WHEREAS, Area Development Projects (ADPs) are multi-sectoral projects which focus on the development of certain geographical areas;

WHEREAS, the National Economic and Development Authority Board has approved the South Cotabato/General Santos City Area Development Project;

WHEREAS, there is a need for an effective and stable mechanism for the coordination and management of the said project consistent with government's policy of decentralization and regionalization as provided under Executive Order No. 363, s. of 1989;

NOW, THEREFORE, I, CORAZON C. AQUINO, President of the Philippines, by virtue of the powers vested in me by law, do hereby order:

SECTION 1. South Cotabato/ General Santos City Area Development Project Office. There is hereby established the South Cotabato/General Santos City Area Development Project Office, hereinafter referred to as the ADP Office, which is placed under the Regional Development Council. Region XII, for the coordination, supervision, and direction in the implementation of the South Cotabato/General Santos City Area Development Project. The ADP Office shall be composed of a Project Board and a Project Management Unit (PMU) which shall hold office in General Santos City.

Sec. 2. Project Board and Project Management Unit. (a) The Project Board, hereinafter referred to as the Board, shall be composed of the following:ammy

The Secretary of Agriculture	- - - - - - - - -	Chairman
The Regional Director National Economic and Development Authority, Region XII	- - - - - - - - -	Vice-Chairman
The Provincial Governor of South Cotabato	- - - - - - - - -	Member
The Mayor of General Santos City	- - - - - - - - -	Member
The NEDA Regional Director for Region XII	- - - - - - - - -	Member
The representatives from government agencies involved in the Project	- - - - - - - - -	Members
The representatives from non-government organizations (NGOs) to be designated by the Regional Development Council and the Regional Assembly, Region XII	- - - - - - - - -	Members

The Board shall have the following powers and functions:

1. Formulate and establish the development goals and policies for the project within the context of the Regional Development Plan;


2. Provide overall direction, coordination and supervision in the planning, implementation, and monitoring of all project components and development activities of the Project;


3. Encourage the support and assistance from government and non-government institutions in the planning and implementation of the various components of the Project;


4. Review and endorse to the Regional Development Council, Region XII, for approval the multi-year and annual plans and investment programs under the Project;


5. Review and endorse, through the RDC, to the Department of Budget and Management, the annual budget for the Project including that for the operations of the ADP Office;


6. Organize the Project Management Unit (PMU) and appoint its Project Director;


7. Review and confirm contracts entered into by the Project Director;


8. Submit to the President, the RDC, the NEDA Board and Congress quarterly progress reports on the Project and such other reports as may be required;


9. Formulate implementing rules and regulations pertaining to the internal operations of the ADP Office; and


10. Perform such other functions and responsibilities as the President or the RDC may direct.

(b) Project Management Unit. The Project Management Unit (PMU) shall serve as technical and administrative secretariat of the Board, and as such, undertake the day-to-day activities of the ADP Office. It shall perform the following powers and functions:

1. Coordinate the preparation by the line agencies and local government units of the multi-year and annual plans and investment programs including the annual budget of the Project and submit the same to the Board;


2. Coordinate with line agencies, local government units, financing institutions, non-government organizations, and other concerned entities in the implementation of the Project;


3. Enter into contracts, through its Project Director, as may be necessary for the administrative operations of the ADP Office subject to existing laws, rules and regulations;


4. Undertake periodic review and evaluation of the Project and shall, for the purpose, design and operate a program implementation and project benefit monitoring and evaluation system consistent with the Regional Project Monitoring and Evaluation System (RPMES); and


5. Perform such other functions and responsibilities as the Board may direct.

The PMU shall be headed by the Board. The PMU shall have a staff complement the composition and structure of which shall be reviewed and endorsed by the Board to the Department of Budget and Management (DBM) for approval.

Sec. 3. Coordination. The Project shall be coordinated at the following levels:

At the National level: The NEDA Secretariat shall serve as oversight body for the Project and shall perform the following powers and functions:

1. Ensure that the development goals. Policies and programs formulated by the Project Board are properly coordinated with the overall goals, policies and programs;


2. Maintain liaison with central offices and, as necessary, arrange the needed support for the project from central agencies, including funding agencies;


3. Monitor and conduct periodic review of the Project with respect to achievement of targets, objectives, priorities, and goals, and facilitate expeditious implementation of the Project; and,


4. Perform such other functions as may be provided by law.

At the Regional level: The Regional Development Council shall perform the following powers and functions:

1. Ensure that the development goals and policies formulated by the Project Board are consistent with the Regional Development Plan;


2. Approve the multi-year and annual plans and investment programs under the Project;


3. Endorse to the DBM the annual budget for the Project, including that for the operations of the ADP Office;


4. Monitor and conduct periodic review of the Project with respect to achievement of targets, objectives and goals; and


5. Perform such other functions and responsibilities as the NEDA Board may direct.

Sec. 5. Role of Implementing Agencies. Line Agencies/Departments, in close coordination with the concerned local government units, shall be responsible for implementing their respective components, and all contracts entered into for the preparation and/or implementation of Project components shall be governed by existing procedures/arrangements adopted by the respective agencies. The said agencies/departments, in all cases, shall ensure that the implementation of their respective components is consistent with terms stipulated in the corresponding Loan/Grant Agreements of the Project.

Sec. 6. Operational Requirements. The DBM shall allocate from any lump sum appropriations in the General Appropriations Act the amount as may be appropriate and necessary for the operational requirements of the ADP Office for the operational requirements of the ADP Office based on the work and financial program submitted by the Board and as endorsed by the RDC.

Sec. 7. ADP Office Term. The ADP Office shall have a term corresponding to the implementation period of projects included in the Project as approved by the NEDA Board.

Sec. 8. Effectivity. This Executive Order shall take effect immediately.

DONE in the City of Manila, this 12th day of August, in the year of Our Lord, nineteen hundred and ninety-one.

By the President:

(Sgd.) FRANKLIN M. DRILON
Executive Secretary