QuestionsQuestions (EXECUTIVE ORDER NO. 371)
Executive Order No. 371 cites Section 14, Article X of the 1987 Philippine Constitution, which provides that the President shall provide for regional development councils or similar bodies composed of local government officials, regional heads of departments and other government offices, and representatives of NGOs within the regions for purposes of administrative decentralization and to accelerate economic and social growth and development.
A ZOPAD (Special Zone of Peace and Development) is a designated geographic area in Southern Philippines that serves as the focus of intensive peace and development efforts for the next three years. Its purpose is to channel investments and intensify peace and development efforts to improve living conditions and promote development opportunities.
The ZOPAD includes the provinces of Basilan, Cotabato, Davao del Sur, Lanao del Norte, Lanao del Sur, Maguindanao, Palawan, Sarangani, Sultan Kudarat, Sulu, South Cotabato, Tawi-Tawi, Zamboanga del Norte, and Zamboanga del Sur; and the cities of Cotabato, Dapitan, Dipolog, General Santos, Iligan, Marawi, Pagadian, Puerto Princesa, and Zamboanga.
Executive Order No. 371 states that the ZOPAD shall be the focus of intensive peace and development efforts in the next three years.
Examples include: (1) provision for basic services (water, electricity, educational facilities, socialized housing, health and sanitation); (2) adequate infrastructure facilities and linkages; (3) promotion of investments and trade; (4) entrepreneurial development support, livelihood assistance, and credit facilities; and (5) capability-building assistance for local communities and organizations, especially women’s groups.
It mentions the SPCPD (to be established), the CORD (Cabinet Officer for Regional Development) system, area-specific development task forces, the regional development councils system, the Southern Philippines Development Authority, and other institutional mechanisms that may be established.
The Order mentions existing programs such as the BIMP-East ASEAN Growth Area, Social Reform Agenda localization programs, flagship projects, and Presidential Council for Countryside Development (PCCD) programs for priority provinces.
Priority is given to: (a) provinces in the 20 poorest provinces in the country, specifically naming Basilan, Sulu, and Tawi-Tawi; (b) all 5th and 6th class municipalities in the provinces in the ZOPAD; and (c) depressed communities within the towns and cities covered by the ZOPAD.
Examples include human development projects (health, education, welfare services), socialized housing, water supply development, roads and bridges, airports and seaports, telecommunications and power/electrification, tourism development, environmental and marine resources improvement, enhancement of agricultural production, food processing facilities, provincial industrial centers and people’s industrial enterprises, and people empowerment programs.
The Southern Philippines Council for Peace and Development (SPCPD) is created as a special and transitory body in the Office of the President to coordinate and promote the economic and social growth and development of the ZOPAD. It is under the control and supervision of the President, with powers derivative and extension of the President’s delegable powers.
The Chairperson is designated by the President from among the governors in the ZOPAD, including the Governor of ARMM. Other members are designated by the President from among heads of departments or other government offices and representatives of NGOs within the ZOPAD.
They include: monitoring peace and order and public safety measures; holding consultative meetings and disseminating vital information; conducting advocacy and public information to enhance support for law and order; keeping informed of peace and order programs through coordination with military and police forces (requesting response for contingencies while respecting command chains under law); and submitting reports and recommendations to the President in coordination with the Consultative Assembly.
Yes. Section 10 directs all departments, agencies, instrumentalities (including GOCCs) to provide necessary support for timely implementation of programs and concerns in the ZOPAD, in coordination with the SPCPD.
The Consultative Assembly is an advisory body to the SPCPD, transitory and under the control and supervision of the President. Its core functions include: serving as a forum for consultation and ventilation of issues; conducting public hearings and providing advice to the SPCPD; and formulating and recommending policies to the President through the SPCPD Chairperson, with authority to adopt internal rules and regulations subject to Presidential approval.
Both are intended to exist for a period of three years from the effectivity of the Executive Order, unless extended by the President.
Nothing in the Order affects the existence or diminishes the powers and functions of existing LGUs in the ZOPAD, including the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (ARMM).
It takes effect fifteen (15) days after its publication in two newspapers of national circulation.