The Center for Agri-Fisheries and Biosystems Mechanization (BIOMECH), College of Engineering and Agro-Industrial Technology (CEAT), University of the Philippines Los Baños (UPLB) actively participated in the “Tatak Pinoy (Proudly Filipino) Act” (Republic Act 11981) focus group discussion/ stakeholders’ consultation for the drafting of the Implementing Rules and Regulation (IRR) with the Civil Society and Academe representatives via zoom on April 12, 2024 at 1:00 p.m. to 3:00 p.m.
RA 11981 is an act mandating the formulation, funding, implementation, monitoring and evaluation of a comprehensive and multi-year “Tatak Pinoy” (Proudly Filipino) strategy, establishing a Tatak Pinoy Council, appropriating funds therefor, and for other purposes. Section 2 of the law declared that the policy of the State “to encourage, support, and promote the production and offering of Philippine products and services of increasing diversity, sophistication, and quality by domestic enterprises that are globally competitive.”
The consultation focused on the review of the draft IRR which will be used for the operationalization of the TP Act. BIOMECH’s participation in the consultation hinges on its support to the strengthening of the local agri-fisheries machinery assembly and manufacturing industry which has the capability to produce high quality agri-fisheries machinery, given an enabling environment to attain this goal.
(MVL Larona)