Amendment to A.O. 226 Re: Suspension of Processing and Approval of Land Conversion Applications of Rice Lands

July 14, 2008

ADMINISTRATIVE ORDER NO. 226-A

AMENDING ADMINISTRATIVE ORDER NO. 226, SERIES OF 2008, ENTITLED: "SUSPENDING THE PROCESSING AND APPROVAL OF ALL LAND CONVERSION APPLICATIONS OF ALL RICE LANDS"

WHEREAS, it is the policy of the state as declared under Republic Act No. 8435 to assure the availability, adequacy, accessibility of food supplies to every Filipino at all times;

WHEREAS, the State shall ensure that the poorer sectors of society have equitable access to resources, income opportunities, basic and support services especially in areas where productivity is low; aETDIc

WHEREAS, the State shall promote food security, including sufficiency in our staple food, particularly rice supply;

WHEREAS, to meet the needs of the increasing number of Filipinos, there is a need for the production of rice to be optimized to meet our local needs and consumption;

WHEREAS, to ensure sufficient rice supply there is a need for all lands utilized and intended for rice production to be protected from any other land use or conversion;

NOW, THEREFORE, I, GLORIA MACAPAGAL-ARROYO, President of the Republic of the Philippines, by virtue of the powers vested in me by the Constitution and the law, do hereby order the following:

SECTION 1. That the processing and approval of all land conversions applications affecting rice lands mentioned under Republic Act No. 8435 considered as Network of Protected Areas for Agricultural and Agro-industrial Development (NPAAD) which includes and covers all irrigated areas, all irrigable lands already covered by irrigation projects shall be temporarily suspended for two (2) years. ISTHED

SECTION 2. The Department of Agrarian Reform is hereby tasked for the implementation of this order.

SECTION 3. All orders, rules and regulations and issuances or parts thereof inconsistent with this Administrative Order are hereby repealed, amended or modified accordingly.

SECTION 4. This Administrative Order shall take effect immediately after publication in a newspaper of general circulation.

DONE in the City of Manila, this 14th day of July, 2008.