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MALACAÑAN PALACE
MANILA

BY THE PRESIDENT OF THE PHILIPPINES

[ Memorandum Order No. 373, July 11, 1991 ]

CREATING AN INTER-AGENCY TASK FORCE TO ADDRESS ECOLOGICAL PROBLEMS AFFECTING IRRIGATION SYSTEMS AND AGRICULTURAL AREAS IN THE COUNTRY

WHEREAS, there are ecological problems affecting the irrigation systems and agricultural areas in the country, brought about by the July 16, 1990 earthquake, the recent eruption of the Mt. Pinatubo and the continuing siltation of rivers in various parts of the country;

WHEREAS, to address these ecological problems, there is a need to create an Inter-Agency Task Force that will primarily be responsible for the rehabilitation of damaged or affected areas;

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. There is hereby created an Inter-Agency Task Force that will primarily be responsible for the rehabilitation of damaged or affected irrigation systems and agricultural areas in the country brought about by the July 16, 1990 earthquake, the recent eruption of the Mt. Pinatubo and the continuing siltation of rivers in various parts of the country.

Section 2. The Inter-Agency Task Force shall be composed of the following:

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Chairman	–	Undersecretary Apolonio Bautista, Department of Agriculture;
Members	–	Assistant Secretary Manuel Bonoan (Mr. Manuel Alconia, alternate), Department of Public Works and Highways;
	–	Assistant Secretary Gregorio Magdaraog, Department of Environment and Natural Resources;
	–	Assistant Secretary Federico Luchico, Department of Trade and Industry; and
	–	Dr. Jose Galvez (Mr. Edilberto Payawal, alternate), National Irrigation Administration.

Section 3. The Inter-Agency Task Force shall have the following powers and functions:

a. Identify seriously-affected areas;

b. Assess the damage in the affected areas;

c. Formulate appropriate rehabilitation strategies and the corresponding mechanisms based on current assessment of affected areas;

d. Recommend to the Office of the President, rehabilitation programs and the corresponding funding requirements;

e. Organize coordinative action teams, with the participation of non-governmental organizations (NGOs), government agencies and local government units, for actual rehabilitation works in the area;

f. Monitor the progress of implementation of identified rehabilitation strategies; and

g. Recommend appropriate legislation or administrative issuances to address issues/problems on program implementation.1aшphi1

Section 4. This Memorandum Order shall take effect immediately.

DONE in the City of Manila, this 11th day of July, in the year of Our Lord, nineteen hundred and ninety-one.

(Sgd.) CORAZON C. AQUINO

By the President:

(Sgd.) MAGDANGAL B. ELMA
Acting Executive Secretary

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