Question & AnswerQ&A (EXECUTIVE ORDER NO. 840)
The main purpose of Executive Order No. 840 is to establish and complete the National Agriculture and Life Sciences Research Complex at the University of the Philippines at Los Baños, by creating new specialized research institutes to support food and agricultural scientific research.
The recognized institutes are the Institute of Plant Breeding (1975), National Crop Protection Center (1976), National Plant Genetic Resources Laboratory (1978), and National Institutes of Biotechnology and Applied Microbiology (1979).
The Farming Systems and Soil Resources Institute, Institute of Food Science and Technology, and Institute of Animal Science were established as new institutes at the University of the Philippines at Los Baños.
The Board of Regents of the University of the Philippines is authorized to organize the new institutes from existing staff, facilities, and programs of the university and its units.
Each new institute was allocated at least Three Million Pesos (P3,000,000.00) for Calendar Year 1982 and a similar amount for Calendar Year 1983 from the Special Activities Fund or other appropriate sources for their current operating expenses.
The Ministers of Budget and Management and Public Works and Highways are directed to provide for the capital outlay needs within a three-year period starting Calendar Year 1984.
Yes, the seven research institutes and other future institutes are authorized to call upon qualified scientists and experts from other government entities and the private sector and provide them allowances, honoraria, and incentives subject to guidelines issued by the Director-General of the National Science and Technology Authority.
The institutes are exempted from government limitations in purchasing scientific and research-related equipment and attendance abroad to scientific and technological meetings or conferences upon certification by the Director-General of the National Science and Technology Authority.
The order was signed in the City of Manila on October 16, 1982, marking the official implementation and legal effectivity of the establishment of the research complex.