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MALACAÑAN PALACE
MANILA

BY THE PRESIDENT OF THE PHILIPPINES

[ Executive Order No. 78. March 7, 2002 ]

CREATING THE OFFICE OF THE PRESIDENTIAL ADVISER FOR SPECIAL CONCERNS AND DEFINING ITS POWERS AND FUNCTIONS

WHEREAS, there is a need to provide for an office which shall address and attend to certain concerns of the Government relative to political stability and social and economic development;

WHEREAS, under Section 31, Chapter 10, Title III, Book III of the Administrative Code of 1987, the President has the continuing authority to reorganize the administrative structure of the Office of the President.

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

Section 1. Creation. – The Office of the Presidential Adviser for Special Concerns (OPASC) is hereby created under the Office of the President, to be headed by the Presidential Adviser for Special Concerns (PASC) who shall have the rank and emoluments of a Cabinet Secretary.

Section 2. Powers and Functions of the Presidential Adviser for Special Concerns. – The PASC shall exercise the following powers and functions:

a. Advise the President on matters and concerns affecting political stability, social and economic development, and other special concerns as may be determined by the President;

b. Recommend to the President policies, strategies and programs aimed at creating a political, social and economic environment conducive to the attainment of peace, stability, social integration, economic development, social justice and better international relations;

c. Provide a mechanism to address the special concerns of the Office of the President;

d. Submit periodic reports to the President on the status of programs and projects undertaken; and

e. Perform such other functions as the President may direct.

Section 3. Organizational Support. – The PASC shall be assisted by two (2) Deputy Presidential Advisers who shall both have the rank of an Undersecretary and three (3) Assistant Secretaries. The PASC is hereby authorized to formulate the organizational structure of its office and engage the services of consultants as may be necessary, consistent with existing laws.

Section 4. Assistance. – The PASC may call upon any agency of the Government for such assistance as may be necessary in the performance of its functions.1aшphi1

Section 5. Funding. – Funding for the initial operations of the OPASC shall be provided by the Office of the President. Appropriations for the succeeding years shall be included in the budget proposal for the Office of the President.

Section 6. Repeal. – All orders, rules, regulations and issuances, or parts thereof, which are inconsistent with this Executive Order, are hereby repealed or modified accordingly.

Section 7. Effectivity. – This Executive Order shall take effect immediately upon approval.

City of Manila, March 7, 2002.

(Sgd.) GLORIA MACAPAGAL-ARROYO
President of the Philippines

By the President:

(Sgd.) ALBERTO G. ROMULO
Executive Secretary

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