EXECUTIVE ORDER NO. 81, March 11, 2002

TRANSFERRING THE NATIONAL FOOD AUTHORITY AND THE PHILIPPINE COCONUT AUTHORITY FROM THE OFFICE OF THE PRESIDENT TO THE DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE

WHEREAS, the National Food Authority was created under Presidential Decree No. 1770 dated January 14, 1981 as a government corporation for the promotion of the integrated growth and development of the food industry;

WHEREAS, the Philippine Coconut Authority was created under Presidential Decree No. 232 dated June 30, 1973, as amended, as an independent public corporation for the promotion of the accelerated development of the coconut and other palm oils industry;

WHEREAS, both the National Food Authority and the Philippine Coconut Authority were transferred from the Department of Agriculture and attached to the Office of the President by virtue of Executive Order No. 41 dated October 15, 2001;

WHEREAS, the Executive Secretary and the Secretary of the Department of Agriculture have jointly recommended that the National Food Authority and the Philippine Coconut Authority be attached to the Department of Agriculture in order that the said corporations may better fulfill their mandate and make greater contributions towards achieving a modernized Philippine agricultural sector founded on social equity, which is one of the key components of the government’s national agenda for poverty alleviation and national development;

WHEREAS, under Section 31, Book III of 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 Philippines, by virtue of the powers vested in me by law, do hereby order:

Section 1. Transfer of the National Food Authority. – The National Food Authority is hereby transferred from the Office of the President and attached to the Department of Agriculture for policy and program coordination.

Section 2. Transfer of the Philippine Coconut Authority. – The Philippine Coconut Authority is hereby transferred from the Office of the President and attached to the Department of Agriculture for policy and program coordination.

Section 3. Repealing Clause. – All executive orders, rules and regulations and other issuances inconsistent with the provisions of this Executive Order are hereby revoked or modified accordingly.

Section 4. Effectivity. – This Executive Order shall take effect immediately.

City of Manila, March 11, 2002.

(SGD.) GLORIA MACAPAGAL-ARROYO

By the President:

(SGD.) ALBERTO G. ROMULO

Executive Secretary