Department Circular No. 01 of 2013 Implementing Rules and Regulations for R.A. No. 10601, known as the Agricultural and Fisheries Mechanization Law of 2012.

These Implementing Rules and Regulations for R.A. No. 10601, known as the Agricultural and Fisheries Mechanization (AFMech) Law, pursuant to Section 37 of R.A. No. 10601, the following rules and regulations are adopted and promulgated to implement the provisions of the above mentioned Act. It shall be the policy of the State to: a) Promote the development and adoption of modern, appropriate and cost-effective and environmentally-safe agricultural and fisheries machinery and equipment to enhance farm productivity and efficiency in order to achieve food security and safety and increase farmers' income; b) Provide a conducive environment to the local assembling and manufacturing of engines, machinery and equipment for agricultural and fisheries production, processing and marketing; c) Ensure the quality and safety of machinery and equipment locally manufactured or imported by strengthening regulation through the development and enforcement of machinery and machine performance standards, regular testing and evaluation, registration, and the accreditation and classification of suppliers, assemblers and manufacturers to ensure compliance to prescribed quality standards; d) Strengthen support services such as credit facilities, research, training and extension programs, rural infrastructures, post-harvest facilities and marketing services; e) Unify, rationalize and strengthen the implementation, coordination of activities and mechanisms on agricultural and fisheries mechanization programs and projects; and f) Deliver integrated support services to farmers, fisherfolk and other stakeholders, and assist them to be able to viably operate and manage their agricultural and fisheries mechanization projects.
There shall be formulated a National Agri-fishery Mechanization Programme by the Department of Agriculture (DA) with the following objectives: a) Promote and support through the provision of research grants, credit, transparent and predictable regulation, the local development and manufacture of agricultural and fisheries machinery by the private sector; b) Unify, lead and support the efforts of various institutions in the research, design and development of agricultural and fisheries machinery; c) Establish quality, safety and performance standards for agricultural and fisheries machinery; d) Support the establishment of quality, safety and performance testing centres for the certification of agricultural and fisheries machinery in strategic localities in the country; e) Establish guidelines for the registration of ownership of agricultural and fisheries machinery; and f) Promote the adoption of certified agricultural and fisheries machinery for improving agriculture and fishery productivity.