Executive Order No. 442 (1997)

Section 1. —There is hereby created under the Office of the President an inter-agency Agno River Basin Development Commission which shall be composed of the following:

Chairman

:

Secretary, Department of Environment and Natural Resources

Co-Chairman

:

Secretary, Department of Energy

Vice-Chairmen

:

Governors, Provinces of Pangasinan and Benguet

Members

:

1. Secretary, Department of Public Works and Highways

2. Secretary, Department of Trade and Industry

3. Secretary, Department of Tourism

4. Secretary, Department of the Interior and Local Government

5. Secretary, Department of Agriculture

6. Secretary, Department of Agrarian Reform

7. Director-General, National Economic and Development Authority

8. Presidential Assistant, Office of the President

9. President, National Power Corporation

10. Administrator, National Irrigation Administration

11. Director, Philippine Atmospheric Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration

12. Executive Director, Office for Northern Cultural Communities

13. Executive Director, National Water Resources Board

14. Administrator, Office of Civil Defense, DND

15. Regional Directors, Philippine National Police Region I and CAR

16. Two representatives each from the provinces of Pangasinan and Benguet, from the non-government/people—s organizations

The members may designate their permanent representatives to the Commission.

The Commission shall have an Executive Director with the rank of Undersecretary, who shall manage its day-to-day operations. He shall be appointed by the President and shall serve in a full-time capacity.

Section 2. —The Commission shall have the following functions:

2.1 Develop a comprehensive master plan for the integrated economic, social and physical development of the basin, including the preservation and enhancement of indigenous culture and communities, to maximize equitable benefits to be derived from the basin—s natural resources, as well as ensure a fair sharing of the national patrimony between upland and lowland peoples. The Commission shall adopt process of maximum consultation with, among others, the local government units, people—s and non-government organizations, and other stakeholders in the area. The master plan shall be considered for integration into the Regional Development Plans of both RDC I and CAR;

2.2 In coordination with existing line agencies, implement development projects that have an overall impact upon the geographical coverage of the Commission;

2.3 Coordinate and monitor all planning, studies, design and implementation of various programs and projects for the development of the Agno River Basin;

2.4 Initiate, receive and recommend project proposals for the development, preservation and management of the basin—s natural resources;

2.5 Formulate, review, evaluate and propose improvements in existing policies governing the protection, preservation, management and development of the basin through legislation or other appropriate executive issuances;

2.6 Commission studies, research and other development undertakings to determine appropriate measures necessary to carry out the development of the basin;

2.7 Coordinate soil-erosion control, river siltation mitigation, flood control, both structural and non-structural measures, as well as other aspects of infrastructure and land development projects among concerned government agencies adopting the most effective devolution and sharing of functions and technical expertise;

2.8 Establish a functional basin information and database system, including computer-generated planning tools such as GIS for use by planners, managers, technical personnel and the general public;

2.9 Organize its own administrative and technical support secretariat, as well as such other committees, task forces and technical working groups it deems necessary to carry out its mandate;

2.10 Receive grants, technical assistance and other forms of development support from foreign and local donor agencies;

2.11 Call upon any government agency, office, or bureau for assistance in the discharge of its functions and responsibilities; and

2.12 Undertake such other duties and functions as may be necessary to perform its mandate.

Section 3. —Nothing in this Order shall be construed as effecting the abolition or diminution of powers of existing government entities, including those that have been created by previous Presidential issuances. The relationship between the Commission and such other entities shall be one of complementarity and coordination.

Section 4. —The Commission shall submit a semi-annual report to the Office of the President.

Section 5. —The funding of activities necessary to carry out the mandate of this Order in the initial amount of P10,000,000.00 shall come from the Contingent Fund or from any available fund under the Office of the President. Succeeding appropriations shall be included in the regular budget proposals of the Office of the President.

Section 6. —Any provision of previous related issuances contrary to this Order are hereby superseded.

Section 7. —This Order shall take effect immediately.

Done in the City of Manila, this 23rd—day of September in the year of our Lord, nineteen hundred and ninety-seven. 1a⍵⍴h!1

(Sgd.)— FIDEL V. RAMOS

President of the Philippines

By the President:

(Sgd.)— RUBEN D. TORRES

Executive Secretary