1. Pursuant to R.A. 8425, otherwise known as the “Poverty Alleviation and Social Reform Act,” the National Anti-Poverty Commission (NAPC) was created to serve as its implementing arm.

2. NAPC has recognized fourteen (14) basic sectors tasked with developing a national program which responds to their respective sector’s priority issues and concerns. Among them is the Children’s Sector which is considered as separate from the Youth and Student’s Sector, per Executive Order 421.

3. On January 6-9, 1999 the First Children’s Sectoral Assembly, a fifteen (15) -child member sectoral council was elected to sit in the National Basic Sector Forum (NBSF) — NAPC. Last 29 March 1999, the fifteen council members elected their child commissioner and 2 alternates who later took their oath with President Joseph E. Estrada.

4. Part of the council member’s functions and duties is to attend the following:

— quarterly sectoral council meetings (the council members have agreed that these will be scheduled on week-ends);

— assemblies (annual basis);

— special meetings called by the Office of the President (expected to be semestral)

5. In this connection, schools are hereby directed to allow the child members to attend the said meetings as part of their official duties and responsibilities. Their attendance in the meetings should be given credit as part of their extra-curricular activities in the school. It is further advised that, if necessary, the council members be given one day travel time before and after any such meetings especially those whose stations are far from the meeting’s venue. However, it is understood that the council members will take steps to make up for their school work with the assistance of their respective teachers.

6. This order shall take effect immediately.

Adopted: 3 June 1999

(SGD.) ANDREW B. GONZALEZ
Secretary