EXECUTIVE ORDER NO. 697
EXECUTIVE ORDER NO. 697 - CREATING
THE MINISTRY OF MUSLIM AFFAIRS
WHEREAS, it is mandated by the
Constitution that the State shall consider the customs, traditions,
beliefs and interests of national cultural communities in the
formulation and implementation of state policies;
WHEREAS, it is recognized that a significant aspect of Philippine
culture is Islamic in character and influence and that Philippine
history cannot be appreciated in its fullest dimensions without an
examination of its past and present relations with the Islamic world,
including its traditions, customs, and institutions;
WHEREAS, the complete and full integration of Muslim Filipinos into the
body politic will further strengthen and enrich our aspirations for
national unity and identity without sacrificing their individual
beliefs, culture, traditions and institutions;
WHEREAS, the centuries-old crises in Muslim areas which marked various
stages of Philippine history have brought about international and
national concern as well as the painful awareness of the inadequacies
of the past; and have underscored the crucial need to take measures
that would result in the more active participation of Muslim Filipino
in the mainstream of national life and nation building; and
WHEREAS, under Presidential Decree No. 1416, the President is empowered
to undertake such organizational and related improvements as may be
appropriate in the light of changing circumstances and new
developments.
NOW, THEREFORE, I, FERDINAND E. MARCOS, President of the Philippines,
by virtue of the powers vested in me by the Constitution and the
authority vested in me by Presidential Decree No. 1416, do hereby order
and ordain:
Section 1. Declaration of Policy. — It is hereby
declared to be the policy of the state to ensure the integration of
Muslim Filipinos into the mainstream of Filipino society with due
regard to their beliefs, customs, traditions, and institutions; and to
further enhance their contribution to national goals and aspirations as
active participants in nation building equal in stature, dignity and
opportunity with all other citizens.
Sec. 2. Creation. — There is hereby created a
Ministry of Muslim Affairs, hereinafter referred to as the Ministry, to
implement the policy of the state concerning Muslim Filipinos. It shall
be headed by a Minister who shall be assisted by a Deputy Minister.
Sec. 3. Powers and Functions. — The Ministry shall
have the following powers and functions:
a.
Assist and, when so authorized, represent the President on matters
concerning Muslim Affairs;
b. Provide
advice and assistance to the President in formulation, coordination,
and implementation of policies affecting Muslim Affairs;
c. Serve as
the link between the President and agencies and entities, both internal
and external, that are involved in the administration or pursuit of
operations, activities and projects involving Muslim Affairs;
d. Coordinate
for the President all development programs on Muslim matters being
implemented by various government agencies and entities;
e. Recommend
to the President development programs and projects on Muslim matters,
including their implementation schemes;
f. Implement
whenever authorized by the President development projects for the
advancement of Muslim communities;
g. Monitor for
the President all development programs being implemented, whether
public or private, concerning Muslim affairs as well as recommend such
actions as may be necessary for their efficient and effective
implementation;
h. As the
primary government entity through which Muslim communities can seek
government as well as private assistance and serve as the
instrumentality through which assistance from both the government and
the private sector may be extended to the Muslim Communities. For this
purpose, the Ministry is hereby authorized to give grants-in-aid out of
its appropriations or other funds from whatever source to cooperating
government or private entities for such programs or projects geared to
the development of Muslim communities;
i. Enter,
subject to existing policies and guidelines, into such contracts,
agreements or arrangements, with government or private agencies as may
be necessary to attain the objectives of the Ministry;
j. Accept
grants, donations, gifts, funds and/or property for the benefit of
Muslim communities in whatever form and from whatever source, and
administer the same in accordance with the terms thereof, or in the
absence of any condition, to administer the same in such manner
consistent with the interests of Muslim communities;
k. Provide
such assistance and services including legal assistance of whatever
nature, medical aid, relief and any an all other forms of help as may
be necessary for the socio-economic uplift of Muslim communities;
l. Design,
implement and maintain settlements and development projects as may be
authorized by the President for Muslim Filipinos consistent with the
declared policy of the State;
m. Undertake
studies, establish and maintain research centers and museums on Muslim
culture and institutions as may be necessary for policy formulation and
program implementation as well as for the purpose of preserving and
promoting their rich historical legacy;
n. Undertake,
such action projects as may be necessary to achieve the objectives of
this Executive Order;
o. Initiate,
subject to the approval of the President, eminent domain proceedings in
pursuance of the aims and purposes of this Executive Order;
p. Contract
loans or financial obligations, subject to the approval of the
President, to implement the provisions of this Executive Order from any
Government financial institutions for which purpose they are hereby
authorized to grant such loans;
q. Acquire,
lease or own such property or assets in whatever form, as may be
necessary; and to sell or otherwise dispose of the same;
r. Conduct
inspection or surveys and issue such certifications as may be
necessary, prior to the grant of any license, lease or permits for
whatever purpose or nature including the exploitation of natural
resources affecting Muslim interests or their communities or areas
occupied by them; and in case of conflicts, recommend to the President
such action as may be appropriate or necessary under the circumstances;
s. Certify
whenever necessary, membership in Manila communities for purpose of
establishing qualifications for appointments in government and for
other benefits as provided by law;
t. Serve as
the custodian or administrator of such lands or areas, and other
properties or forms of assets as the President may reserve for the
benefit of Muslim Filipinos; and
u. Perform
such other related functions as may be directed by the President or
assigned by law.
Sec. 4. Organization of the Ministry. — The
organization of the Ministry shall consist of the Office of the
Minister and its various staff units, the Bureau of Muslim Cultural
Affairs, the Bureau of Muslim Economic Affairs, and such field offices
as may be determined by the Ministry.
a.
Staff Units. — The Staff units directly under the Office of the
Minister shall include the Planning Service, Financial and Management
Service and Administrative Service. The Planning Service shall be
responsible for providing the Ministry with economical, efficient, and
effective services relating to planning, programming, and project
development. The Financial and Management Service shall be responsible
for providing the Ministry with staff advice and assistance on
budgetary, financial, and management improvement matters. The
Administrative Service shall be responsible for providing the Ministry
with staff advice and assistance on budgetary, financial, and
management improvement matters. The Administrative Service shall be
responsible for providing the Ministry with economical, efficient and
effective services relating to personnel, legal matters, information,
records, supplies, equipment, collection, disbursements, security and
custodial work.
b. The Bureau
of Muslim Cultural Affairs. — The Bureau shall be primarily responsible
for the development, promotion and enhancement of Muslim culture and
institutions. For this purpose, it shall undertake research and studies
for purposes of policy formulation and program implementation, as well
as establish as may be necessary, and maintain research centers and
museums on Muslim culture and institutions. The Bureau shall be headed
by a Bureau Director.
c. The Bureau
of Muslim Economic Affairs. — The Bureau shall be primarily responsible
for providing staff assistance to the Minister on all matters relative
to the promotion of the economic development of the Muslim communities;
and when authorized by the Minister, to directly implement development
projects and/or provide and coordinate relief assistance of whatever
nature to Muslim communities. The Bureau shall be headed by a Bureau
Director.
d. Field
Offices. — the Ministry shall establish such number of field offices as
may be necessary for the economical, efficient and effective
implementation of its plans, programs, and projects. The field offices
may have such sub-offices as may be necessary.
e. Attached
Agency. — The Philippine Pilgrimage Authority created pursuant to
Presidential Decree No. 1302 is hereby attached to the Ministry for
purposes of policy and program, coordination. The governing board of
the Authority is hereby reconstituted to include the Minister of Muslim
Affairs or his representative as member thereof, without prejudice to
the President’s designating the Minister as chairman.
Sec. 5. Relationships with other Government
Agencies. — The Ministry shall submit for the approval of the
President, a system for the coordination of its activities with the
Southern Philippines Development Administration, the Lupong
Tagapagpaganap ng Pook for Regions IX and XII and with other Ministries
or agencies of the government concerning Muslim Affairs.
There is established an advisory council, attached to the Ministry of
Foreign Affairs, which shall be responsible for providing advice and
recommendation to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs on the formulation of
policies and programs concerning relations with Islamic countries. The
council shall be composed of the Minister of Muslim Affairs, as
chairman, and two senior officials, at least one of which shall be a
Deputy Minister, of the Ministry of Foreign, Affairs as members.
Sec. 6. Abolition of the Office of the
Commissioner for Islamic Affairs. — The Office of the Commissioner for
Islamic Affairs created pursuant to Executive Order No. 549 is hereby
abolished and its functions, records, property, appropriations, assets
and liabilities, and such personnel as may be necessary are transferred
to the Ministry.
Sec. 7. Abolition of the Agency for the
Development and Welfare of Muslim in the Philippines. — The Agency for
the Development and Welfare of Muslims in the Philippines created
pursuant to Executive Order No. 474, is hereby abolished and its
functions, records, property, appropriations, assets and liabilities,
and such personnel as may be necessary are transferred to the Ministry.
Sec. 8. The Minister shall recommend to the
President for approval such supportive administrative arrangements as
would enable it to best carry out its functions, exercise its powers
and achieve its objectives. It may have such consultants and other
experts as may be needed, who may be drawn from the private sector by
appointment or on contractual basis or from government agencies or
instrumentalities on detail or through other arrangements, whose
compensation, allowances or honoraria shall be in accordance with such
schedules as may be approved by the President.
Sec. 9. Appropriations. — The Ministry shall
receive an annual lump-sum appropriation in such amounts as may be
sufficient to finance its operations and its programs, projects and
activities.
Sec. 10. Repeal of Inconsistent Laws. — All laws,
orders, proclamations, rules and regulations or parts thereof which are
inconsistent with any of the provisions of this Executive Order, are
hereby repealed or modified accordingly.
Sec. 11. Separability Clause. — Any portion or
provision of this Executive Order that may be declared unconstitutional
shall not have the effect of nullifying the other provisions thereof:
Provided, That such remaining portions can stall stand and be given
effect in their entirety to accomplish the objectives of this Executive
Order.
Sec. 12. Effectivity. — This Executive Order shall
take effect immediately.
Done in the City of Manila,
this 28th day of May, in the year of Our Lord, nineteen hundred and
eighty-one.
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Since 19.07.98.