Rolling Out the Backyard Food Production Programs in the Urban Areas

Republic of the Philippines
MALACAÑANG
Manila

BY THE PRESIDENT OF THE PHILIPPINES

EXECUTIVE ORDER NO. 776 January 16, 2009

ROLLING OUT THE BACKYARD FOOD PRODUCTION PROGRAMS IN THE URBAN AREAS

WHEREAS, two-thirds of the world is in recession, though the Philippines is not;

WHEREAS, it is not business as usual; government agencies must hit the round running;

WHEREAS, the government should take advantage of the window of opportunity, i.e. declining inflation and interest rates and good weather;

WHEREAS, the government has committed Three Hundred Billion Pesos (P300,000,000,000.00) to economic stimulus programs, including comprehensive livelihood and emergency employment program (CLEEP), that will save or create millions of new jobs.

WHEREAS, part of CLEEP consists of backyard food production programs like Gulayan ng Masa and the Integrated Services for Livelihood Advancement (ISLA) for subsistence fisherfolk.

NOW, THEREFORE, I, GLORIA M. ARROYO, President of the Philippines, by the power vested in me by law, do hereby order:

SECTION 1. The Gulayan ng Masa and ISLA shall be rolled out into a massive government food production program...

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Summary of Executive Order No. 776

Backyard Food Production Programs in Urban Areas
- Rolling out the Gulayan ng Masa and Integrated Services for Livelihood Advancement (ISLA) programs in urban areas. (Section 1)
- Setting up urban vegetable gardens and backyard fisheries, including vacant lots and unused government land. (Section 2)
- Local government units (LGUs) are mandated to allocate funding and designate project supervisors for the programs. (Section 3)
- A Steering Committee is created, composed of representatives from various government agencies and organizations, to oversee the program implementation. (Section 4)
- State universities and colleges, particularly the University of the Philippines Los Baños (UP-Los Baños), shall provide expertise in agriculture and aquaculture. (Section 5)
- The Department of Agriculture (DA) shall set up water sources and mobilize breeder sanctuaries. (Section 6)
- Program activities include:
    - Developing urban gardening modules (Section 7)
    - Producing and disseminating information materials (Section 7)
    - Identifying beneficiaries, subject to the Office of the President's approval for national government-funded components (Section 7)
    - Organizing seminars and site visits (Section 7)
    - Distributing vegetable seedlings and tilapia/hito fingerlings (Section 7)
    - Monitoring LGU progress (Section 7)
    - Holding a search for the Best Urban Garden/Fisheries (Section 7)
- Funding shall come from the Philippine Gaming Corporation (PAGCOR) and LGUs, with the DA providing a 1:1 counterpart. (Section 8)
- The Executive Order takes effect immediately. (Section 9)