WHEREAS, it is the policy of the State to protect the rights and welfare of the indigenous cultural communities and Indigenous Peoples (IPs), and to guarantee the respect for their cultural integrity as well as ensure that all members of indigenous cultural communities and IPs benefit on an equal footing from the rights and opportunities which national laws and regulations grant to other members of the population;

WHEREAS, essential to this policy is the effective and efficient functioning of the National Commission on Indigenous Peoples (NCIP), and its responsive implementation of Republic Act No. 8371, otherwise known as œAn Act to Recognize, Protect and Promote the Rights of the Indigenous Communities/Indigenous Peoples ;

WHEREAS, there is a need to designate an Oversight Official with a Cabinet rank to coordinate and monitor the efficient implementation of said policy, and to provide the appropriate policy and program recommendations to the Office of the President in addressing issues and concerns affecting the IPs and NCIP;

WHEREAS, Section 17, Article VII of the Constitution provides that the President shall have control of all executive departments, bureaus and offices and shall ensure that all laws be faithfully executed;

WHEREAS, paragraph 2, Section 31, Chapter 10, Title III, Book III of Executive Order No. 292 (s. 1987) grants the President the continuing authority to reorganize the administrative structure of the Office of the President and the power to transfer any function under the Office of the President to any other Department;

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

SECTION 1. The Cabinet Secretary is hereby designated as the Oversight Official on IPs and NCIP matters to coordinate the implementation of the policies and programs impacting on the promotion and protection of the rights and welfare of the IPs in the country, and on the efficient functioning of the NCIP.

SECTION 2. As Oversight Official, the Cabinet Secretary shall coordinate and facilitate the resolution of issues and concerns affecting the IPs and of the efficient discharge of the duties and functions of the NCIP. In this regard, the Oversight Official shall submit regular report on the status of his work to the President, through the Executive Secretary.

SECTION 3. All Government Departments and Agencies, including the Government- Owned and Controlled Corporations, Financial Institutions and other government instrumentalities are hereby directed to extend their support for the efficient discharge of the above duties and functions of the Oversight Official.

SECTION 4. This Order shall take effect immediately.

Adopted: 01 Dec. 2008

(SGD.) GLORIA M. ARROYO
President of the Philippines   

BY THE PRESIDENT:

(SGD.) EDUARDO R. ERMITA
Executive Secretary