EXECUTIVE ORDER NO. 422 - CREATING THE NATIONAL COMMITTEE ON THE GENERAL CONFERENCE OF THE INTERNATIONAL FEDERATION OF AGRICULTURAL PRODUCERS IN MANILA, 27 MAY - 4 JUNE 1998

WHEREAS, it is part of the government’s policy thrusts to enhance the competitiveness of the local agricultural sector to attain food sufficiency and security, and therefore promote national growth and development;

WHEREAS, the improved competitiveness of the local agricultural sector shall likewise promote the welfare of the local agricultural producers, in particular that of the Filipino farmers and workers, and thereby advance the Social Reform Agenda of the government;

WHEREAS, the holding of the General Conference of the International Federation of Agricultural Producers (IFAP) in Manila from 27 May to 4 June 1998, which shall be participated in by the local farmer groups and agricultural producers to be led by the IFAP local affiliates, shall significantly serve the furtherance of the above policy thrust and Social Reform Agenda;

WHEREAS, the holding of the above IFAP conference in Manila is deemed part of the Department of Agriculture’s program for the centennial celebration of Philippine Independence in 1998;

WHEREAS, there is a need to provide an overall coordinating mechanism to ensure the orderly and productive conduct of the IFAP conference in Manila;

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

Section 1. Creation of the National Committee on the General Conference of the International Federation of Agricultural Producers. — There is hereby created a National Committee, hereafter referred to as the Committee, to ensure the orderly and productive holding of the General Conference of the International Federation of Agricultural Producers in Manila from 27 May to 4 June 1998.

Sec. 2. Composition. — The Committee shall be composed of the following:

Secretary, Department of Agriculture     Chairman

Secretary, Department of Foreign Affairs Co-Chairman

Head, IFAP Local Organizing Committee  Vice-Chairman

Secretary, Department of Agrarian Reform   Member

Secretary, Department of Environment and
Natural Resources Member

Secretary, Department of Trade and Industry Member

Secretary, Department of Labor and Employment   Member

Secretary, Department of Interior and Local
Government Member

Secretary, Department of Tourism     Member

Secretary, Department of Transportation and
Communications     Member

Secretary, Department of Public Works and Highways   Member

Secretary, Department of Science and Technology Member

Director General, Philippine National Police   Member

Director General, National Economic and
Development Authority   Member

Chairman, Metro Manila Development Authority   Member

President, Philippine Chamber of Commerce
and Industry     Member

President, Philippine Exporters Confederation, Inc.  Member

Sec. 3. Duties and Functions. — The Committee shall discharge the following duties and functions:

a. In coordination with the IFAP, formulate the appropriate program for the orderly and productive conduct of the above IFAP conference;

b. Promote and coordinate the active participation of the concerned government agencies and local private sector in the IFAP conference, including the sector-wide participation of the local farmers groups and agricultural producers;

c. Serve as the focal point of coordination and complementation between the government and IFAP relative to the activities of the conference; and

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