Title
Military Oversight on Utilities and Industries
Law
Letter Of Instruction No. 634
Decision Date
Dec 9, 1977
During Martial Law in the Philippines, President Marcos authorized the Secretary of National Defense to terminate or resume military personnel services in public utilities and civilian government entities/offices based on prevailing peace and order conditions.
A

Scope and Objectives of Military Control and Supervision

  • Initial military control involved management, control, and operation of vital public utilities to ensure uninterrupted service.
  • LOI No. 84 terminated direct military supervision on most public utilities, replacing it with monitoring systems for security and operational protection.
  • The airline industry remained under direct military control as an exception.

Military Personnel Assignments to Civilian Entities

  • Military personnel were detailed as Representatives of the President and Military Supervisors to several government and industry entities:
    • Board of Transportation
    • Land Transportation Commission
    • Offices of City and District Engineers
    • Offices of City and Municipal Mayors
    • Philippine Coconut Industry
    • Philippine Sugar Industry
  • These assignments were pursuant to various Presidential Orders issued in 1973.

Flexibility and Termination of Military Assignments

  • The conditions necessitating military details and supervision continually change based on peace and order situations.
  • The President authorized the Secretary of National Defense to terminate or resume military services and assignments under appropriate rules and regulations.
  • This authority covers military personnel involved with vital public utilities and the stated civilian government entities and industries.
  • The control over the airline industry remains under military jurisdiction as previously defined.

Legal Authority and Delegation

  • The President exercises this authority under powers granted by the Philippine Constitution and Martial Law Proclamation No. 1081.
  • The Secretary of National Defense is empowered to manage the deployment and withdrawal of military personnel in accordance with prevailing conditions.

Summary of Key Provisions

  • Maintains essential military involvement in critical sectors to safeguard public welfare during Martial Law.
  • Sets framework for transition from direct military control to monitoring and security roles, except in select sectors.
  • Establishes military supervision in specific civilian agencies and industries to support government policy objectives.
  • Authorizes flexible management of military assignments based on peace and order developments.
  • Retains direct military control over the airline industry distinct from other utilities and sectors.

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