WHEREAS , it is the policy of the Government to promote and accelerate the socio-economic development of the various regions;

WHEREAS , the Presidential Assistant for Regional Concerns System was created under Executive Order No. 7 dated September 30, 1998 to serve as liaison between the Office of the President and the assigned areas or regions;

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 administrative structure of the Office of the President.

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. Creation. - The Office of the Presidential Adviser for Regional Development (OPARD) is hereby created under the Office of the President, to be headed by the Presidential Adviser for Regional Development (PARD).

SECTION 2. Powers and Functions of the Presidential Adviser for Regional Development. - The PARD shall have the following powers and functions:

a. Advise the President on matters concerning the socio-economic development of the various regions and provide timely analyses and recommendations on critical and strategic policy and operational issues and concerns relative to regional development;
b. Ensure that all presidential directives and commitments pertaining to the regions are faithfully and expediently accomplished;
c. Assist in promoting in the various regions investment opportunities and priority development projects in cooperation with the regional offices of national government agencies, local government units and other stakeholders;
d. Assist in advocating and communicating to the public the Government ™s regional development goals, programs and projects and mobilize the support and cooperation of the people;
e. Submit periodic reports on the status of regional development programs and projects and other relevant matters and, when necessary, recommendations on possible courses of action;
f. Exercise control and supervision over the Regional Development Executives; and
g. Perform such other functions as the President may direct.

SECTION 3. Regional Development Executives . - The PARD shall be assisted by Regional Development Executives who shall be appointed by the President, upon the recommendation of the PARD, for such areas as may be appropriate to promote and accelerate the socio-economic development of the regions.

The Regional Governor of the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao and the Chairman of the Metropolitan Manila Development Authority shall continue to perform their functions relative to the socio-economic development of their respective areas consistent with their mandate, as provided by law.

SECTION 4. Secretariat . - The OPARD shall have a Secretariat which shall provide technical and administrative support to the PARD.

SECTION 5. Abolition. - The Presidential Assistant for Regional Concerns System, created under Executive Order No. 7 dated September 30, 1998, is hereby abolished and its existing plantilla positions, applicable appropriations, records, properties and equipment are hereby transferred to the OPARD.

SECTION 6. Funding. - Appropriations to sustain the operations of the OPARD shall be incorporated in the budget proposal of the Office of the President.

SECTION 7. Repeal . - Executive Order No. 7, dated September 30, 1998 is hereby repealed. All other orders, rules, regulations and issuances, or parts thereof, which are inconsistent with this Executive Order, are hereby repealed or modified accordingly.

SECTION 8. Effectivity . - This Executive Order shall take effect immediately upon approval.

City of Manila, October 23, 2001.

(SGD.) GLORIA MACAPAGAL-ARROYO

By the President:

(SGD.) AVELINO J. CRUZ, JR.
Acting Executive Secretary