SECTION 1
MANDATE
SECTION 1.
MANDATE.
The PCVFA is hereby renamed the Presidential Commission on Visiting Forces, hereinafter referred to as the —Commission,— which shall continue to be under the Office of the President. The Commission shall be the lead inter-agency mechanism to provide policy coordination and advice, guidance, and assessment to ensure that all SOFAs serve the national interest.
For purposes of this Order, SOFA shall refer to the VFA, the SOVFA, and future status of forces agreements which may be included in the Commission—s mandate by order or directive of the President.
SECTION 2
COMPOSITION
SECTION 2.
COMPOSITION.
The Commission shall be composed of the following:
Executive Secretary
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Chairman
Secretary of Foreign Affairs
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Vice-Chairman
Secretary of National Defense
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Vice-Chairman
Secretary of Justice
-
Member
Secretary of Social Welfare and Development
-
Member
Secretary of Interior and Local Government
-
Member
VFACOM Executive Director
-
Member
One (1) Representative from the Private Sector to be appointed by the President
-
Member
SECTION 3
POWERS & FUNCTIONS
SECTION 3.
POWERS & FUNCTIONS.
The Commission shall have the following powers and functions:
a) Ensure respect for Philippine laws, state policies, public morals, customs and traditions and strict compliance with the provisions of all SOFAs and the rules and regulations promulgated by the concerned Departments and Agencies;
b) Coordinate with the concerned departments and agencies for the issuance of the appropriate Implementing Rules and Regulations (IRRs) for all SOFAs the Philippines has entered into by providing clear guidelines on, but not limited to, the following:
b.1. the entry, temporary stay and departure of military and civilian personnel;
b.2. the entry, movement and departure of military vessels, aircraft and vehicles;
b.3. the protection of public health and safety;
b.4. the protection and preservation of the environment;
b.5. the disposition of military equipment, supplies, materials and other provisions brought into the country by military and civilian personnel; and
b.6. the prosecution of offenses that may be committed during activities under a SOFA;
c) Monitor and evaluate, in coordination with the appropriate government and non-government agencies, the activities of foreign military and civilian personnel for the duration of activities held under any SOFA and HADR;
d) Organize and oversee local coordinating committees that will assist the Commission in the performance of its functions;
e) Assess the environmental, social, health and safety impact of activities held under and in relation to a SOFA and come up with appropriate recommendations designed to mitigate the impact of such activities;
f) Coordinate the provision of appropriate assistance to claimants for damage, loss, personnel injury or death, caused by acts or omissions of foreign personnel or otherwise incidental to the non-combatant activities of foreign forces under a SOFA or pursuant to the conduct of HADR operations;
g) Enlist the assistance of any branch, department, bureau, office or agency of the Government in the performance of the Commission—s functions;
h) Conduct continuing information and educational campaigns on the various SOFAs;
i) Submit to the President an annual report that contains an assessment of whether the SOFAs continue to serve, among others, the national security interest;
j) Coordinate with the Legislative Oversight Committee in determining whether the SOFAs continue to serve, among others, the national interest;
k) Recommend policies and/or legislation necessary for the proper enforcement of the provisions of the SOFAs;
l) Establish official representation in all implementing organizations for relevant defense and security engagements to which a SOFA applies, such as boards, committees, groups and the like;
m) Provide advice in negotiations and consultations that may lead to a SOFA; and
n) Perform such other powers and functions as the President may direct.