Executive Order No. 103 establishing the Office of the Presidential Adviser on Food Security under the Office of the President

MALAC~ANG MAN/rLA EXECU1,:IVE ORDER No. 103 E;STABUSHING TIiE OFFICE OF THE PRE f<IDENTIAL ADVISER ON FOOD SECURI TY llNnI'~R THC OFFlCE OF THE PTIESIDrJNT 6090 OFFICIAL GAZETTE VOL. 95, No. 35 WHEREAS, with the onset of globalization and the implementation of the General Agreement on Tariffs and Trade-World Trade Order (GATT-WTO), the Philippine agriculture and fishery sectors have to be strengthened through modernization, greater participation of farmers and fisherfolk, food security and self-sufficiency, private sector participation and people empowerment; WHEREAS, the State has declared agricul ture as the centerpiece of development of the current administration to uplift the plight of the masses in the rural areas; WHEREAS, the government has launched agricultural development programs, with the primary goal of attaining national food secu rity at all times; WHEREAS, there is a need for a coordina ting body that shall oversee, unify and integrate the administration and implemen tation of the government's food security programs; and WHEREAS, under Sec. 31, Title III, Book III of Administrative Code of 1987, the President has a continuing authority to re organize his Office. Now, '.i'HEREFORE, I, JOSEPH EJERCITO ESTRADA, President of the Republic of the Philippines, bv virtue of the powers vested in me by the Constitution, do hereby estab lish the Office of the Presidential Adviser on Food Security (OPAFS) under the Office of the President, and providing the neces sary funds and its Secretariat. SECTION 1. Functions of the OPAFS. The OPAFS shall have the following functions: a) Coordinate and evaluate the programs, projects, activities and accomplish ments of all government agencies responsible in the implementation of the different aspects of food security; b) Oversee, monitor and recommend policies, programs and other measures related to food security for their effective formulation and implementa tion; c) Serve as the Secretariat of the Na tional Council on Food Security. The Presidential Adviser on Food Security shall serve as Co-Chairman of the Council; d) Manage the Agriculture Competitive ness Enhancement Fund (ACEF); e) Call on any department, office, agency and other instrumentalities of the gov ernment for assistance in the dis charge of its functions; f) Consolidate and submit periodic re ports to the President on the status of food security programs; and g) Perform other functions as may be necessary to attain the objectives of the national food security program and discharge such other duties as the President may direct. SEC. 2. Organizat'ion of the OPAFS. The OPAFS shall he headed hy a Presiden tial Adviser on Food Security with a Cabi net rank. It shall have a corps of Executive Staff and Administrative and Finance Staff that shall function under the supervision and control of the Presidential Adviser on Food Security. SEC. 3. Supervision. of releuant agencies, The following government offices shall be under the supervision of the Presidential Adviser on Food Security for policy and program coordination, namely: 1. National Agriculture and Fisheries Council (NAFC) 2. National Nutrition Council (NNe) 3. National Agri-Business Corporation (NABCOR) 4. Such other offices as mav be designated bv the President of the Philippines from time to time. ~)~C. Ll•.Amrropriation of Funds.-The Department of Budget and Management is hereby directed to appropriate and release sufficient funds for the organization of the OF AFR and for its initial operations. Henceforth. funds sufficient to fully carry out the functions and objectives of the AUGUST 30, 1999 OFFICIAL GAZETTE 6091 OPA~S shall be appropriated every fiscal year in the General Appropriations Act. SEC. 5. Repealing Clause.-All executive issuances, orders, rules and regulations, or parts thereof, which are inconsistent with any provision of this Executive Order are hereby revoked, amended or modified ac cordingly. SEC. 6. Effect'ivity-This Executive Or der shall take effect immediately. DoNE in the City of Manila, this 25th day of May, in the year of Our Lord, nineteen hundred and ninety-nine. (Sgd.) JOSEPH EJERCITO ESTRADA President of the Philippines By the President: (Sgd.) RoNALOO B. ZAMORA Execubive Seeretaru