WHEREAS, due to chronic imbalance in production, the sugar industry is barely able to meet the requirements of the domestic and United States export markets while foregoing entirely new opportunities in the world market, notwithstanding the large investments made in new milling facilities in recent years with government support;
WHEREAS, it has become necessary to organize a mechanism to give sustained support to the sugar industry in all phases of its operation and potentials, and moreover, to provide conditions needed for its continued development and growth with the end in view of optimizing its effectiveness as a factor for social and economic good; and
WHEREAS, our sugar limitation laws when enacted were based on conditions existing in the years 1933 and 1935 and may no longer be realistic and adequate to promote the development and stability of the sugar industry;
NOW, THEREFORE, I, FERDINAND E. MARCOS, President of the Philippines, by virtue of the powers in me vested by the Constitution as Commander-in-Chief of all the Armed Forces of the Philippines, and pursuant to Proclamation No. 1081, dated September 21, 1972, and General Order No. 1, dated September 22, 1972, as amended, and upon the recommendation of the sugar planters, millers and traders of the Philippines through their associations and cooperatives, do hereby decree and order the creation of the Philippine Sugar Commission as follows:
SECTION 1. Title of the Decree. — This Decree shall be known as the Philippine Sugar Commission Decree.
SEC. 2. Declaration of Policy. — It shall be the policy of the State to promote the integrated development and stabilization of the sugar industry so that it can properly discharge its economic and social responsibilities and contribute its share in the development of the national economy.
SEC. 3. Philippine Sugar Commission. — In order to carry out the foregoing policy, there is hereby created the Philippine Sugar Commission hereinafter referred to as the Commission which shall be organized within thirty (30) days after the issuance of this Decree.
The Commission shall be composed of one (1) Commissioner, who shall serve as Chairman of the Commission and six (6) Associate Commissioners.
The Chairman and all the members of the Commission shall be appointed by the President of the Philippines. The members of the Commission shall be Filipino citizens, with sufficient experience in the sugar industry, and of proven honesty, integrity and recognized competence.
The Chairman and members of the Commission shall hold office for a term of four (4) years unless sooner removed for cause.
The Commissioner shall receive an annual compensation of fifty thousand pesos (P50.000) and a commutable representation and transportation allowance of one thousand pesos (1,000) pesos monthly. The Associate Commissioners shall receive an annual compensation of forty thousand pesos (P40,000) and a commutable representation and transportation allowance of one thousand pesos (P1,000) pesos monthly.
The Commission shall meet in regular session twice a month. It may be called by the Chairman to a special session as the need arises.
SEC. 4. Powers and Functions. — The Commission shall have the following powers and functions:
The Commission shall submit to the President of the Philippines periodic reports of its survey, studies and investigations together with its recommendations, for appropriate action.
SEC. 5. Chief Executive Officer. — The Chairman of the Commission shall be its Chief Executive Officer. The Chairman shall, on behalf of the Commission, have the direction and control of the business of the Commission.
Among others, as Executive Officer, the Chairman shall have the following powers and
In case of absence or temporary incapacity of the Chairman, the Chairman shall designate from among the Commissioners an acting Chairman.
SEC. 6. There shall be a Social Welfare Office under the Office of the Chairman.
SEC. 7. Capitalization, Special Fund of the Commission, Development and Stabilization Fund. — There is hereby established a fund for the Commission for the purpose of financing the growth and development of the sugar industry and all its components, stabilization of the domestic market including the foreign market to be administered in trust by the Commission and deposited in the Philippine National Bank derived in the manner herein below cited from the following sources:
SEC. 8. Audit Personnel. — The Chairman, Commission on Audit, shall appoint his representative to the Commission and the necessary personnel to assist him. The salaries of the auditor and his personnel shall be determined and paid by the Commission. The affairs of the Commission shall be audited in accordance with law and pertinent rules and regulations. A report of audit for each fiscal year shall be submitted by the auditor to the Chairman, Commission on Audit, to the Commission and to the President of the Philippines.
SEC. 9. Financing. — Until otherwise provided, the Commission shall continue to receive the proceeds of revenues and other impositions as are now granted by the law to the Philippine Sugar Institute and the Sugar Quota Administration.
SEC. 10. Transitory Provisions. — The Philippine Sugar Institute and the Sugar Quota Administration are hereby abolished and absorbed effective upon the organization of the Commission and all their assets, liabilities and records shall be transferred to the Commission. The Commission may retain the personnel of said agencies as it may deem necessary. Those of the personnel who may not be retained shall be entitled to retirement benefits, otherwise they shall be granted gratuity to be determined by the Commission.
SEC. 11. Miscellaneous Provision. — All laws or parts thereof inconsistent with the provisions of this Decree are hereby repealed or modified accordingly.
SEC. 12. Effectivity. — This Decree shall take effect immediately.
Done in the City of Manila, this 2nd day of February, in the year of Our Lord, nineteen hundred and seventy-four.
(Sgd.) FERDINAND E. MARCOS |
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President |
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Republic of the Philippines |
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By Authority of the President: | |||
(Sgd.) ALEJANDRO MELCHOR | |||
Executive Secretary |