Question & AnswerQ&A (PRESIDENTIAL DECREE NO. 279)
The primary objective is to create the Design Center Philippines to develop, promote and enhance the product design of all Philippine manufactured products including cottage, small-scale and medium size industries products.
The Design Center Philippines is created under the Department of Trade.
The main functions include creating, developing, promoting and enhancing product design and adaptability of Philippine manufactured products, conducting research and development programs, promoting applied arts and crafts, coordinating product design functions among agencies, regulating product designs for export, and promulgating necessary rules and regulations.
The Board is composed of nine members: the Secretary of Trade as Chairman, Chairman of the Board of Investments as Vice-Chairman, Secretary of Tourism, Undersecretary of Foreign Affairs, Administrator of the National Cottage Industries Development Authority, Director-General of the National Manpower and Youth Council, Executive Director of the Center as ex officio members, and two private sector members appointed by the President.
They must be citizens of the Philippines, of good moral character and recognized competence in economics, trade, or the arts.
Five members constitute a quorum and decisions require the concurrence of the majority of the quorum.
Private sector representatives receive a per diem of fifty pesos per meeting attended, not exceeding one thousand pesos a month. Ex officio members receive commutable representation and traveling allowances not exceeding one thousand pesos a month.
The Executive Director is appointed by the President of the Philippines.
The Executive Director must submit quarterly accomplishment reports to the Board, which in turn submits an annual report to the President within one month after the end of each fiscal year.
The initial funding for the fiscal year ending June 30, 1974, amounts to one million two hundred fifty thousand pesos, contributed by the Department of Trade, National Cottage Industries Development Authority, National Manpower and Youth Council, Department of Tourism, and subsequent appropriations from the National Treasury.
The Center shall be staffed by administrative personnel appointed by the Executive Director with Board approval, in accordance with Civil Service Law and other regulations. Technical personnel and consultants may be contracted based on competence, integrity and honesty.
Violators shall suffer imprisonment of not less than six months and not more than five years or a fine of not less than two thousand pesos and not more than twenty thousand pesos, or both. For corporations, firms or associations, penalties apply to the guilty officers, and if aliens, they shall be deported in addition to other penalties.
It took effect immediately upon publication in the Official Gazette or a newspaper of general circulation in the Philippines.