Question & AnswerQ&A (EXECUTIVE ORDER NO. 536)
The purpose of Executive Order No. 536 is to create the Cebu Railway Project Office and the Mindanao Railway Project Office under the Department of Transportation and Communications to pursue the development and implementation of railway projects in Cebu and Mindanao, respectively.
The Department of Transportation and Communications (DOTC) oversees both the Cebu Railway Project Office and the Mindanao Railway Project Office.
The Cebu Railway Project Office is established in Cebu City, while the Mindanao Railway Project Office is established in Cagayan de Oro City.
The main functions include reviewing and consolidating plans, developing master plans with engineering studies, implementing plans including contracting for procurement and construction, arranging funding from various sources, coordinating with consultants, conducting public consultations, exploring funding schemes like Build-Operate-Transfer, and performing other necessary activities to ensure project implementation.
The President of the Philippines appoints the Project Directors for both the CRPO and MRPO.
They include submitting policies to the DOTC Secretary, preparing budgets, executing approved plans and policies, supervising operations and administration, appointing and disciplining employees in accordance with Civil Service Law, representing the Project Office in all dealings, preparing annual reports, and exercising such other powers as vested by the DOTC Secretary.
Initial funding is provided from the funds of the Department of Transportation and Communications, subject to usual accounting and auditing rules and regulations.
Funding requirements for ensuing years will be included in the succeeding General Appropriations Act.
The separability clause provides that such declaration shall not nullify other provisions of the Executive Order as long as the remaining parts can still subsist and be given effect.
It took effect fifteen (15) days after its publication in at least one national newspaper of general circulation.