Amendment to PD 79 on Population Program

Presidential Decree No. 803 is enacted under the President’s constitutional powers.
Presidential Decree No. 803 specifically amends Section 6 of Presidential Decree No. 79 (as amended).
Presidential Decree No. 79 is identified as the Revised Population Act of the Philippines.

Presidential Decree No. 803 strengthens the national population program of the Philippines.
The decree directs that private sector participation must be strengthened for a comprehensive and more effective national population program.
The decree recognizes that private sector involvement in development and formulation of policy and plans is essential for effective coordination in executing the national population program.
The decree recognizes the role of the Population Center Foundation, Inc. as a primary grant-making institution for private sector population programs and as a potential source of population expertise in the Asian region.
The decree mandates effective coordination between the Population Center Foundation, Inc. and the Commission on Population (POPCOM) to maximize efforts and resources.

Presidential Decree No. 803 vests all functions and powers of the POPCOM in and for exercise by a Board of Commissioners.
The Board of Commissioners is composed of the following ex officio members:
- the Secretary of Education and Culture/Secretary of Health;
- the Secretary of Social Welfare;
- the Dean of the University of the Philippines Population Institute;
- the Director-General of the National Economic and Development Authority; and
- the Executive Director of the Population Center Foundation, Inc..
The Board of Commissioners also includes two other members from the private sector who must:
- possess necessary expertise in the field of population; and
- not be recipients of Population Commission program money.
The President of the Philippines appoints the two private sector members for a term of three years.

Presidential Decree No. 803 repeals or modifies accordingly all laws, acts, decrees, executive orders, rules and regulations, or parts thereof that are inconsistent with the decree.

Presidential Decree No. 803 becomes effective immediately, without prescribing any additional implementation steps or transitional schedule.