DILG Memo Circular No.

2008-167

Addressed to all Provincial Governors,

City/Municipal Mayors, Sanggunians and DILG
Regional Directors for the ---

“ INSTITUTIONALIZATION OF AGRICULTURAL
ENGINEERING PROFESSION IN THE LGUS
SUPPLEMENTING DILG MC NO. 2001-25 RE:
IMPLEMENTATION OF RA. NO. 8559.”
AGRICULTURAL ENGINEER NOW A MUST IN LGUS
Date:Tuesday, November 25, 2008

The government’s effort to develop the agriculture sector got a boost with the institutionalization of the Agricultural
Engineering profession in provinces, cities and municipalities of the country.
This developed as Interior and Local Government Secretary Ronaldo Puno issued a memorandum circular recently
In his directive, the DILG Secretary reminded local officials that
enjoining all provincial governors, city and municipal mayors and sanggunian members to institutionalize the position
of agricultural engineer in their respective local governments.
with the institutionalization of the agricultural engineering
Puno said the institutionalization of the agricultural engineering profession is mandated by Republic Act 8559 or the
profession, LGUs shall ensure that planning, designing and
Philippine Agricultural Engineering Act of 1998.
He explained that RA 8559 was enacted to promote, upgrade and regulate the practice of agricultural engineering
implementation of small water impounding projects, communal
profession in the country in terms of planning, designing, supervision and management, research and extension,
testing, evaluation and inspection, valuation, consultation, marketing and management of agricultural , fishery and
irrigation, tractor and agricultural machinery pools, post harvest
forest machinery, buildings and structures, irrigation, soil and water conservation and utilization and other
facilities, agricultural buildings and structures, slaughterhouses,
engineering facilities, systems and technologies.
The said also further enhance the delivery of basic agricultural services and facilities which had been devolved to
poultry dressing plants, farm-to-market roads and other
local government units by the Local Government Code.
agricultural engineering facilities and systems are performed by
In his directive, the DILG secretary reminded local officials that with the institutionalization of the agricultural
engineering profession LGUs shall ensure that planning, designing and implementation of small water impounding
licensed and registered agricultural engineers in their localities.
projects, communal irrigation, tractor and agricultural machinery pools, post harvest facilities, agricultural buildings
and structures, slaughterhouses, poultry dressing plans, farm-to-market roads and other agricultural engineering
facilities and systems are performed by licensed and registered agricultural engineers in their localities.
The registered agricultural engineer shall also be the one who will sign the design, plans, technical specifications and
cost estimates in the procurement and implementation of LGU’s programs and projects on agricultural and fishery
machinery, buildings and structure, post harvest facilities, slaughterhouses, farm-to-market roads and other
engineering facilities and systems.
Puno said that with the implementation of RA 8559, LGUs may also reallocate agriculturist positions and other
positions performing agricultural engineering works to the existing engineer class of positions subject to the
approval of the sanggunian concerned through an ordinance enacted for the purpose.
At the same time, LGUs shall implement and enforce provisions of the law and the Philippine Agricultural Engineering Standards
as part of the licensing, registration and issuance of business permits of firms engaged in agricultural and fishery machinery
manufacturing, distribution and operation including issuance of building permits of agricultural buildings and structures. ###
 DILG Memo Circular No. 2008-167
Internal Institutionalization

 LGUs must have licensed AEs to plan, design and

supervise the implementation of irrigation, FMR, post
harvest facilities and other AE projects.
1. Reallocation of Agriculturist and Other Positions
performing AE works into Engineer Positions
2. Creation of Agricultural Engineer Positions in the
Agriculture and Engineering Offices of LGUs
3. Appointment of licensed AEs to Head the LGU AE
Groups and AE positions
4. Capability Enhancement of LGU AEs through CPE
 REALLOC ATI ON OF
POSIT ONS :

1) Agriculturist, Agricultural Technologist and other

Positions of LGU AEs to Engineer Positions
2) LGU AEs are performing AE works
3) LGU AEs concerned should submit request to the
Governor or Mayor
• endorsed by the Chief of Office
• Approved by the Sangunian
 CREATIO N OF A E
POSIT ONS :

1) Various level of AE Positions (permanent, casual,

contractual/job order) is the Offices of Mandatory
Positions
• Agriculturist
• Engineer
• Others : Assessors, Planning and Dev. Coord., etc.
2) Provincial, City and Municipal AE Positions as
separate Department- long term/First Class LGUs
3) Result of the Ocular Inspection and monitoring of
BoAE, PRC and DILG
 AE Positions
are needed

Provincial
Planning
and Dev.
Office

Provincial Provincial Provincial Provincial

Assesor’s Engineer’s Agriculture Env. & Nat.
Office Office and Coop Resources
Office Office
 AE Positions
are needed

CROPS AND
ENGINEERING DIVISION
 AE Positions
are needed

PLANNING AND FIELD

ENGINEERING PLANNING,
PROGRAMMING OPERATION
DISTRICTS RENTAL &
DIVISION SECTION
STOCKROOM
SECTION
 AE Positions
are needed

FOREST AND LAND MANAGEMENT

DIVISION
 OFFICE OF THE
MUNICIPAL MAYOR

OFFICE OF THE
CICE MAYOR
Note : This structure is similar to SANGGUNIANG BAYAN
City LGUs

OFFICE OF THE MUNICIPAL OFFICE OF THE SECRETARY TO THE

ADMINISTRATOR SANGGUNIANG BAYAN

Office of the Office of the Office of the Office of the Municipal Municipal
Municipal Municipal Municipal Municipal Health Planning &
Treasurer Assessor Accountant Budget Officer Officer Dev. Office

Office of the Office of the Office of the Municipal Social

Municipal Municipal Engineer Municipal Welfare & Dev.
Registrar Office
Agriculturist

AE Positions
are needed
Barangays
 DILG Memo Circular No. 2008-167
External Institutionalization

 LGU to require the plans and designs of AE

facilities be signed and sealed by licensed AE in
its regulatory activities:
1) Issuance of Building Permits for agricultural
buildings and structures – complements with
BOAE MC No. 208-18
2) Issuance of Business Licenses for Agricultural
Machineries and Agro-processing Firms
4.6. The LGUs shall implement and/or enforce pertinent provisions of
R.A. No. 8559 and the Philippine Agricultural Engineering Standards as
part of the licensing, registration and issuance of business permits of
firms and establishments engaged in agricultural and fishery
manufacturing, distribution and operation; agro-processing and other
agricultural engineering activities; and likewise in the issuance of
building permits for agricultural buildings and structures.

As such, the LGUs shall require that plans, designs, technical

specifications and cost estimates in the application of business
licenses and/or permits on agricultural engineering facilities and
systems shall be signed and sealed by licensed and registered
agricultural engineer
 DILG Memo Circular No. 2008-167
External Institutionalization

 Implementation of AE Law in the LGU

Procurement of Agricultural Machineries,
Buildings and structures
1) Plans and Designs and Technical Specifications to
be signed by AEs as part of the bidding documents

2) Constructors must have licensed AEs as

Sustaining Technical Employee or PCAB AE Works
Specialty License