By virtue of the powers vested in me by the Constitution and laws of the Philippines, I, MANUEL L. QUEZON, President of the Philippines do hereby authorize the Food Administrator appointed under Executive Order No. 378, dated December 10, 1941, to take over farm lands, cultivated or uncultivated, with a view of putting the same to productive uses; and for such purpose, as well as for the general purpose of preventing failure or shortage of crops and averting hunger and destitution, to require all able-bodied citizens when not engaged in any lawful occupation to engage in farming and other productive activities. Any person who, when required so to do by the Food Administrator, shall refuse to render the service required of him, shall be punished in accordance with the provisions of section three of Commonwealth Act Numbered Six Hundred. The Food Administrator shall, with the approval of the President, issue the necessary rules and orders to compensate for the lands taken over and for the services rendered by the persons required to engage in farming and other productive activities as herein provided, and such other rules and regulations as may be necessary to carry out the purposes of this Order. The expenditure of the necessary funds to carry into effect the aims and purposes of this Order is hereby authorized, subject to the usual accounting and auditing requirements.

Done at the City of Manila, this 23rd day of December, in the year of our Lord, nineteen hundred and forty-one, and of the Commonwealth of the Philippines, the seventh.


By the President:

(Sgd.) JORGE B. VARGAS
Secretary to the President