Question & AnswerQ&A (EXECUTIVE ORDER NO. 52)
The primary objective of Executive Order No. 52 is to institutionalize the Pag-abot Program as a platform for enhanced and unified delivery of services to vulnerable and disadvantaged children, individuals, and families in street situations, aiming to address poverty and social and economic inequality in the Philippines.
The President of the Philippines has the power to institutionalize the Pag-abot Program, exercising control over executive departments and ensuring faithful execution of laws as vested by Section 17, Article VII of the 1987 Constitution.
The Pag-abot Program assistance packages include Financial Assistance, Transportation/Relocation Assistance, Transitory Shelter Assistance, Livelihood Assistance, Employment Assistance, Psychosocial Support, Capability Building of Communities, Capacity Building of Local Government Units, and Community Assistance.
The Secretary of the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) chairs the Inter-Agency Committee for the Pag-abot Program.
The Inter-Agency Committee provides overall direction and guidance, ensures compliance of involved agencies, develops strategic communication plans, engages LGUs and stakeholders, coordinates resources, and performs tasks directed by the President or Executive Secretary regarding the Pag-abot Program.
Under EO No. 52, the DSWD is mandated to chair the Inter-Agency Committee, serve as its Secretariat, provide technical and administrative support, and lead the overall implementation and monitoring of the Pag-abot Program.
The EO directs the Inter-Agency Committee to develop an integrated monitoring framework and a digital monitoring system with a beneficiary database, and to create a comprehensive and integrated sustainability plan for the Program.
Initial funding is charged against available appropriations of the DSWD and other member agencies, subject to budgeting and auditing laws. Continued funding will be included in the agencies' annual budget proposals following the usual budget preparation process.
No, the Pag-abot Program offers multiple forms of assistance including financial, transportation, shelter, livelihood, employment, psychosocial support, and capacity building for communities and local government units, among others.
The separability clause provides that if any part of the Order is declared invalid or unconstitutional, the other provisions not affected remain in full force and effect.