Question & AnswerQ&A (PRESIDENTIAL DECREE NO. 803)
The purpose of Presidential Decree No. 803 is to amend certain sections of Presidential Decree No. 79 (Revised Population Act of the Philippines) to strengthen the national population program by enhancing private sector participation and coordination with government agencies.
The Board of Commissioners is composed of: 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, Executive Director of the Population Center Foundation, Inc., and two members from the private sector with expertise in population who are not recipients of Population Commission program money.
Each member of the POPCOM Board appointed by the President serves for a term of three years.
Private sector participation is emphasized to achieve a comprehensive and more effective national population program through better coordination, resource maximization, and expertise sharing.
The Population Center Foundation, Inc. is recognized as the primary grant-making institution for population programs in the private sector and serves as a major source of population expertise.
Effective coordination between the Population Center Foundation, Inc. and the Commission on Population is necessary to maximize efforts and resources.
PD No. 803 repeals or modifies all laws, acts, decrees, executive orders, and rules and regulations or parts thereof that are inconsistent with its provisions.
PD No. 803 took effect immediately upon its signing on September 25, 1975.
The President of the Philippines has the authority to appoint the private sector members of the POPCOM Board.
This ensures impartiality and expertise, preventing conflicts of interest in decision-making related to the population program.