WHEREAS, the development and growth of our farm, forest, fishery, and certain mineral resources is a matter of national concern;

WHEREAS, research is necessary to determine the alternative means of achieving national goals in the development of our agricultural and natural resources or to identify the best means among the alternatives;

WHEREAS, mines are a natural resource which is one of the top foreign exchange earners of the country;

WHEREAS, there is a need to wisely utilize this exhaustible resource;

WHEREAS, mines research is best done in relation to agricultural, forestry, and fisheries resources in order to consider their combined effects in maintaining a favorable ecological balance;

WHEREAS, there is a need to strengthen the system and capability for mines research in the country; and

WHEREAS, this can best be done through the existing body which now monitors, coordinates, and manages all research in agriculture, forestry, and fisheries in the country;

NOW, THEREFORE, I, FERDINAND E. MARCOS, President of the Republic of the Philippines, by virtue of the powers vested in me by the Constitution, do hereby decree and order the following:

SECTION 1. The name of the Philippine Council for Agricultural Research, established under P.D. 48, is hereby changed to the PHILIPPINE COUNCIL FOR AGRICULTURE AND RESOURCES RESEARCH, hereinafter referred to as PCARR, with the following functions in addition to those stipulated in P.D. 48:

1. Have authority and responsibility, as part of the scope of its operations, over all government-supported and funded research on mineral resources except petroleum and other mineral oils;
2. Establish, support and manage the operation of a national network of centers of excellence for the various research programs in crops; livestock; forestry; fisheries; soil; waters; and mineral resources; and socio-economics research related to agriculture and natural resources; and
3. Enter into agreements or relationships with other similar institutions or organizations, both national and international, in furtherance of the above purposes.

SEC. 2. The PCARR Governing Council shall be composed of the following officials:

1. The Chairman, National Science Development Board, Chairman;
2. The Secretary of Agriculture, Vice-Chairman;
3. The Secretary of Natural Resources, Vice-Chairman;
4. The Budget Commissioner;
5. A Representative of the National Economic and Development Authority;
6. The President, Association of Colleges of Agriculture of the Philippines;
7. The Chancellor, University of the Philippines at Los Baños;
8. The PCARR Director General; and
9. Two outstanding leaders in the producers' and business sector of agriculture and natural resources to be appointed by the President of the Philippines upon recommendation of the PCARR Governing Council.

SEC. 3. The PCARR employees shall be exempt from the scope and coverage of the Wage and Position Classification Office (WAPCO).

SEC. 4. The PCARR Governing Council is hereby authorized to establish an Agriculture and Resources Research Service which will formulate rules and regulations covering qualifications, recruitment, compensation, performance evaluation, and separation from the service, of all government technical personnel engaged in research-oriented operations in agriculture and natural resources.

SEC. 5. The PCARR Governing Council is authorized to reorganize its Secretariat and Research Network by creating, consolidating or integrating as many divisions and research stations as may be necessary to accomplish its functions and objectives.

SEC. 6. All acts, parts of acts, executive orders, decrees, ordinances, rules and regulations, which are inconsistent with this Presidential Decree are hereby repealed, amended, or modified accordingly.

SEC. 7. This Decree shall take effect upon its promulgation.

Done in the City of Manila, this 29th day of December, in the year of Our Lord, nineteen hundred and seventy-five.