Executive Order No. 77 (2024)

Inter-Agency Committee on International Humanitarian Law

Section 1. Inter-Agency Committee on International Humanitarian Law. The Inter-Agency Committee on International Humanitarian Law (IAC-IHL) is hereby created. The IAC-IHL shall be composed of the heads of the following agencies:

C-Chairperson

:

DND and DFA

Members

:

Department of the Interior and Local Government;

Department of Justice;

Department of Social Welfare and Development;

Department of Trade and Industry;

Department of Health;

Armed Forces of the Philippines;

Philippine National Police;

Philippine Coast Guard;

National Commission on Indigenous Peoples;

Commission on Higher Education;

Office of the Presidential Adviser on Peace, Reconciliation and Unity; and

Presidential Human Rights Committee Secretariat.

The DND and DFA shall jointly serve as Secretariat of the IAC-IHL, and shall provide administrative and technical support to the Committee.

The Co-Chairpersons and members of the IAC-IHL may designate their respective alternates, with ranks not lower than Assistant Secretary or its equivalent, who are fully authorized to decide for or on their behalf.

The IAC-IHL shall convene at least once every quarter or as often as may be deemed necessary by the Co-Chairpersons.

Duties

Section 2.

Duties. The IAC-IHL shall serve as the national committee tasked to advise and assist relevant government authorities in implementing, developing, and raising public awareness regarding IHL. For this purpose, the IAC-IHL shall perform the following duties and functions, subject to existing laws, rules and regulations:

a. Formulate and implement year-round programs and activities for the promotion of IHL and other relevant treaties, international agreements, and other instruments to which the Philippines is a party, including commemoration of IHL Day every 12th day of August;

b. Study and submit recommendations to concerned government agencies regarding the effective implementation of and compliance with IHL;

c. Coordinate and collaborate with concerned government agencies, as well as non-government organizations (NGOs), civil society groups, the academe, and other stakeholders, towards the promotion of and compliance with IHL. The IAC-IHL may likewise invite them as observers and/or resource persons to aid in the performance of the Committee's mandate;

d. Serve as focal point for coordination and cooperation both within the Philippine government and with external partners on IHL promotion and compliance before, during and after wars or armed conflicts;

e. Monitor compliance of agencies with IHL and report violations thereof to relevant authorities;

f. As may be necessary, create, convene, and reorganized sub-committees or technical working groups to assist in the implementation of this Order; and

g. Perform such other functions as may be directed by the President and/or the Executive Secretary.

Funding

Section 3.

Funding. The funding requirements for the initial implementation of this Order shall be charged against current and available appropriations of member-agencies of IAC-IHL, subject to pertinent budgeting, accounting, and auditing laws, rules and regulations. Thereafter, the funding requirements necessary for the continued implementation of this Order shall be included in the budget proposals of member-agencies, subject to the usual budget preparation process.

Implementing Guidelines

Section 4.

Implementing Guidelines. Within 60 working days from the effectivity of this Order, the IAC-IHL, in coordination with relevant government agencies, shall formulate the guidelines necessary to effectively implement this Order, which shall include, among others, the mechanism for coordination and/or consultation with the public, NGOs, and civil society groups, subject to existing laws, rules and regulations.

Separability

Section 5.

Separability. If any part or provision of this Order shall be held invalid or unconstitutional, the provisions not affected thereby shall remain in full force and effect. ℒαwρhi৷

Repeal

Section 6.

Repeal. All other orders, rules and regulations, or parts thereof that are inconsistent with this Order, are hereby repealed or modified accordingly.

Effectivity

Section 7.

Effectivity. This Order shall take effect immediately after its publication in the Official Gazette or in a newspaper of general circulation.

DONE, in the City of Manila, this 22nd day of November, in the year of our Lord, Two Thousand and Twenty-Four.

(Sgd.) FERDINAND R. MARCOS, JR.

By the President:

(Sgd.) LUCAS P. BERSAMIN Executive Secretary