WHEREAS, for the year 1998 there is an estimated supply shortage of 6,400 metric tons (MT) of coffee beans due to the drought induced by the "El Ni o" phenomenon which caused severe damage to the country's standing coffee crops and is expected to further reduce subsequent crop production;

WHEREAS, Section 6 of Republic Act No. 8178, otherwise known as the "Agricultural Tariffication Act", provides that in case of shortages or abnormal price increases in agricultural products, whose quantitative restrictions are lifted under the said law, the President may propose revisions, modifications or adjustments of MAV to Congress which has to act within fifteen days from receipt of the proposal, otherwise, the same shall be deemed approved;

WHEREAS, a proposal was submitted by the President to Congress on February 6, 1998 to increase the 1998 MAV for coffee beans by 5,000 MT from 1,060 MT (1997) to 6,060 MT;

WHEREAS, the Congress did not act on the aforesaid proposal within the prescribed period.

NOW, THEREFORE, I, FIDEL V. RAMOS, President of the Philippines and pursuant to the provisions of Republic Act No. 8178, do hereby order:

SECTION 1.       The Minimum Access Volume (MAV) for coffee beans in the authorized 1997 MAV of 1,060 metric tons (MT) is hereby increased to 6,060 metric tons (MT); Provided, That any unavailed balance at the end of 1998 shall not be carried over to 1999.

SECTION 2.       The MAV Management Committee is hereby authorized to allocate volume importation to qualified importers of coffee beans pursuant to the Rules and Regulations for the Implementation of Agricultural MAVs.

SECTION 3.       This Executive Order shall take effect immediately.

Adopted: 22 May 1998

BY THE PRESIDENT:

(SGD.) ALEXANDER P. AGUIRRE
Acting Executive Secretary