WHEREAS, there is an urgent need to rehabilitate the areas devastated by the recent flooding of low-lying areas brought about by typhoons "Frank" and "Cosme", particularly those in the provinces of North Cotabato, South Cotabato, Sarangani and Sultan Kudarat, as well as the cities of Cotabato and General Santos of Region XII, and Maguindanao, Shariff Kabunsuan and Lanao del Sur of the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (ARMM);

WHEREAS, these areas, which are within the Mindanao River Basin (MRB), have been known to be prone to flooding as a result of the heavy siltation of the major rivers of the MRB and the Ligawasan Marsh;

WHEREAS, the vulnerability of these areas to flooding has subjected the lives and properties of the people in the MRB to innumerable losses and constant threat to human security and welfare;

WHEREAS, the updated Medium-Term Philippine Development Plan espouses sustainable development, disaster risk reduction and watershed management as important strategies to achieve the goals and objectives of national development for improved quality of life;

WHEREAS, an institutional mechanism needs to be put in place to address the relief, physical and social rehabilitation and long-term development of the MRB and its affected areas;

WHEREAS, pursuant to Section 14, Article X of the 1987 Constitution, the President shall provide for regional development councils or other similar bodies composed of local government officials, regional heads of departments and other government offices, and representatives from non-governmental organizations within the regions for purposes of administrative decentralization to strengthen the autonomy of the units therein and to accelerate the economic and social growth and development of the units in the region; and

WHEREAS, under Section 31, Chapter 10, Title III, Book III of the Administrative Code of 1987, the President has the continuing authority to reorganize  the Executive Branch.

NOW, THEREFORE, I, GLORIA MACAPAGAL-ARROYO, President of the Republic of the Philippines, by virtue of the powers vested in me, do hereby order:

Section 1. Creation of the Presidential Task Force. - There is hereby created a Presidential Task Force for MRB Rehabilitation and Development (hereafter referred to as the "Task Force") for the proper and effective implementation of government interventions for the disaster-affected population in the Provinces of North Cotabato, South Cotabato, Sarangani and Sultan Kudarat, and the cities of Cotabato and General Santos of Region XII, and Maguindanao, Shariff Kabunsuan and Lanao del Sur of the ARMM, otherwise known as "MRB affected areas".

The Task Force shall be composed of the following:

Chairperson	:	To be appointed by the President
Co-Chairperson	:	RDCC ARMM Chairperson (ARMM Regional Governor)
Vice-Chairpersons	:	Undersecretary, Mindanao Concerns and Flood Control Programs, Department of Public Works and Highway (DPWH) Undersecretary for River Basin Control, Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) RDCC XII Chairperson
Members	:	Regional Directors/Head of office of DPWH, CARBDP, DSWD, DOH, DepEd, DILG, DENR,NEDA,RPDO, DAR, DA, BFAR, OCD and NIA of Regions XII and ARMM, AFP- Engineering Brigade/Philippine Navy and PNP and the local Government Chief Executives of the aforementioned Local Government Units (LGUs).

Section 2. Powers and Functions of the Task Force. - The Task Force shall have the following powers and functions:

1. Coordinate the formulation and implementation of the MRB Relief, Rehabilitation and Long-Term Development Plan;
   
2. Negotiate, apply for, receive and accept grants and donation of funds needed for the relief, rehabilitation and development of the areas affected by the disaster;
   
3. Decide on important interventions that need to be immediately implemented or acted upon;
   
4. Identify and package relief, rehabilitation and long term interventions for the MRB affected areas;
   
5. Spearhead and coordinate all actions to rehabilitate and develop the MRB affected areas;
   
6. Conduct resource mobilization activities, such as, but not limited to:
   

1. Enjoining the concerned LGUs to pass ordinances appropriating local resources for identified interventions:
   
2. Requesting NDCC funds;
   
3. Ensuring inclusion of rehabilitation plans of Regional Line Agencies in their annual operational plans or realign funds, if necessary;
   
4. Conducting special Official Development Assistance (ODA) pledging sessions to be spearheaded by the RDC/REDPB and RDCCs of Region XII and ARMM;
   
5. Enjoining Congress to include a special purpose fund for rehabilitation and development in the General Appropriations Act for FY 2009 and beyond.
   

7. Perform other activities pursuant to the orders of the President.
   

Section 3. Support Office. - The Task Force shall have a Support Office that will provide day-to-day technical, administrative and financial services. It shall be accountable for the funds, records and properties of the Task Force. It shall be headed by a Director with the following staff composition, namely; Development Management Officer, Project Management Officer, Project Evaluation Officer, Administrative Officer, Accountant, Disbursing Officer, Secretary, Clerk/Computer Operator, Driver and Utility Worker.

Section 4. Technical Working Groups. - The Task Force shall be assisted in the performance of its functions by the Technical Working Groups (TWGs) on relief, rehabilitation and long-term development. They shall perform functions supportive to the Task Force. They shall review and endorse programs, projects, activities and other relevant matters pertaining to their respective assignments.

1. TWG on Relief
   

Chairs	:	DSWD XII/ARMM
Members	:	DOH, DepEd, DA, BFAR, DOLE, LGUs, OCD, Red Cross of Region XII and ARMM

2. TWG on Rehabilitation
   

Chairs	:	DPWH XII/ARMM
Members	:	CARBDP, DENR, NEDA, DAR, DA, BFAR, OCD and NIA of Regions XII and ARMM, AFP-Engineering Brigade/Philippine Navy and PNP, and the Local Chief Executives of the MRB affected areas

3. TWG on Long-Term Development
   

Chairs	:	NEDA XII/RPDO-ARMM
Members	:	DPWH, CARBDP, DENR, DAR, DA, BFAR, OCD and NIA of Region XII and ARMM, AFP-Engineering Brigade /Philippine Navy and PNP, and the Local Chief Executives of the MRB affected areas

Section 5. Timeline. - The Task Force shall be in operation for two (2) consecutive years from the issuance of this Executive Order, without prejudice to the extension of time to be granted by the President as may be deemed necessary to accomplish its tasks.

Section 6. Budget Support. - The Task Force shall be allocated an initial operating fund of Ten Million Pesos (P10 Million) to be sourced from the President's Contingent Fund. Succeeding outlays shall be provided under the General Appropriations Acts, as deemed necessary.

Section 7.  Submission of Periodic Reports to the  President. The Task Force shall submit update reports to the Office of the President, through the Presidential Management Staff, every six (6) months to inform the President of the progress of work being done by the Task Force.

Section 8. Agency Assistance. - All departments, bureaus, offices, agencies or instrumentalities, including government-owned and/or -controlled corporations, are hereby directed to extend such assistance and cooperation as the Task Force may need in the discharge of its functions.

Section 9. Repealing Clause. - All other orders, rules, regulations and issuances, or parts thereof, which are inconsistent with this Executive Order are hereby repealed or modified accordingly.

Section 10. Effectivity. - This Executive Order shall take effect immediately upon approval.

Done on this 29th day of September in the year of Our Lord, Two Thousand and Eight.


By the President:

(Sgd.) EDUARDO R. ERMITA
Executive Secretary