WHEREAS, the government aims to promote the welfare of the members of the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP);

WHEREAS, the current social unrest in Mindanao requires dedicated soldiers to enforce the law and help maintain peace and order;

WHEREAS, the provision of non-monetary incentive to soldiers assigned on combat duty in Mindanao shall boost their morale and uplift their spirit;

WHEREAS, the tight economic situation coupled with low income, contribute to their miseries;

WHEREAS, provision of direct support to their families shall encourage them to perform effectively and promote peace of mind;

NOW THEREFORE, I, JOSEPH EJERCITO ESTRADA, President of the Republic of the Philippines, by virtue of the powers vested in me by law, do hereby order the following:

SECTION 1. The National Food Authority (NFA) is hereby ordered to provide one sack of rice per month to the families of soldiers currently on combat duty in Mindanao.

The rice allowance shall be forfeited in the event that a concerned soldier is no longer in active duty or has been transferred to a non-combat area.

SECTION 2. Funding for the project shall be determined by the Department of Budget and Management in coordination with the NFA and AFP.

SECTION 3. The NFA, DBM and the AFP shall jointly formulate the guidelines to implement the Order, including the identification of qualified soldiers entitled to the rice allowance and the system of distribution.

SECTION 4. This order shall take effect immediately.

Done in the City of Manila, this 5th  day of April, in the year of our Lord, Nineteen Hundred and Ninety-Nine.

(SGD.) JOSEPH EJERCITO ESTRADA
President of the Philippines

By the President:

(SGD.) RONALDO B. ZAMORA
Executive Secretary