EXECUTIVE ORDER NO. 288 - EXTENDING THE TERM OF EXECUTIVE ORDER NO. 161 “PROCLAIMING A SPECIAL ZONE OF PEACE AND DEVELOPMENT IN THE SOUTHERN PHILIPPINES, AND ESTABLISHING THEREFORE THE SOUTHERN PHILIPPINES COUNCIL FOR PEACE AND DEVELOPMENT AND THE CONSULTATIVE ASSEMBLY”

WHEREAS, the Regular Elections for the Elective Officials of the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao is again postponed in order to allow the government and the Moro National Liberation Front (MNLF) an opportunity to complete the implementation of Phase 1 of the 1996 GRP-MNLF Peace Agreement;

WHEREAS, such postponement of the ARMM elections to the second Monday of May 2001 accords the government an opportunity to ensure the passage of the amendatory law to RA 6734, the Organic Act for Muslim Mindanao;

WHEREAS, this has also opened an opportunity for SPCPD to spearhead the integration, synchronization and accelerated implementation of peace and development programs and projects in the SZOPAD, to include the ARMM provinces.

NOW, THEREFORE, I, JOSEPH EJERCITO ESTRADA, the President of the Republic of the Philippines, by virtue of the powers vested in me by law and the Constitution, do hereby order the following:

Section 1. Extending the Effectivity of EO 161 s. 1999. — The terms of the Special Zone of Peace and Development (SZOPAD), the Southern Philippines Council for Peace and Development (SPCPD) and the Consultative Assembly (CA) are hereby extended to May 2001 corresponding to the period covered by the postponement of ARMM Elections.

Sec. 2. Continuity of Organization, Functions and Responsibilities. — The organization, functions and responsibilities of SPCPD and CA, as provided for in EO 371 shall continue to be in force and effect during the period covered by this Executive Order.

Sec. 3. Special Role of SPCPD with Respect to Development Concerns. — With respect to peace and development concerns in SZOPAD, the SPCPD shall, pursuant to the 1996 Final Peace Agreement, undertake the following additional tasks:

a) Directly supervise offices and projects located in the Special Zone of Peace and Development particularly the Southern Philippines Development Authority (SPDA), the Office of Muslim Affairs (OMA) and the National Commission on Indigenous People (NCIP) formerly office of the Southern Cultural Communities.

b) Coordinate the integration, synchronization and accelerated implementation of development projects in the Special Zones of Peace and Development (SZOPAD).  

c) Serve as the coordinating, monitoring and validating arm of the Mindanao Coordinating Council in SZOPAD as embodied in EO 261 dated 05 July 2000.

Sec. 4. Effect on Local Government Units. — Nothing in this Executive Order shall affect the existence or diminish the powers and functions under existing laws of all local government units in the SZOPAD, including the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao.

Sec. 5. Funding. — Funds for the operation of SPCPD and the Consultative Assembly shall continue to be sourced from the Office of the President and from such other funding sources as may be recommended by the Department of Budget and Management.

Sec. 6. Effectivity Clause. — This Executive Order shall take effect fifteen (15) days after its publication in two newspapers of national circulation.

Done in the City of Manila, this 22nd of September, in the Year of Our Lord, Two Thousand.

chan robles virtual law librar
    Back to Main


Since 19.07.98.