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WHEREAS, under the New Republic, national development shall be pursued with renewed dedication and greater determination through a more efficient, effective and economical government;

WHEREAS, it is the established national policy to pursue regional development as a means to promote economic growth, social justice, and a more equitable distribution of income among the peoples within and between the various regions;

WHEREAS, the Central Visayas Regional Development Council, through the Central Visayas Urban and Rural Projects Office created under Executive Order No. 694, has undertaken the detailed preparation of urban and rural projects identified under the Region VII Regional Development Investment, Program for possible financing by the International Bank for Reconstruction and Development (IBRD);

WHEREAS, the Central Visayas Regional Project No. I (Rural) has been appraised and is at the pre-implementation stage, while Regional Project No. II (Urban) is scheduled for appraisal in January, 1984; hence, the need to establish an appropriate regional organization structure, fund flow scheme and other institutional arrangements crucial to the successful implementation of the Project; and

WHEREAS, the National Economic and Development Authority regional office should now phase out from its central role in the inception and initial operations of the Central Visayas Rural and Urban Projects and be permitted to return to its primary role with respect to regional development planning;

WHEREAS, it is now desirable to establish a more suitable coordinative implementing machinery so that Regional Projects and other similar suitable projects of an area-specific multi-agency character may be undertaken more effectively;

WHEREAS, it is desirable further to develop alternative coordinative implementing machinery options, initially on a diverse experminatal basis but with the ultimate end in view of consistent structures in whole or in part for other regions, particularly with respect to accountability, management, and responsibilities;

WHEREAS, it is also desirable that the coordinative implementing machinery should include a suitable representation of local government officials concerned; and

WHEREAS, under Presidential Decree No. 1416 as amended, the President is empowered to undertake such organizational and related improvements as may be appropriate in the light of changing circumstances and new developments;

NOW, THEREFORE, I, FERDINAND E. MARCOS, President of the Republic of the Philippines, by virtue of the powers vested in me by the Constitution and the authority vested in me by Presidential Decree No. 1416 as amended, do hereby order and ordain:

SECTION 1. Description of Regional Projects. The Central Visayas Regional Projects, hereinafter referred to as the Regional Projects, refers to the set of multi-agency projects, inclusive of local governments, conceptualized, identified, and developed within the Central Visayas region to promote and enhance regional economic growth, with the financial assistance of the IBRD and other bilateral and multilateral international assistance agencies. Initially, it shall consist of the Central Visayas Regional Project No. I (Rural) which includes watershed management, nearshore, social forestry, rural infrastructure and institutional strengthening components, and Central Visayas Regional Project No. II (Urban) which includes transport, industrial development, municipal services, shelter, and financial management components.

SECTION 2. Central Visayas Regional Projects Office. The Central Visayas Regional Projects Office, hereinafter referred to as the Regional Projects Office, is hereby created for the purpose of coordinating the implementation of Regional Projects as defined above. The Regional Projects Office shall report and be directly responsible to the Prime Minister.

The Regional Projects Office shall have its principal office in Metro Cebu and such sub-offices within the region as may be necessary.

SECTION 3. Powers and Functions of the Regional Projects Office. The Regional Projects Office shall coordinate the implementation of Regional Projects in Central Visayas. It shall have the following specific functions:

(a) Assistthe Regional Development Council in the conduct of project identification and feasibility studies, and, where desirable, coordinate the conduct of preliminary and detailed engineering activities of line agencies and local governments for sectoral as well as multi-sectoral Regional Projects contained-in RDC Regional Development Investment Programs;

(b) Prepare, in collaboration with implementing agencies from both the national and local governments, the overall annual as well as multi-year work programs and budget estimates of Regional Projects for submission to the Office of Budget and Management through the Prime Minister;

(c) Upon the release of funds for Regional Projects, allocate and sub-allot funds for Regional Projects to project implementing agencies and other entities in the region, based on budgets and work programs approved by the Board.

(d) Conduct a raid-year review of the status of implementation of Regional Projects and submit recommendations as necessary to the Office of Budget and Management for a reallocation of funds released for the Regional Projects: Provided, That once the reallocation is approved, the Regional Projects Office shall immediately sub-allot these funds to the agencies concerned.

(e) Monitor and evaluate the Regional Projects and their components; review and evaluate the physical and financial progress of Regional Projects under implementation; and recommend or exercise, as appropriate, the proper corrective measures;

(f) Provide technical support and assistance as may be required to project implementing agencies and units;

(g) Undertake special studies and prepare operational plans for project implementation;

(h) Submit to the President, the Prime Minister, and to the Regional Development Council periodic progress reports and such special reports as may be required; and

(i) Perform such other related functions as may be assigned by appropriate higher authorities.

SECTION 4. Powers and Functions of the Regional Development Council. The RDC shall have primary responsibility for regional planning as mandated by Part VII of PD No. 1 and LOI No. 22, for. regional development investment programming as mandated by Executive Order No. 589, and for regional budgeting. Projects to be implemented through the Regional Projects Office must first have been approved by the RDC as part of the Regional Development Investment Program (RDIP), in order to ensure’ ‘that the Regional Projects to be undertaken are consistent with and integrated into the regional plans and investment programs of the Central Visayas Regional Development Council.

SECTION 5. Central Visayas Regional Projects Board. The Central Visayas Regional Projects Office shall have a nine-man governing board to be known as the Central Visayas Regional Projects Board, hereinafter referred to as the Regional Projects Board. The Chairman of the RDC shall serve as Chairman. The membership shall consist of four local government officials who shall be either governors of provinces or city mayors in the region; and two regional directors; all of whom shall be designated by the Prime Minister with the confirmation of the President. The regional director of the Ministry of Agriculture and the regional director of the Ministry of Public Works and Highways shall also serve as ex-officio members of the Board. In addition the NEDA Regional Executive Director, the Regional Projects Office Executive Director, and the regional director of the Ministry of Human Settlements shall also attend the meetings and participate in the deliberations of the Regional Projects Board, but without the right to vote. The designated members of the Regional Projects Board shall serve for a term of six years which shall be concurrent with the authorized life of the Board. Both the designated local government officials and regional directors shall be selected in accordance with the nature and geographical emphasis of the Regional Projects involved.

SECTION 6. Powers and Functions of the Regional Projects Board. The Regional Projects Board shall have the following specific functions:

(a) Develop and prescribe operating guidelines, policies, programs, and procedures for and generally oversee the coordination of the implementation of Regional Projects as approved and assigned by the RDC for implementation through the Regional Projects Office;

(b) Recommend to the President through the Prime Minister the appointment of the Executive Director of the Regional Projects Office;

(c) Review and approve the annual work programs and budgets required of specific” components of the Regional V Projects;

(d) Recommend for. the approval of the Prime Minister the rates of per/diems and allowances of the chairman and members of the Regional Projects Board as well as the three non-voting agency representatives, and establish the rates of allowances and honoraria of the Regional Projects Office personnel on detail as well as the rates of compensation of personnel to be hired, subject to relevant compensation rules and regulations;

(e) Delegate to the Executive Director such powers and functions as may be necessary and appropriate to facilitate the effective implementation of Regional Projects;

(f) Review and approve all contracts with private entities as well, as memoranda of agreement to be entered into by the Executive Director, including those to be entered into by the Project Directors under delegated authority from the Executive Director, with government implementing agencies: Provided, That final authority to enter into specific types of contract as may be determined by the Regional Projects Board may be delegated to the Executive Director: Provided, further, That relevant contracts such as civil work contracts and supply contracts shall be subject to further approval as necessary in accordance with existing laws and regulations;

(g) Review and confirm all valid official actions of the Executive Director of the Regional Projects Office relative to the implementation of Regional Projects;

(h) Submit to the Prime Minister periodic and special reports relative to Regional Projects activities; and

(i) Perform such other related functions as may be necessary to ensure the speedy and effective implementation of Regional Projects.

SECTION 7. Executive Director: Powers and Responsibilities. The Regional projects Office shall have a Secretariat which shall be headed by an Executive Director to be appointed by the President upon the recommendation of the Prime Minister. The Executive Director shall possess a record of executive competence in the field of public administration or in the management of regional projects. His annual compensation and allowances shall be determined by the Prime Minister upon recommendation of the Regional Projects Board.

The Executive Director shall be directly responsible to the Regional Projects Board and shall exercise the following powers and responsibilities:

(a) Execute and administer the policies, guidelines and decisions of the Regional Projects Board;

(b) Organize and manage the Regional Projects Office and adopt administrative rules and procedures for its internal operation and management;

(c) Appoint the Project Directors and Site Managers and other personnel of the Regional Projects Office, subject to the confirmation of the Regional Projects Board;

(d) Enter into and sign in behalf of the Regional Projects Office contracts with private and public entities in connection with the functions of the Regional Projects Office, including memoranda of agreement with pertinent government ministries/agencies, as approved by or under delegated authority for the Regional Projects Board: Provided, That, relevant contracts shall be submitted for further approval in accordance with existing laws and regulations;

(e) Disburse and administer the funds of the Regional Projects Office based on the approved budget and work program therefor and in accordance with pertinent laws and regulations ;

(f) Delegate such of his powers to subordinate officials of the Regional Projects Office especially the Project Directors and Site Managers provided for under Section 8 hereof, as may be deemed expedient and necessary, but which shall be in accordance with guidelines established by the Regional Projects Board;

(g) Submit to the Regional Projects Board periodic progress reports and special reports as may be required; and

(h) Perform such other functions as may be authorized and directed by the Regional Projects Board.

SECTION 8. Responsibility for Implementation. The implementation of the discrete project components will as a general rule be the responsibility of sectoral line agencies in accordance with the policies, programs and procedures approved by the Board. However, for such peculiar operational requirements as may be identified, the Regional Projects Office may adopt such site-specific operational and management arrangements as may be feasible in the implementation of such projects. For this purpose, the Regional Projects Office shall have such Project Directors and Site Managers as necessary to coordinate the specific projects approved by the Regional Projects Board for implementation. The Project Directors and Site Managers shall perform powers and responsibilities delegated to them by the Executive Director per the provisions under Section 7(f) of this Executive Order.

SECTION 9. Coordination at the National Level. At the national level, responsibility for coordinating the implementation of Regional Projects nationwide shall devolve upon the Prime Minister who may, for this purpose, institute such relevant arrangements as may be ‘deemed feasible in exercising this responsibility.

SECTION 10. Detail of Personnel. The Executive Director may, subject to the approval of the Regional Projects Board, call on the services of technical experts and professionals from government entities as the Regional Projects Office may need in the conduct of its activities.

SECTION 11. Transfer of Functions, Powers and Resources. The Central Visayas Urban and Rural Projects Office (CVURPO) is hereby abolished and all its functions, powers, records, equipment, applicable appropriations and such qualified personnel as may be necessary are hereby transferred to the Regional Projects Office: Provided, That all valid existing contracts with public and private domestic and foreign parties by CVURPO shall continue to be honored by the Regional Projects Office. The remaining project preparation requirements up to pre-construction of the Central Visayas Regional Project II (Urban) shall be undertaken by the Regional Projects Office.

SECTION 12. Appropriations and Funds Flow. Such amounts as may be necessary for the operational requirements of the Regional Projects Office in CY 1983 shall be released out of the Foreign-Assisted Projects Support fund of the General Appropriations Act, Batas Pambansa Big. 230, to be augmented from other allowable funding sources as may be deemed appropriate by the Minister of the Budget. The funding requirements of the Regional Projects Office for succeeding years shall be included in subsequent annual General Appropriations Acts.

The funds authorized in the General Appropriations Acts for project implementation shall be released directly to the Regional Project Office by the Office of Budget and Management. Such funds shall in turn be sub-alloted to each Project component pursuant to Section 3(c) of this Executive Order and consistent with the work and financial plans prepared and approved pursuant to PD 1177.

SECTION 13. Duration of Existence of the Regional Projects Office. The Regional Projects Office shall have a life of six years from the date of effectivity of this Executive Order: Provided, That, since the Regional Projects Office is experimental in nature, the President upon the recommendation of the Prime Minister may phase out the Office if deemed appropriate even before the end of its life span, or if found operationally effective extend the life of the Office as necessary for the duration of the completion of the Regional Projects.

SECTION 14. Repealing Clause. All laws, decrees, orders, proclamations, rules, regulations or parts thereof, which are inconsistent with any of the provisions of this Executive Order are hereby repealed or modified accordingly.

SECTION 15. Separability Clause. Any portion or provision of this Executive Order that may be declared unconstitutional shall not have the effect of nullifying the other provisions thereof: Provided, That, such remaining portions can still stand and be given effect in their entirety to accomplish the objectives of this Executive Order.

SECTION 16. Effectivity. This Executive Order shall take effect immediately.

DONE in the City of Manila, this 10thdayof September, in the Year of Our Lord, Nineteen Hundred and Eighty-Three.


By the President:

(SGD.) JUAN C. TUVERA
Presidential Executive Assistant