Amending EO No. 122-C on OPSC Reorganization

Executive Order No. 293 amends Executive Order No. 122-C to clearly delineate responsibilities for policy and plan formulation and program implementation.
Executive Order No. 293 aligns the Office’s functions with the decentralization policy of Government.
Executive Order No. 293 directs amendments to the staffing structure and bureau functions of the Office for Southern Cultural Communities created by Executive Order No. 122-C.

The Office is composed of an Executive Director and two (2) Deputy Executive Directors under Section 6 as amended.
The Executive Director and both Deputy Executive Directors are appointed by the President under Section 6.
The Executive Director has the rank of a Department Undersecretary under Section 6.
Each Deputy Executive Director has the rank of an Assistant Secretary under Section 6.

The Office’s Services consist of the Administrative Service, Planning Service, Finance and Management Service, and Legal Service under Section 10 as amended.
Each Service is headed by a Staff Director under Section 10.
Each Staff Director receives the same compensation as an Assistant Staff Bureau Director under Section 10.

The Office’s Bureaus consist of the Bureau of Economic Affairs, Bureau of Cultural Affairs, and Bureau of Tribal Relations and External Affairs under Section 15 as amended.
Each Bureau is headed by a Director equivalent to a Staff Bureau Director under Section 15.

The Bureau of Economic Affairs is responsible for staff functions under Section 16 as amended relating to:
Development and promotion of economic livelihood projects and programs through extension of loans, entrepreneurship, trade and marketing assistance to members of concerned cultural communities.
Formulation of land-use development policies and plans for ancestral and tribal lands, including settlement areas for cultural communities.
Conduct of researches and studies as inputs to policy and plan formulation and implementation on development, protection and conservation of the physical environment of cultural minorities.
Provision of medical assistance, nutrition services, and training on community self-help projects as part of research and policy inputs under Section 16.

The Bureau of Cultural Affairs is responsible for staff functions under Section 17 as amended relating to:
Formulation of policies, plans and programs on the preservation and development of the culture, traditions, institutions and well-being of concerned cultural communities.
Conduct of researches and studies on the development of cultural communities to serve as inputs to policy and plans formulation and programs/projects implementation.
Development of guidelines and procedures in promoting goodwill between the tribes and cultural communities and the mainstream populace.
Coordination with appropriate government agencies for the development and implementation of cultural programs and projects, including education and scholarship programs for poor but deserving members of cultural communities.

The Bureau of Tribal Relations and External Affairs is responsible for staff functions under Section 18 as amended relating to:
Planning, conceptualization and monitoring of projects and activities to promote peace and harmony within, between and among concerned cultural communities.
Coordination with different tribal institutions to strengthen relationships and settle disputes through advice and peaceful negotiation.
Liaison with local, international and non-government organizations in activities of the cultural communities.

Section 5 provides that if any portion or provision of Executive Order No. 293 is declared unconstitutional, it does not nullify the remaining portions or provisions if they can still subsist and be given effect.
Section 6 repeals or modifies accordingly all laws, orders, issuances, rules and regulations or parts thereof inconsistent with Executive Order No. 293.
Section 7 states that Executive Order No. 293 takes effect immediately upon issuance.