Question & AnswerQ&A (EXECUTIVE ORDER NO. 370)
Article II, Section 9 of the 1987 Constitution mandates the State to promote a just and dynamic social order that ensures prosperity and independence of the nation, freeing people from poverty through policies providing adequate social services and promoting full employment and an improved quality of life for all.
The program targets approximately 450 Low Income Municipalities (LIMs) over a phased period of three years starting from 1990 to 1992.
Municipalities are selected based on poverty-related criteria through consultation with Local Government Executives (LGEs) and Regional Development Council (RDC) Chairmen.
The program involves municipal-based units of agencies such as DA, DECS, DOH, DAR, DLG, DOTC, DSWD, PC-INP, and regional/provincial units of DPWH, DOLE, DTI, DENR, DOST, LWUA, NIA, NEA, and PIA among others.
The mayor assumes the lead role in implementing the program at the municipal level, coordinating various agency efforts and managing local resources to align projects with development goals.
The Standing Committee, chaired by the Presidential Adviser on Rural Development, monitors and reports on program implementation, identifies municipalities for inclusion, formulates guidelines, resolves operational issues, and provides technical advice and support to implementing agencies.
The Order mandates the heads of involved agencies to issue necessary orders for full implementation, undertake staff training, realign resources, and participate as members of the Standing Committee for coordination and monitoring.
The program adopts structures and procedures consistent with national policies of decentralization and local autonomy, emphasizes municipal-based planning and prioritization, and encourages community participation for sustainable development.
The Standing Committee is tasked to submit a report to the President and Cabinet after six months of implementation, followed by regular quarterly reports thereafter, and the Office of the President provides technical and secretariat support for monitoring.