Question & AnswerQ&A (PRESIDENTIAL DECREE NO. 281)
The purpose of Presidential Decree No. 281 is to create a Pasig River Development Council to oversee the implementation of the Pasig River Development Program and to administer the Pasig River Development Program Trust Account for the protection, development, and management of the Pasig River.
The President of the Philippines, specifically Ferdinand E. Marcos, promulgated the decree under his powers as Commander-in-Chief and pursuant to Proclamation No. 1081.
The Executive Secretary is designated as the overall coordinator of the Pasig River Development Council.
The Council is composed of the Secretary of the Department of Public Works, Transportation & Communications (Chairman); Secretary of the Department of Tourism (Vice-Chairman); Directors and Commissioners of various bureaus such as Public Works, Public Highways, Lands, National Water & Air Pollution Control Commission; the Flag Officer-in-Command of the Philippine Navy; the Commandant of the Philippine Coast Guard; the Officer in Charge of the Presidential Assistant on Housing & Resettlement; the Director of the Bureau of Cooperatives; the Governor of Rizal Province; and the Mayor of the City of Manila.
The Council provides continuing direction for integrated development planning of the Pasig River, oversees the sustained and coordinated implementation of programs and incentives under Presidential Decree No. 274, approves projects for beautification, improvement, and utilization of the river's facilities, and administers the Pasig River Development Program Trust Fund Account.
The Council is mandated to work in close association and coordination with the Chairman of the Environmental Center of the Philippines to ensure proper prioritization of projects and integrated development of the Pasig River.
The program is financed through a Trust Fund Account created by the President and established under Presidential Decree No. 274, which is deposited in the National Treasury.
Yes, the Council shall establish a technical staff to assist in the performance of its functions.
Yes, the Council may avail itself of the services, personnel, and resources of departments, bureaus, offices, agencies, instrumentalities, and government-owned or controlled corporations as it may need.
The decree took effect immediately upon promulgation on August 28, 1973.