership with the SUCs. research and keep itself updated with modern agriculture and fisheries trends, including the use of

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SEC. 9. Training Needs Assessment and Information, Education and Communication Materials. The BAFTI, together with the MAFAR and the LGU concerned, shall conduct a Training Needs Assessment for the Bangsamoro Farmers and Fisherfolks in order to deliver the correct, culturally appropriate, and relevant training to the farmers and fisherfolk. The BAFTI shall also deliver culturally appropriate Information, Education, and Communication materials in the language most appropriate to the enduser

SEC.10.Halal Development. -The BAFTI shall prioritize the development of the Halal industry and shall include the relevance of promoting Halal standards and its incentives in all training modules.

and protection of Bangsamoro consumers. BAFTI shall support policies for Halal certification in the food industry that will ensure the welfare

SEC. 11. Agriculture Short Courses. -- The BAFTI shall cooperate with the Technical Education of the Ministry of Basic, Higher and Technical Education, national and local offices, and other public and private organizations for the creation of Agriculture and Fisheries short courses, which shall include long- term ladderized trainings on agriculture and fisheries, and related marketing and enterprise.

SEC. 12. Coordination with Other Relevant Ministries and Agencies, including Local and International Organizations. -- The BAFTI shall actively coordinate with other relevant ministries and agencies to synergize efforts, share knowledge and resources, and avoid duplication of activities in the fields of training, research, and development related to agriculture and fisheries.

The BAFTI shall seek opportunities for collaboration with governmental and non-governmental organizations, including international bodies, to enhance the quality and reach of its training, research, and development initiatives.

private sector in the development of extension services throughout the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region. To this end, public-private corporations and partnerships shall be actively sought and encouraged. SEC. 13. Private Participation. - The BAFTI shall recognize the invaluable participation of the

appropriated to finance the implementation of this Act upon its effectivity. Thereafter, such sums as may be needed for the continued operation of the Bangsamoro Agriculture and Fisheries Training Institute shall SEC. 14.Appropriations.- The initial amount of Ten Million Pesos (P10,000,000.00) shall be

be included in the annual General Appropriations Act of the Bangsamoro.

After the establishment of the first BAFTI, the Bangsamoro Government shall continuously allocate adequate funds for the establishment, maintenance, and continuous improvement of BAFTI's infrastructure to expand its operations and support the growth and development of BAFTI in providing high-quality training in the fields of agriculture and fisheries within the BARMM and neighboring regions.

SEC. 15. Implementing Rules and Regulations. -- Within ninety (90) days from the effectivity of this Act, the MAFAR, in coordination with the Minister of Finance, Budget, and Management and the

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Chairperson of the Committee on Agriculture, Fisheries, and Agrarian Reform, shall promulgate such rules and regulations as may be necessary to carry out the provisions of this Act.

SEC. 16. Separability Clause. -- Should any provision of this Act be subsequently declared unconstitutional, the other provisions not declared so shall remain in full force and effect.

SEC. 17. Repealing Clause. - All regional laws, decrees, orders, rules, and regulations, or any part thereof, which are inconsistent herewith, are hereby repealed or amended accordingly.

SEC. 18. Effectivity. - This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after its publication in a newspaper of general circulation.

no /ATTY. PANGALIAN M. BALINDONG Speaker

1446/July 17, 2024. This Act was passed by the Bangsamoro Transition Authority Parliament on Muharram 11

PROI Seck RM tetafyl&eneral Y 1B.JA KGKAL

Approved:

AHOD B/EBRAHIM

Date: AUG 1 9 2024 ef Mi

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