Question & AnswerQ&A (EXECUTIVE ORDER NO. 356)
The State declares an all-out war against poverty as a major component of the Philippines 2000 and the Philippine Medium Term Development Plan to improve the quality of life of every Filipino.
The Social Reform Agenda is the operationalization of the people empowerment track of Philippines 2000, expanded into the Integrated National Action Agenda on Anti-Poverty, aiming for comprehensive anti-poverty initiatives.
All National Government Agencies and Local Government Units are directed to adopt the guidelines issued by the Social Reform Council (SRC) and conduct in-house orientations for their officials and personnel.
Flagship Agencies are directed to implement and monitor their SRA programs and resource commitments to targeted sectors and communities and make this information available to concerned basic sector organizations and local government units.
Convergence Lead Agencies and LGUs are tasked with orchestrating the convergence of programs, projects, and resources, spearheading the installation and monitoring of the Minimum Basic Needs Approach in their areas, and leading the implementation and monitoring of the Local Social Reform Agenda respectively.
They are directed to orchestrate the implementation and monitoring of their respective Regional Social Reform Agenda with regional line agencies, LGUs, and basic sector organizations.
The Social Reform Council adopts a Monitoring and Evaluation System (MES) that focuses on the Minimum Basic Needs and Basic Reform Commitments and the effective allocation and utilization of resources for anti-poverty programs.
Funding will come from the Flagship Agencies, Convergence Lead Agencies, and the Office of the Cabinet Officers for Regional Development, with possible augmentation from the President's Contingent Fund and other authorized sources, coordinated with the Department of Budget and Management and SRC Secretariat.
The President exercises powers vested by law to adopt guidelines and institutional arrangements for fast-tracking SRA localization as an Integrated National Action Agenda on Anti-Poverty.
They shall conduct periodic monitoring and evaluation, while the SRC Secretariat convenes a sub-committee to undertake an assessment every six (6) months.
The objectives are to reduce poverty incidence by 30% by 1998 and ensure that relevant policies, programs, projects, and resources reach targeted sectors and communities at the grassroots level.