MALACAÑANG

MANILA

ADMINISTRATIVE ORDER NO. 265

ESTABLISHING THE TASK FORCE FOR THE IMPLEMENTATION OF THE COTABATO RIVER BASIN RICE PRODUCTIVITY ACTION PLAN

WHEREAS, the Food Security Summit held on 26 January 1996 identified Mindanao as a possible food basket since it provides more than forty percent of the country’s annual rice requirement;

WHEREAS, the Provinces of North and South Cotabato, Maguindanao and Sultan Kudarat, otherwise known as the Cotabato River Basin, are in the position to further increase their current level of rice production;

WHEREAS, the Cotabato River Basin Rice Productivity Summit held on 4 March 1996 adopted the Action Plan to increase the annual rice yields of the Provinces of North and South Cotabato, Maguindanao and Sultan Kudarat;

WHEREAS, the Action Plan was presented to and approved by the President during the 5 March 1996 Cabinet Meeting at General Santos City;

WHEREAS, there is a need for a coordinating mechanism to ensure the effective and timely implementation of the Plan;

NOW, THEREFORE, I, FIDEL V. RAMOS, by virtue of the powers vested in me by law, hereby order and direct:

Section 1. Establishment of the Task Force for the enhancement of rice production in the Cotabato River Basin. There is hereby created the Task Force for the Cotabato River Basin to serve as the policy and program coordinating body for enhancing rice productivity in the Provinces of North and South Cotabato, Maguindanao and Sultan Kudarat, in line with the government’s efforts to transform Mindanao as the country’s food basket.

Section 2. Composition. The Task Force shall be composed of the following:

Chairman
Secretary, Department of Agriculture

Members
Governor, North Cotabato

Governor, Maguindanao

Governor, Sultan Kudarat

Secretary of Agriculture and Food, ARMM

Secretary, Mindanao Economic Development Council

President, University of Southern Mindanao

Vice President, Land Bank of the Philippines

Directors, DA Regions XI and XII

Directors, DPWH, Regions XI and XII

Directors, DENR, Regions XI and XII

Directors, NFA, Regions XI and XII

Directors, NIA, Regions XI and XII

Heads, Regional Agricultural and Fishery Council, Regions XI and XII

One (1) Representative each from the farmers’ groups and NGOs in the area to be appointed by the Committee Chairman

Section 3. Duties and Responsibilities. The Task Force shall have the following duties and responsibilities:

a. Coordinate the implementation of the Action Plan adopted by the 4 March 1996 Cotabato River Basin Rice Productivity Summit, including the formulation and implementation of the programs and policies affecting thereof;

b. Provide mechanism for addressing issues and concerns affecting the implementation of the Plan and the promotion of higher rice productivity of the area;

c Study and recommend possible sources of funds for the effective Plan implementation;

d. Monitor the Plan implementation towards its regular updating in furtherance of its objectives; and,

e. Undertake other functions which may be deemed essential by the President.

Section 4. Secretariat Support. The SOCSARGEN Area Development Project Office of the DA Region XI shall provide secretariat and administrative support to the Task Force. To the extent necessary, the Task Force may call on other government agencies and instrumentalities to assist it in the discharge of its functions and/or may create appropriate Sub-Committee and Task Forces.

Section 5. Operational Budget. The yearly budgetary requirement for the operation of the Task Force shall be drawn from the contribution of its Member Agencies. For its initial year, the Department of Agriculture, through the National Food Authority, shall provide One Million Pesos (P1,000,000) from the proceeds of the 1996 rice importation, subject to existing accounting and auditing rules.

Section 6. Initial Task. As its initial task, the Task Force shall review the above Action Plan toward enhancing its doability through the provision of specific time frame and monitoring parameters of the programs and projects thereto. In this regard, the Task Force shall submit to the Office of the President, the implementing program of the Plan indicating its milestones and expected time of completion.

Section 7. Implementing Guidelines. The Task Force shall immediately formulate and adopt the necessary implementing rules and regulations to effectively implement the provisions of this Order.

Section 8. Reporting. The Task Force shall provide a quarterly report on its activities to the Office of the President, copy furnished the Regional Development Councils of Regions XI and XII.

Section 9. Sunset Clause. At the end of the timetable of the Action Plan or not later than three (3) years from the effectivity of this Order, the Office of the Executive Secretary shall review the need for the continued existence of the Task Force.

Section 10. Effectivity. This Order shall take effect immediately.

DONE in the City of Manila, this 7th day of June in the year of Our Lord, Nineteen Hundred and Ninety-Six.

(Sgd.) FIDEL V. RAMOS
President of the Philippines

By the President

(Sgd.) RUBEN D. TORRES
Executive Secretary

Source: Malacañang Records Office

Office of the President of the Philippines. (1996). [Administrative Order Nos. : 201 Р300]. Manila : Malaca̱ang Records Office.