QuestionsQuestions (BATAS PAMBANSA BLG. 79)
Batas Pambansa Blg. 79, approved on June 16, 1980. It took effect upon its approval.
It is created under the Office of the President.
The Commission is composed of five (5) members.
Members are appointed by the President (Prime Minister). The Minister of Foreign Affairs is an ex-officio member.
Yes. The President may appoint other ministers as ex-officio members. If an ex-officio member is absent, he may designate his deputy to act in his stead.
The President (Prime Minister) designates the Chairman and Vice Chairman, both chosen from among the Commission members.
It refers to Filipinos who are permanent residents abroad, including Filipino emigrants who are either already citizens of foreign countries or are still Filipino citizens awaiting naturalization, recognition, or admission, and their descendants.
The Commission provides advice and assistance to the President and the Batasang Pambansa in formulating policies and measures affecting Filipinos overseas.
It must formulate, in coordination with concerned agencies, an integrated program for the promotion of the welfare of Filipinos overseas, implemented by suitable existing agencies.
It coordinates and monitors the implementation of the integrated program.
Whenever necessary, to promote the welfare of Filipinos overseas with respect to their interests and activities in the Philippines.
It holds functions that preserve and enhance these ties between Filipinos overseas and the motherland.
The Commission provides liaison services to Filipinos overseas with appropriate government and private agencies in transacting business and similar ventures in the Philippines.
It may promulgate rules and regulations to carry out the objectives of the Act.
Yes. It may call upon any government agency, including government-owned or controlled corporations, to render whatever assistance is needed to pursue the objectives of the Act.
It is assisted by a Secretariat organized and staffed under Presidential Decree No. 1177.
Yes. It may establish offices abroad or appoint service attaches in Philippine embassies/consulates, or designate representatives from among resident Filipinos—subject to approval of the President (Prime Minister) and whenever necessary.
Ex-officio members get per diems for meetings attended, not exceeding P250 per meeting and not exceeding P1,000 per month. Other members and officials/employees are compensated under Presidential Decree No. 985 and Presidential Decree No. 1285, as applicable.
The Office of Emigrant Affairs in the Ministry of Labor and Employment was abolished. Its functions were transferred to the Commission, including applicable funds, records, property and equipment, and necessary personnel previously allotted/assigned to it.
Appropriations under BP Blg. 40 for the Office of Emigrant Affairs shall be used for the Commission’s operational expenses for the current calendar year, augmented as necessary from funds for organizational changes under BP Blg. 40; subsequently included in the annual General Appropriations Act.