MALACAÑAN PALACE
MANILA
BY THE PRESIDENT OF THE PHILIPPINES
[ EXECUTIVE ORDER NO. 49, December 15, 2023 ]
CREATING THE OFFICE OF THE SPECIAL ASSISTANT TO THE PRESIDENT FOR INVESTMENT AND ECONOMIC AFFAIRS IN THE OFFICE OF THE PRESIDENT, DEFINING ITS MANDATES, POWERS AND FUNCTIONS, AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES
WHEREAS, under Executive Order (EO) No. 28 (s. 2023), the Economic Development Group (EDG), formerly the Economic Development Cluster established under EO No. 43 (s. 2011), as amended by EO No. 24 (s. 2017), shall be responsible for harmonizing, coordinating, complementing and synergizing efforts to address, among others, inflation, food security, and the increasing prices of key commodities, to improve the economy and the quality of life of the Filipino people;
WHEREAS, EO No. 230 (s. 1987), as amended, constituted, among others, the following committees under the National Economic and Development Authority (NEDA) Board: (i) Investment Coordination Committee (ICC); (ii) Social Development Committee (SDC); (iii) Committee on Infrastructure (INFRACOM); and (iv) Development Budget Coordination Committee (DBCC);
WHEREAS, the overarching goal of the Philippine Development Plan (PDP) 2023-2028 is to achieve economic and social transformation by steering the economy back on a high-growth path, and ensuring that such growth is inclusive and will foster an enabling environment that provides equal opportunities for all Filipinos to participate fully in an innovative and globally competitive economy;
WHEREAS, there is a need to further strengthen the existing mechanisms for formulation, coordination and implementation of the Government's economic initiatives, plans, policies and programs, as well as to establish a robust monitoring system to ensure a holistic and cohesive approach to addressing the diverse economic challenges currently confronting the nation;
WHEREAS, Section 31, Chapter 10, Title III of EO No. 292 or the "Administrative Code of 1987" provides that the President, in order to achieve simplicity, economy and efficiency, shall have the continuing authority to reorganize the administrative structure of the Office of the President (OP);
WHEREAS, Section 92 of the General Provisions of Republic Act No. 11936 or the "General Appropriations Act for fiscal Year 2023" authorizes the President to create new offices and modify the exiting organizational structure of the agencies in the Executive branch, as well as create new positions or modify existing ones whenever public interest so requires; and
WHEREAS, Section 17, Article VII of the Constitution confers to the President power of control over all executive departments, bureaus, and offices, and the mandate to ensure the faithful execution of laws;
NOW, THEREFORE, I, FERDINAND R. MARCOS, JR., President of the Philippines, by virtue of the powers vested in me by the Constitution and existing laws, do hereby order:
Section 1. Office of the Special Assistant to the President for Investment and Economic Affairs. The Office of the Special Assistant to the President for Investment and Economic Affairs (OSAPIEA) is hereby created in the OP. The OSAPIEA shall ensure effective integration, coordination and implementation of the various investment and economic policies and programs of the Government.
The OSAPIEA shall be headed by a Special Assistant to the President for Investment and Economic Affairs (SAPIEA) to be appointed by the President. The SAPIEA shall have the rank of Secretary.
Section 2. Powers and Functions. The SAPIEA shall perform the following:
a. Assist the President by providing timely, relevant and strategic advice on matters and issues involving economic concerns based on recent economic data or information, market trends and global developments;
b. In coordination with the EDG, and subject to the approval of the President, identify the priority programs, activities and projects (PAPs) in the PDP 2023-2028;
c. Coordinate, monitor, review and evaluate the progress of priority initiatives and PAPs of the Administration, including but not limited to those of the member-agencies of the EDG; identify problem areas in the implementation thereof; and submit to the President a comprehensive report on such matters, including their status, issues affecting the implementation, and recommend effective plans of actions;
d. Ensure timely execution and monitor the impact on identified targets of priority economic initiatives and PAPs, and direct the review or assessment thereof when necessary;
e. Ensure that the President's priority investment and economic agenda is actively pursued, and expedite inter-agency action to achieve key targets indicated in the relevant performance and projects roadmaps; and
f. Perform such other functions as may be necessary or incidental to its mandate including representing the President in meetings and such other fora, or as may be directed by the President.1aшphi1
Section 3. Chairpersonship. The SAPIEA shall serve as Chairperson of the EDG, while the Secretaries of NEDA and Department of Finance (DOF) shall serve as Vice Chairpersons thereof. Relative thereto, the SAPIEA is hereby directed to supervise and monitor on behalf of the President, the NEDA, DOF, Department of Budget and Management (DBM), and Department of Trade and Industry, and their respective attached agencies, such as the Board of Investments, Philippine Economic Zone Authority, and Securities and Exchange Commission, to ensure effective and efficient implementation of their respective priority initiatives and PAPs. The member-agencies of the EDG and their concerned attached agencies shall regularly report to and coordinate with the SAPIEA on such priority initiatives and PAPs.
Section 4. Membership. The SAPIEA shall also sit as a Member of the NEDA Board Executive Committee, and the following NEDA Board Committees: (a) ICC); (b) SDC; (c) INFRACOM; and (d) DBCC.
The SAPIEA is hereby designated as the permanent representative of the Executive Secretary to the Fiscal Incentives Review Board and its Technical Committee. The SAPIEA may also be designated by the President to act as a representative of the OP in other agencies, departments, boards and committees, whose functions are related to investment and economic affairs, subject to existing laws, rules and regulations.
Section 5. Convergence. All Heads of the member-agencies of EDG, including their respective attached agencies, are hereby directed to render full and timely assistance and cooperation to the OSAPIEA, and provide such information and data as may be required to carry out its mandates. The OSAPIEA may call upon the assistance of such other agencies of the Government, as may be necessary in the performance of its functions.
Section 6. Organizational Structure and Staffing Pattern. The SAPIEA, in coordination with the Office of the Deputy Executive Secretary for Finance and Administration, shall determine the organizational structure, appropriate staffing pattern and corresponding qualification standards for all positions in the OSAPIEA, and submit the same for review and approval of the President and/or the DBM, subject to relevant laws, rules and regulations.
Section 7. Funding. The funds necessary for the implementation of this Order shall be charged against appropriate funding sources under the OP, subject to relevant budgeting, accounting, and auditing rules and regulations. Thereafter, the subsequent funding requirements for the purpose shall be included in the budget proposal of the OP, subject to the usual budget preparation process.
Section 8. Separability. If any section or part of this Order is declared unconstitutional or invalid, the other sections or provisions not otherwise affected shall remain in full force and effect.
Section 9. Repeal. All issuances, orders, rules and regulations, or parts thereof that are inconsistent with this Order, are hereby repealed or modified accordingly.
Section 10. Effectivity. This Order shall take effect immediately upon, its publication in the Official Gazette.
DONE, in the City of Manila, this 15th day of December, in the year of our Lord, Two Thousand and Twenty-Three.
(SGD.) FERDINAND R. MARCOS, JR.
By the President:
(SGD.) LUCAS P. BERSAMIN
Executive Secretary
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