Question & AnswerQ&A (PRESIDENTIAL DECREE NO. 166)
The main purpose of Presidential Decree No. 166 is to amend Section 6 of Presidential Decree No. 79 (The Revised Population Act of the Philippines) to allow the participation of private organizations and individuals in the formulation and implementation of the Government's population planning policies.
The President of the Philippines has the authority to appoint the members of the Board of Commissioners for a term of three years.
The Board of Commissioners is composed of seven members: the Secretary of Education and Culture, Secretary of Health, Secretary of Social Welfare, Dean of the University of the Philippines Population Institute, the Director General of the National Economic and Development Authority, and two members from the private sector.
The private sector members must possess the necessary expertise in the field of population planning and must not be recipients of the Population Commission program money.
The Secretary of Education and Culture, Secretary of Health, Secretary of Social Welfare, Dean of the University of the Philippines Population Institute, and the Director General of the National Economic and Development Authority are automatic members.
The members are appointed for a term of three years.
Involving private organizations and individuals strengthens the Government's population program by allowing their participation in policy formulation and program implementation, reflecting their active role in disseminating services and information on population control.
President Ferdinand E. Marcos signed Presidential Decree No. 166 into law.
The decree took effect immediately upon its signing on March 31, 1973.