EXECUTIVE ORDER NO. 417 - CREATING A JOINT PROJECT FOR PILOT PRODUCTION OF HIGH-PROTEIN DRY COCONUT MILK POWDER

WHEREAS, it is our overriding concern to provide sufficient quality food to our people;

WHEREAS, one of the cheapest and most abundant agricultural products in this country with high potential as a food source is coconut;

WHEREAS, a process has been developed to extract a high-protein food element from coconut, in addition to a premium quality oil and coconut meal;

WHEREAS, the process so developed requires testing on a pilot scale to determine commercial feasibility and consumer acceptance of the product, as well as other means of further increasing process efficiencies and product quality;

NOW, THEREFORE, I, FERDINAND E. MARCOS, President of the Philippines, by virtue of the powers vested in me by law, hereby order that: 

1. A Joint Project for the production on a pilot scale of high-protein coconut milk powder shall be established under the Department of Agriculture and Natural Resources, with the University of San Carlos as the implementing agency;

2. The Project shall be under the full and direct supervision and control of a Board of Management to be composed of the following or their representatives:

a. The Secretary of Agriculture and Natural Resources
b. The Chairman, National Science Development Board
c. The President of the University of San Cargos

Since 19.07.98.