QuestionsQuestions (EXECUTIVE ORDER NO. 604)
To ensure integration of national cultural communities into mainstream Filipino society with due regard for their beliefs, customs, traditions, and institutions, and to enhance their contribution to national goals and aspirations as equal participants in nation building.
By merger of the Office of Muslim Affairs (from Executive Orders Nos. 697 and 711) and the Office of the Presidential Assistant on National Minorities (under Presidential Decree No. 1414), including applicable functions, appropriations, records, property, equipment, and necessary personnel.
Directly under the President of the Philippines.
Development and implementation of programs and projects in furtherance of Section 11, Article XV of the 1987 Constitution, and Section 1 of the Executive Order (integration and enhancement of cultural communities).
Provide advice and assistance to the President on formulation, coordination, implementation, and monitoring of policies/programs/projects affecting cultural communities; represent the President when authorized; serve as link between the President and involved agencies; and recommend actions for efficient implementation.
It is the primary government entity through which cultural communities seek assistance and the instrumentality through which such assistance is extended, including giving grants-in-aid from its appropriations or other funds to cooperating government or private entities, plus services like legal assistance, medical aid, and other socio-economic uplift help.
Enter into necessary contracts/agreements/arrangements with government or private agencies to attain objectives; it may also contract loans from government financial institutions subject to approval of the President.
Accept grants/donations/gifts/funds/property for the benefit of cultural communities in any form from any source, and administer them according to their terms; if no condition exists, administer consistently with cultural communities’ interests.
Undertake studies; establish and maintain ethnographic research centers and museums; preserve cultural institutions, historical legacy, artifacts, and evidence of lifeways for policy formulation and program implementation.
To certify, whenever necessary, membership in cultural communities for qualifications for appointments in government and for other benefits as provided by law.
Subject to the approval of the President, to pursue the aims and purposes of the Executive Order.
Acquire, lease, or own property/assets in whatever form necessary; sell or otherwise dispose of them; and serve as custodian/administrator of lands/areas and other assets that the President may reserve for the benefit of Filipinos belonging to cultural communities.
To conduct inspections/surveys (possibly jointly) and issue certifications necessary prior to granting licenses/leases/permits for any purpose, including exploitation of natural resources affecting cultural communities or their occupied areas; in conflicts, recommend to the President appropriate action under the circumstances.
Section 7 creates a Bureau of Muslim Affairs (merger of Bureau of Muslim Cultural Affairs and Bureau of Muslim Economic Affairs of the former Office of Muslim Affairs). Section 8 creates a Bureau of National Minorities, assuming functions of PANAMIN, for non-Muslim hill tribe cultural minorities (and other ethno-linguistic groups as approved by the President upon recommendation of the Office).
Section 9: The Director General supervises and controls both the Bureau of Muslim Affairs and the Bureau of National Minorities. Section 10: The Philippine Pilgrimage Authority is under the administrative supervision of the Office.