WHEREAS, the development of the sugar industry is vital to the overall national efforts to promote greater productivity of the agriculture sector and thereby, achieving higher growth of the national economy;

WHEREAS, it is the national policy to promote the growth and development of the sugar industry through greater and significant participation of the private sector, including the furtherance of conducive investment climate and the improvement of the working conditions of the sugar workers;

WHEREAS, there is a need for a coordinating mechanism for the government and private sector partnership in pursuing the national efforts on the development of the local sugar industry and its global competitiveness;

NOW, THEREFORE, I, FIDEL V. RAMOS, President of the Philippines, by the virtue of powers vested in me by law, do hereby order:

Section 1. Creation of the National Coordinating Council for the Sugar Industry. There is hereby created the National Coordinating Council for the local sugar industry, hereinafter referred to as the Council, to promote effective government and private sector coordination in the pursuing the national efforts to enhance the development and global competitiveness of the local sugar industry.

Section 2. Composition.  The Council shall be composed of the following:

One representative each from the federations of sugar planters, millers, traders, industrial users and consumers, appointed by the President upon the recommendation of the Secretary of Agriculture, shall also be among the members of the Council.

Section 3. Duties and Functions. The Council shall discharge the following duties and functions:

a. Provide effective forum for resolving issues and concerns affecting the development of the local sugar industry;

b. Provide feedback mechanisms among and between government and private sector on the implementation of policies and programs pertaining to the industry;

c. Enhance government and private sector cooperation and complementation in pursuing industry plans and programs;

d. Submit recommendations in the government ™s review and formulation of policies and programs on the sugar industry; and

e. Perform other functions which may be deemed necessary by the President.

Section 4. Secretariat Support. The Sugar Regulatory Administration shall provide technical and administrative support to the Council in the effective discharge of its functions. The Council, however, may create other Committees and/or tap the support of other concerned agencies, in the furtherance of its mandate provided under this Order.

Section 5. Funding. The budget for the initial operational year of the Council and the Secretariat shall be provided by the Department of Agriculture and Sugar Regulatory Administration, respectively, subject to the applicable accounting and auditing regulations.

The operational budget of the Council and the Secretariat for the succeeding years shall be drawn from the contribution of its members and agreed upon by the Council.

Section 6. Reportorial Requirements. The Council shall submit to the Office of the President an annual report on its activities.

Section 7. Effectivity. This Order shall take effect immediately.

DONE in the City of Manila, this 5th day of August, in the year of Our Lord, Nineteen Hundred and Ninety-Seven.

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

By the President:

(Sgd.) RUBEN D. TORRES
Executive Secretary