MALACAÑAN PALACE
MANILA
BY THE PRESIDENT OF THE PHILIPPINES
[ EXECUTIVE ORDER NO. 512, March 19, 1992 ]
PROVIDING FOR THE CREATION OF THE MINDANAO ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT COUNCIL AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES
WHEREAS, the Government recognizes the urgent need to accelerate the growth and development of Mindanao through a wholistic and integrated manner;
WHEREAS, the need exists to promote and strengthen interregional linkages to ensure the increased viability of the programs and projects in the four (4) administrative regions in Mindanao and the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao;
WHEREAS, with the enactment of the Local Government Code of 1991, more powers, functions and resources from the National Government have been devolved to the local government units as the frontline agencies to realize the development of specific geographical areas; and
WHEREAS, Section 14, Article X of the 1987 Constitution states that: The President shall provide for the regional development councils or other similar bodies composed of local government officials, regional heads of departments and other government officers, and representatives from non-governmental organizations within the regions for purposes of administrative decentralization to strengthen the autonomy of the units therein and to accelerate the economic and social growth and development of the units in the region;
NOW, THEREFORE, I, CORAZON C. AQUINO, President of the Philippines, by virtue of the powers vested in me by law, do hereby order:
Section 1. Creation of the Mindanao Economic Development Council. There is hereby created a Mindanao Economic Development Council, hereinafter referred to as the Council, which shall promote and coordinate the active and extensive participation of all sectors to effect the socio-economic development of Mindanao. The Council shall primarily be an umbrella organization of the Regional Development Councils (RDCs) in the four administrative region in Mindanao, namely: Western Mindanao (Region IX), Northern Mindanao (Region X), Southern Mindanao (Region XI) and Central Mindanao (Region II); and the Regional Planning and Development Board (RPDB) of the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (ARMM).
Section 2. Composition of the Council. The Council shall be composed of the following:
a. The Chairmen and Co-Chairmen of the aforementioned Regional Development Councils and the Chairman and Vice-Chairman of the ARMM Regional Planning and Development Board
b. Two private sector representatives from each region of Mindanao to be chosen by and from among the private sector representatives of the concerned Regional Development Councils and the Regional Planning and Development Board;
c. Two members of Congress from each region of Mindanao who shall be elected by and from among the members of Congress within the region;
d. The President of the Mindanao Confederation of Governors and Mayors; and
e. The Administrator of the Southern Philippines Development Authority.7!ᕼdMᗄ7
Section 3. Functions of the Council. The Council shall have the following functions:
a. Formulate development plans for the agricultural and industrial development of a Mindanao as a single integrated economy;
b. Coordinate the integration of the Regional Development Plans of the regions involved into a Mindanao Development Plan;
c. Cause the preparation of feasibility studies and explore sources for financing of priority programs and projects, whether governmental or private, that will support and encourage Mindanao-wide economic and social development, such as a Mindanao Power Corporation, regional commercial banks, Mindanao railroad system, petroleum, and accelerated reforestation;
d. Integrate, prioritize and program interrogational programs and projects and submit the same for approval by the Board of the National Economic and Development Authority, whenever the Council deems that such programs and projects would affect substantially the integrated development of Mindanao. The NEDA Board shall expeditiously act on such programs and projects submitted by the Council within a reasonable period;
e. Advocate to the constituents of Mindanao, their elected representatives in Congress, and the National Government, national policies that will foster the integrated and balanced development of Mindanao, in such policy areas as banking; investment and lending by the Government Service Insurance System and Social Security System and other government financing institutions; transport and telecommunications; infrastructure; export of agricultural products; reforestation; education and skills training;
f. Act as the implementing agency for the accomplishment of interregional projects, subject to such limitations prescribed by existing laws, rules and regulations;
g. Promote investments in any field which would enhance the socio-economic development of Mindanao and uplift the living standards of the people and their socio-political activities;
h. Provide the machinery for extending the necessary planning, management and technical assistant to prospective and existing investors in Mindanao;
i. Receive and administer donations, contributions, grants, bequests or gifts in cash or in kind from foreign governments, international agencies, private entities, and other sources for purposes that would contribute to the development of Mindanao, subject to existing laws, rules and regulations; and
j. Monitor, evaluate and formulate recommendations on the implementation of development plans and programs in Mindanao.
The Council shall submit to the President, through the NEDA Board, quarterly reports on its accomplishments and activities.
Section 4. Officers of the Council. The Council shall have a Chairman and a Vice-Chairman who shall be appointed by the President from among the RDC Chairmen-members and RPDB Chairman-member of the said Council.
Section 5. Executive Committee. The Council shall constitute an Executive Committee to act for and on its behalf when the Council is not in session. The Executive Committee the membership of which will be determined by the Council shall comprise one-fourth of the total membership of the fully constituted Council. The Chairman and Vice-Chairman of the Council shall also serve as the Chairman and Vice-Chairman of the Executive Committee. Other officers shall be determined by and elected from among the members.
Section 6. Technical Staff of the Council. A Secretariat shall be constituted from the technical and administrative staffs of the National Economic and Development Authority, other government offices and government corporations. Additional personnel shall be hired upon authorization of the Department of Budget and Management (DBM). The Secretariat shall be headed by the NEDA Regional Director where the Council Chairman is based. The said NEDA Regional Director shall also serve as the Council Secretary.
Section 7. Funding. The Department of Budget and Management is hereby instructed to provide budgetary assistance for the Councils administrative and operational requirements. Thereafter, the appropriations for the continued operations of the Council shall be included in the annual general appropriations bill submitted to Congress.
Section 8. Implementing Authority. The Council is hereby authorized to promulgate the necessary rules and regulations to implement this Executive Order and to inform the NEDA Board accordingly.
Section 9. Effectivity. This Executive Order shall take effect immediately.
DONE in the City of Manila, this 19th day of March, in the year of Our Lord, nineteen hundred and ninety-two.
(Sgd.) CORAZON C. AQUINO
President of the Philippines
By the President:
(Sgd.) FRANKLIN M. DRILON
Executive Secretary
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