AN ACT TO ABOLISH THE APICULTURE TRAINING AND DEVELOPMENT CENTER AT THE DON MARIANO MARCOS MEMORIAL STATE UNIVERSITY

Case Overview and Summary

Summary of Republic Act No. 9151

Establishment of the National Apiculture Research, Training and Development Institute
- Abolishes the Apiculture Training and Development Center and establishes the National Apiculture Research, Training and Development Institute (the Institute) at the Don Mariano Marcos Memorial State University in Bacnotan, La Union. (Section 1)
- Transfers all functions, equipment, facilities, supplies, records, and personnel of the abolished center to the Institute. (Section 2)

General Powers and Functions of the Institute
- Educate and train beekeepers and apiculturists. (Section 3a)
- Conduct researches. (Section 3b)
- Extend technologies. (Section 3c)

Specific Powers and Functions of the Institute
- Establish and develop bee breeding facilities for producing quality queen bees. (Section 4a)
- Develop, verify, and package appropriate apiculture technologies for national application. (Section 4b)
- Establish quality control systems for honeybee products, by-products, and standards for beekeeping tools and equipment. (Section 4c)
- Develop, design, and fabricate beekeeping tools and equipment using local materials. (Section 4d)
- Establish wax mills for processing wax foundation sheets from locally-produced wax. (Section 4e)
- Develop technologies for pollen, wax, propolis, and royal jelly production. (Section 4f)
- Establish and develop model beekeeping communities. (Section 4g)
- Establish regional satellite centers for extension, research, and training. (Section 4h)
- Establish pest management programs. (Section 4i)
- Develop beekeeping extension strategies and approaches. (Section 4j)
- Educate farmers to increase/improve crop yield and quality through bee pollination. (Section 4k)
- Utilize beekeeping technologies for reforestation, agroforestation, forest protection, rehabilitation, and beautification programs. (Section 4l)
- Establish the organizational structure, duties of officials and personnel of the Institute. (Section 4m)

Administration of the Institute
- Headed by a Director appointed by the Board of Regents of the Don Mariano Marcos Memorial State University upon recommendation of the University President. (Section 5)
- Other officers and employees appointed by the Director in accordance with the Civil Service Law. (Section 5)
- Plans and programs reviewed and recommended annually by an Advisory Board composed of various government officials and representatives from the beekeeping industry and NGOs. (Section 6)
- Quorum for Advisory Board meetings is five members, with the Chairman or Vice Chairman presiding. (Section 7)
- Researchers and support personnel from other agencies may be detailed to the Institute, subject to approval, and paid honoraria. (Section 8)

Facilities, Exemptions, and Funding
- Authorized to plan, construct, develop, improve, acquire, or lease buildings, farms, fields, and other facilities, and purchase machineries, equipment, materials, and supplies locally or abroad. (Section 9)
- Exempted from taxes and duties on importation of machineries, equipment, materials, and supplies required for research, development, and training programs. (Section 9)
- Main offices, apiary, bee pasture development, demonstration and experimental areas, and nursery situated at the Don Mariano Marcos Memorial State University campus in Bacnotan, La Union, with potential for establishing satellite centers in other areas. (Section 10)
- Appropriated Twenty million pesos (P20,000,000.00) from the Office of the President. (Section 11)
- May generate funds from local and foreign sources and enter into collaborative agreements to supplement government-allocated funds. (Section 12)
- Expenditures and disbursements subject to existing auditing and accounting rules and regulations. (Section 13)
- Savings and income of the Institute shall constitute a revolving fund to be used for pursuing its objectives. (Section 14)

Repealing Clause and Effectivity
- Repeals or modifies existing laws, rules, and regulations inconsistent with the provisions of this Act, except for the Local Government Code of 1991. (Section 15)
- Takes effect fifteen (15) days after complete publication in the Official Gazette or in at least two (2) newspapers of general circulation. (Section 16)