QuestionsQuestions (EXECUTIVE ORDER NO. 290)
EO No. 290 was issued pursuant to the powers vested in the President by Republic Act No. 997, as amended by Republic Act No. 1241. It promulgates the implementing details for Reorganization Plans Nos. 4-A, 5-A, 7-A, 8-A, and 9-A relative to administrative services, covering the organization, powers, duties, and functions of the Department of General Services.
It provides that the organization, functions, and operations of the Department shall be in accordance with the provisions of the cited Reorganization Plans and the implementing details contained in EO 290.
The Office of the Secretary; Administrative Division; Fiscal Division; Legal Division; Bureau of Supply Coordination; Bureau of Building and Real Property Management; Bureau of Records Management; Bureau of Printing; and the National Media Production Center.
The Secretary is authorized to make changes necessary to reflect changes in legislation, conditions, needs, or workloads, but (1) no such changes may be made during fiscal year 1957 without specific approval of the President, and (2) any changes must conform to the general pattern of organization in the Plans and the implementing details.
The Secretary (among others) advises the President on policy formulation and execution for common administrative services; administers, coordinates, and directs functions related to maintenance/custody/utilization of buildings and real property; procurement and utilization of supplies/materials/equipment; management of government records and documents; and printing and media production services; promulgates necessary rules; delegates authority; and directs overall departmental operations.
The Undersecretary serves as the deputy to the Secretary in all matters; administers day-to-day activities, coordinates programs/projects, and ensures efficient and economical operations; assists in formulation and implementation of department policies; and acts as the Secretary in his absence or if the office is vacant.
It is responsible for services relating to property and records management, requisitioning supplies and equipment, personnel management, improvement of organization and methods, statistical analysis, and building office services. It includes a Correspondence and Records Section, Property and Supply Section, Statistical Section, Personnel Section, Organization and Methods Section, and a General Services Section.
It provides legal services and advice to the Secretary and entities of the Department, including interpretation of statutes and rules affecting departmental operations; interpretation of contracts covering work by private entities; assisting rule promulgation; preparing legislative comments and bills; maintaining liaison with Congress; and assisting the Solicitor General in court representation and related research.
It is primarily responsible for administering the government supply system. It coordinates, performs, or assigns supply activities for purchasing, storage, standardization, delivery, and property utilization and disposition, and it promulgates rules/standards and develops plans and operating procedures for supply management.
It plans, develops, and coordinates government-wide programs, policies, rules, and regulations governing the use, storage, and disposition of current operating records of permanent or historical value. It has a Current Records Division, an Archives Division, and a Records Storage Division (the latter is inoperative until its operation is deemed feasible by the Secretary).
Current Records Division focuses on planning/regulating/policy/advisory functions regarding use, storage, and disposition of operating records; it conducts research, inspects/appraises records, directs disposal/destruction methods, and reports record losses. Archives Division stores, services, and rehabilitates documents/records of permanent/historical value and includes reference, Spanish documents, and general documents sections.
For the Bureau of Printing, its functions/powers/duties/responsibilities are not affected by the plans except that the Administration Division is abolished to centralize administrative services; functions are redistributed among other units. For the National Media Production Center, its functions are not affected except responsibility for providing administrative services is transferred to the Department’s staff divisions.
The General Auditing Office must complete an audit/inventory/on-the-spot appraisal within 120 days. The transfer takes effect ten days after the audit/inventory/appraisal is completed and certified. The GAO then makes an adjusting inventory and detailed audit of accounts and records at the actual transfer date.
After completion of the transfer-related steps, the Secretary may charge costs for continuing functions during the remainder of the fiscal year 1956-1957 against proceeds derived from such continuance. Costs must not exceed previous appropriations or average monthly costs for the preceding six months, with any deficit chargeable to the Board of Liquidators from previous net income; excess sale proceeds are remitted to the Board of Liquidators for the remainder of the fiscal year.