105 OG No. 6, 643 (Feb. 09, 2009)
WHEREAS, it is the policy
of the State to protect the rights and welfare of the indigenous
cultural communities and Indigenous Peoples (IPs), and to guarantee the
respect for their cultural integrity as well as ensure that all members
of indigenous cultural communities and IPs benefit on an equal footing
from the rights and opportunities which national laws and regulations
grant to other members of the
population;
WHEREAS, essential to
this policy is the effective and efficient functioning of the National
Commission on Indigenous Peoples (NCIP), and its responsive
implementation of Republic Act No. 8371, otherwise known as “An Act to
Recognize, Protect and Promote the Rights of the Indigenous
Communities/Indigenous
Peoples”;
WHEREAS, there is a
need to designate an Oversight Official with a Cabinet rank to
coordinate and monitor the efficient implementation of said policy, and
to provide the appropriate policy and program recommendations to the
Office of the President in addressing issues and concerns affecting the
IPs and NCIP;
WHEREAS, Section
17, Article VII of the Constitution provides that the President shall
have control of all executive departments, bureaus and offices and
shall ensure that all laws be faithfully
executed;
WHEREAS, paragraph 2,
Section 31, Chapter 10, Title III, Book III of Executive Order No. 292
(s. 1987) grants the President the continuing authority to reorganize
the administrative structure of the Office of the President and the
power to transfer any function under the Office of the President to any
other Department;
NOW, THEREFORE, I, GLORIA
MACAPAGAL-ARROYO, President of the Republic of the
Philippines, by virtue of the powers vested in me by law do hereby
order:
SECTION 1. The Cabinet
Secretary is hereby designated as the Oversight Official on IPs and
NCIP matters to coordinate the implementation of the policies and
programs impacting on the promotion and protection of the rights and
welfare of the IPs in the country, and on the efficient functioning of
the NCIP.
SECTION 2. As Oversight
Official, the Cabinet Secretary shall coordinate and facilitate the
resolution of issues and concerns affecting the IPs and of the
efficient discharge of the duties and functions of the NCIP. In this
regard, the Oversight Official shall submit regular report on the
status of his work to the President, through the Executive
Secretary.
SECTION 3. All
Government Departments and Agencies, including the Government-Owned and
Controlled Corporations, Financial Institutions and other government
instrumentalities are hereby directed to extend their support for the
efficient discharge of the above duties and functions of the Oversight
Official.
SECTION 4. This Order
shall take effect
immediately.
DONE in the City of
Manila, this 1st day of December, in the year of Our Lord, Two Thousand
and Eight.
(Sgd.)
GLORIA M. ARROYO
By the
President:
(Sgd.) EDUARDO R.
ERMITAExecutive
Secretary