Executive Order No. 8, March 26, 2001

ESTABLISHING THE OFFICE OF THE PRESIDENTIAL ADVISER ON AGRICULTURAL MODERNIZATION UNDER THE OFFICE OF THE PRESIDENT

WHEREAS, the administration of President GLORIA MACAPAGAL-ARROYO has declared agriculture modernization founded on social equity as among the main components to win the battle against poverty within the decade;

WHEREAS, there is an urgent need for all government agencies relevant to agricultural modernization to program their activities toward such end;

WHEREAS, there is a need for a coordinating body that shall coordinate, on behalf of the President, the thrust of agricultural modernization;

WHEREAS, under the Administrative Code of 1987, the President has the continuing authority to reorganize the Office of the President;

NOW, THEREFORE, I, GLORIA MACAPAGAL-ARROYO, President of the Republic of the Philippines, by virtue of the powers vested in me by law, do hereby establish the Office of the Presidential Adviser on Agricultural Modernization (OPAAM) under the Office of the President and provide the necessary funds.

Section 1. Functions of OPAAM. - The OPAAM shall have the following functions:

a) Monitor and recommend policies, programs and other measures relating to agricultural modernization;

b) Unify and converge plans and programs of the different government agencies involved in activities related to agricultural modernization;

c) Consolidate and submit periodic reports to the President on the status of agricultural modernization programs; and

d) Perform other functions to attain the objective of agricultural modernization as the President my direct.

Section 2. Organization of the OPAAM. - The OPAAM shall be headed by a Presidential Adviser on Agricultural Modernization with a Cabinet rank. It shall have a staff which will function under the supervision and control of the Presidential Adviser on Agricultural Modernization.

Section 3. Coordination with relevant agencies. - The OPAAM shall coordinate with the following agencies for policy and program coordination relating to agricultural modernization, namely:

1. Department of Agriculture (DA)

2. Department of Agrarian Reform (DAR)

3. Department of Science and Technology (DOST)

4. Department of Trade and Industry (DTI)

5. Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG)

6. Commission on Higher Education (CHED)

7. Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH)

8. Department of Transportation and Communication (DOTC)

9. Such other offices as the President may designate.

Section 4. Appropriation of Funds. - The Office of the President shall release funds for the organization of the OPAAM and for its initial operations. Henceforth, funds sufficient to carry out the functions and objectives of the OPAAM shall be appropriated every fiscal year in the General Appropriations Act.

Section 5. Repealing Clause. - All executive issuances, orders, rules and regulations which are inconsistent with any provision of this Executive Order are hereby revoked, amended or modified accordingly.

Section 6. Effectivity. - This Executive Order shall take effect immediately.

City of Manila, March 26th 2001.

(Sgd.) GLORIA MACAPAGAL-ARROYO

President of the Philippines

By the President:

(Sgd.) RENATO S. DE VILLA

Executive Secretary