QuestionsQuestions (EXECUTIVE ORDER NO. 171)
Executive Order No. 171 (20 April 1994) creates the Lingayen Gulf Coastal Area Management Commission (LG-CAMC) under the Office of the President to formulate integrated master plans and coordinate/enhance environmental protection, sustainable development, and implementation of the Lingayen Gulf Plan consistent with the country’s development and environmental frameworks.
It is created under the Office of the President and composed mainly of key government secretaries and officials (e.g., Agriculture, DILG, DTI, Tourism, NEDA, National Defense, Presidential Management Staff, CORD for Region I, Regional Development Council Chair for Region I, governors of Pangasinan and La Union, and mayors of concerned LGUs).
The DENR initially serves as the Technical Secretariat, headed by an Executive Director appointed by the President.
A Ten-Year Lingayen Gulf Coastal Area Master Plan by June 30, 1994, and a Twenty-Year Integrated Master Plan by December 30, 1994 for the whole area covering the Lingayen Gulf and surrounding coastal municipalities.
The plans must consider: ecological protection and preservation of natural beauty; public access to areas; rational land-use and zoning because the Lingayen Gulf is a national treasure; adequate service infrastructures (power, water, communications, waste treatment); greening and reforestation; enhanced agriculture productivity and livelihoods; an incentive system (polluter pays); an integrated environmental permit/licensing system; environmental information; capability building for common property management; anti-illegal fishing plan; and a viable peace and order plan. The master plans must include comprehensive investment and capability-building programs and coordinated establishment of a nature center, people’s center, conference/meeting center, flea market destination, and tourist destination.
The plans are submitted to the President for approval.
It is an advisory body to the President and is tasked with formulating plans and recommending policies, legislation, and zoning approaches to facilitate effective and efficient management of the Lingayen Gulf area.
Examples include: controlling water, air, and land pollution and solid/toward toxic and hazardous waste disposal; conserving renewable resources, biological diversity, and endangered species; establishing and managing an Integrated Protected Areas System (PAS); preserving/enhancing the gulf’s natural aesthetic attraction; and conserving/ managing uplands and linked habitats tied to the gulf’s ecological condition.
It must assist concerned LGUs in undertaking short- and long-term strategies for environmental protection, tourism development, attracting business investment, social development, and institutional building, and integrate national and local plans for the subject area.
Section 2(d) requires maximum consultation with concerned LGUs and all interest groups in the localities to ensure residents’ needs, concerns, and ideas are considered in planning and implementation, including municipal ordinances.
It may recommend (i) legislation to conserve natural resources and promote accelerated socio-economic development, and (ii) zoning ordinances for LGUs in consonance with the President-approved plans, subject to existing laws, rules, and regulations.
NGOs, religious, business, and agricultural private sectors serve as consultants. They are strongly enjoined to support conservation activities and may initiate socio-economic activities consistent with the Commission’s plans and assist in monitoring and evaluation of government program implementation and disposition of public funds.
It reserves lands of the private domain of the government in the subject area (whose use is not otherwise directed by law) from lease, sale, or other disposition, to be used for developmental purposes in accordance with the plans approved by the President.
The Commission may call upon any government agency, office, or bureau for assistance in discharging its functions and may also form committees to facilitate performance of its responsibilities.
It must submit monthly reports of its activities to the Office of the President.
Section 7 allocates Five Million Pesos (P5,000,000.00), drawn equally from the President’s Contingent Fund and DENR funds, for operations and initial project implementation for 1994. Subsequent-year appropriations must be included in budget proposals under the Office of the President.
Section 8 revokes or modifies all executive issuances, orders, rules, and regulations inconsistent with the EO. Section 9 provides that it takes effect immediately.