WHEREAS, the SOSKSARGEN AREA DEVELOPMENT PROJECT OFFICE has achieved significant strides in integrating the crucial development initiatives of the national government since its inception in August 1991;

WHEREAS, of the major infrastructure components of the project only the airport, fishport, seaport and, the roads are operational, and there is a need for more time to finish critical infrastructure projects in the area;

WHEREAS, the Presidential Committee on Flagship Programs & Projects (Flagship Committee) has been mandated by virtue of Administrative Order No. 109 to prioritize and monitor the implementation of vital infrastructure programs of the Government;

WHEREAS, the Mindanao Railway System has been identified as a œflagship project , and General Santos City is envisioned to be a major station in the System; and

WHEREAS, the southern Philippines Development Authority which has been attached to the Flagship Committee by virtue of Executive Order No. 13, has been tapped as a vehicle for the implementation of development projects in Mindanao;

NOW, THEREFORE, I, JOSEPH EJERCITO ESTRADA, President of the Republic of the Philippines, by virtue of the powers vested in me by law, do hereby order:

SECTION 1. The provision on the ADP Office term is hereby amended to read as follows:

œSec. 7. ADP Office Term. The term of the ADP Office is hereby extended to December 31, 2002. 

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

œSec. 1 SOSKSARGEN Area Development Project Office.
There is hereby established the South Cotabato/Sultan Kudarat/Sarangani/General Santos City - Area Development Project Office, hereinafter referred to as the ADP Office as a Special Project under the Presidential Committee on Flagship Programs and Projects for integrating, coordinating, supervising, directing, and formulating policies and guidelines for the implementation of major undertakings in SOSKSARGEN. The ADP Office shall be composed of a Project Board and a Project Management Unit (PMU) which shall hold office in General Santos City. 

SECTION 3. The provision on the composition of the Project Board under Section 2 of Executive Order No. 474 series of 1991, as amended, is hereby amended to read as follows:

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

a.	Presidential Adviser on Economic Affairs	-	Chairman
b.	The Regional Director, National Economic and Development Authority	-	Vice Chairman
c.	The Provincial Governor of South Cotabato	-	Member
d.	The Provincial Governor of Sarangani	-	Member
e.	The Mayor of General Santos City	-	Member
	The Provincial Governor of Sultan Kudarat	-	Member
g.	Representatives from Government Agencies Involved in the Project (DA, DTI, DILG, DOTC, DPWH, DENR, DOH, DECS)	-	Member
h.	One representative each of the Non-Government Organizations of South Cotabato, Sultan Kudarat, Sarangani Province and General Santos City	-	Member
i.	One representative each of the Chamber of Commerce or Business Community of South Cotabato, Sultan Kudarat, Sarangani Province and General Santos City	-	Member
j	The Administrator, Southern Philippines Development Authority	-	Member

SECTION 4. The provision on project coordination at the national level under Section 3 of Executive Order No. 474, s. of 1991, is hereby amended to read as follows:

œSec. 3. Coordination. The project shall be coordinated at the following levels:

At the National Level : The Flagship Committee shall serve as oversight body for the project and shall perform the following powers and functions:

(a) Ensure that the development goals, policies and programs formulated by the Project Board are properly coordinated with the overall goals, policies, and programs;

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

(c) 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,

Perform such other functions as may be provided by law.

SECTION 5. SEPARABILITY CLAUSE - If any provision of this Executive Order shall be rendered invalid or unconstitutional, the other provisions not otherwise affected shall remain in full force and effect.

SECTION 6. REPEALING CLAUSE - All laws, executive orders or issuances, or any parts thereof which are inconsistent herewith are hereby repealed or modified accordingly.

SECTION 7. EFFECTIVITY CLAUSE - This Executive Order shall take effect fifteen (15) days after its publication in at least one newspaper of general circulation.

DONE in the City of Manila, on this 4th day of November in the year of Our Lord, Nineteen Hundred and Ninety-Eight.

(SGD.) JOSEPH EJERCITO ESTRADA

By the President:

(SGD.) RONALDO B. ZAMORA
Executive Secretary