WHEREAS , the General Welfare Clause of the Local Government Code of 1991 mandates local government units to enhance economic prosperity and social justice, to promote full employment among their residents and to maintain peace and order, among other development concerns;

WHEREAS , the barangay, as a basic political unit, serves as the primary planning and implementing unit of government policies, plans, programs, projects and activities in the community;

WHEREAS , an Information and Reading Center is a basic facility expected of a barangay government;

WHEREAS , access to information about government programs and services particularly among the disadvantaged sectors of society is critical in community empowerment, as well as in addressing poverty;

WHEREAS , poverty engenders criminality and other social ills that affect family life, community peace and harmony and productivity.

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

SECTION 1. Establishment of GABAY SA MAMAMAYAN AKSYON CENTERS . - The Gabay sa Mamamayan Aksyon Center shall be established in all barangays nationwide.

SEC 2. Objectives . - The Gabay sa Mamamayan Aksyon Center shall be an integral part of the Information and Reading Center. It shall serve as the institutional link between the national government and the grassroots, ensuring the adequacy and accessibility of quality information about national government programs and services to the community residents.

SEC 3. Manning of the Center . - The Gabay sa Mamamayan Aksyon Center shall be headed by the Punong Barangay. He may appoint, as Information Action Officers, the other members of the Sangguniang Barangay, Barangay Treasurer, Barangay Secretary, Chairman of the Sangguniang Kabataan, members of the Lupong Tagapamayapa, and representatives of the Parents-Teachers Association, Association of Senior Citizens, People ™s Organizations, Non-government Organizations, and other community-based civic groups.

SEC 4. Support of City and Municipal Governments . - City and Municipal Governments shall provide administrative, technical, and financial assistance to the Gabay sa Mamamayan Aksyon Centers.

SEC 5. Support of National Government Agencies . - National Government Agencies shall provide technical assistance through the conduct of trainings, ensure the supply of agency brochures and other reference materials responsive to the information needs of community residents through the Gabay sa Mamamayan Aksyon Centers, and shall promote the said centers as convergence mechanisms for government services at the barangay level.

SEC 6. Support of Private Sector Groups . - Parents-Teachers Associations, Associations of Senior Citizens, People ™s Organizations, Non-government Organizations, and other community-based civic groups, who are committed to the spirit of volunteerism, are encouraged to provide technical assistance to the Aksyon Centers.

SEC 7.  Implementing Issuance . - The Department of the Interior and Local Government shall issue the implementing issuance of this Executive Order not later than thirty (30) days upon approval hereof.

SEC 8. Separability Clause . - Any portion or provision of this Executive Order that may be declared unconstitutional shall not have the effect of nullifying the other portions or provisions that can still subsist and be given effect in their entirety.

SEC 9.Repealing Clause. - All orders, issuances and rules inconsistent with this Executive Order are hereby repealed or modified accordingly.

SEC 10.Effectivity Clause. - This Executive Order shall take effect immediately.

Done in the City of Manila, this 30th day of September, in the year of Our Lord, two thousand and two.

(SGD.) GLORIA MACAPAGAL-ARROYO

By the President:

(SGD.) ALBERTO G. ROMULO
Executive Secretary