Question & AnswerQ&A (EXECUTIVE ORDER NO. 474)
The primary purpose of Executive Order No. 474 is to create the Agency for the Development and Welfare of Muslims in the Philippines, which is given primary responsibility for managing assistance extended by the Islamic Conference for the benefit of Filipino Muslims.
The Agency was created by President Ferdinand E. Marcos by virtue of the powers vested in him by the Constitution.
The Islamic Conference, an organization of Islamic nations, is recognized as providing and offering assistance to Filipino Muslims.
The Agency's key responsibilities include identifying priority areas for assistance, informing the Islamic Conference of these areas, coordinating mobilization of resources, utilizing assistance including for victims of natural calamities, monitoring progress, and informing the Islamic Conference of the status of efforts.
The Office of Islamic Affairs in the Department of Foreign Affairs serves as the secretariat of the Agency.
Yes, the Agency may call upon any and all other government agencies for assistance in implementing its duties and responsibilities.
The Chairman is Ambassador Lininding P. Pangandaman, Assistant Secretary for Islamic Affairs; the Vice Chairman is Dr. Cesar A. Majul, Chairman of Philippine Amanah Bank; and members include Commissioner Romulo Espaldon of Region IX and Commissioner Simeon Datumanong of Region XII.
The Filipino Muslim Welfare and Relief Agency is abolished, and its records and files are transferred to the newly created Agency.
The Department of Foreign Affairs is the channel through which the Agency informs the Islamic Conference about priority areas and the status of relief and development efforts.
The Agency is tasked to identify priority areas for assistance, including efforts related to victims of natural calamities among Filipino Muslims.