QuestionsQuestions (EXECUTIVE ORDER NO. 308)
Executive Order No. 308 cites Article X, Section 14 of the 1987 Constitution, which requires the President to provide for regional development councils (or similar bodies) composed of local government officials, regional heads of departments and other government offices, and representatives from non-governmental organizations to strengthen autonomy and accelerate regional development.
Section 1 declares that socio-economic development programs and activities of government shall be undertaken with extensive and active participation and support from, and coordination of, various government agencies and private sector institutions at the national, regional, and local levels.
The Council is the primary institution in the region that sets the direction of economic and social development and through which regional development efforts are coordinated.
The Council includes: (i) all provincial governors and mayors of chartered cities and of the regional center in each region; (ii) Regional Directors of agencies represented in the NEDA Board (one Regional Director per department/agency); and (iii) representatives of the private sector and NGOs not more than one-fourth of the fully constituted Council, selected by the ex-officio members according to rules to be prescribed under Section 9.
It must not be more than one-fourth of the members of the fully constituted Council.
It coordinates the formulation of long-term, medium-term, and annual socio-economic development plans/policies at regional and subregional levels, and coordinates the formulation of the medium-term and annual public investment programs at the same levels.
It undertakes appraisal and prioritization of the region’s socio-economic development programs and projects, consistent with standards and policies developed by NEDA.
The Council promotes and monitors the inflow and allocation of private investment capital in the regions, consistent with the region’s development objectives, strategies, and policies.
The Council coordinates implementation of programs/projects involving several agencies and monitors, evaluates, and formulates recommendations on implementation of development plans and programs in the region.
It is responsible for: (1) approving the Regional Development Plan, the Multi-year Regional Development Investment Program, and the Regional Annual Investment Program; (2) reviewing and endorsing to the national government the regional budget proposals of government agencies; and (3) ensuring consistency of local development plans with regional plan priorities through coordination with the Provincial and Municipal Development Councils.
It must meet as often as necessary but not less than once every quarter.
It is created in every region as a deliberative and consultative body to advise, assist, support, and cooperate with the Council in discharging its functions—strengthening coordination and consultation in the region.
It includes the members of the Regional Development Council and its sectoral committees, heads of other national government agencies in the region, and—upon invitation—representatives of NGOs, sectarian organizations, and the academe in the region nominated by those entities.
It serves as a forum for ideas/recommendations on regional development priorities; provides indicators of sectoral requirements to guide the Council’s draft plans; gives advice on proposed regional development plans, investment programs, and regional budget proposals; and provides assistance and support to approved regional development plans/projects, including generating congressional support for annual budgets to carry out approved programs/projects.
The Council nominates three members (at least one each from the Chairmanship of the Council) to the President, who appoints the Chairman. The Regional Director of the NEDA Secretariat is the Vice-Chairman.
The Chairman and Vice-Chairman of the Council are also the ex-officio Chairman and Vice-Chairman, respectively, of the Regional Consultative Assembly.
The Executive Order does not apply to the autonomous regions in Muslim Mindanao and in the Cordilleras.
The Chairman presides over meetings; can request agencies or members to perform necessary functions; accepts donations/contributions for relevant coordination/planning purposes; calls attention to implementation problems for corrective measures; supervises monitoring of major programs/projects; represents the region in Cabinet meeting and budget review activities at the national level when called upon; directs formulation of comprehensive regional plans and investment programming priorities; and submits approved regional plans/reports/documents to the President through the NEDA Board.
It mandates that the NEDA Board’s Development Budget Coordination Committee modify the budget preparation process and issue guidelines that provide greater autonomy to the Council in its programs and projects consistent with regional/provincial/municipal development plans and national priorities.
The NEDA Board is authorized under Section 9 to promulgate the necessary rules and regulations to implement the Executive Order.