Question & AnswerQ&A (EXECUTIVE ORDER NO. 320)
The primary purpose is to amend Executive Order No. 309 to ensure more comprehensive and effective coordination of government efforts and active citizen participation in the national campaign against criminality and insurgency.
The Secretary of Local Government serves as the Chairman of the National Peace and Order Council.
The NPOC is composed of key Cabinet secretaries including Local Government, National Defense, Justice, Social Welfare and Development, Public Works and Highways, Trade and Industry, the Press Secretary, directors, chairpersons of various commissions, the AFP Chief of Staff, Chief of Constabulary and eight private sector representatives from sectors such as academic, civic, religious, youth, labor, legal, business, and media organizations.
The special Action Committee, composed of selected officials including the Secretaries of Local Government, National Defense, Social Welfare and Development, Justice, and the AFP Chief of Staff, is authorized to take decisive action in emergency situations.
RPOCs are composed of regional counterparts of the departments, offices, and agencies in the NPOC, with the Chairman and Vice-Chairman appointed by the NPOC Chairman, including at least three private sector representatives.
PPOCs formulate peace and order plans, monitor peace and order programs, make assessments of the local situation, and receive complaints against government personnel, with the Provincial Governor as Chairman and a representative from the Sangguniang Panlalawigan.
At the national and regional levels, the NAPOLCOM and its regional offices serve as the secretariat, headed respectively by the NAPOLCOM Chairman and regional director; at the provincial, city, and municipal levels, the Secretariat is headed by the most senior DLG officer.
They are responsible for the proper management and supervision of civilian volunteer organizations, formulating plans to improve peace and order, monitoring program implementations, assessing peace and order conditions, and receiving complaints against government personnel.
The Chairman may issue implementing rules and regulations to carry out the Order's objectives and, upon the President's direction, issue directives and guidelines to ensure effective implementation.
The Executive Order took effect immediately upon its signing on March 11, 1988.