Question & AnswerQ&A (EXECUTIVE ORDER NO. 481)
The primary objective of Executive Order No. 481 is to promote organic agriculture as a farming scheme, especially in rural farming communities, ensure food and environmental safety, guarantee the integrity of organic products, and foster collaboration among stakeholders in the organic agriculture sector.
The Secretary of the Department of Agriculture is designated as the Chairperson of the National Organic Agriculture Board (NOAB).
The NOAB includes the Secretaries of the Departments of Agriculture, Trade and Industry, Health, Interior and Local Government, Environment and Natural Resources, and Science and Technology.
Appointed members to the NOAB come from the private sector (organic farming, handling, processing, and trade), NGO/PO representing public or consumer interests, an organic certifying body, and academe with expertise in environmental protection, resource conservation, toxicology, and biochemistry.
The NOAB formulates policies and programs for organic agriculture, oversees implementation of these programs, calls upon government agencies and private sectors for cooperation, identifies financing sources, and submits reports to the Office of the President.
The NTC implements organic agriculture programs and projects approved by the NOAB, updates the NOAB on program status, facilitates networking among stakeholders, and performs other functions necessary to implement the Executive Order.
The Philippine National Standard for Organic Agriculture (PNS/BAFPS 07:2003 ICS.65.020) is adopted as the mandatory standard for organic agriculture production and marketing throughout the country.
The Department of Agriculture accredits organic certifying bodies through Administrative Order 13 Series of 2003, which sets the guidelines for accreditation of certifying bodies for organic agriculture standards.
Labeling of organic products must comply with the Philippine National Standard for Organic Agriculture and include additional contents prescribed by Executive Order No. 481 to ensure accuracy and integrity of organic product labeling.
The Department of Agriculture shall allocate not less than Five Million Pesos (P5,000,000.00) for the initial operation of the NOAB and its Secretariat, which may include funds from the Presidential Social Fund for the first year.
The Executive Order takes effect immediately after its publication in a newspaper of general circulation.
If any provision is declared invalid, the remainder of the Executive Order shall remain operative and effective.