senseneres: PROVINCIAL AGRICULTURAL BIOSYSTEMS ENGINEERS SHOULD BE REQUIRED

PROVINCIAL AGRICULTURAL BIOSYSTEMS ENGINEERS SHOULD BE REQUIRED

If we’re not serious about food security, then fine—let’s just let amateurs run agriculture. But if we are serious, then we must demand professionals: Agricultural and Biosystems Engineers (ABEs). Not just any engineers—these are highly trained experts who apply engineering science to farming, food systems, and the environment.

Why ABEs Matter Now More Than Ever

Conventional farming might survive without ABEs. But we’re no longer talking conventional. We’re talking precision agriculture: data-driven, science-based, and tech-enabled. ABEs help make that happen. They analyze soil, rainfall, and market data; use AI and blockchain; and design systems that help farmers plant smarter, harvest better, and deliver produce more efficiently. That’s not a luxury—it’s a necessity.

This is precisely why Kalinga’s Sangguniang Panlalawigan Member Christopher Dona-al is pushing for the establishment of a Provincial ABE office. The proposed ordinance underlines a simple but powerful point: this position isn’t optional. It’s mandated by national law.

Law on Our Side: The ABE Profession Is Already Recognized

Under Republic Act 10915, also known as the Philippine Agricultural and Biosystems Engineering Act of 2016, the government has formally recognized ABEs as essential professionals. The law explicitly mandates the hiring of ABEs in national agencies, LGUs, and projects involving farm mechanization, irrigation, waste management, and even farm-to-market roads.

Yet, despite the law, not all provinces comply. Kalinga, for instance, has yet to establish its own ABE office. Dona-al warns that this omission could sideline the province—especially now that the national government is prioritizing LGUs that do have ABEs.

The FMR Switch: ABE Roles Are Getting Bigger

This isn’t just theory: ABEs are increasingly critical to infrastructure. On October 30, 2025, government leaders announced that farm-to-market roads (FMRs) — once handled by the DPWH — will be overseen by ABEs under the Department of Agriculture.

That shift means: if a province has no ABE office, it risks being locked out of future FMR projects. For a heavily agricultural province like Kalinga, that’s not a minor concern—it’s a glaring governance gap.

What Would a Provincial ABE Office Do?

An ABE office at the provincial level would do far more than build roads. Its functions could (and should) include:

Farm mechanization and post-harvest optimizations
Irrigation, drainage, and water resource management
Rural renewable energy (solar, bio-energy)
Waste management and circular economy integration
Climate-smart, disaster-resilient infrastructure

That’s governance innovation: blending engineering expertise with public service. It ensures that decisions aren’t driven by politics alone, but grounded in technical reality.

But Will It Be Feasible?

Two hard questions jump out immediately:

Do we have enough licensed ABEs? The law expects ABEs in key roles, but distribution across provinces could be uneven. RA 10915 and its implementing rules require ABE positions in local governments.
Can we afford them? Hiring a full-time, licensed engineer is more expensive than a clerk. But consider what’s at stake: if we don’t pay for expertise now, we risk paying more for poorly built infrastructure, inefficient farming systems, or worse, exclusion from national funding.

The Bigger Picture: Food Security, Resilience, Innovation

Food security and rural development aren’t just about subsidies or short-term fixes. Long-term resilience means engineering systems that anticipate floods, droughts, market shifts.

ABEs bring that systems thinking. They empower barangays through training, help municipal engineers coordinate infrastructure, and allow provincial planning to rise above ad hoc projects.

My Call to Action

LGUs must legislate: Local governments should pass ordinances to establish ABE offices—like the one proposed in Kalinga.
Advocates should pressure: Civil society, farmer groups, and professional associations must demand that ABEs be institutionalized.
National support needs alignment: DA, DOST, and other agencies should ensure ABE staffing is part of infrastructure and rural development programs.

Bottom line: Requiring Provincial Agricultural Biosystems Engineers is not just a “nice-to-have.” It is essential. If we want smart, resilient, and modern agriculture—not just for today but for tomorrow—then the choice is clear. We need the engineers—not amateurs—to do this job.

Would you like help drafting a policy brief or memo for LGUs advocating for ABE offices?

RAMON IKE V. SENERES

www.facebook.com/ike.seneres iseneres@yahoo.com senseneres.blogspot.com 09088877282/07-28-2026