Authority to Reorganize Government Agencies
- Presidential Degree No. 1416 and its amendment PD 1772 grant the President continuing authority to reorganize the national government.
- Includes power to create, abolish, consolidate, merge, or modify agencies and their functions.
- Executive Order No. 292 (Administrative Code of 1987) also empowers the President to reorganize the Office of the President.
- Section 78 of RA 9970 (General Appropriations Act of 2010) authorizes the President to make changes in organizational units or key positions in Departments or Agencies.
Rationalization and Abolition of Entities Attached to the Office of the President (OP)
- Certain agencies, task forces, and committees attached to OP were identified for abolition to avoid overlap and improve focus.
- Agencies abolished include:
a) Presidential Anti-Smuggling Group (functions taken over by Bureau of Customs and law enforcement agencies).
b) Mindanao Economic Development Council (redundant due to Mindanao Development Authority RA 9996).
c) Minerals Development Council (functions to be managed by DENR).
d) Luzon Urban Beltway Super Region and related offices (functions aligned with prior administration, not current).
e) Bicol River Basin Watershed Management Project (functions to be managed by DENR).
f) Office of External Affairs (functions to be managed by DILG).
g) Office of the Presidential Adviser on Global Warming and Climate Change (rendered redundant by Climate Change Commission, RA 9729).
Affected Personnel and Benefits
- Personnel affected by abolition are entitled to benefits under applicable existing laws.
Procedures for Winding Up Abolished Agencies
- Winding-up operations, including disposal or transfer of functions, positions, personnel, assets, and liabilities, must comply with EO 72 (March 15, 2002) implementing rules.
- Deadline for completion of winding-up set at 31 December 2010.
- Office of the Executive Secretary and Department of Budget and Management (DBM) are responsible for ensuring smooth and efficient implementation.
Effectivity of the Executive Order
- The order takes effect upon publication in a newspaper of general circulation.
This Executive Order embodies a systematic approach to rationalizing government agencies attached to the Office of the President to promote efficiency, eliminate redundancy, and strengthen governance structures.