QuestionsQuestions (Republic Act No. 7721)
Executive Order No. 132 (1999) strengthens the Cabinet Committee on Maritime and Ocean Affairs (CABCOM-MOA), establishes its Technical Committee (TechCom), and restructures/expands the Law of the Sea Secretariat into the Maritime and Ocean Affairs Center (MOAC/“Center”), to promote integrated administration, sustainable development, and effective management of Philippine maritime and ocean jurisdiction.
They include: (a) decisions/actions should align with a national maritime policy; (b) in pursuing sustainable development, interactions between terrestrial and marine resource uses in an archipelagic setting must be recognized to mutually reinforce resource users; and (c) utmost priority must be given to developing and enhancing national capabilities to control, utilize, protect, manage, and conserve marine resources.
It consists of the Secretary of Foreign Affairs as Chairman, the Executive Secretary, the Director-General of the National Security Council, and the Secretaries of National Defense; Environment and Natural Resources; Agriculture; Socio-Economic Planning; Science and Technology; Transportation and Communications; Energy; Trade and Industry; Justice; Finance; Budget and Management; Interior and Local Government; Labor and Employment; and Tourism. The Chairman may recommend additional Cabinet members.
The Secretary of Foreign Affairs is the Chairman. The Chairman presides over CABCOM-MOA, may recommend additional members, submits quarterly reports to the President through the Center, and appoints the Secretary-General who heads the Center, including supervision arrangements and hiring/consultants authorization.
They include: (1) formulate and recommend a national maritime policy to the President; (2) coordinate implementation and periodically evaluate/refine; (3) identify and develop policy options for implementing international and non-binding ocean instruments; (4) recommend policies/programs/special projects for sustainable ocean resource use and marine environmental protection; (5) formulate and recommend programs/projects for integrated ocean management (archipelagic protection/defense and marine resource protection; marine environment/ocean resource conservation via management of human activities; promotion of Philippine ocean-based industries); and (6) promote archipelagic consciousness.
It meets quarterly or as the need arises and submits a quarterly report of its activities to the President.
The TechCom is a committee consisting of representatives of each of the Members of the CABCOM-MOA.
It (1) oversees implementation of CABCOM-MOA decisions/policies; (2) formulates and recommends decisions/policies/projects/programs for CABCOM-MOA consideration; (3) coordinates concerned agencies’ activities in implementing international/nonn-binding maritime/ocean instruments; and (4) formulates/recommends positions and strategies for maritime boundary delimitation and fisheries/maritime dispute settlement and other international maritime/ocean agreements.
Yes. The Chairman may call on specialists and representatives of the academe, private sector, NGOs, and other government offices/agencies to assist in policy and decision-making.
The Law of the Sea Secretariat created under Executive Order No. 738 (1981), attached to the Department of Foreign Affairs, is renamed, reconstituted, and established as the Maritime and Ocean Affairs Center (“Center”).
Examples include: (1) act as secretariat to CABCOM-MOA and assist the Chairman in managing CABCOM-MOA and TechCom; (2) assist in developing national capabilities and human resources; (3) conduct or cause consultations, research/policy studies, and data gathering for negotiation/dispute settlement concerning maritime boundaries/fisheries/energy-mineral exploration; (4) create/maintain a central database and information system; (5) identify/network with expertise institutions; (6) raise archipelagic consciousness and coordinate/publicize national maritime interests; (7) coordinate participation in international fora; (8) render regular reports to CABCOM-MOA; and (9) source grants/endowments/donations in accordance with law.
The Chairman of CABCOM-MOA appoints the Secretary-General who heads the Center, and appoints/arranges staff providing technical and administrative support under the supervision of an Executive Director.
The Chairman may hire consultants and request detail/secondment of personnel from other government agencies and institutions in accordance with Civil Service law, rules, and regulations.
The Secretary of Foreign Affairs, as Chairman of CABCOM-MOA, shall promulgate rules, regulations, and other issuances necessary to ensure efficient and effective implementation of Executive Order No. 132.
Executive Order No. 738 (1981), Executive Order No. 328 (1988), and Executive Order No. 186 (1994) are repealed and superseded to the extent inconsistent with EO 132. This means EO 132 becomes the controlling framework for the CABCOM-MOA and related structures.
It takes effect immediately (Section 8).
They underscore governmental duties to protect marine wealth and reserve marine use/enjoyment for Filipinos (Art. XII Sec. 2); protect and advance the right to a balanced and healthful ecology (Art. II Sec. 16); and protect and support subsistence fishermen with preferential use of communal marine resources, including protection against foreign intrusion, and assistance through technology and adequate financial/production/marketing support (Art. XIII Sec. 7). These support EO 132’s focus on sustainable development, conservation, enforcement capacity, and integrated ocean management.