WHEREAS, there is a need to harmonize and unify the policy directions affecting the agriculture sector;

WHEREAS, by virtue of Executive Order No. 76, S. 2002, the Philippine Rice Research Institute was made the primary Government agency responsible for the Hybrid Rice Program (Program) and the promotion of the utilization of hybrid rice technologies;

WHEREAS, the Philippine Rice Research Institute was established under the Department of Agriculture pursuant to Executive Order No. 1061 dated November 5, 1985, as amended by Executive Order No. 60, s. 1986, with the Secretary as the Ex-Officio Chairperson of its Board of Trustees;

WHEREAS, Executive Order No. 76 amended Executive Order No. 1061 by placing the Philippine Rice Research Institute under the Office of the President for closer administrative supervision and making the Presidential Adviser for One Million Jobs as the Ex-Officio Chairperson of its Board of Trustees;

WHEREAS, in order to unify the leadership in the Hybrid Rice Program and the Department of Agriculture, there is a need to revert the PhilRice to the Department of Agriculture;

WHEREAS, pursuant to Section 49, Chapter 6, Title IV, Book IV of the Administrative Code of 1987 (EO 292), the Secretary of Department of Agriculture shall serve as Chairperson of the governing boards of all its attached units or agencies;

WHEREAS, under Section 31, Chapter 10, Title III, Book II of EO 292, the President has the continuing authority to reorganize the administrative structure of the Office of the President;

NOW, THEREFORE, I, GLORIA MACAPAGAL-ARROYO, President of the Republic of the Philippines, by virtue of the powers vested in by law, do hereby order:

SECTION 1. Section 2 of Executive Order No. 76, amending Section 4 of Executive Order No. 1061, is hereby amended to read as follows:

"SECTION 2. Transfer- The PHILRICE is hereby transferred from the Office of the President to the Department of Agriculture (DA)."

SEC. 2. Reconstitution. - The Board of Trustees of PHILRICE is hereby reconstituted and Section 4 of Executive Order No. 1061 dated November 5, 1985, as amended by Executive Order No. 60, series of 1986 and Executive Order No. 76, series, of 2002, is hereby further amended to read as follows:

"SECTION 4. Board of Trustees. - The corporate powers of the Institute shall be exercised, and all its business activities and properties shall be controlled by a Board of Trustees, hereinafter referred to as the Board, composed of the Secretary of the Department of Agriculture as Ex-Officio Chairperson and twelve (12) other members to be appointed by the President of the Philippines upon recommendation of the Secretary of the Department of Agriculture. The appointive members of the Board shall serve for two (2) years.

The Board shall meet regularly at least once a month or as often as the exigencies of the service demand. The presence of at least seven (7) members shall constitute a quorum, and the majority vote of the members present there being a quorum shall be necessary for the adoption of any resolution, "rule, regulation, decision or any other act of Board.

The members of he Board, including the Chairperson, shall receive per diem, as the Board may determine, for each Board Meeting actually attended: Provided, That such per diem shall not exceed Two Thousand Pesos (P2,000.00) during any one month for each member. The said members shall also be entitled to reimbursable transportation and representation allowances in going to and coming from Board Meetings and transacting official business for the Institute."

SEC. 3. Repealing Clause. - All Executive Orders, rules and regulations, and other issuances inconsistent with the provisions of this Executive Order are hereby revoked or modified accordingly.

SEC. 4. Effectivity. - This Order shall take effect immediately.

DONE, in the City of Manila this 23rd day of June, in the year of Our Lord, Two Thousand and Three.

By the President:

(Sgd.) ALBERTO G. ROMULO
Executive Secretary