Creation of ISKOLAR Program and EXECOM

The Executive Order recognizes that Section 10(o) of Republic Act No. 8044 provides for training and a national secretariat for the Sangguniang Kabataan National Federation pursuant to Republic Act No. 7160 (Local Government Code).
The Executive Order identifies the Sangguniang Kabataan as the most organized and pervasive youth organization nationwide and a viable government partner for skills and leadership training incorporating values education.
The Executive Order provides that the National Youth Commission (NYC) has formulated the ISKOLAR Program as a capability-building scheme to provide technical guidance for the educational, leadership, advocacy, and legislative needs of SK officials.
The Executive Order declares that under the Medium Term Youth Development Plan (MTYDP): 1999–2004, ISKOLAR is a flagship program for the youth sector and must be implemented nationwide during the plan period and beyond.

Section 1 approves the ISKOLAR Program for implementation as formulated by the NYC.
The ISKOLAR Program envisions “generations of empowered Sangguniang Kabataan leaders” who actively act as catalysts of change and development.
The Program’s objectives include equipping SK officials with skills and knowledge for more effective, efficient, and responsive leadership.
The Program aims to strengthen SK moral values consistent with the four pillars: Maka-Diyos, Maka-Tao, Maka-Bayan, and Maka-Kalikasan, and with principle-centered leadership and development politics.
The Program provides assistance to SK leaders in formulating local youth agendas and action plans in consonance with the Medium Term Youth Development Plan: 1999–2004 and subsequent plans.
The Program is intended to develop SK leaders into self-reliant, dynamic, and creative community leaders and agents of change.

Section 2 creates the Integrated Sangguniang Kabataan Organizational Leadership and Reorientation Program Executive Committee, referred to as the EXECOM.
The EXECOM is charged to plan, coordinate, and oversee the implementation of the ISKOLAR Program.
The Executive Order establishes the EXECOM as the central coordinating and oversight body for program implementation nationwide.

Section 3 provides that the EXECOM is composed of:
- the Secretary of the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) as Chairman;
- the Chairperson of the National Youth Commission (NYC) as Co-Chairperson; and
- senior officers with the rank of at least Director (or its equivalent) from the following agencies:
  - Commission on Higher Education
  - Commission on Human Rights
  - Dangerous Drugs Board
  - Department of Environment and Natural Resources
  - Local Government Academy
  - National Disaster and Coordinating Council
  - National Movement of Young Legislators
  - University Center Foundation
Section 3 requires participation by the named agencies through designated senior officers meeting the rank threshold.

Section 4 empowers the EXECOM to oversee ISKOLAR implementation and ensure the Program’s success.
Section 4 designates the EXECOM as the policy-making and implementing body of the ISKOLAR Program.
The EXECOM is authorized to call upon any government department or agency for necessary assistance and support for the Program.
Section 4 authorizes the EXECOM to perform other functions as may be assigned by the President.

Section 5 requires each EXECOM member to designate ISKOLAR action officers from existing personnel.
Designations must be made for both national and regional levels, and where applicable, for provincial, city, or municipal levels.
ISKOLAR action officers must act as the point person of their agency in implementing the Program.
ISKOLAR action officers must coordinate the implementation of their agency’s module in the ISKOLAR Program.
ISKOLAR action officers must monitor and evaluate the Program and submit reports to the EXECOM and Program Secretariat.
ISKOLAR action officers must liaise with the Program Secretariat regarding implementation of policies and activities agreed upon by the EXECOM.
Action officers must perform other functions assigned by the EXECOM.

Section 6 directs the Chief Executive Officer of the NYC to provide a Secretariat for the ISKOLAR Program.
The Secretariat must provide administrative and technical support and perform other functions assigned by the EXECOM.
The NYC is designated as the Overall Program Coordinator of the Program.

Section 7 authorizes the EXECOM to call upon government departments, bureaus, offices, agencies, and instrumentalities—including government-owned or controlled corporations—for assistance needed to discharge its functions.
Section 7 authorizes the EXECOM to call upon private sector groups (business community, academe, social and civic organizations) and other non-government organizations to provide technical and funding assistance.
Section 7 authorizes the EXECOM to enter into partnership agreements with the private sector and concerned committees of Congress when necessary.
Section 7 conditions partnerships on compliance with legal requirements and government rules, including Commission on Audit (COA) rules.
Section 8 authorizes agencies involved in implementation to allocate funds from their respective budgets for ISKOLAR subject to existing government auditing and accounting rules and regulations.
Section 8 allows the EXECOM to solicit funding support and contributions from the private sector and foreign institutions, subject to existing government rules, including legal requirements of COA, Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR), and Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP).

Section 9 states that Executive Order No. 24 takes effect immediately.
The order is signed and dated September 18, 1998, in Manila.