EXECUTIVE ORDER NO. 320 March 11, 1988

AMENDING EXECUTIVE ORDER NO. 309, S. 1987, ENTITLED "REORGANIZING THE PEACE AND ORDER COUNCIL," AS AMENDED BY EXECUTIVE ORDER NO. 317, S. 1988

WHEREAS, there is a need to further amend Executive Order No. 309 in order to ensure more comprehensive and effective coordination of government efforts and the active participation of citizenry relative to the conduct of national campaign against criminality and insurgency;

NOW, THEREFORE, I, CORAZON C. AQUINO, President of the Philippines, do hereby order:

Sec. 1. Section 1 of Executive Order No. 309 is further amended to read as follows:

"Sec. 1. Reorganization of the Peace and Order Council. The Peace and Order Council is hereby reorganized on the national, regional, provincial, city and municipal levels of government to be constituted as follows:

(a) The National Peace and Order Council (NPOC) shall be composed of the following:

The Secretary of Local Government as Chairman;

The Secretary of National Defense as Vice-Chairman;

The Secretary of Justice;

The Secretary of Social Welfare and Development;

The Secretary of Public Works and Highways;

The Secretary of Trade and Industry;

The Press Secretary;

The Director of the National Security Council;

The Chairman of the National Peace Commission;

The Director of the National Bureau of Investigation;

The Chairman of the National Police Commission;

The Chairman of the Commission on Human Rights;

The Executive Director of the Dangerous Drugs Board;

The AFP Chief of Staff;

The Chief of Constabulary/Director General, INP; and

Eight (8) representatives from the private sector who shall be appointed by the Chairman, representing the academic, civic, religious, youth, labor, legal, business and media organizations.

(b) A Special Action Committee shall be organized within the NPOC, composed of the Secretary of Local Government, Secretary of National Defense, Secretary of Social Welfare and Development, Secretary of Justice and the AFP Chief of Staff, to take decisive action in emergency situations.

(c) The Regional Peace and Order Council (RPOC) shall be composed of the regional counterparts of the departments offices and agencies enumerated in paragraph (a) above, to be appointed by their respective agency heads. The RPOC Chairman and Vice-Chairman shall be appointed by the chairman NPOC.

The Chairman of the RPOC shall appoint at least three (3) representatives from the private sector as enumerated under paragraph (a) above, upon consultation with the members of the RPOC. Departments, offices and agencies with no regional and/or field offices may deputize their representatives on the sub-national level.

(d) The Provincial Peace and Order Council (PPOC) shall be composed of the provincial counterparts of the departments, offices and agencies enumerated in paragraph (a) above, wherever applicable, to be appointed by their respective agency heads, with the Provincial Governor as Chairman and the Provincial Vice-Governor as Vice-Chairman. In addition, there shall be one representative of the Sangguniang Panlalawigan to be chosen by it from among its members.

The Chairman of the Provincial Peace and Order Council shall appoint at least three (3) representatives of the private sector as enumerated under paragraph (a) above, upon consultation with the members of the Council at his level (PPOC). Departments, offices and agencies with no regional and/or field offices may deputize their representatives on the provincial level.

(e) The City or Municipal Peace and Order Council shall be composed of the city or municipal counterparts of the departments, offices and agencies as enumerated in paragraph (a) above, wherever applicable, to be appointed by their respective agency heads with the City or Municipal Mayor as Chairman and the respective Vice-Mayor as Vice- Chairman. In addition, there shall be one representative of the Sangguniang Panglungsod or Sangguniang Bayan, as the case may be, to be chosen by said Sangguniang from among its members. The Chairman of the CPOC or MPOC shall appoint one representative from the veterans group of the locality and at least three (3) representatives of the private sector as enumerated under paragraph (a) above, upon consultation with the members of the Council at his level (CPOC or MPOC). Departments, offices and agencies with no regional and/or field offices may deputize their representatives on the city or municipal levels."

Sec. 2. Section 3 of Executive Order No. 309 is further amended to read as follows:

"Sec. 3. Duties and Functions of Sub-National Councils. The Chairman of respective Regional, Provincial, City, Municipal Peace and Order Councils shall be responsible for the proper management and supervision of the civilian volunteer organizations in coordination with other appropriate government entities. They shall have the following duties and functions.

(a) Formulate plans and recommend such measures as will improve or enhance peace and order and public safety in their respective areas of responsibility.

(b) To monitor the implementation of peace and order programs and projects at the provincial, city or municipal levels and the operation of Civilian Volunteer Self-Defense Organizations and such other counterinsurgency programs and activities.

(c) Make periodic assessments of the prevailing peace and order situation in their respective areas of responsibility and submit a report thereon with recommendations to the Chairman of the National Peace and Order Council.

(d) To receive complaints against government personnel, civilian, or military, and indorse the same to the agency concerned and demand/compel such agency to submit reports of action taken thereon."

Sec. 3. Section 4 of Executive Order No. 309 is further amended to read as follows:

"Sec. 4. Peace and Order Council Secretariat There shall be a Peace and Order Council Secretariat which shall handle the administrative operational and technical activities of the Peace and Order Council that is organized in the various administrative levels of government. Specifically, the secretariat shall prepare plans and programs for the consideration of the councils; supervise, direct and monitor, for the council, implementation of approved policies, plans and programs; undertake liaisoning and coordination of activities with appropriate agencies of the government and provide a forum for inter-disciplinary dialogue and deliberation of major issues and problems affecting peace and order.

"The national and regional offices of the NAPOLCOM shall serve as the secretariat of the NPOC and RPOC respectively, with the Chairman of the NAPOLCOM acting as the Secretary General of the national level and the NAPOLCOM regional director acting as head of the RPOC Secretariat.

"At the provincial, city and municipal levels, the Secretariat of the PPOC, CPOC and MPOC shall be headed by the most senior DLG officer stationed in the province, city or municipality.

"The Secretariat at all level, shall be assisted in its functions and duties by the regular staff of the office of the Council Chairman.

"The government agencies which are members of the NPOC shall create and organize a Task Force for Peace and Order in their own departments."

Sec. 4. Section 5 of Executive Order No. 309 is further amended to read as follows:

"Sec. 5. Implementing Rules and Regulations. The National Peace and Order Council shall issue appropriate implementing rules and regulations to carry out the objectives of this Order.

"The Chairman of the Peace and Order Council upon the direction of the President of the Philippines may be authorized to issue directives and guidelines to insure an effective implementation of the Rules and Regulations."

Sec. 5. This Executive Order shall take effect immediately.

DONE in the City of Manila, this 11th day of March, in the year of Our Lord, nineteen hundred and eighty-eight.


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