WHEREAS , a modernized agricultural sector founded on social equity is one of the key components of the government ™s national agenda for poverty alleviation and national development;

WHEREAS , there is a need for closer supervision by the Office of the President over certain agencies providing frontline services related to agricultural modernization and food sufficiency;

WHEREAS , the National Food Authority was created under Presidential Decree No. 1770 dated January 14, 1981, as a government corporation attached to the Office of the President for the promotion of the integrated growth and development of the food industry;

WHEREAS , the Philippine Coconut Authority was created under Presidential Decree No. 232 dated June 30, 1973, as amended by Presidential Decrees Nos. 961 and 1468 dated July 14, 1976 and June 11, 1978 respectively, as an independent public corporation directly reporting to, and supervised by, the President of the Philippines for the promotion of the accelerated development of the coconut and other palm oils industry;

WHEREAS , both the National Food Authority and the Philippine Coconut Authority were attached to the Department of Agriculture by virtue of Executive Order No. 292 dated July 25, 1987, otherwise known as the Administrative Code of 1987;

WHEREAS , under Section 31, Chapter 10, Title III, Book III of the Administrative Code of 1987, the President has the continuing authority to reorganize the Office of the President;

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

SECTION 1. Transfer of the National Food Authority. - The National Food Authority ( œNFA ) is hereby transferred from the Department of Agriculture and attached to the Office of the President for policy and program coordination.

The President shall designate the Chairman of the NFA Council, while the Administrator of the NFA shall be the Vice-Chairman of the NFA Council. The Vice-Chairman shall assist the Chairman and act in his stead in case of absence or incapacity.

SECTION 2. Transfer of the Philippine Coconut Authority . - The Philippine Coconut Authority ( œPCA ) is hereby transferred from the Department of Agriculture and attached to the Office of the President for policy and program coordination.

The President shall designate the Chairman of the PCA Governing Board, while the Administrator of the PCA shall be the Vice-Chairman of the PCA Governing Board. The Vice-Chairman shall assist the Chairman and act in his stead in case of absence or incapacity.

SECTION 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.

SECTION 4. Effectivity. - This Executive Order shall take effect immediately.

City of Manila, October 15, 2001

(SGD.) GLORIA MACAPAGAL-ARROYO

By the President:

(SGD.) ALBERTO G. ROMULO
Executive Secretary