QuestionsQuestions (PRESIDENTIAL DECREE NO. 232 [*])
PD No. 232 (June 30, 1973) is issued by President Ferdinand E. Marcos by virtue of his constitutional powers as Commander-in-Chief and pursuant to Proclamation No. 1081 (as amended by Proclamation No. 1104) and General Order No. 1. Its purpose is to create the Philippine Coconut Authority to promote accelerated, integrated development of the coconut and other palm oils industry, improving yields and quality and strengthening research, extension, marketing, credit, and foreign trade promotion.
It is the policy of the State to promote accelerated growth and development of the coconut and other palm oils industry so that benefits accrue to the greatest number, and to provide continued leadership and support in the integrated development of the industry.
(a) To promote accelerated development of the coconut and other palm oils industry in all its aspects; (b) to provide general directions for steady and orderly development; and (c) to achieve vertical integration so coconut farmers become participants in and beneficiaries of the development and growth of the industry.
It includes: (a) formulating and adopting a general development program; (b) evaluating and integrating/coordinating policies, programs, and projects of other agencies into the approved program; (c) recommending to the President the integration of agencies for efficiency; and (d) supervising, coordinating, and evaluating agencies and allocating/coordination of release of public funds in accordance with approved programs.
It is empowered to regulate marketing and export of coconut products and by-products (and other palm oils), including establishment of quotas, whenever the national interest so requires.
The Authority may receive and administer funds provided by law; draw funds from existing appropriations with the President’s approval; accept donations, grants, gifts, and assistance from international/local private foundations, associations, or entities; and administer such assistance in accordance with donor instructions or, if none, in the Authority’s discretion.
It may borrow from local and international financing institutions and issue bonds and other instruments of indebtedness, subject to existing rules and regulations of the Central Bank.
Under Section 3(h), the Authority may formulate and recommend credit policies affecting production, marketing, and processing of coconut and other palm oils, for adoption by the appropriate agencies.
The Board has eleven members: (1) three private sector representatives at-large appointed by the President; (2) Chairman, National Science Development Board; (3) Undersecretary of Agriculture and Natural Resources; (4) Undersecretary of Trade; (5) President, Philippine Coconut Producers Federation; (6) Chairman, United Coconut Associations of the Philippines; (7) Chairman of the Board, Coconut Investment Company; (8) Director, Bureau of Plant Industry; and (9) Director, Bureau of Agricultural Extension.
The President designates the Chairman from among Board members. The Board elects a Vice-Chairman who assumes the Chairman’s functions whenever the Chairman is absent or incapacitated.
Management is vested in an Administrator appointed by the Board. The Administrator directs and manages the Authority’s affairs based on Board policies and plans, and performs other duties as the Board designates.
The Administrator must prepare and submit an annual report to the President within thirty days after the close of each fiscal year, and submit such periodic reports of activities as required from time to time.
The Coconut Coordinating Council (CCC), Philippine Coconut Administration (PHILCOA), and Philippine Coconut Research Institute (PHILCORIN) are abolished. Their powers/functions are transferred to the Philippine Coconut Authority, together with appropriations/funding sources, equipment, assets, and personnel needed for the Authority’s functions. Separated personnel retain the same rights and privileges as other government employees separated under the Integrated Reorganization Plan, and transfers must ensure least disruption of ongoing programs.
All officers and employees of the abolished agencies continue exercising their functions until ordered otherwise by the Board. However, PHILCORIN and PHILCOA and the Council immediately cease upon effectivity, and their functions are exercised in the interim by specified officials: the Chairman of the National Science Development Board for PHILCORIN, and the Secretary of Agriculture and Natural Resources (with the incumbent Director, Chairman-General Manager, and Executive Director, respectively) for PHILCOA and CCC.
It is attached to the Department of Agriculture and Natural Resources.
Section 8: all laws, executive and administrative orders, rules and regulations inconsistent with PD No. 232 are repealed or amended accordingly. Section 9: if any provision is held unconstitutional, only that provision is affected while the remainder remains valid.
It takes effect immediately (Section 10).