Section 7December 9, 1997, Sec./Art. 7

Board of Trustees. - The corporate powers of the Institute shall be exercised, and all its business, activities and properties shall be controlled by a Board of Trustees, hereinafter referred to as the Board.

(a) Composition. - The Board shall be composed of the following:

Secretary of Health - ex-officio chairman

Permanent representatives of the following government offices:

Department of Science and Technology;

Department of Environment and Natural Resources;

Department of Agriculture;

Department of Education, Culture and Sports; and

Commission on Higher Education.

Representatives of the following industries/sectors:

One (1) physician who is engaged in the practice of traditional and alternative health care;

One (1) member from a duly recognized academe/research institution engaged in traditional and alternative health care research;

One (1) traditional and alternative health care practitioner who is not a physician;

One (1) biomedical/allopathietwestem medical practitioner preferably from the Philippine Medical Association;

One (1) member from the natural food industry and/or organic food industry; and

One (1) member from an environmental sector organization,

The six (6) members representing the abovementioned sectors/industries shall be appointed by the President of the Philippines upon recommendation of the Secretary of Health.

Of the appointive members, two (2) members shall have a term of three (3) years; the second two (2) members shall have a term of three (3) years; and, the third two (2) members shall each have a term of one (1) year.

Any member appointed to a vacancy shall serve only for the unexpired term of the member whom he/she succeeded.

(b) Meetings and quorum. - The Board shall meet regularly at least once a month or as often as the exigencies of the service demand. The presence of at least six (6) members shall constitute a quorum, and the majority vote of the members present, there being a quorum, shall be necessary for the adoption of any resolution, decision, or any other act of the Board.

(c) Allowances and per diems. - The members of the Board shall receive a per them for every meeting actually attended subject to the pertinent budgetary laws, rules and regulations on compensation, honoraria and allowances.