QuestionsQuestions (Republic Act No. 11783)
It implements the organization of the Sangguniang Pampook and the Lupong Tagapagpaganap ng Pook for Autonomous Regions in Region IX and Region XII.
Region IX includes Basilan, Sulu, Tawi-Tawi, Zamboanga del Norte (including Dipolog and Dapitan), and Zamboanga del Sur (including Pagadian and Zamboanga). Region XII includes Lanao del Norte (Iligan), Lanao del Sur (Marawi), Maguindanao (Cotabato), North Cotabato, and Sultan Kudarat.
Within the framework of Philippine national sovereignty and territorial integrity, internal autonomy establishes regional legislative and executive machinery to exercise powers and responsibilities specified in the decree, in accordance with the Constitution and national laws.
Examples include national defense and security, foreign relations and foreign trade, currency/monetary affairs/foreign exchange and banking/external borrowing, disposition/exploration/development of natural resources, air and sea transport, postal matters and telecommunications, customs and quarantine, immigration and deportation, citizenship and naturalization, national economic/social/educational planning, and general auditing.
The security and/or police forces are organized, maintained, and utilized according to applicable laws, and they are under the supervision and control of the National Government.
Each Sangguniang Pampook has 21 members: 17 elected representatives from provinces and component cities (allocation varies by province/city as stated for Region IX and XII) plus sectoral representatives from among youth, agricultural workers, non-agricultural workers, and professionals. The President may appoint an additional five representatives when needed for proper sectoral representation.
It exercises local legislative powers over regional affairs within national development plans/policies/goals, including regional administrative systems; economic, social, cultural development; agricultural/commercial/industrial programs; infrastructure; urban and rural planning; taxation/revenue-raising measures as provided; maintenance/operation of regional schools; health/welfare/social services; preservation of indigenous customs/languages/culture; and other matters authorized by law.
The President exercises powers necessary to ensure that enactments and acts of the Sangguniang Pampook and the Lupong Tagapagpaganap ng Pook comply with PD 1618, national legislation, and national policies/plans/programs.
The Sangguniang Pampook adopts its own rules by majority vote, including selecting its presiding officer. Pending adoption, the Rules of the Batasang Pambansa apply as far as practicable.
Term is three years and continues until successors are elected and qualified. Each member receives an annual salary of ₱24,000 charged to Sangguniang Pampook funds. Members may engage in business/practice of profession unless it creates a conflict of interest by reason of their position or unless concurrently Lupon Chairman or a member of the Lupong Tagapagpaganap ng Pook.
It consists of a Chairman and four members appointed by the President upon recommendation of the Sangguniang Pampook. Appointed elective officials vacate their elective positions, except they remain members of the Sangguniang Pampook.
Every legislative enactment must be approved or vetoed by the Lupon Chairman within 30 days; otherwise it becomes law as if duly approved. If vetoed, enactment is returned with objections and may be overridden by a two-thirds (2/3) vote of all Sangguniang Pampook members.
It is the executive unit of the region, implementing (or supervising implementation of) policies, programs, and legislation enacted by the Sangguniang Pampook. It also formulates operational policies and, as a body, approves the budget of the Lupong Tagapagpaganap ng Pook.
The Lupong Tagapagpaganap ng Pook prepares the Autonomous Region budget based on expected results for income from the National Government, submits it for enactment by the Sangguniang Pampook, and it undergoes usual processing by the Ministry of the Budget. Budget releases follow specified channels, and capital projects/work programs implemented by national agencies must be coursed through the Lupong Tagapagpaganap ng Pook.
The Commission on Audit.
It has full supervision and control for certain regional development projects funded from Autonomous Region income, and it oversees the planning/programming/prioritization/implementation (from a regional development perspective) of specified ministry regional offices (e.g., Health, Education and Culture, Public Highways, Agriculture, Social Services and Development, Public Works, etc.) while day-to-day/internal operations remain with the regional directors.
National laws are supreme over regional laws enacted by the Sangguniang Pampook.
They are deemed abolished upon convening/organization of the relevant bodies. Their powers, assets, liabilities, records, and applicable personnel are transferred in accordance with the decree, including transfer of functions to the Sangguniang Pampook or the Lupong Tagapagpaganap ng Pook.