Feedback Session Addresses Comments and Suggestions on the IRR of PA Law

To address the comments and suggestions raised during the series of national, regional, and multi-sectoral consultation meetings for the finalization of the Philippine Agriculturists Act (RA 12215) Implementing Rules and Regulations (IRR), a feedback session inviting multiple stakeholders was conducted last October 29, 2025 via Zoom.

The session was attended by approximately 100 participants from the DILG, CSC, DOST, DA-bureaus, attached agencies and government-owned and controlled corporations, DA-Regional Field Offices (RFOs), PAA regional chapters, Associate National Professional Organizations (ANPOs), State Universities and Colleges (SUCs), League of Municipal Agricultural Officers, Municipal and City Agriculturists (LeMMCAP), and PCAF-National Sectoral Committee members as representatives of the private sector.

The joint-Technical Working Group (TWG) from the Professional Regulation Commission- Professional Regulatory Board of Agriculture (PRC-PRB Agriculture) and the Philippine Association of Agriculturists, Inc. (PAA) comprehensively discussed the summary of stakeholders’ comments and suggestions, the feedback from the TWG, the resolution and justifications undertaken to address these concerns, and the presentation of the revised IRR. The Civil Service Commission was likewise present to address the concerns of the participants on filling-up of vacant positions.

PRC-PRB Agriculture Chair Dr. Emma Sales delivered the opening remarks, highlighting the relevance of the feedback session to provide stakeholders with updates and the status of the IRR. PAA Immediate Past President Dr. Karen S. Bautista presented the consolidated comments and suggestions, and the final draft of the IRR. Meanwhile, PAA National President Dr. Fernando Sanchez, Jr. delivered the closing remarks, acknowledging the participants' contributions during the consultation meetings and the feedback session.

Presently, the PRC-PRB Agriculture endorsed the proposed revision in the Qualification Standards (QS) of Agriculturists plantilla positions to the CSC, and the IRR of PA Law was sent to the PRC for review and legal polishing. However, the participants during the feedback session stressed the urgency for the CSC to issue an advisory on Section 31 (Employment of Agriculturists in the Government) of RA 12215 (Philippine Agriculturists Act) and Memorandum Circular on the Revised QS in guiding the recruitment of applicants to agriculture-related plantilla positions for national and local government offices. In this light, the CSC will draft an advisory reiterating compliance with RA 12215.

The joint-TWG extends its sincere gratitude to all participating key stakeholders for the last three months of consultation meetings until the feedback session. It has led to a more inclusive and operational Implementing Rules and Regulations for PA Law.