WHEREAS, it is the primary concern of the government to support countryside development and agri-based industrialization projects leading to the realization of the vision of Philippines 2000;

WHEREAS, it is a national policy of the government to ensure the food security of the nation by encouraging the efficient production, processing, marketing and distribution of food crops, livestock, marine products, fruits and vegetables;

WHEREAS, it is also a national policy to encourage the dispersal of industrial, commercial and financial businesses to the countryside;

WHEREAS, there is a need to decongest the National Capital Region, particularly of industries and agro-processing and related services so as to relieve Metro Manila of activities that could otherwise be efficiently situated in its periphery and thus prevent the deterioration of its economic, social and infrastructure systems;

WHEREAS, local government units are encouraged and empowered under the Local Government Code to initiate and implement developmental projects for the benefit and welfare of their respective communities, in particular, and of the nation as a whole;

WHEREAS, the provincial government of Bulacan has conceptualized and recommended the setting up of a North Food Terminal Complex (NFTC) in the province which will replicate the success of the Food Terminal, Inc. located in Taguig, Metro Manila.

NOW, THEREFORE, I, FIDEL V. RAMOS, President of the Republic of the Philippines, by virtue of the powers vested in me by law, do hereby order the creation of a Coordinating Task Force to be chaired by the Governor of the Province of Bulacan with representatives from the Department of Agriculture, the Department of Trade and Industry, the Department of Agrarian Reform, the Department of Environment and Natural Resources, the Department of Public Works and Highways, and the Philippine Economic Zone Authority, as members, for the purpose of coordinating the execution and implementation of the proposed North Food Terminal Complex (NFTC) in Bulacan.

The Task Force is hereby authorized to call on the assistance of national government agencies and offices whose advice, talents and technical expertise may be needed for the successful prosecution of its objectives, within the limits of the agencies ™ respective mandates and to the extent allowed by law. The Governor of Bulacan is likewise mandated to steer the Task Force for an early completion of the NFTC ™s detailed feasibility studies, its funding requirements and timetable of implementation. Forthwith, the Task Force shall submit its recommendations to the Office of the President.

DONE in the City of Manila, this 9th day of October in the year of Our Lord, Nineteen Hundred and Ninety-Six.

(Sgd.) FIDEL V. RAMOS
President of the Philippines

By the President:

(Sgd.) RUBEN D. TORRES
Executive Secretary