Policy intent and national need
- The Order establishes the need to strengthen and coordinate demand reduction and prevention efforts, including education, information, and treatment and rehabilitation programs.
- The Order recognizes that drug law enforcement efforts are not sufficiently orchestrated across agencies, LGUs, and NGOs, resulting in unsatisfactory outcomes.
- The Order frames a holistic approach by consolidating intelligence, investigation, and prosecution support to improve anti-drug operations from the national down to the barangay level.
- The Order is driven by the continuing persistence of illegal drug production, smuggling, and distribution despite enforcement of the Dangerous Drugs Law.
Legal basis and referenced laws
- Republic Act No. 6425, as amended, is recognized as the law that created the Dangerous Drugs Board (DDB) as the policy-making and regulatory body for prevention and control of drug abuse.
- Republic Act No. 6981 is referenced through coordination with the Witness Protection Security and Benefits Program Committee for evaluation of witnesses under its provisions.
- The Administrative Code of 1987 is cited as the basis for presidential authority to reorganize and transfer functions within the Executive branch.
Creation, composition, and staffing
- Section 1 creates the National Drug Law Enforcement and Prevention Coordinating Center (NDLEPCC) under the Office of the President.
- The NDLEPCC is headed by a leadership composed of the following members:
- Chairman: Secretary of the Interior and Local Government
- Vice-Chairman: Chief of the Philippine National Police
- Members: Task Force Chief of the Presidential Anti-Organized Crime Task Force; Chairman of the DDB; Director of the National Bureau of Investigations; Commissioner of the Bureau of Immigration; Chief of the National Prosecution Service; and Commissioner of the Bureau of Customs
- The Center’s Secretariat is headed by an Executive Director to be appointed by the Chairman.
- The Executive Director must possess adequate training and experience in dangerous drugs or in law enforcement, law, medicine, criminology, psychology, or social work.
- The Executive Director is assisted by a Functional Staff composed of:
- Administrative/Logistics Division
- Intelligence and Investigation Division
- Plans and Operations Division
- Community Involvement Division
- Prosecution and Legal Division
- International Cooperation Division
- The Center may receive selected personnel and representatives from participating agencies.
- The Chairman may call upon any government agency to render assistance in accomplishing the Center’s mandated tasks and functions.
Powers and functions of NDLEPCC
- Section 2(a) requires the NDLEPCC to prepare and fast track the implementation of the inter-agency anti-drug action plan.
- Section 2(b) requires the NDLEPCC to prepare intelligence and counter-intelligence plans and programs to identify personalities and/or groups and their cohorts involved in illegal drug activities.
- Section 2(b) authorizes the NDLEPCC, in coordination with the DDB and subject to existing laws, to grant monetary rewards or incentives to informants who give vital information leading to successful prosecution of illegal drug personalities.
- Section 2(c) requires the NDLEPCC to coordinate and collaborate with government and non-government organizations regarding intelligence, investigation, and speedy prosecution of illegal drug-related cases.
- Section 2(c) authorizes the NDLEPCC to enlist assistance of any department, bureau, office, agency, or instrumentality, including government-owned and/or controlled corporations, using their personnel, facilities, and resources for detection and investigation and prosecution of drug traffickers.
- Section 2(d) requires coordination with the Department of Justice Witness Protection Security and Benefits Program Committee to evaluate and assess witnesses who may qualify under the provisions of Republic Act No. 6981.
- Section 2(e) requires the NDLEPCC to formulate and implement plans and programs for international cooperation on intelligence and investigation relative to drug trafficking and prevention.
- Section 2(f) requires the NDLEPCC to coordinate and orchestrate the support and participation of LGUs and NGOs in the anti-drugs campaign down to the barangay level.
- Section 2(g) authorizes the NDLEPCC to recommend the enactment of appropriate anti-illegal drugs laws and issuances.
- Section 2(h) requires the NDLEPCC to perform other tasks and functions the President may direct.
- Section 2 also requires coordination and collaboration with the DDB regarding demand reduction, rehabilitation, education, and information programs.
Participating agencies and assistance
- Section 3 requires designated representatives from the listed agencies and instrumentalities to participate and assist the NDLEPCC:
- Department of Health
- Department of Justice
- Department of National Defense
- Department of Education, Culture and Sports
- Department of Finance
- Department of Social Welfare and Development
- Department of Labor and Employment
- Dangerous Drugs Board
- Philippine Information Agency
- Philippine National Police
- National Bureau of Investigation
- National Prosecution Service
- Bureau of Customs
- Bureau of Immigration
- Bureau of Internal Revenue
- National Intelligence Coordinating Agency
- Armed Forces of the Philippines
- Economic Intelligence and Investigation Bureau
- Philippine Coast Guard
- Philippine Postal Corporation
- Other agencies, as needed
- The NDLEPCC coordinates and collaborates with these agencies through the participation of their designated representatives in assisting the Center’s functions.
Implementing rules and regulations; funding
- Section 4 mandates that the NDLEPCC promulgate rules and regulations to implement the Executive Order.
- Section 5 provides an initial allocation of ONE HUNDRED FIFTY MILLION PESOS (P150,000,000.00) for the NDLEPCC.
- Section 5 directs that the initial allocation is drawn from the President’s Contingency Fund.
- Section 5 requires that appropriations for succeeding years be incorporated in the annual budget proposal for the Office of the President.
Effectivity and date of implementation
- Section 6 provides that the Executive Order takes effect immediately.
- The Order is dated and issued in Manila on January 15, 1999, signed by Joseph Ejercito Estrada as President and countersigned by Rolando B. Zamora as Executive Secretary.