QuestionsQuestions (EXECUTIVE ORDER NO. 325)
Article X, Section 14 of the Philippine Constitution authorizes the President to create regional development councils and similar bodies composed of local government officials, regional heads of departments, and representatives from NGOs within the regions.
EO 325 emphasizes administrative decentralization to strengthen LGU autonomy and to accelerate socio-economic development of regions, with extensive participation and coordination among government agencies and private sector institutions.
EO 325 repeals EO 308 (s. 1987) as amended by EO 318 (s. 1988), 347 (s. 1989), 366 (s. 1989), 455 (s. 1991), and 505 (s. 1992). The repealing clause ensures inconsistent provisions are replaced by EO 325.
Regular members include: (1) all provincial governors; (2) all city mayors; (3) mayors of municipalities designated as provincial capitals; (4) presidents of the provincial league of mayors; (5) the mayor of the municipality designated as the regional center; (6) regional directors of specified agencies (only one director per agency) and DECS, DSWD, DOT; and (7) private sector representatives constituting one-fourth of the fully-constituted council.
PSRs are selected according to guidelines approved by the NEDA Board (EO 325, Sec. 2).
PSRs constitute one-fourth of the members of the fully-constituted RDC (EO 325, Sec. 1[g]).
The RDC may designate special non-voting members, subject to the concurrence of a majority of its regular members (EO 325, Sec. 3).
The RDC coordinates preparation/implementation/monitoring/evaluation of regional plans and investment programs; integrates development plans of provinces, cities, and agencies into the regional plan; reviews and prioritizes and endorses sectoral investment programs and budgets to the national government; reviews and endorses national plans/programs/projects for implementation in the regions; promotes private investment inflows; reviews projects with regional impact requiring national financial exposure; initiates and coordinates multi-agency or multi-LGU regional/special projects; and coordinates monitoring/evaluation of projects in the region.
The RDC is jointly headed by a Chairman and Co-Chairman appointed by the President (Sec. 5). The NEDA Regional Director is ex-officio Vice-Chairman. The NEDA Assistant Regional Director is Secretary (Sec. 5).
The RDC creates an Executive Committee for matters requiring immediate attention when the Council is not in session. It comprises one-fourth of the total membership of the fully-constituted council, membership determined by the Council, and all sectoral committee chairmen become members automatically. The Chairman, Co-Chairman, Vice-Chairman, and Secretary of the RDC serve as officers of the Executive Committee.
Sectoral committees assist the RDC by handling social, economic, infrastructure, and development administration concerns. Their composition is determined by the Council, and they review and endorse matters pertaining to their sectors to the RDC Executive Committee and/or Full Council.
The Advisory Committee strengthens consultative mechanisms in regions. It is composed of House of Representatives members representing provinces and districts of the region who signify written intent to join, plus members of the RDC Executive Committee. Its officers are the same as those of the RDC.
The RDC Full Council must meet at least once every quarter. It may adopt its own rules on constituting quorum (EO 325, Sec. 10).
The RDC nominates at least two local chief executives (ex-officio) and two PSRs; the President selects and appoints the Chairman and Co-Chairman. If the Chairman is from the government sector, the Co-Chairman must be from the private sector (and vice-versa). Regional directors of national government agencies in the region are not included in the nominees for Chairman and Co-Chairman (Sec. 11).
They preside over meetings; direct members and affiliate committees/line agencies to perform tasks the RDC deems necessary; accept donations/contributions/grants/bequests/gifts for the Council; represent the region in Cabinet meetings and other national-level activities; submit to the President through the NEDA Board regional plans, investment programs, annual development reports, and other council-approved documents; and perform other duties directed by the President (Sec. 12).
The NEDA Regional Office is the Secretariat (Sec. 13). The NEDA Regional Director manages technical, administrative and financial operations and is accountable for RDC funds and properties.
They serve a fixed term of three years coinciding with the regular term of local elective officials (Sec. 14).
No. EO 325 does not apply to the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (ARMM) and the Cordillera Administrative Region (CAR) (Sec. 16).