Policy basis and authorized purpose
- The decree directs government action to promote the proper development, control and utilization of the total water resources of the country to accelerate socio-economic development.
- The decree treats the Cotabato and Agusan River Basins as major determinants of the complex of human activities through their current and prospective uses.
- The decree recognizes a comprehensive basin development plan adopted by the National Water Resources Council.
- The decree authorizes integrated and coordinated planning and prosecution of specific projects and programs to meet present and future needs for irrigation, power, flood control, domestic and industrial water supply, watershed management, and related socio-economic activities.
Cotabato-Agusan Program Office created
- Section 1 creates a Cotabato-Agusan River Basin Program Office, referred to as the Program Office.
- The Program Office is attached to the Department of Public Works, Transportation and Communications.
- The Program Office operates under the supervision of the Executive Committee created under Section 2 through its Chairman.
- The Program Office must coordinate and supervise planning and implementation of water resources and related development activities under the Cotabato-Agusan River Basin Development Program adopted by the National Water Resources Council.
- The Program Office’s principal office is in Davao City.
- Field offices are established in Cagayan de Oro City and Cotabato City.
Program coverage: municipalities and areas
- The Program covers the municipalities in the province of Agusan del Sur: Bunawan, Bayugan, Esperanza, La Paz, Loreto, Prosperidad, Rosario, San Francisco, San Luis, Sta. Josefa, Talacogon, Trento, Veruela.
- The Program covers the municipalities in the province of Agusan del Norte: Buenavista, Magallanes, Cabadbaran, Las Nieves, and the City of Butuan.
- The Program covers the municipalities in the province of Davao del Norte: Asuncion, Compostela, Mabini, Monkayo, Montevista, Nabunturan, New Bataan, Panturan.
- The Program covers the Municipality of Boston in Davao Oriental.
- The Program covers the Municipality of Claveria in Misamis Oriental.
- The Program covers the municipalities in Surigao del Sur: Barobo, Lianga, Marihatag, San Agustin, Oteiza, San Miguel, Tagbina.
- The Program covers the municipalities in Bukidnon: Impasugong, Malaybalay, Malitubog, Dongcagan, Don Carlos, Kalilangan, Kibawe, Kitao-tao, Lantapan, Maramag, Pangontocan, Quezon, San Fernando, Valencia.
- The Program covers the municipalities in South Cotabato: Alamada, Carmen, Kabacan, Kidapawan, Libungan, Magpet, Makilala, Matalam, Midsayap, M'lang, Pigakawayan, Pikit, President Roxas, Tulunan, Kiamba, Surallah, Banga, Tampacan, Tupi, Tantangan, Koronadal, Norala.
- The Program covers the municipalities in Sultan Kudarat: Lebak, Kalamansig, Bagumbayan, Isulan, Esperanza, Colombio, Marcos, Tacurong, Ampatuan, Quirino, Lutayan.
- The Program covers the municipalities and areas including Datu Paglas, Buluan, Sultan Kudarat, Datu Piang, Maganoy, Pagalungan, Sultan sa Barongis, Tumbao, Upi, Buldon, and the City of Cotabato in Maguindanao, and the Municipality of Wao in Lanao del Sur, and other areas within the watersheds of the Cotabato and Agusan river basins.
Executive Committee: policy and control powers
- Section 2 creates an Executive Committee attached to the Department of Public Works, Transportation and Communications.
- The Executive Committee serves as the policy-making and governing body of the Program.
- The Executive Committee is chaired by the Secretary of Public Works, Transportation and Communications.
- The Executive Committee members include: Secretary of Economic Planning, Secretary of Agriculture, Secretary of Natural Resources, Secretary of Energy, Presidential Assistant on Economic and Development Affairs, Administrator of the National Irrigation Administration, General Manager of the National Power Corporation, Commissioner of Region XII, and the Chairmen of the Regional Development Councils of Regions X and XI.
- Through its Chairman, the Executive Committee must:
- Formulate policies and guidelines related to implementation and management of the Program.
- Oversee coordination of planning and implementation of the Program.
- Authorize the Program Director and/or implementing departments or agencies to prepare feasibility studies for identified water and related resources development projects.
- Arrange and/or negotiate with local and foreign financial institutions for funding of identified projects.
- Review consolidated plans, budgets and work programs for the Program.
- Call upon any government department, bureau, office, instrumentality, or political subdivision for assistance needed in performance of its functions.
- Exercise other inherent powers and policy-making functions.
Program Director appointment and functions
- Section 3 requires the Program Office to be headed by a Program Director.
- The Program Director is appointed by the Executive Committee.
- The Program Director serves until completion of the Program, unless sooner removed for cause by the Executive Committee.
- The Program Director must be a natural-born Filipino citizen, of legal age, of good moral character, and with a proven record of competence in administration and management of infrastructure, agricultural and related programs.
- The Executive Committee sets the Program Director’s annual compensation and allowances.
- The Program Director must:
- Coordinate implementing departments and agencies in planning and implementation of the Program and its component projects.
- Review and integrate plans, programs, projects, and budget proposals for Executive Committee consideration, then forward them to the Budget Commission for release of funds.
- Monitor progress, evaluate effects of Program execution, and submit quarterly periodic progress reports to the Executive Committee and the Office of the President.
- Manage the Program Office and adopt administrative rules and procedures for internal management.
- Perform functions inherently necessary for operational management of the Program.
Staffing rules and absorption of personnel
- Section 4 authorizes that, subject to a staffing pattern recommended by the Executive Committee and approved by the Budget Commission, the Program Director appoints other personnel and defines duties and responsibilities.
- Technical and professional positions are exempt from wage and position classification rules.
- Salaries for technical/professional positions are determined based on skills, experiences, educational attainment, and degree of specialization by proper authorities.
- Personnel of the existing Cotabato-Agusan River Basin Development Project Office are absorbed by the Program Office.
- Absorbed personnel receive a salary rate not lower than the present rate, including other emoluments they are actually receiving.
- The Program Office may employ personnel on a part-time basis, notwithstanding any contrary provision of law.
Implementing agencies: planning and reporting
- Section 5 requires all designated government departments and agencies to execute planning and project components assigned to them.
- Each designated agency must submit to the Executive Committee, through the Program Director, its annual project plans, budgets, and corresponding work programs within three months before the start of the ensuing calendar year.
- Each agency must also submit to the Program Director:
- Financial and work plans for every request for budget release.
- Periodic reports containing results of its respective program operations.
Funding and fiscal authorizations
- Section 6 authorizes PHP 3,000,000 to be appropriated out of National Treasury funds not otherwise appropriated as operating funds of the Program Office and the two Field Offices.
- The decree requires that thereafter, funds sufficient to fully carry out the Program objectives shall be appropriated every fiscal year in the General Appropriations Act.
Repeal, separability, and effectivity
- Section 7 provides separability: if any provision is invalid, the remaining provisions continue to operate.
- Section 8 repeals or modifies all laws, decrees, executive orders, rules and regulations, or parts thereof, inconsistent with the decree.
- Memorandum Order No. 518, dated June 16, 1975, is repealed.
- The decree transfers the properties, assets, records, unexpended funds, and necessary personnel of the Inter-Agency Coordinating Committee for the development of the Cotabato and Agusan River Basins to the Cotabato-Agusan River Basin Program Office created under the decree.