WHEREAS, the primacy of civilian authority over the
military is one of the basic policies of the New Society;
WHEREAS, in line with this policy, the Armed Forces of the
Philippines is committed to a significant role in the development
efforts of the government;
WHEREAS, there is a need for effective coordination of the
programs and activities of the military and civilian agencies especially
in matters affecting local projects and developments;
NOW, THEREFORE, I, FERDINAND E. MARCOS, President of the
Philippines, by virtue of the powers vested in me by the Constitution,
do hereby order and decree:
SECTION 1. There is hereby created an additional position of
Undersecretary for Civilian Relations in the Department of National
Defense.
SEC. 2. The Undersecretary of National Defense for Civilian
Relations shall have the following functions:
- Establish and maintain effective liaison between the Department
of National Defense and the Department of Local Government and
Community Development and local governments, for the purpose of
coordinating local development efforts;
- Promote coordination and cooperation between the units of the
Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) and the Integrated National
Police (INP) in the field on one hand and local executives and
authorities on the other;
- Develop programs and formulate policies and guidelines for the
supervision and operation of the Office of Civil Relations (OCR).
- Formulate and oversee the implementation of troop information
programs designed to instill in the soldier the conviction and
determination to uphold and advance the ideals of the
New Society;
- Formulate and oversee the implementation of public information
programs that will enhance the prestige of the armed services and
thereby inspire the confidence of the people in the organization;
- Monitor the activities of military units/personnel
assigned to civilian agencies of the government;
- Oversee the activities of veterans organizations; and
- Such other functions as the Secretary of National Defense may
assign to him from time to time.
SEC. 3. This Decree shall take effect immediately.
Done in the City of Manila, this 16th day of January, in the
year of Our Lord, nineteen hundred and seventy-six.