Question & AnswerQ&A (LETTER OF INSTRUCTION NO. 666)
The purpose of Letter of Instruction No. 666 is to create a Presidential Committee and a Project Implementation Office for the coordinated planning, development, and supervision of the Lungsod Silangan (New Manila) projects.
The Secretary of Public Works, Transportation and Communications is designated as the Chairman of the Presidential Committee for Lungsod Silangan.
Members include the Secretaries of Economic Planning, Public Highways, National Defense, Local Government and Community Development, Education and Culture, Energy, Natural Resources, Industry, Health, Justice, Finance, the Commissioner of the Budget, the Solicitor General, the Governor of Metropolitan Manila, and the Chairman of the Human Settlements Commission.
The LS-PIO is responsible for the coordinated execution and supervision of projects based on development plans and guidelines approved by the Presidential Committee for Lungsod Silangan, including architectural and engineering design, construction management, contract negotiation, and land acquisition.
It is composed of the Undersecretary of Public Works, Transportation and Communications as Project Manager, the General Manager of the National Housing Authority as Project Coordinator, General Managers of the National Power Corporation and Metropolitan Waterworks and Sewerage System, the Executive Director of the Human Settlements Commission, the Commissioner of the National Pollution Control Commission, and representatives of other member-agencies of the Residential Committee with rank of at least Bureau Director.
The Chairman is authorized, as an exception to existing rules and regulations, to hire consultants, experts and qualified personnel for design and construction supervision, fix their compensation, and grant reimbursements for expenses not exceeding P800.00 per month.
Member-agencies shall include necessary funding in their programs and budgets according to the approved development plans, and shall transfer these funds to the Project Implementation Office for coordinated management. The Budget Commission provides necessary funding support.
Yes, they are authorized to call upon any government agency for necessary assistance in the implementation of the projects.
LS-PIO shall provide standards and guidelines for design and construction, supervise and approve architectural and engineering designs, manage construction activities, and arrange for land acquisition or expropriation.
The Letter grants specific exceptions to existing rules and regulations, particularly in hiring and compensation procedures for consultants and personnel, to facilitate project implementation.