[ DOA ADMINISTRATIVE ORDER NO. 22, S. 1999, May 20, 1999 ]

RATIONALIZING THE DA-WIDE AGRICULTURAL ENGINEERING SERVICES TO EFFECT A WELL COORDINATED AND SYNCHRONIZED PLANNING AND IMPLEMENTATION OF IRRIGATION, POST HARVEST FACILITIES MECHANIZATION AND INFRASTRUCTURE PROJECTS OF THE AGRICULTURAL AND FISHERY MODERNIZATION ACT



In the interest of public service, and in order to provide a well coordinated and synchronized nationwide planning and implementation of irrigation, farm to market roads, post harvest facilities, mechanization and other infrastructure projects, the DA agricultural engineering services is hereby rationalized, refocused and/or strengthened. As such, the following guidelines are hereby issued for your reference and immediate action:
  1. The DA-wide network on Agricultural Engineering created through DA Memorandum Order No. 3, series of 1995 is hereby reactivated, and the Infrastructure and Engineering Division (IED) of the Field Operation Services shall serve as the National Coordinator.

  2. The DA-IED shall carry out the following programs and activities in addition to its functions and responsibilities as provided for in DA AO No. 12, series of 1999:
    > Provide staff and technical support services to the Assistant Secretary of Regional Operations and the Undersecretary for Operations and Research in overseeing and coordinating the irrigation, farm to market roads, post harvest facilities, agricultural and fishery mechanization and infrastructure projects of DA Bureaus, Attached Agencies and Regional Field Units.

    > Formulation, implementation and/or coordination of various infrastructure projects of AFMA such as farm to market roads, rural energy, water supply system and communication infrastructures.

    > Coordinate and monitor the implementation of the DA Integrated Action Program on Agricultural Engineering which shall be prepared by the DA Technical Working Group on Agricultural Engineering.
  3. To operationalize the implementation of other infrastructure projects of AFMA, concerned DA Bureaus and Attached Agencies are hereby mobilized to immediately spearhead the formulation of plans and programs, coordinate and/or execute the implementation of the following concerns:

    Post Harvest Facilities and Agri-Fisheries Mechanization
    -
    		 Bureau of Post Harvest Research and Extension
     
    		 
    Fishports, Ice Plants/Cold Storage & Fish Processing Centers
    -
    		 Philippine Fisheries Development Authority
     
    		 
    Research and Technology Infrastructures
    -
    		 Bureau of Agricultural Research
     
    		 
    Public Market and Abattoirs
    -
    		 National Meat Inspection Commission

  4. The Bureau of Soifs and Water Management and the National Irrigation Administration shall closely work together in the planning and implementation of irrigation, and soil and water management projects.

  5. The following DA Bureaus and Attached Agencies are hereby directed to immediately organize and/or strengthen their respective Agricultural Engineering Unit to plan, coordinate and/or implement the irrigation, post harvest facilties, mechanization, infrastructure and other agricultural and fishery engineering projects of the following priority commodities:

    Rice
    -
    		 PhilRice
    Corn
    -
    		 BPI
    Coconut
    -
    		 PCA
    Sugar
    -
    		 SRA
    Livestock
    -
    		 LDC/NMIC/BAI/NDA
    Fisheries
    -
    		 BFAR/PFDA
    Fruits/Vegetables Industrial Crops
    -
    		 BPI
    Fibers
    -
    		 FIDA
    Tobacco
    -
    		 NTA

  6. The Bureau of Agricultural Research and the Agricultural Training institute in partnership with the Agricultural Engineering Units of DA Central Office, Bureaus, Attached Agencies and Regional Field Units shall develop, coordinate and implement a Comprehensive Agricultural Engineering RDE. For this purpose, DA National and Regional Agricultural Engineering Centers shall be identified and mobilized.

  7. All Agricultural Engineering Units of DA Bureaus and Attached Agencies, in the implementation of their respective programs at the field level should closely coordinate with the Regional Agricultural Engineering Groups of DA-RFUs.

  8. The DA Regional Agricultural Engineering Groups are hereby upgraded into Regionaf Agricultural Engineering Divisions and shall be responsible in the planning, coordination, and/or implementation of agricultural and fishery engineering projects at the field level, and provide technical assistance and monitor the operations of the Provincial and City Agricultural Engineering-Offices of the LGUs.

  9. The Personnel Division of DA-OSEC and concerned DA Bureaus and Attached Agencies shall coordinate with DBM and CSC for the upgrading of positions of agricultural engineers of DA Bureaus, Attached Agencies and Regional Field Units pursuant to the provisions of RA 8559 and the Magna Carta for Scientist, Engineers and Researchers, institutionalization of DA agricultural engineering units, and as well its incorporation in the proposed DA Budget for CY 2000 and succeeding years.
For strict compliance.

Adopted: 20 May 1999

(SGD.) WILLIAM D. DAR
Acting Secretary