EXECUTIVE ORDER NO. 125
EXECUTIVE ORDER NO. 125 - FURTHER
ENHANCING THE DEVOLUTION OF POWERS AND FUNCTIONS, PROGRAMS AND PROJECTS
OF NATIONAL GOVERNMENT AGENCIES TO THE AUTONOMOUS REGIONAL GOVERNMENT
OF THE AUTONOMOUS REGION IN MUSLIM MINDANAO, AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES
WHEREAS,
Republic Act No. 6734 provided for the establishment of the Autonomous
Region in Muslim Mindanao (ARMM), and the same was ratified by the
provinces of Maguindanao, Lanao del Sur, Sulu and Tawi-tawi;
WHEREAS, Republic Act No. 9054 was enacted into law on March 31, 2001
in order to strengthen and expand the Organic Act for the ARMM, and the
same was ratified on August 14, 2001 with the addition of the province
of Basilan, and the City of Marawi to the original four provinces
comprising the ARMM;
WHEREAS, it is the policy of the National Government to devolve, as far
as practicable and consistent with the Constitution and RA 6734, as
amended by RA 9054, as many functions and powers of national government
agencies to the Autonomous Regional Government (ARG); and
WHEREAS, the devolution of powers and functions of the National
Government to the ARG is part of the government’s peace process to find
ways and means for a durable and lasting peace in Mindanao.
NOW, THEREFORE, I, GLORIA MACAPAGAL-ARROYO, President of the
Philippines by virtue of the powers vested in me by law, do hereby
order:
Section 1. Devolution of Locally Funded Programs and
Projects to ARMM. — Unless otherwise specifically requested by the
Regional Governor of the ARMM, locally funded programs and projects
presently being undertaken within the ARMM, and those programmed to be
implemented in the ARMM are hereby devolved to and heretofore to be
implemented by the ARG of the ARMM.
Sec. 2. Devolution of ODA Funded Programs and
Projects to ARMM. — Unless otherwise specifically requested by the
Regional Governor of the ARMM, Programs and Projects funded by Official
Development Assistance (ODA) specifically intended only for ARMM shall
be implemented by ARG. Programs and Projects funded by ODA implemented
on a nation-wide basis, but with an ARMM component shall be implemented
by the concerned national agency, with the ARG implementing the
component within the ARMM.
On-going programs and projects in the ARMM funded by ODA and covered by
loan agreements shall be devolved to and implemented by ARG, subject to
re-negotiation and amendment of the loan agreements covering said
programs and/or projects.
Sec. 3. ARMM ODA Office. — There is hereby created
an ODA Office under the Office of the Regional Governor of ARMM that
shall handle all matters relating to the accessing of ODA for ARMM
programs and projects. The ARMM ODA Office shall closely coordinate
with the National Economic & Development Authority. The Department
of Budget and Management shall provide the budgetary requirements for
the ARMM ODA Office.
Sec. 4. Catch-up Budget for ARMM. — Pursuant to
Section s 4 and 11, Article XVIII of Republic Act No. 9054, national
agencies must include in their programs and activities the
corresponding equitable and proportionate budget for programs and
activities intended for the ARMM in consultation with the ARG. However,
in order to be consistent with and comply with the spirit of the
devolution under RA 9054, the national agencies and the ARG shall agree
on the mechanisms on the effective implementation by the latter of said
programs and activities within the ARMM.
Sec. 5. Transfer of Devolved Agencies in Basilan.
— All offices of national agencies devolved to the ARG, including their
personnel, asset, equipment and budget that are located in Isabela
City, Basilan shall be transferred to an appropriate government center
in Lamitan, Basilan starting January 2003. The national government
shall provide the necessary funding requirements to effect the
transfer. On the other hand, the concerned national agencies shall
provide the necessary office including personnel and budget to service
the requirements of Isabela City.
Sec. 6. Freeze Hiring of ARMM Plantilla Positions.
— Pending the transfer of the devolved power, function, program and
project, national agencies are proscribed from filling up plantilla
positions corresponding to the ARMM. National agencies are likewise
proscribed from abolishing, transferring plantilla positions in their
agency that are intended for ARMM.
Sec. 7. Repealing Clause. — All Executive
issuances, orders, rules and regulations, or any part thereof, which
are inconsistent with any provision of this Executive Order are hereby
revoked, amended or modified accordingly.
Sec. 8. Effectivity. — This Executive Order shall
take effect immediately.
DONE in the City of Manila,
this 16th day of September, in the year of Our Lord, Two Thousand and
Two.
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Since 19.07.98.