EXECUTIVE ORDER NO. 728, May 02, 2008

ENSURING TOP-LEVEL ATTENTION AND PRIORITY ACTION ON FOOD AND ENERGY NEEDS OF THE NATION

WHEREAS, it is the policy of the government to ensure that every Filipino shall have food on their table especially the poorer sector of the society;

WHEREAS, parallel with the programs on food security, the government is also given equal importance to the energy needs of the nation, including power sector reforms;

WHEREAS, there is a need to create a council that will give top-level attention and priority action on food and energy needs of the nation;

WHEREAS, Section 17, Article VII of the Constitution provides that the President shall have control of all executive departments, bureaus and offices and shall ensure that all laws be faithfully executed;

NOW, THEREFORE, I, GLORIA M. ARROYO, President of the Republic of the Philippines, by virtue of the powers vested in me by the Constitution and the law, do hereby order the following:

Section 1. - There is hereby created the National Food and Energy Council (NFEC or Council).

Section 2. - The NFEC is tasked with assessing the food and energy situation and prospects, and formulating, coordinating, undertaking, monitoring and/or adjusting major national long-term policies, programs and project as measures to ensure adequate, competitively priced supplies of food and energy for the nation, especially the very poor.

Section 3. - The Council shall include the President as Chair, the NEDA Secretary as Vice-Chair, the Secretaries of DA, DENR, DOE, NAPC, NSC and the NPC, PNOC, NFA heads as members.

Section 4. - The heads of relevant committees in Congress and representatives of sectoral groups, academe and other non-government organizations, may be invited as full members or observers.

Section 5. - The Council shall, among its other functions, make a five-year projection of supply, demand and prices of essential foodstuffs and energy sources, to be adjusted periodically, and with the targeted impact of policy actions incorporated in the forecasts.

Section 6. - The Council shall advise the President and Congress if and when the exercise of emergency presidential powers shall be required to address food and energy problems.

Section 7. - The Council on Climate Change, which will discuss similar issues and whose priority will need to be reconciled with food and energy, is hereby absorbed by the NFEC.

Section 8. - All other rules, regulations and issuances or parts thereof which are inconsistent with this Executive Order are hereby repealed or modified accordingly.

Section 9. - This Executive Order shall take effect immediately.

DONE in the City of Manila, this 2nd day of May, in the year of Our Lord, Two Thousand and Eight.

(Sgd.) GLORIA MACAPAGAL-ARROYO

By the President:

(Sgd.) EDUARDO R. ERMITA

Executive Secretary