WHEREAS , the SOCSKSARGEN Area Development Project (ADP) Office has, since its inception in August 1991, achieved significant strides in integrating the crucial development initiatives of its component local government units;

WHEREAS , the integrated area development approach has, with the support of the national government, proven to be an effective mechanism in coordinating and implementing programs and projects aligned with the agri-industrial development goals of Southern Mindanao;

WHEREAS , under Executive Order (E.O.) Nos. 39 and 39-A, both series of 1998, the SOCSKSARGEN ADP Office was reconstituted and placed under the Presidential Committee on Flagship Programs and Projects, with its term to end on 31 December 2002;

WHEREAS , Executive Order No. 72, series 2002, abolished the Presidential Committee on Flagship Programs and Projects;

WHEREAS , E.O. No. 36, series 2001, reconfigured Region 12, wherein its Regional Development Council (RDC) formally adopted its Medium Term Regional Development Plan recognizing SOCSKSARGEN as a major economic growth cluster:

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

SECTION 1. The provision on the term of the ADP Office in Section 1 of Executive Order No. 39, series 1998, is hereby amended to read as follows:

œ SOCSKSARGEN ADP Office Term. The term of the SOCSKSARGEN ADP Office is hereby extended to December 31, 2004. 

SEC. 2. The provision on the establishment of the South Cotabato/Sarangani/General Santos City Area Development Project in Section 1 of Executive Order No. 474, series 1991, is hereby amended to read as follows:

œ SOCSKSARGEN Area Development Project Office. There is hereby established the South Cotabato/Cotabato/Sultan Kudarat/Sarangani/General Santos City Area Development Project Office, hereinafter referred to as the SOCSKSARGEN ADP Office, as a Special Project under the Department of Agriculture for integrating, coordinating, supervising, directing and formulating policies and guidelines for the implementation of major development undertakings in the SOCSKSARGEN area. The SOCSKSARGEN ADP Office shall be composed of a Project Board and a Project Management Unit (PMU) which shall hold office in General Santos City. 

SEC. 3. Project Board. The Project Board under Section 1 of Executive Order No. 39-A, series 1998, is hereby abolished. The SOCSKSARGEN ADP Office shall function under the Secretary, Department of Agriculture (DA).

SEC. 4. Powers of the DA. The powers and function of the DA regarding SOCSKSARGEN shall be as follows:

a. Formulate policies and guidelines and establish sustainable development goals within the context of the Regional Development Plan and the role of SOCSKSARGEN in the Mindanao Development Framework;

b. Provide general direction and formulate appropriate policies for the planned creation of the General Santos City Development Authority in line with the proposed developmental goals for the SOCSKSARGEN area;

c. Require the concerned government agencies, non-government organizations and private sector groups to coordinate and submit their respective area-specific plans, and programs to the Project Board through its secretariat office, the PMU, to ensure complementation of various development initiatives in the area;

d. Advocate, supervise, facilitate and provide overall direction in the planning and implementation of SOCSKSARGEN priority programs, activities and projects like the proposed construction of a domestic airport in Mlang, Cotabato and the Liguasan Marsh Development Project;

e. Pool existing resources and encourage the support and participation of government and non-government institutions by creating task forces or appropriate bodies to expedite implementation of major development projects.

f. Review and endorse to the RDC 12, for approval, the multi-year and annual plans and investment of priority programs and projects;

g. Review and endorse, through the RDC 12, to the Department of Budget and Management, the annual budget for the programs and projects;

h. Review and approve the organization of the PMU;

i. Review and approve contracts not otherwise governed by applicable law, rules and regulations;

j. Submit to the RDC 12, NEDA Board and Congress progress reports and such other reports as may be required;

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

l. Perform such other functions as the President may direct.

SEC. 5. Project Management Unit. The PMU shall serve as the technical and administrative secretariat of the SOCSKSARGEN ADP Office. It shall perform the following functions:

a. Provide technical support to the City and Provincial Planning and Development Offices, regional offices of the national government agencies, representatives of financing institutions, non-government organizations, and other entities to facilitate the implementation of major programs and projects and to ensure the smooth operation of the completed flagship projects in SOCSKSARGEN;

b. Prepare the groundwork for the establishment of the General Santos City Development Authority;

c. Enter into contracts, through its Project Director, necessary for the technical and administrative operation of the SOCSKSARGEN ADP Office, subject to existing laws, government rules and regulations;

d. Undertake periodic monitoring of the implementation of programs/projects, conduct program/project results monitoring and evaluation and make appropriate recommendations to Project Board.

e. Facilitate other required assistance in the implementation of programs and initiatives by concerned local and national government agencies, non-government organizations and private and private sector groups for the sustainable development of SOCSKSARGEN.

SEC. 6. Coordination and Integration Mechanism. To promote harmonious working relationship and maintain effective coordination among development players in the area, all concerned government agencies and offices are hereby directed to closely coordinate and submit to the DA, through the PMU, their area specific plans, activities and programs, including therein accomplishments on projects monitored and coordinated by the SOCSKSARGEN ADP Office in order to ensure complementation of all development initiatives. These agencies are hereby instructed to attend and actively participate in meetings/consultations that the SOCSKSARGEN ADP Board may initiate.

SEC. 7. Operational Requirements. The Department of Budget and Management shall allocate, under the budget of the Department of Agriculture in the General Appropriations Act, such amount appropriate and necessary for the operational requirements of the SOCSKSARGEN ADP Office based on the work and financial program as submitted by the DA and endorsed by the RDC 12.

SEC. 8. Repealing Clause. All issuances or any parts thereof which are inconsistent herewith are hereby repealed or modified accordingly.

SEC. 9. Effectivity. This Executive Order shall take effect immediately.

Done in the City of Manila, this 22nd day of October, in the year of our Lord, two thousand and two.

(SGD.) GLORIA MACAPAGAL-ARROYO

By the President:

(SGD.) ALBERTO G. ROMULO
Executive Secretary