Question & AnswerQ&A (EXECUTIVE ORDER NO. 344)
The Bases Conversion and Development Authority (BCDA) was created to accelerate the sound and balanced conversion of the Clark and Subic Military reservations and their extensions.
The President of the Republic of the Philippines is authorized to create a Special Economic Zone covering the lands occupied by the Clark Military reservations and its contiguous extensions under Section 15 of Republic Act No. 7227.
The Clark Development Corporation (CDC) was created by Executive Order No. 80, s. 1993, to be the implementing and operating arm of the BCDA to manage the CSEZ.
The SDA was created to develop the Sacobia area as an agricultural base and provide livelihood opportunities to its squatter family beneficiaries through integrated and rationalized delivery of basic services and facilities.
The powers and functions of the SDA were transferred to the Clark Development Corporation (CDC), and the SDA ceased to exist as a separate government agency and was absorbed by the CDC.
Sacobia was to be developed as a food basin and an eco-tourism area for the CSEZ, and business enterprises in Sacobia were to enjoy similar incentives as other investors in the CSEZ.
All existing programs, projects, contracts, agreements, and other commitments entered into or incurred by the SDA continue to be in force under CDC management.
The SDA was required to transfer all its assets, including lands, buildings, infrastructure, equipment, facilities, and relevant records to the BCDA for use and administration by the CDC.
All permanent employees of the SDA were to be absorbed as regular staff of the CDC in a hold-over capacity continuing their duties and benefits until a new CDC organizational structure is established. Employees not absorbed were deemed separated and entitled to benefits under Civil Service laws.
The 1996 funds allocated for the SDA from the General Appropriations Act and other sources were transferred to the BCDA and infused by the CDC for the immediate implementation of the development programs and projects.
Subject to existing legal rights and validated ancestral domain claims, communities and permanent residents of Sacobia may be transferred and resettled by the CDC at the BCDA's expense to make way for development projects.
A quarterly report on the status of implementation must be submitted jointly by the BCDA and the CDC to the President through the Office of the Executive Secretary.
All presidential issuances, rules, and regulations or parts thereof inconsistent with any provision of Executive Order No. 344 are repealed, amended, or modified accordingly.
The Executive Order took effect fifteen (15) days after its complete publication in a newspaper of general circulation.
The separability clause provides that if any provision is held unconstitutional or contrary to law, the other unaffected provisions remain in full force and effect.