President Ferdinand R. Marcos, Jr. Signs the Philippine Agriculturists Act (RA 12215) Into Law

Republic Act (RA) 12215 or the Philippine Agriculturists Act was officially signed into law by President Ferdinand R. Marcos, Jr. on 29 May 2025. The landmark legislation aims to institute a 𝗣𝗿𝗼𝗳𝗲𝘀𝘀𝗶𝗼𝗻𝗮𝗹 𝗥𝗲𝗴𝘂𝗹𝗮𝘁𝗼𝗿𝘆 𝗟𝗮𝘄 (𝗣𝗥𝗟) that governs the regulation and supervision of the practice of agriculture profession in the country. The passing of RA 12215 is a well-deserved recognition of the contribution of Filipino agriculturists in the decades of service to the profession.

The Philippine Agriculturists Act aims to strengthen the agriculture sector by elevating the standards of the agriculture profession, proposing regulatory framework in the practice of profession, and supporting the welfare and benefits of agriculturists in the country.

Under this new law, a 𝗣𝗿𝗼𝗳𝗲𝘀𝘀𝗶𝗼𝗻𝗮𝗹 𝗥𝗲𝗴𝘂𝗹𝗮𝘁𝗼𝗿𝘆 𝗕𝗼𝗮𝗿𝗱 𝗼𝗳 𝗔𝗴𝗿𝗶𝗰𝘂𝗹𝘁𝘂𝗿𝗲 𝘀𝗵𝗮𝗹𝗹 𝗯𝗲 𝗰𝗼𝗻𝘀𝘁𝗶𝘁𝘂𝘁𝗲𝗱 under the Professional Regulation Commission (PRC) to supervise and regulate the registration, licensure, and practice of registered agriculturists. The Board shall be composed of a chairperson and five members, representing the key fields of specialization in agriculture – crop science, animal science, soil science, crop protection, agricultural economics/agribusiness/agri-entrepreneurship, and agricultural extension and communication.

It is provided in the law that only registered agriculturists shall use the appendage “RAgr” after their names, and that all existing technical plantilla positions shall be occupied by registered agriculturists with a minimum base salary employed in national government or state universities and colleges not below Salary Grade 13.

The Philippine Agriculturists Act was approved in the Senate last 27 January 2025 with Sen. Juan Miguel “Migz” Zubiri as the principal sponsor; and was likewise adopted by the House of Representatives on 3 February 2025 with Bohol Third District Representative Hon. Kristine Alexie Besas-Tutor, and incumbent Camarines Sur Third District Representative now Naga City’s vice mayor-elect Hon. Gabriel H. Bordado, Jr. as principal sponsors.

While long overdue, the PRC Professional Regulatory Board of Agriculture and the Philippine Association of Agriculturists, Inc. (PAA) as an accredited integrated professional organization (AIPO) in agriculture, with the support of the League of Municipal Agricultural Officers, Municipal and City Agriculturists of the Philippines (LeMMCAP), welcome this law with open arms as it is essential in recognizing the role of agriculturists in revitalizing the agriculture sector in the country. This law further attests the significant contribution of agriculturists as likewise highlighted in the Presidential Proclamation 544 signed by PBBM last 14 May 2024.

The law will take effect 15 days after its publication in the Official Gazette or in a newspaper of general circulation.

The official copy of RA 12215 may be accessed at https://www.officialgazette.gov.ph/.../20250529-RA-12215...