Question & AnswerQ&A (EXECUTIVE ORDER NO. 217)
The primary legal basis is Section 2, Article XII of the Philippine Constitution, which states that all minerals and other natural resources are owned by the State and their exploration, development, and utilization shall be under the full control and supervision of the State.
The order specifically addresses the Diwalwal Mineral reservation area in Monkayo, Province of Compostela Valley, due to the illegal mining activities by thousands of informal miners causing massive ecological degradation and socio-economic problems.
The DENR issued Department Administrative Order (DAO) No. 2002-18 declaring an Emergency Situation in the area, ordered the stoppage of all mining operations, and provided Interim Guidelines to address critical environmental and social consequences.
The NTF Diwalwal is tasked to formulate a comprehensive action plan for peace and sustainable development, recommend policies, implement public information programs, resolve issues affecting rehabilitation and development of Diwalwal, and monitor implementation of related programs and projects.
The NTF Diwalwal is composed of various cabinet secretaries including National Defense, Environment and Natural Resources, Social Welfare and Development, Health, Labor and Employment, Justice, Interior and Local Government, as well as heads of other relevant government agencies like the National Economic and Development Authority, Press Secretary, Solicitor General, and Bureau of Internal Revenue Commissioner.
The directorates, headed by undersecretaries or deputy heads, address Peace and Order and Security, Socio-Economic Safety Nets, Legal, Political, Information, and Mining and Environment concerns.
PMCC ensures effective and efficient implementation of government programs, acts as a point of contact for coordination among agencies, provides 24-hour communication facilities, monitors NTF activities locally, and directs timely and coordinated responses to local issues.
Member departments and agencies provide staff through detail and secondment of military and civilian personnel for both the NTF Diwalwal and its instrumentalities including the PMCC.
Nationally, the NTF interfaces with the Cabinet Oversight Committee on Internal Security (COC-IS). Locally, the PMCC coordinates with local Area Coordination Centers and bodies such as the Peace and Order Council, Development Council, and conducts consultations with local government officials.
The NTF submits a work program and budget to the Department of Budget and Management (DBM), which then recommends the necessary funding amount to the President to finance the activities.
The Task Force will cease to exist after the situation in Diwalwal and its environs has normalized, subject to the recommendation of the Department of National Defense and the DENR.
Proclamation No. 297 (November 25, 2002) excluded 8,100 hectares including Diwalwal from an older proclamation, declaring it a Mineral Reservation and Environmentally Critical Area, limiting mining operations to DENR or qualified contractors.
They are repealed or modified accordingly to conform with the provisions of this Executive Order.